Chapter 4 Safety and Infection Control 127 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. • Do not recap needles. • Cover all of your cuts and broken skin with a waterproof dressing before putting on gloves and handling blood or other potentially infectious body fl uids. • Promptly and carefully clean up spills of blood and other body fl uids as directed by your facility safety manual. • Facilities should use a safe system for healthcare waste management and disposal. Real Life Scenario Real Life Scenario Isabella just started her job as a phlebotomist at Eastridge Hospital. It is her first week drawing blood, and her supervisor is very strict about procedures. Isabella already feels that her supervisor does not have much faith in her abilities. Isabella’s next patient is a male adult who admits to being afraid of needles, increasing Isabella’s anxiety. Isabella’s hands are shaking, and she worries that her supervisor will come into the room to watch, so she hurries through the blood draw. She is able to draw the blood quickly, but in her haste to put away the needle she sticks herself with it. Isabella immediately decides that she won’t tell anyone about the needlestick for fear of getting in trouble, or possibly fired. Apply It 1. What could be the possible consequences of Isabella’s failure to report this incident? 2. Do you think her supervisor should fire her? 3. What could happen if her patient has a bloodborne disease? 4. What would you do in Isabella’s position? Needlestick Incidents Protocol for Disposal of Hazardous Materials The Joint Commission requires hospitals to have hazardous-materials and waste-management plans or protocols describing how the facility will safely control hazardous materials and waste. Infectious materials are considered hazardous. Written orientation and education programs must be created to train all personnel who come into contact with hazardous materials and waste. These programs must address the following: • proper precautions in selection, handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and waste • proper emergency procedures for spills and exposures • orientation and education about incident reporting Recycling and Waste Reduction Most of the waste generated in a healthcare facility is nonhazardous. This means that you need not follow the protocols for disposal of hazard- ous materials for most waste materials. You should, however, use recycling procedures when disposing of nonhazardous materials. Recycling practices save money for the facility and help protect the environment. Paper usually makes up the largest amount of waste in a healthcare facility. Paper waste includes cardboard, high-grade offi ce paper, newspaper, and mixed paper. Other recyclable materials include plastics, food waste, and disposable linens. Efforts should be made whenever possible to pur- chase products made from recycled materials.