P262 Safe Handling of Sharps

About This Course

Sharps and needlestick injuries are an occupational hazard for all healthcare workers, worldwide. Research shows that over 2 million needlestick injuries are suffered each year.  As reported in the Dental Nursing journal, data from 2019 showed that half of dental professionals and students had suffered at least one serious needlestick injury in the last year.  These injuries are prevalent and effect team members across all levels of dentistry.

One of the biggest concerns is the risk that these injuries can lead to exposure to, and transmission of, potentially life changing diseases, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

Therefore, the whole dental team need to stay on top of sharps safety in the practice. That way we can minimise the risk of injury.

This course covers the guidance for safe handling and waste management of sharps.  It looks at keeping safe around sharps, safe use and safe disposal of sharps.

Aims

This course aims to provide learners with knowledge and understanding  of the guidance for safe handling and waste management of sharps. An overview of how to keep safe around sharps, safe use and safe disposal of sharps, is given.

Objectives

To cover how to be sharps safe, to keep yourself and your colleagues, as well as patients or visitors, safe. With a focus on:

• Safe use of sharps.
• Correct sharps disposal.
• What to do in the event of a sharps injury.
• Legal and ethical obligations with regards to the above.
• To help ensure that sharps injuries are a rare occurrence in your practice.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will understand how to use sharps safely, how to dispose of sharps safely and correctly, and what to do in the event of a sharps injury. You will also have an understanding of the legal obligations regarding sharps, for practices and dental staff.

GDC Development Outcomes