Needlestick and Sharps
About the course
This course provides essential training on the safe use, handling, and disposal of needles and sharps in healthcare and caregiving settings. It covers the risks of needlestick injuries, prevention strategies, legal responsibilities, and best practices for maintaining health and safety standards.
What will you learn
- Understanding Sharps and Needles
Learn about the types, uses, and risks of sharps and needles in healthcare, including their environmental and safety implications.
- Legislation and Compliance
Understand legal frameworks such as COSHH (2002) and Health and Safety Regulations (2013) for sharps usage and disposal.
- Innovations in Sharps Safety
Explore advancements like retractable needles, safety shields, and smart sharps disposal systems to enhance workplace safety.
- Managing Needlestick Injuries
Understand the causes, impacts, and prevention strategies for needlestick injuries, focusing on high-risk groups and systemic solutions.
- Risk Assessment and Employer Responsibilities
Learn how to conduct effective risk assessments, implement mitigation measures, and ensure compliance with employer duties.
- Safe Use and Disposal Protocols
Master the proper handling and disposal of sharps, including the use of compliant sharps containers and safe handling techniques.
- Training and Education
Discover the importance of ongoing training in safe sharps handling and infection control to reduce occupational hazards.
- Health, Safety, and Record-Keeping
Understand protocols for managing exposure to bloodborne pathogens, documenting needlestick injuries, and maintaining infection control standards.
Course Content
References
References
- Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013. (2013). Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/645/contents/made
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. (2002). Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2677/contents/made
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. (1974). Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/contents
- Public Health England Guidance: Safer Sharps in Healthcare Settings. (2021). Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/infection-prevention-and-control
- World Health Organization (WHO): Injection Safety. (2020). Available at: https://www.who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/infection-prevention-control/injection-safety
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE): Managing Sharps Injuries. (2018). Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/needlesticks/index.htm
- Royal College of Nursing (RCN): Sharps Safety. (2021). Available at: https://www.rcn.org.uk/clinical-topics/infection-prevention-and-control/sharps-safety
- NHS Employers: Reducing Sharps Injuries. (2020). Available at: https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/reducing-sharps-injuries
- World Health Organization (WHO): Needlestick Injuries Data. (2019). Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/needlestick-injuries
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention. (2021). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/
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Katherine Cutts
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Daniel Smith
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