Sharps, Lynne Cotters

Question 1

What are sharps

Answer 1

Sharps can cause an injury by cutting or pricking the skin

Question 2

Who is responsible for sharps disposal

Answer 2

dentist

Question 3

What do sharps regulations require

Answer 3

effective arrangements in place for safe use and disposal of medical sharps
info and training to workers
investigate and take action in response to sharps injuries

Question 4

What are the effective arrangements in place for safe us and disposal of medical sharps

Answer 4

avoid unnecessary use

safer sharps where reasonably practicable

Question 5

What are the different color lids on sharps containers for

Answer 5

identify the different waste streams

Question 6

What is the black waste stream

Answer 6

trivial risk

domestic waste

Question 7

What is the orange stream

Answer 7

low risk

e.g soiled dressings

Question 8

What is the yellow stream

Answer 8

high risk/ethical

Question 9

What is red stream

Answer 9

special waste (chemical)
AMALGAM

Question 10

When should the temporary closure mechanism be closed

Answer 10

when container isn’t in use

lid should be firmly closed in place

Question 11

Where should sharps bins be filled to

Answer 11

the line

Question 12

If there is medicine left in the syringe what color of lid sharp container should it go in

Answer 12

blue

Question 13

If there is no medicine in the syringe what color of lid sharps bin does it go in

Answer 13

orange

Question 14

Do patients have to give bloods in event of sharps injury

Answer 14

no

Question 15

What is the ARC for

Answer 15

A - are you injured?
R - remove your gloves
C - check area carefully

Question 16

What should you do if you THINK you COULD have sustained an injury

Answer 16

STOP
take off gloves
get supervising clinician
investigate injury site and confirm NO injury before commencing tx
dispose of sharp and start with new one - even if NO INJURY DO NOT USE THE SAME SHARP

Question 17

Who should perform RA

Answer 17

NOT STUDENT

Question 18

Describe protocol for RA

Answer 18

all info should be confidential
info from RA should not be written in case notes
RA must be destroyed after occupational health called
students most nOT have blood samples taken within dental school

Question 19

What should be put in DATIX if student is injured

Answer 19

student details must be added in person affected section

Question 20

What should be put in DATIX if student’s patient is injured

Answer 20

patients details entered into person affected
student details added as a witness
student number to be added into summary of event

Question 21

What is most infectious BBV

Answer 21

hep b

Question 22

What happens if there is significant occupational exposure

Answer 22

student has immediate access to medical advice
student has been offered PEP within the hour
any other medical tx advised by GMP
consider counseling

Question 23

Summarise the sharps procedure

Answer 23

STOP
INFORM PX 
MAKE SHARPS SAFE
FIRST AID
CLINICIAN
RA
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
CONSENT FOR BLOODS
PAPERWORK
DATIX

Question 24

What are the first aid steps for sharps injury

Answer 24

1. Encourage wound to bleed
2. Wash affected area w/ soap
3. Cover with waterproof dressing
4. Ensure item that has caused injury is disposed safely
5. Report
6. Follow protocol
7. Document incident