#Workplace Safety
By Team Seaglass
Needlestick injuries are a serious concern for nurses, as they can lead to potential exposure to harmful bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. However, these injuries can often be prevented by following best practices and using the right tools and techniques to protect caregivers from unwanted exposure.
In this month’s blog, we will review the essential skills necessary to protect our healthcare providers from contact with needlesticks and other sharps.
Safety-Engineered Devices
- Self-sheathing Needles and Syringes– Unlike traditional needles, these needle devices are equipped with sheathing that can be activated to cover the needle immediately after use, without requiring any close contact from the caregiver. These devices can be used for blood draws, as well as medication administration.
- Retractable Needles– Similar to sheathing safety devices, these needles are designed to automatically retract the needle after use. These devices are frequently used with butterfly needles and can be retracted at the press of a button, virtually eliminating post-event exposure.
- Blunt Tip Cannulas– These devices have rounded tips rather than sharp tips and are particularly good when drawing up medications from vials, although these devices are not intended for patient injections or blood draws. As noted above, shielded and retractable safety equipped needles are preferred when piercing the skin.
- Needleless Systems– These systems are commonly used for IV therapy, medication administration and fluid withdrawal. Needless systems eliminate the need for repetitive needle insertions.
Safe Handling Practices
- No Re-capping Policy– Never recap needles after they’re used on a patient. If you’re using needles that require recapping…STOP and contact your manager. Nowadays, there are safety devices available for virtually every needle type.
- Sharps Disposal Containers– Keep sharps disposal containers at strategic locations to ensure easy access. Sharps disposal containers should never be emptied manually. Sharps containers must be puncture-resistant, have a closeable lid/door, and be positioned in an upright position to prevent leakage. Contents inside the containers should never exceed the “FILL LINE”, and containers should be replaced routinely to reduce risk of overfill. Contaminated sharps are considered regulated medical waste and should be handled by a qualified medical waste provider.
- Proper Sharps Disposal– By having sharps disposal containers easily accessible, needles should ALWAYS be disposed of in the sharps containers. They should not be discarded in trash or left on procedure trays.
PPE
While Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) does not prevent needlestick or other puncture wounds caused by sharp objects, PPE does provide an enhanced barrier against contact with blood or other potential infectious material (OPIM). Therefore, use of PPE is encouraged
- Gloves– Universal precautions should be followed when working in any healthcare environment, both for your protection and the patient. Gloves should never be shared between patients and should not be decontaminated for reuse. Nitrile gloves with a 4-8 mil thickness are generally recognized for non-surgical healthcare environments. In some cases, glove layering may also be warranted for higher barrier protection. But it’s important to note that there are NO gloves that will prevent puncture from sharp objects.
- Protective Clothing– Gowns and aprons protect against spray/splashes of body fluids.
- Eye and Face Protection– Masks and shields are recommended when there is risk for spray/splash of body fluids.
- HBV Vaccination– For healthcare providers who can reasonably anticipate risk for exposures to infectious body fluids, some vaccinations are available and should be offered to staff.
Training and Education
- Regular Training Sessions– Provide ongoing training on safe needle handling, disposal procedures, and proper use of safety devices
- Simulation Drills– Conduct simulation drills to practice safe needle usage and disposal techniques
- Observation & Coaching– Observe daily activity to monitor staff practices and coaching opportunities
- Awareness Campaigns– Raise awareness about the risks of needlestick injuries and the importance of following safety protocols
Preventing needlestick injuries requires a combination of using the right equipment, proper training, adopting safe handling practices, and fostering a culture of safety. By prioritizing these strategies, nurses can protect themselves and maintain a safer healthcare environment.