When working in a healthcare environment, there are situations when you might need to use needles. These situations include drawing blood, administering vaccinations, or beginning an IV. There are a few details to remember pertaining to needlestick safety that can prevent contaminants from spreading and that can keep you and the patient safe.
Capping
After needles or sharps are used with patients, they should be properly capped and placed in a container designed for needles. If the needle is bent, it should be covered with the proper equipment before being disposed of as the original cap likely won’t securely fit in place.
Containers
All containers used to hold needles need to be leak-proof. This can prevent any fluids that might drain from the needles used from getting out of the container and contaminating people or surfaces. This container should be kept out of the reach of children and placed in a secure area that is visible to everyone in the room.
Proper Equipment
A component of needlestick safety is wearing the proper gear when using the needles. Gloves need to be worn at all times as well as a gown and mask. If you feel that there could be a possibility that fluids could get on your skin, then you want to wear a mask that covers your entire face or goggles with a face mask. After interacting with the patient, you need to remove all of the gear before leaving the room to prevent contaminating other areas in the building.
When interacting with patients and using needles, contact Sharp Fluidics on our website to learn about how to safely use the devices.