Question 1 · Law, Ethics & Human Factors · Easy
In the back of a moving ambulance a student paramedic gives an intramuscular injection, then carefully re-sheaths the needle so that he can carry it safely to the sharps bin at the front of the vehicle. Which statement is correct?
- ARe-sheathing is acceptable in a moving vehicle, provided the cap is then taped firmly to the syringe
- BThe needle should not be recapped, but put straight into a sharps container kept within reach
- CRe-sheathing is acceptable provided he uses a one-handed scoop technique rather than two hands
- DHe should unscrew the needle from the syringe by hand, then carry both parts to the sharps bin
- EHe should put it in a kidney dish for disposal at hospital, keeping the sharps bin closed in transit
Show answer
Answer: B
The needle should not be recapped, but put straight into a sharps container kept within reach
The Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 require the employer to ensure that needles are not capped after use at work unless recapping is required to control a risk identified by a risk assessment and the risk of injury is effectively controlled by a suitable appliance, tool or other equipment — neither of which a hand technique such as the one-handed scoop provides. The same regulation requires clearly marked, secure sharps containers to be located close to where sharps are used. The NHS England National Infection Prevention and Control Manual adds that waste, including sharps, is disposed of immediately and as close to the point of use as possible, into a sharps box. Carrying a sharp through a moving vehicle, dismantling it by hand, or leaving it in a kidney dish all create the injury risk the rules exist to prevent. The ABC lists safe sharps use and disposal among the precautions that apply at all times and for all patients. In practice the sharps container should be within reach before the injection is drawn up.
Where this comes from
- Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013, regulation 5(1)(c)“needles that are medical sharps are not capped after use at work unless”Open at this section
- Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013, regulation 5(1)(d)(ii)“clearly marked and secure containers”Open at this section
- National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) for England — Chapter 1 Standard Infection Control PrecautionsNHS England·1.9 Safe disposal of waste (including sharps): at care area level“immediately and as close to the point of use as possible”Open at this section
- ABC of Prehospital Emergency Medicinep. 12Ch. 3 Personal Protective Equipment · Precautions at all times and for all patients (Figure 3.11, HPA PPE guide)“Safe sharps use and disposal”