Sharps

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.

November 27, 2023 Accidents happen, and in a medical setting, a needle prick can be a cause for concern. As a responsible healthcare provider, it’s crucial to have a clear protocol in place for your team to follow when such incidents occur. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top four things your medical practice must do after a needle prick to ensure the well-being of your staff and maintain compliance. 1. Provide First Aid to the Employee If Needed: The safety and well-being of your staff are paramount. In the event of a needle prick, provide immediate first aid to the affected employee. Ensure that basic first aid supplies are readily available, and educate your team on the proper procedures to address minor injuries. Quick and appropriate action can significantly reduce the risk of complications. 2. Recommend the Employee Seek Medical Attention: While first aid is a crucial initial step, it’s essential to recommend that the affected employee seek professional medical attention promptly. Urgent care facilities or other medical providers can conduct a thorough assessment of the situation and determine if further medical interventions, such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), are necessary. Prompt medical attention is vital for minimizing potential health risks. 3. Ask the Source Patient for Consent to Test Their Blood: One of the critical steps after a needle prick is to assess the risk of bloodborne pathogens. Seeking consent from the source patient for blood testing is a crucial component of this assessment. Utilize the Accidental Exposure Testing Consent Form provided by Abyde to ensure that the process is well-documented and compliant. This form not only demonstrates your commitment to employee health but also facilitates a transparent and legally sound approach to managing potential exposures. 4. Log Incident within Abyde: To maintain a comprehensive record of the incident and demonstrate compliance with industry standards, it’s imperative to log the needle prick incident within Abyde. Abyde’s robust compliance solutions are designed to streamline documentation processes and ensure that all necessary details are recorded accurately. By logging the incident promptly, you create a valuable resource for future reference, audits, and continuous improvement of your workplace safety protocols. Conclusion: Prioritizing Safety and Compliance Handling a needle prick incident promptly and responsibly is crucial for the safety of your staff and the integrity of your medical practice. By providing immediate first aid, recommending professional medical attention, seeking consent for blood testing, and logging the incident within Abyde, you establish a robust framework for managing such situations. Abyde’s commitment to simplifying compliance processes ensures that your medical practice can navigate post-needle prick protocols seamlessly. Remember, proactive measures today contribute to a safer and more compliant healthcare environment tomorrow. Not yet using Abyde? Click here to schedule a one-on-one consultation with a compliance expert!

September 20, 2023 As an independent medical practice, ensuring the safety of both your patients and your staff should be a top priority. One of the vital components of maintaining safety is the implementation of an effective sharps program. This initiative helps in averting injuries and is a significant step towards fostering a secure healthcare environment. Here’s what needs to be included in your sharps program: 1. Comprehensive Training A. Awareness: Foster a safety culture by educating your team on the potential hazards associated with improper handling of sharps. B. Technique: Training should include proper techniques for handling and disposing of sharps to prevent injuries. 2. Proper Tools and Equipment A. Safety-Engineered Devices: Utilize sharps with safety features such as retractable needles and shielded needle devices. B. Disposal Containers: Ensure the availability of puncture-resistant containers for sharps disposal at every point of use. 3. Clear Policies and Procedures A. Disposal Policy: Create a straightforward policy delineating the correct disposal procedures, emphasizing never to overfill sharps containers. B. Reporting Incidents: Develop a clear pathway for promptly reporting and managing sharps injuries. 4. Encourage a Culture of Safety A. Feedback Loop: Establish an open communication channel where staff can report hazards or suggest improvements without fear of reprisal. B. Regular Audits: Regularly evaluate the efficacy of your sharps program and make necessary adjustments. 5. Emergency Response Plan A. Post-Exposure Protocols: Develop protocols for immediate response in case of an exposure incident, including accessible post-exposure prophylaxis. B. Medical Evaluation: Ensure procedures are in place for a quick medical evaluation and follow-up after a sharps injury. 6. Documentation and Records A. Injury Log: Maintain a sharps injury log to record details of the incidents comprehensively. B. Training Records: Keep updated staff training records to track progress and maintain compliance. Conclusion Implementing a robust sharps program is not just a regulatory requirement but a moral imperative in safeguarding the well-being of your staff and patients. Partner with a trustworthy ally like Abyde, who understands the intricacies of healthcare compliance and takes a step toward a safer, more efficient medical practice today. With Abyde by your side, meeting the sharps program requirements becomes as seamless as ever, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most — providing exemplary patient care.