Sharps Safety

Publication Date: November 1, 2019

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)
326403
Use a neutral zone or hands-free technique (HFT) for passing sharp instruments, blades, needles, and devices. (R)
326403
If using a neutral zone compromises safety, use a modified neutral zone (eg, a limited hands-free
passing technique) by
  • placing the sharp in the surgeon’s hand and
  • having the surgeon return the sharp to the designated neutral zone.
(R)
326403
The perioperative team may use a no-touch technique when handling sharps (eg, loading, manipulating, removing). (C)
326403
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.
(C)
326403
Use safe injection practices. (R)
326403
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)
326403

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)
326403
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)
326403
The health care organization must provide education when new equipment or processes are introduced. (RR)
326403
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)
326403
Report all sharps injuries immediately according to organizational policy. (R)
326403
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)
326403
Sharps injury logs may be reviewed to identify trends in frequency and types of injuries. (C)
326403

Recommendation Grading

Disclaimer

Overview

Title

Sharps Safety

Authoring Organization

Publication Month/Year

November 1, 2019

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