Accidental needle-stick injuries: what to do

INJURY

• Staff member receives needle stick injury and/or splash to the mucous membranes

IMMEDIATE ACTION

• Bleed it: encourage the wound to bleed
• Wash it: wash the wound with soap and running water
• Cover it: Ddy the wound and cover it with a waterproof plaster
• DO NOT: scrub the wound while washing it or suck the wound
• For splash incidents- rinse with copious amounts of water
• Inform EOC that you have sustained a needlestick / splash injury and need to attend A&E

ASSESSMENT

• Member of staff to be seen in A&E
• A&E staff will conduct a risk assessment
• A&E will provide intial assessment and treatment

REPORT THE INCIDENT

• Contact OH at the earliest possible opportunity on 0330 6600365 for advice, counselling and to arrange the appropriate follow-up care, including blood tests where required.
• Report the incident to line manager
• Report the incident on Datix

ONGOING SUPPORT

• Manager to ensure member of staff has contacted OH and provide ongoing support
• OH will provide support and counselling if required

For full details of the procedure regarding the management of accidental inoculation injuries please see the IPC Safe Practice Guidelines which is available on the IPC pages of East24.

Published 2nd January, 2015