CHAPTER 19. SHARPS SAFETY

Question 1

RISKS FROM
SHARPS
INJURIES

Answer 1

SHARPS IS A TERM FOR
DEVICES WITH SHARP
POINTS OR EDGES THAT
CAN PUNCTURE OR CUT
SKIN OR OTHER TISSUE

Question 2

WHEN
CAN
INJURIES
OCCUR?

Answer 2

SHARPS INJURIES CAN OCCUR ANYTIME
WHEN HANDLING A SHARP ITEM

Question 2

SAFETY
CULTURE

Answer 2

Employers should openly support a
safety culture by:
Providing
adequate supply
of resources
Engaging worker
participation in
safety planning
Making available
appropriate
safety devices
and protective
equipment
Introducing
workers to a
safety culture
when they are
first hired
A safety culture reflects the shared
commitment of the employer and
employees toward ensuring the
safety of the work environment

Question 3

OSHA’S
NEEDLESTICK
PREVENTION ACT

Answer 3

IN 2001, OSHA REVISED
THE BLOODBORNE
PATHOGENS STANDARD
TO INCLUDE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE
NEEDLESTICK SAFETY
AND PREVENTION ACT

Question 4

EXPOSURE
CONTROL
PLAN

Answer 4

EXPOSURE CONTROL
PLANS SHOULD BE
REVISITED ON AN
ANNUAL BASIS FOR
REVISIONS

Question 5

SPECIFIC
PREVENTION
APPROACHES

Answer 5

THERE ARE THREE BASIC
APPROACHES TO
PREVENTING SHARPS
INJURIES
* ELIMINATE THE USE
OF THE SHARP
WHEN POSSIBLE
* APPLY
ENGINEERING
CONTROLS
* APPLY WORK
PRACTICE
CONTROLS 10

Question 6

PROPER
HANDLING

Answer 6

PROPER HANDLING OF
SHARPS IS ESSENTIAL
BECAUSE COMMON
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
BARRIERS SUCH AS EXAM
GLOVES OFTEN DO NOT
PREVENT SHARPS
PUNCTURES OR CUTS

Question 7

PARENTERAL
MEDICATIONS

Answer 7

USE SINGLE-DOSE VIALS FOR
PARENTERAL MEDICATIONS
WHENEVER POSSIBLE
* DON’T USE NEEDLES/SYRINGES
FOR MORE THAN ONE PATIENT
* MEDICATION CONTAINERS ARE
ENTERED WITH A NEW NEEDLE
AND SYRINGE
* DON’T USE SINGLE-DOSE
MEDICATION VIALS, AMPULES,
BAGS, OR BOTTLES OF
INTRAVENOUS SOLUTION FOR
MORE THAN ONE PATIENT

Question 8

PARENTERAL
MEDICATIONS (CONT.)

Answer 8

DON’T COMBINE THE LEFTOVER CONTENTS
OF SINGLE-USE VIALS FOR LATER USE
* DON’T USE FLUID INFUSION OR
ADMINISTRATION SETS