Embedded Files
hands, forceps or otherwise, but dispose of the needle AND the syringe to reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens.128 The next Bloodborne Pathogens action item encompasses the idea that employees must be protected from puncture wounds caused by syringes, scalpels, suturing needles, and other sharps instruments.129 The best way to do this is to use syringes, scalpels, suturing needles, and other sharps instruments which are specifically designed to prevent puncture wounds.130 DO NOT leave any exposed or used disposable needles on the instrument tray. Dispose of all sharps in appropriate sharps disposal containers. Sharps Disposal Container 126 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 10 127 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 10 128 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 10 129 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 130 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 11 Safety Scalpels Safety Syringes In the spirit of this action item, commercially available products that are designed to eliminate infection from sharps injuries must be used, including safety disposable scalpels, blunted suture needles, and safety hypodermic needles.126 Some needles have to be re-used; these should only be used when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, safety hypodermic syringes should be used.127 DO NOT remove disposable needles from the syringe with hands, forceps or otherwise, but dispose of the needle AND the syringe to reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens.128 The next Bloodborne Pathogens action item encompasses the idea that employees must be protected from puncture wounds caused by syringes, scalpels, suturing needles, and other sharps instruments.129 The best way to do this is to use syringes, scalpels, suturing needles, and other sharps instruments which are specifically designed to prevent puncture wounds.130 DO NOT leave any exposed or used disposable needles on the instrument tray. Dispose of all sharps in appropriate sharps disposal containers. 16 Safety Scalpels Safety Syringes In the spirit of this action item, commercially available products that are designed to eliminate infection from sharps injuries must be used, including safety disposable scalpels, blunted suture needles, and safety hypodermic needles.126 Some needles have to be re-used; these should only be used when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, safety hypodermic syringes should be used.127 DO NOT remove disposable needles from the syringe with hands, forceps or otherwise, but dispose of the needle AND the syringe to reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens.128 The next Bloodborne Pathogens action item encompasses the idea that employees must be protected from puncture wounds caused by syringes, scalpels, suturing needles, and other sharps instruments.129 The best way to do this is to use syringes, scalpels, suturing needles, and other sharps instruments which are specifically designed to prevent puncture wounds.130 DO NOT leave any exposed or used disposable needles on the instrument tray. Dispose of all sharps in appropriate sharps disposal containers. Sharps Disposal Container 126 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 10 127 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 10 128 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 10 129 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 130 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 11 Sharps Disposal Container 115 Mayer, 695 116 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 117 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 8 118 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 119 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 9 120 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 121-122 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 10 123-124 Mayer, 695 125-128 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 10 129 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 130 OSHA Compliance Guidance for Funeral Homes, 11 10 | Funeral Service Academy COMMUNICABLE DISEASE AND FUNERAL PROFESSIONALS A post-exposure evaluation and follow-up procedure must be in place in the event of an employee’s exposure to blood or body fluids, and specifically in the event of a puncture wound from a suturing needle, or a needlestick.131 An exposure incident is defined as a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee’s duties.132 After an exposure incident is reported, the employee must provide a CONFIDENTIAL medical evaluation and follow-up to the affected employee.133 This medical evaluation should include the identification and documentation of the disease status of the source individual, or the dead human body with which the incident occurred, if this is available and can be obtained. The employee MUST be sent to a medical facility that is capable of providing treatment in accordance with the latest CDC guidelines for the postexposure care of individuals who have been exposed to human blood or other potentially infectious bodily fluids.134 Universal Precautions is an approach to infection control in which all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if they are contaminated with a bloodborne pathogen.135 Employees must use “Universal
Report abuse