126 Unit 1 Introduction to Healthcare Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. These items must be placed in a biohazard sharps container, whether or not they are contaminated with biohazardous waste (Figure 4.31). Any object that has been contaminated with biohazardous waste and has the potential to puncture a garbage bag must be placed in the biohazard sharps container. Such items might include broken glassware, glassware with sharp edges or points, pipettes, or glass slides. If these items are not contaminated with biohazardous waste, they may be placed in a rigid container and marked with the words “broken glassware.” Preventing Infections A needlestick or other sharp-related injury immediately opens the skin to the potential of infection with bloodborne disease and other pathogens. Any skin abrasion, including acne, presents an opening for pathogens to enter your body. Be sure to bandage any cuts or breaks in the skin, and keep your hands away from your eyes and face to avoid infection. Nurses, EMTs, paramedics, phlebotomists, clinical medical assis- tants, housekeeping personnel, and other healthcare workers may be at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. A highly effective hepatitis B vaccine is available. Employers must offer this injection if their employ- ees are at risk of being exposed to bloodborne pathogens. There is no vaccine for HIV or hepatitis C, but much research is being conducted in an attempt to fi nd vaccines for these viral illnesses. Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act was signed into law on November 6, 2000. Under this act, OSHA requires employers to identify, evaluate, and introduce safe medical devices. Devices are available to shield a needle as soon as it is withdrawn from the patient. A needle should never be recapped. OSHA requires that safety-engineered needles—such as ones that have needle shields—must be used. After use, needles should be imme- diately placed in a puncture-resistant biohazard sharps container to prevent accidental exposure to a needlestick. If you are stuck by a needle or another sharp object, or get blood or potentially infectious materials in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin, immediately fl ood the exposed area with water. Clean all wounds with soap and water or a skin antiseptic, if available. Immediately report the incident to your employer and seek medical attention. Your facility safety manual should clearly explain how to proceed after such an exposure. The OSHA Standard requires the following: • Sanitize your hands after direct contact with each of your patients. • Use protective barriers such as gloves when working with blood and other potentially infectious body fl uids. In addition, gowns, aprons, masks, and goggles must be used when there is a danger of being splashed or sprayed with body fl uids. Remember, gloves that are worn when giving patient care are not puncture-proof. • Collect and properly dispose of needles and other sharps in a biohazard sharps container. biohazard sharps container a puncture-resistant container used for disposing of waste-contaminated sharps, including needles, scalpels, glass slides, and broken glassware Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act a law enacted in 2000 requiring employers to identify, evaluate, and introduce safer medical devices to avoid needlesticks Thom Hanssen Images/Shutterstock.com Figure 4.31 As a healthcare worker, you will need to develop the habit of putting used sharps into the proper disposable containers. Any object that is contaminated with biohazard waste and can puncture through a garbage bag must be placed in a biohazard sharps container.