Infection prevention and control guidelines

7. Sharps

Reducing risk of infection after a sharps injury

      1. Reducing risk of infection after a sharps injury

Reducing risk of infection after a sharps injury

Sharps injuries (including needlestick injuries) must be reported to the state or territory safe work authority if there has been exposure to blood or other body substances. Staff members must report any sharps injury to senior practice staff, who may be required to report it to the work health and safety authority in their state or territory.

The infection prevention and control coordinator and practice owner must maintain up-to-date information on requirements according to jurisdiction work health and safety laws.

If a sharps injury exposes a staff member to blood or other body substances, staff must follow the procedures for managing exposure to blood and other body substances (see 8. Exposure to blood and other body substances).

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