Sharps Flashcards
A sharps injury just happened to your nurse.
How do you fix this problem?
First, treat the wound.
So, encourage bleeding then wash with warm water and soap.
Next, determine the risk level.
High or low for BBV transmission
Was the wound superficial or did it go percutaneous.
Did the instrument have blood or saliva on it.
Did the instrument have a bore hole or was it solid.
Does the patient have HIV, Hep B or Hep C in their Mx.
Next, report injury to senior member of staff
Call occupational health provider (they’ll help)
Record injury in accident book and official reporting
Employees that have had injuries must be followed up for; prophylaxis, councilling and prevention
PEP is then decided based on risk, vaccination status and HBV status of source
Hep B may get vaccination + HBIG therapy
HIV may get anti-retroviral therapy (<24hrs of exposure if necessary)
*only given if there’s a detectable viral load
12 week follow up from exposure to ensure free from infection
12 weeks from PEP finishing if taken
Prevention of exposures (and BBV transmission)
Vaccination
Elimination of unnecessary needles
PPE
No recapping
Safety engineered devices
Regular risk assessment
Hand hygiene
Effective recording and reporting
PEP
Sound training (employees and employers)
Risk for an infection in a healthcare worker exposed to BBV (percutaneous exposure)
*percutaneous: blood vessel exposure due to needle stick (ie. Piercing of the skin with a needle)
HIV - 0.3%/1:300 (negligible if undetectable viral load)
HCV - 3%/1:30
HBV - 30%/1:3
*sero-conversion rate
Prevalence in general population
HBV - 0.12% (1/950)
HCV - 1.0% (1/100)
HIV - 0.8% (1/140)
so it’s already a <1% chance they’re + for carrying a BBV
Followed by a 1/3, 1/30 or 1/300 chance they’ll transmit it to you with a needlestick injury.
So your odds are good.
But. Report everything and get occupational health on the phone immediately. You can’t assume + they’ll need follow up anyway (pretty sure)
Acronym
AWARE
Apply pressure and allow to bleed
Wash gently with warm water and soap
Assess type of injury
Risk of source
Establish contact
