Unit 3 Lesson 4: More Safety Practices Flashcards
Guidelines for handling sharps:
- Don’t uncover/unwrap until time to use the needle
- Keep sharp pointed away from you at all times
- Never recap or bend a needle
- Keep fingers away from sharp tip
- Never hand a sharp to another person
- If reusable, put it in a secure, closed container after use
sharps disposal container
Make sure that there is a sharps disposal container at eye level and within reach of where you are using a sharp. Never put your fingers in the sharps container, and if there is tubing attached to the needle, hold both needle and tubing as you put them in the container. If a sharp is sticking out of the container or lying around, a trained person can move it with tongs. When in doubt, call for help. Sharps disposal containers need to be changed when they are 2/3 full so they never overflow.
high risk for needle sticks
When you insert a needle into a patient or remove it from the person’s skin are two moments of high risk for a needlestick. The same goes for inserting a needle into an IV line—you have many things to watch for while doing the procedure, and one of them is to be careful of that needle point.
After you have used a needle should you recap it
After you have used a needle, don’t recap it unless it is absolutely necessary.
What is a needlestick
A needlestick (accidental stab wound with a needle that may contain blood or body fluids) or other exposure to blood or bodily fluid has occurred.
exposure incident
any eye, mouth, mucous membrane, or non-intact skin contact with blood or other potentially infectious material
What to do when a needlestick happens (descrive the first aid)
A needlestickor other exposure to blood or bodily fluid has occurred. Don’t panic but do act. As soon as a sharps injury or other exposure incident occurs, use first aid to minimize the exposure. This includes removing contaminated clothing, allowing the wound to bleed (but not squeezing it), washing with soap and water for skin/wound exposure, and flushing with water for mucous membrane contact with mouth, nose, or eyes.
After first aid what should you do
Immediately report to the work supervisor and proceed to get a medical evaluation.
what does PEP do
In some cases, a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended. Sometimes called post-exposure prevention, PEP can include medication given that will lower the chance of the infection taking hold.
post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
preventative medical treatment given after exposure to a pathogen
What should PEP be used
EP should be started as soon as possible after the incident and within one to two hours is ideal.
Empoltyer resonspiblies in needstick
. The employer has many responsibilities to do with keeping a log of exposure incidents and also with testing the source of exposure. If you are exposed, immediately report, go to the doctor, and follow up. All of this should be provided for you by your employer, and it should be free and confidential.
Bedding, re-usable PPE like cotton gowns, and any other washable items that may be contaminated with blood or bodily fluids must also be handled with care. OSHA standards regarding laundry include many specific instructions to keep employees safe: Handle as little as possible
Contaminated laundry should not be shaken or agitated.
Bedding, re-usable PPE like cotton gowns, and any other washable items that may be contaminated with blood or bodily fluids must also be handled with care. OSHA standards regarding laundry include many specific instructions to keep employees safe: Bag it where it is
Wherever it is soiled, bag or containerize laundry. Do not sort or rinse contaminated linen.
Bedding, re-usable PPE like cotton gowns, and any other washable items that may be contaminated with blood or bodily fluids must also be handled with care. OSHA standards regarding laundry include many specific instructions to keep employees safe: Label for transport
Contaminated laundry should be placed in color-coded bags or containers and properly labeled so all workers will know to use precautions. Wet laundry should be placed in leak-proof containers.
Bedding, re-usable PPE like cotton gowns, and any other washable items that may be contaminated with blood or bodily fluids must also be handled with care. OSHA standards regarding laundry include many specific instructions to keep employees safe: PPE for workers
All workers who handle contaminated laundry must wear appropriate PPE, including gloves. Thick utility gloves may be used for handling laundry and can be decontaminated for reuse if they are not cracked or torn.
Bedding, re-usable PPE like cotton gowns, and any other washable items that may be contaminated with blood or bodily fluids must also be handled with care. OSHA standards regarding laundry include many specific instructions to keep employees safe: Hold away from body
Do not carry laundry bags against the body or squeeze them. Inappropriately discarded sharps could poke through bags.
What should be colored coated in healthcare settting
Just as sharps containers must be carefully color-coded and labeled, all waste that is potentially contaminated with infectious agents must be in color-coded and appropriate containers.
Waste in leaky containers
Any waste that is in leaky containers should be placed in an additional leak-proof container that is also color-coded, and the containers must be closed before transport.
In a laboratory setting, there are additional precautions required by OSHA. What happens to regulated waste
Regulated waste needs to be incinerated or decontaminated before it is disposed of.
autoclave
an apparatus for sterilizing using high pressure and steam.
How should Decontamination be performed
Decontamination may be performed onsite with an autoclave—an apparatus for sterilizing using high pressure and steam.
What should room be like when getting rid of waste
Laboratory doors must be closed, and only authorized people should be inside the lab. Biohazard signs must be posted on all doors when infectious materials or animals are present.
Where chould activites with infectious agents be performed
Activities with infectious agents should be performed in a contained area such as a biological safety cabinet.
