The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) have recently updated the guidelines for sharps safety. Due to the high-risk environment for exposure to bloodborne pathogens in perioperative settings, sharps safety is considered a high priority. This includes consideration for standard precautions, health care worker immunization protocols, postexposure treatment, and management of health care workers infected with a bloodborne pathogen.
A quick summary of the updates is as follows:
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- Evaluate and select devices with engineered sharps injury prevention features.
- Establish & sustain an organizational sharps safety program.
- Use devices with engineered sharps injury prevention features.
- Establish a neutral zone for sharps safety before every operative or invasive procedure.
- Dispose of sharp devices in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Double glove with two pairs of sterile surgical gloves when scrubbed.
The updated sharps safety guideline offers comprehensive recommendations for implementation at operating rooms in hospitals, as well as providing practical advice. AORN recommends using safety-engineered devices to reduce the risk of injuries. Specifically, they advise using a single-handed tool to remove blades from traditional scalpels.
Additionally, AORN stresses the importance of procedures and management practices that prevent direct hand contact with scalpel blades during blade changes. They also recommend thorough training, and establishing and maintaining a sharps safety program.
Qlicksmart can help your facility be compliant with the latest AORN guidelines, with single-handed scalpel blade removers and sharps safety education support. To find out more, contact us today at hello@qlicksmart.com.
