Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 226 • Withdrawal of body fluids • Administration of medications or fluids • Any procedure involving the potential for an exposure incident for which a needle device with engineered sharps injury protection is available • Non-needle sharps • Exceptions: • Market availability:  No safety device available, i.e., lumbar puncture needle • Patient safety:  If device will jeopardize either the patient’s safety or the success of the procedure. • This must be documented each time it is used as a rationale.  Safety performance:  If employer can demonstrate through objective product evaluation criteria that the device is not more effective in preventing exposure incidents than an alternative, i.e., ABG syringes. • Burden of evaluating devices and proving effectiveness is on the employer. CRITERIA TO SELECT SAFETY DEVICES: • The FDA suggests the following criteria be used in the selection of safety devices: • The safety feature should provide a barrier between the hand and the needle after use. • The safety feature should allow or require the worker’s hands to remain behind the needle at all times. • The safety feature should be an integral part of the device and not an accessory. • Safety features should be in effect before disassembly and remain in effect after disposal, to protect workers who may subsequently handle the device. • The device should be simple and easy to use, requiring little or no training.