OCCUPATIONAL BLOOD EXPOSURE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 2016 Flashcards
What is the EU Directive 2010/32/?
The European directive was transposed into Irish law in March 2014 – S.I No.135 of 2014
What are the contents of the European Union (prevention of sharps injuries in the healthcare sector) regulations 2014?
It requires all member states, including Ireland, to introduce further protection for health care workers exposed to the risk of sharps injuries.
This act supersedes the general, Safety Health and Welfare at work act 2005
What are the Main requirements of the Directive?
Implement safe systems of work
Use of personal protective equipment e.g. Gloves
Ensuring appropriate vaccination.
Training made available on correct use of medical devices
Employers must release workers who are required to attend training and the training must be available on a regular basis.
Workers need to report immediately any accident or incident involving sharps to their manager/supervisor.
Policies and procedures need to be in place in case a sharps injury occurs
What are the Policies and procedures need to be in place in case a sharps injury occurs?
> Take immediate steps to care for the injured worker, including the provision of post-exposure prophylaxis and any necessary medical test and appropriate health surveillance.
Investigate the cause and circumstances of the accident/incident.
where appropriate consider counseling and medical treatment for the injured worker.
State the classification of hazards
Employees are protected by law from exposure to occupational hazards (biological, chemical, physical etc.)
Biological hazards include bacteria, viruses, fungi (moulds & yeasts) and parasites
The Biological Agents Regulations (1994) require the prevention of exposure of employees to a biological agent in a place of work
The Health & Safety Act (2005) includes microorganisms in its definition of substances. Therefore, protection against microorganisms is given the same legal standing as protection against other hazards in the workplace
What is high risk materials?
Significant exposure risk, include ; Blood Semen Vigina secretions Body fluids with visible blood
What is low risk materials?
No significant risk of transmission of BBV's e.g Urine Nasal secretion Saliva Sputum Faeces Vomit Sweat Tears
What does the risk of developing infection after blood exposure depends on?
Exposure type (sharps injury versus splash or a bite) Exposure severity (depth of injury, amount of blood involved etc.)
What is POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS?
The risk assessment depends on many factors, the most important being whether the source was positive for any of the diseases mentioned above.
Hep B: Most HCW’s are immune to hep B. If non-immune( non responder/ incomplete)- Immunoglobulin & vaccine.
Hep C: Unfortunately no vaccine or no PEP. Monitor HCW closely, in the event of seroconversion commence treatment.
HIV: Commencement of PEP within 1 hour is most ideal but remains very effective in the first 24hrs and effective up to 72hrs.
State the main breaches of standard precautions
Not wearing eye or face protection Incorrect disposal Passing sharps to colleagues Recapping needles Deviation from policy /procedure.
How does one handle and dispose sharps?
Standard precautions
Think before you use sharps about disposal
Dispose into sharps container immediately after use
Never overfill sharps containers
Never re-sheath
Discard syringe & needle as single unit
What is used for eye protection?
Goggles
Visors
Full face shield
What are the basics of good infection control?
- Vaccines up to date
- cover cuts
- PPE
What precautions entails Prepare protect proceed?
Ignore distractions, bleeps/phone/other patients
Never endanger a colleague by handing them a used sharp.
The task is not completed until sharp is safely disposed of.
Many injuries occur from unsafe systems of work i.e. deviation from policy/SOP.
