Use medical devices that incorporate safety-engineered protection mechanisms that eliminate or reduce the risk of occupational exposure to the lowest feasible extent Change the acceptable norm, especially in the Operating Theatre, reiterating to surgical and nursing staff that “sharps injuries DO NOT come with the job” If there's a high risk of infection with HIV, your healthcare professional may consider treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Getting support In a small GP practice, generic assessments may be suitable for the small numbers of staff and activities undertaken. When introducing retractable syringes keep in mind that they may not be suitable for some purposes, and therefore some non-safety devices may be required for specific purposes, for example:

Sharps" include needles, as well as items such as scalpels, lancets, razor blade, scissors, metal wire, retractors, clamps, pins, staples, cutters, and glass items. Essentially, any object that is able to cut the skin can be considered a "sharp". Evidence shows that sharps injuries often occur when the used medical sharp is being transported or when disposed of incorrectly. Most sharps injuries to ancillary and support staff usually involve disposable medical sharps that have not been placed in an appropriate sharps container or have been placed in an overfull container. the design of the safety mechanism is suitable for the application, taking account of the following issues: Text boxes allow you to insert your facility’s information. Be sure to delete instructional text boxes and arrows, and write over instructional segments and example quotes.Follow instructions for further treatment and follow-up from medical professionals, where necessary. Safety First Aid's opening hours are between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday, and our sales team will be happy to deal with any queries you might have during these times.

Sharps containers should be fixed at a height between 900mm and 1100mm, as per the Australasian Health Facility Guidelines Standard Components Room Layout Sheets for; Dirty Utility 10m2, Patient Bay - Recovery, Stage 1, and Patient Bay - Resuscitation.

The transmission of infection depends on a number of factors, including the person's natural immune system. We know the number of injuries each year is high, but only a small number are known to have caused infections that led to serious illness. However, the effects of the injury and anxiety about its potential consequences, including the adverse side effects of post-exposure prophylaxis can have a significant personal impact on an injured employee. Who is at risk? If the medication is not dose specific, healthcare workers should use a single-use safety-engineered needle/syringe. The activation of the safety mechanism must be convenient and allow the care-giver to maintain appropriate control over the procedure

Workers should place needles in wide-mouth, puncture-proof containers. Locate disposal containers specifically where needles and sharps are used to make safe disposal possible. Replace the containers before they are completely filled - sharps containers should be removed and replaced when they are three quarters full. Make sure they are sealed, collected, and disposed of in accordance with local regulations for biomedical waste. You should also seek urgent medical advice as you may need treatment to reduce the risk of getting an infection: The Regulations only apply to employers, contractors and workers in the healthcare sector. NHS Trusts/Boards, independent healthcare businesses and other employers whose main activity is the management, organisation and provision of healthcare will be subject to the 'Sharps Regulations'. and if the medicine is dose specific (e.g. High concentration insulin (e.g.Toujeo), exenatide (Byetta), liraglutide (Victoza)), the medical officer must be informed and an alternate medication SHOULD BE sourced.Ensure sharps containers being used are large enough to accommodate the types of devices being used in the area