Sunday, December 09, 2007
Safety Needles
Q: Are Dental Offices exempt from using safety needles?
A: NO – you should be using Sharps, not just needles, that are equipped with Safety Devices. As an owner, you are required to consistently reduce risk in the workplace. In reference to Sharps this means evaluating new products once it becomes available and begin either using the products or document why you are not using the product.
I recommend the following,
Order a small quantity of Sharps with Engineer Controlled Safety Devices (Needles, Sutures, Scalpels, etc.) for evaluation.
Evaluate and begin using the Sharps that pass your evaluation. If the Sharps do not pass your evaluation you must complete a Sharps Evaluation Form, staple a copy of the invoice from your Dental Supplier which serves as proof that you did purchase the item, to the form and place in your Compliance Manual.
The key factor in the evaluation process is that the Sharp, doesn’t add risk to staff or patients when used.
OSHA • Staff Safety • Regulations • Ask Tom Terry • Infection Control • Risk Management • Patient Compliance • Compliance Manual •