Sharps Safety
Publication Date: November 1, 2019
Last Updated: March 14, 2022
Recommendations
Work Practice Controls
Work practice controls must be used during handling of sharp devices (eg, scalpels, hypodermic needles,
suture needles, bone fragments, K-wires, burrs, saw blades, drill bits, trocars, bone cutters, towel clips,
scissors, electrosurgical tips, skin hooks, retractors). (RR)
suture needles, bone fragments, K-wires, burrs, saw blades, drill bits, trocars, bone cutters, towel clips,
scissors, electrosurgical tips, skin hooks, retractors). (RR)
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Use a neutral zone or hands-free technique (HFT) for passing sharp instruments, blades, needles, and devices. (R)
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If using a neutral zone compromises safety, use a modified neutral zone (eg, a limited hands-free
passing technique) by
passing technique) by
- placing the sharp in the surgeon’s hand and
- having the surgeon return the sharp to the designated neutral zone.
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The perioperative team may use a no-touch technique when handling sharps (eg, loading, manipulating, removing). (C)
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The following additional sharps safety practices may also be used:
- maintaining situational awareness of all sharps on the sterile field [and]
- communicating the location of sharps on the sterile field with other members of the perioperative team during the procedures and at times of personnel change.
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Use safe injection practices. (R)
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Contaminated needles and other contaminated sharps must not be bent, recapped, or removed unless there is no alternative, or the action is required because of a specified medical or dental procedure. (RR)
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Administrative Controls
Health care personnel who are occupationally exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials must receive training before assignment to tasks during which occupational exposure may occur, at least annually thereafter, and when changes to procedures or tasks affect occupational exposure. (RR)
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The health care organization must provide initial and ongoing education and competency verification for employees on the principles and performance of sharps safety practices. (RR)
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The health care organization must provide education when new equipment or processes are introduced. (RR)
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Policies and procedures designed to minimize or eliminate health care personnel exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials must be developed and implemented. (RR)
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Report all sharps injuries immediately according to organizational policy. (R)
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The health care organization may develop quality indicators (eg, rates of percutaneous injuries, types of injuries, compliance with use of engineering and work practice controls) to monitor and measure adherence to sharps safety and injury prevention practices. (C)
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Sharps injury logs may be reviewed to identify trends in frequency and types of injuries. (C)
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Recommendation Grading
Disclaimer
Overview
Title
Sharps Safety
Authoring Organization
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
Publication Month/Year
November 1, 2019
Last Updated Month/Year
January 5, 2023
Document Type
Guideline
External Publication Status
Published
Country of Publication
US
Inclusion Criteria
Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Infant, Older adult
Health Care Settings
Hospital, Operating and recovery room
Intended Users
Surgical technologist, nurse, medical techologist technician, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Prevention
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)
D061214 - Patient Safety, D004869 - Equipment Safety
Keywords
sharps, sharps safety