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Hi Brains Trust,
what are your thoughts on ‘bending’ CLEAN needles for anaesthetic or
ophthalmic procedures? I’m currently reviewing our ‘Sharps Handling
Procedure’ and it was suggested that ‘bending’ should be added to the
procedure. In my research ‘bending’ is not supported by any
standard/guideline. Your thoughts appreciated….
Kind regards
Sam Dickson
E+E Hospital
Victoria
On Mon, 7 Oct 2019 at 12:24, Lesley Lewis wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> Safety devices for recapping needles have been on the market for many
> years.
>
> Recapping needles by hand is a risky practice (and habit) that should not
> be encouraged for any needles clean or used (a one size fits all approach)
>
>
>
> Fiona raises a good question and I too am interested to hear if there is
> any literature and evidence validating the risk of chemical exposure
> (medications/drugs) to clinical staff through aerosol and splash when
> priming syringes and other equipment.
>
> How can the risk be managed?
>
> Is recapping the only possible risk management method?
>
> Are there any alternative methods?
>
> If the risk is serious should fume cabinets have a place in ward
> medication rooms?
>
>
>
> As noted in the original post a needle (blunt or otherwise) should never
> be recapped. The recommendation against recapping needles is clearly
> articulated in the national IPAC guidelines.
>
> *Page 2 and on page 51: **Statutory Requirement. 7. It is
> good practice to follow safe sharp handling practices including: not
> passing sharps directly from hand to hand keep handling to a minimum
> not recapping, bending or breaking needles after use.*
>
> *Page 51:* *In dentistry, recapping or disassembling sharps may
> be unavoidable. If so, a risk assessment must be undertaken and safety
> devices should be used where appropriate[89].*
>
> *Page 52:* Certainty of the Evidence. *This advice is based on
> limited evidence, but on sound theoretical principles and supported by
> expert advice. National and international guidelines are consistent in the
> advice regarding the importance of the safe use and disposal of sharps. The
> Epic Guidelines[78] recommend that sharps should not be passed directly
> from hand to hand, and that needles must not be bent, broken or recapped.*
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Lesley Lewis
>
> Regional Infection Control Consultant HRICRCS Program
>
> Tel: (03) 57 225486 Lesley.Lewis@nhw.org.au
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* ACIPC Infexion Connexion *On Behalf Of *Angela
> Carvosso
> *Sent:* Friday, 4 October 2019 11:01 AM
> *To:* ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
> *Subject:* Re: [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] Sharps Safety and Recapping
> Drawing up Needles
>
>
>
> Hi Fiona,
>
>
>
> I personally recap just to remove the needle from the syringe as I was
> taught to never touch the coloured hub. The premise of not recapping is to
> prevent transmission of infection via needlestick from needles used on
> people. A risk analysis would indicate that as the needle has not been used
> on a person then it is safe to recap.
>
>
>
> Regards Angela Carvosso
>
> RN Warwick Hospital
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail for
> Windows 10
>
>
> ——————————
>
> *From:* ACIPC Infexion Connexion on behalf of De
> Sousa, Fiona M
> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 2, 2019 4:28:46 PM
> *To:* ACIPCLIST@ACIPC.ORG.AU
> *Subject:* [ACIPC_Infexion_Connexion] FW: Sharps Safety and Recapping
> Drawing up Needles
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> We are currently having discussions about how to safely draw up
> medications and whether it is suitable to recap a blunt fill drawing up
> needle to expel air from a syringe.
>
>
>
> One side of the argument is that the blunt fill is recapped so that when
> air is expelled the contents are not aerosolised. The other side is that a
> needle (blunt or otherwise) should never be recapped.
>
>
>
> I would be interested to know other peoples thoughts and what evidence
> if any you have for this.
>
>
>
> Kind regards,
>
>
>
> *Fiona De Sousa CICP-E| *Nurse Manager *|* Infection Prevention & Control
> Unit
>
> Launceston General Hospital, Level 2, Launceston TAS 7250
>
> phone: 6777 6715 *| mobile: *0408 487 197 *| *fax: 6777 5170 *|* email:
> fiona.de.sousa@ths.tas.gov.au *|*
>
> intranet: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/intranet/thon/infection_control
>
>
>
> IPCU * By working together we promote a culture of safety to reduce
> preventable infections and transmission of multi-resistant organisms*
>
>
>
>
> ——————————
>
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