Don’t Panic: Steps to Take After a Sharps Accident

March 27, 2024

OUCH! 

Getting pricked by a needle or a sharp object never feels good, especially when you work in healthcare. From the moment you accidentally prick yourself, it’s go-go-go in terms of your safety. 

Sharps accidents are very common in healthcare. Not only 53% of injuries from disposable syringes affect nurses, but 25% of these injuries impact non-users, like other clinical team members, and even Business Associates (BAs) like waste disposal workers. Since it’s common, It’s super important that you know your game plan if something like this happens. 

Need some guidance on where to start? Look no further, Abyde has you covered. 

Stay Calm

Everybody, stay calm! 

To avoid your practice looking like Dunder Mifflin during the fire drill, take some deep breaths.  

While it’s imperative to start taking care of yourself quickly, staying calm is key. Most of the time, the situation will turn out fine if you take the right steps and follow up with a medical provider. 

Also, have an Exposure Task Form completed, a preventative measure that lists how your practice handles accidental exposure. With Abyde, we have one ready for you in our software. 

Let’s Get You Fixed Up

Right after the incident occurs, immediately receive First Aid treatment, protecting the wound. Make sure that First Aid equipment is readily available. 

Then, it’s time for medical attention. By assessing the situation and introducing medical attention, you’re on the right track. Let the doctor taking care of you know your situation, where you work, what kind of sharp it was, and what you might have been exposed to. Depending on the situation, different methods of treatment need to be followed. 

For instance, if you are exposed to HIV, there is post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, which is medication to prevent the contraction of the disease. You need to be on PEP within three days of exposure, so time is of the essence in needlestick injuries. 

Blood Report Card 

Now, I know it’s not fun, but it is very important after getting pricked by a needle or sharp to get blood tested. This blood test will let you know your next steps. 

When getting a blood test, make sure an HBV/HIV Testing Consent due to Accidental Exposure form is filled out. Additionally, get an Accident/Exposure Investigation Report filled out If you’re an Abyde user, we have both conveniently in our OSHA software, making the paperwork process for this easier. 

Report it! 

If a sharps injury occurs, make sure that you report it in the Abyde software! We have  convenient Work-Related Injury & Illness and Sharps Injury logs that have all the information needed to report an injury. This information will also be added to your yearly required OSHA forms that are generated from the software.

Need some help? We’re here for you with our awesome team of compliance experts, here for you every step of the way as you navigate this stressful process. 

Unfortunately, Mistakes Happen

Mistakes happen. It’s totally normal to be freaked out a bit. But deep breaths, okay? Staying calm is key for your health and safety. Get checked out ASAP by medical attention and have some blood tests run. 

Sharps injuries are never a fun situation to deal with, but with the right compliance training and software, your team can be prepared. 

Your team can easily learn the ropes of OSHA with our easy-to-use software. Analyze your vulnerabilities with our Facility Risk Assessment, seeing what your practice needs to know to ensure a safe work environment. 

Our OSHA software also includes thorough, but enjoyable, training on everything you need to know, including how to handle bloodborne pathogens and sharps incidents! 

Learn more about how Abyde can help your practice achieve grade-A compliance, email us at info@abyde.com and schedule a compliance consultation here.

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