Sharps Injuries Flashcards
what are exposure/sharps injuries?
- needles of sharp objects that are contaminated with blood/bodily fluids that pierce/break the skin
- splashing of blood/bodily fluids onto broken skin
- contamination of the eyes, nose or mouth with bodily fluids
- a human bite that breaks skin
what are examples of bodily fluids?
- blood
- saliva
what is meant by a significant exposure?
when the source patient is known to be infected with a blood borne virus
what are some common sharps/exposure injuries in dentristry?
- needles going into fingers
- burrs/ultrasonic tips piercing fingers/arms
- slipping luxators
- unsheathed needles
what is the probability of acquiring HBV/Hepatitis B after a percutaneous injury with a contaminated sharp?
1 in 3
what is the probability of acquiring HCV/Hepatitis C after a percutaneous injury with a contaminated shape?
1 in 30
what is the probability of acquiring HIV after a percutaneous injury with a contaminated sharp?
1 in 300
what are some preventative measures to avoid exposure/sharps injuries?
- hand hygiene (after patient contact)
- use of PPE
- safe disposal of waste including sharps
what are the steps to follow after experiencing a sharps injury?
- induce/encourage bleeding
- wash with soap & water (DO NOT SCRUB)
- assess type of injury
- try to find out if patient has a blood borne virus/is a high risk group
- report injury to senior staff and contact occupational health
* may need post exposure prophylaxis
who requires post exposure prophylaxis after exposure to HBV?
- unvaccinated
- vaccinated by non responder
what post exposure prophylaxis is involved for HIV cases?
- anti-retroviral medication
when should post exposure prophylaxis be given?
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after injury
what are some common side effects of post exposure prophylaxis HIV drugs?
- headaches
- nausea
- fever
