Sharps Injury Flashcards
Examples of blood borne viruses
Hep B
Hep C
HIV
What is a sharps/exposure?
Needles/sharp objects contaminated with blood/bodily fluids pierce through skin
AWARE acronym
A - apply pressure + allow to bleed
W - wash dont scrub
A - assess type of injury
R - risk of source blood
E - establish contact
What to check as part of ‘R’
Is the pt known to have HIV/Hep B/Hep C
Is the pt a drug user
If HIV+ are they on cART (undetectable viral load = untransmissable HIV)
Risk of Hep B following a needle stick
0.1%
Risk of Hep C following a needle stick
1%
Risk of HIV following a needle stick
0.8%
What to check as part of ‘E’
Establish contact
- Report to senior member of staff
- Occupational health
- Record injury (accident book + official reporting)
- Employee needs prophylaxis, counselling + prevention
How to assess BBV status of source
Test for BBVs or confirm prev results
IF source doesn’t consent then risk assess based on circumstances + likelihood of BBV
How to assess BBV status of recipient
Hx of HBV vaccine
Hx of prev tests for BBV’s
Take baseline bloods for storage
What is the post exposure prophylaxis for Hep B
Immunoglobulin and/or vaccine
What is the post exposure prophylaxis for Hep B dependent on?
Vaccine status prior to exposure
Type of exposure
HBV status of source
What % of protection is provided with Hep B immunoglobulin
70-75% protection from Hep B
Same time or within 24hrs
Post exposure prophylaxis for HIV
Combined anti-retroviral therapy
Start within 24hrs of exposure
Not routinely recommended if source has confirmed + sustained undetectable viral load
Follow up post BBV exposure
Follow up for at least 6-12wks after exposure
If prophylaxis taken = 12wks
Negative test at 12wks = free from infection
