ROLE OF HEALTH CARE WORKER IN PREVENTING NEEDLESTICK INJURIES

Ms. Subashini kaliraj

Infection Control NurseNurse Supervisor

How do needle stick injuries occur?

Several studies show that needles cause injuries at

every stage of their use, disassembly, or disposal.

Equipment design.Nature of Procedure.Conditions of Work.Staff Experience.Recapping.Disposal.

Equipment design.

Non availablity or improper use of equipment can cause needle sticks. Safer innovative devices can used.

Nature of Procedure.

Injuries commonly occur when workers try to do several things at the same time, especially while disassembling or disposing of needles.

For example withdrawing a needle from a patient, especially if staff attend to bleeding patients while disposing of the needle.

Conditions of Work.

Staff reductions where nurses, laboratory personnel and students do additional duties.

Difficult patient care situations.Working at night with reduced lighting.New staff or students tend to have more

needlestick injuries than experienced staff.

How needlestick injures can be prevented?Employee training.Recommended guidelines in management of

sharps.Safe recapping procedures.Effective disposal systems.Surveillance programs.Improved equipment design.

1.Employee trainingRisk of injury.Potential hazards.Recommended precautions for use and

disposal of needles.Procedures for reporting injuries.The importance of hepatitis B vaccination

where appropriate.

2.Recommended guidelines in management of sharps.1. Sharp waste shall be disposed in “sharps

container” which are rigid and puncture resistant and presents no risk on staff or patients.

What are sharp containers? sharps container are designed for the

disposal of sharps required and regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Types Sharp containers Y Series Sharps Containers are designed

in good sharps removing function for safe use. These Containers are manufactured in round shape style with various capacity and they adopt rolling locking covers.

F Series Sharps Containers offer a comprehensive sharps disposal solution with either rolling locking cover or sliding locking cover 

 T Series Sharps Disposal Containers are ideal to use in isolation patients. These sharps disposal container  features a good needle notch.

Big Series Sharps Box are designed in big volume.

 R Series Sharps Disposal Containers are simple design with pressing locking covers with  feature a handle around the sharps container for hanging application.

Recommended guidelines

APP-IC-14Sharp waste shall be disposed in “sharps

container” which are rigid and puncture resistant and presents no risk on staff or patients.

Sharp containers should be filled to three quarters and closed tightly with lid.

Sharp containers are properly used: not over filled, do not attempt to transfer sharps into other container.

Sharp containers are transported by housekeeping personnel for storage and then for incineration with external company.

Sharp waste is disposed of in sharps containers as close to site use as possible.

Under no circumstances shall be discarded into waste or trash container.

Bare needle will not be left on IV poles, instrument trays or any place in the nursing station that may pose a hazard to personnel, patients or visitors.

NO RECAPING

Safe recapping procedures.

Needles are not bent, broken or recapped except in special and approved circumstances.

If recapping is necessary, the one handed scoop technique is used.

Report the incidentMost important responsibility of the health worker is to report the

incident. REPORT THE INCIDENT TO SUPERVISOR

INFECTION CONTROL NURSE MS.SUBASHINI KALIRAJ

INFECTION CONTROL HEAD DR.SANNA KAMAL

EXPOSURE NEEDLESTICK AND SHARP INJURY WASH WITH RUNNING WATER REPORT THE INCIDENT SEEK MEDICAL HELP

SAMPLING PATIENT SAMPLING HCW

POSITIVE NEGATIVE FOR VIRUSES ARCHIVE

FOLLOW-UP STOP REFERRAL TO SHC

HCW

Surveillance

Surveillance to be adopted on the following aspects

Determining the rate of needlestick injuries.Investigating the factors that cause the injuries.Ensuring that injured workers receive proper

diagnosis and treatment.Follow-up of response to HBV vaccinationIdentifying areas in which the prevention program

needs improvement.Eventually providing practical strategies for

dealing with the problem.

Continued Innovation

To identify the types and designs of needle which can reduce needle stick injuries.

To understand better how needle devices can be handled.

Thank you