Sharps, Lynne Cotters Flashcards
What are sharps
Sharps can cause an injury by cutting or pricking the skin
Who is responsible for sharps disposal
dentist
What do sharps regulations require
effective arrangements in place for safe use and disposal of medical sharps
info and training to workers
investigate and take action in response to sharps injuries
What are the effective arrangements in place for safe us and disposal of medical sharps
avoid unnecessary use
safer sharps where reasonably practicable
What are the different color lids on sharps containers for
identify the different waste streams
What is the black waste stream
trivial risk
domestic waste
What is the orange stream
low risk
e.g soiled dressings
What is the yellow stream
high risk/ethical
What is red stream
special waste (chemical) AMALGAM
When should the temporary closure mechanism be closed
when container isn’t in use
lid should be firmly closed in place
Where should sharps bins be filled to
the line
If there is medicine left in the syringe what color of lid sharp container should it go in
blue
If there is no medicine in the syringe what color of lid sharps bin does it go in
orange
Do patients have to give bloods in event of sharps injury
no
What is the ARC for
A - are you injured?
R - remove your gloves
C - check area carefully
What should you do if you THINK you COULD have sustained an injury
STOP
take off gloves
get supervising clinician
investigate injury site and confirm NO injury before commencing tx
dispose of sharp and start with new one - even if NO INJURY DO NOT USE THE SAME SHARP
Who should perform RA
NOT STUDENT
Describe protocol for RA
all info should be confidential
info from RA should not be written in case notes
RA must be destroyed after occupational health called
students most nOT have blood samples taken within dental school
What should be put in DATIX if student is injured
student details must be added in person affected section
What should be put in DATIX if student’s patient is injured
patients details entered into person affected
student details added as a witness
student number to be added into summary of event
What is most infectious BBV
hep b
What happens if there is significant occupational exposure
student has immediate access to medical advice
student has been offered PEP within the hour
any other medical tx advised by GMP
consider counseling
Summarise the sharps procedure
STOP INFORM PX MAKE SHARPS SAFE FIRST AID CLINICIAN RA OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CONSENT FOR BLOODS PAPERWORK DATIX
What are the first aid steps for sharps injury
- Encourage wound to bleed
- Wash affected area w/ soap
- Cover with waterproof dressing
- Ensure item that has caused injury is disposed safely
- Report
- Follow protocol
- Document incident
