Quality and Patient Safety Articles-Percutaneous Sharp Injuries

Percutaneous Sharp Injuries – Post-exposure Procedures

Pdf Summary

The article discusses the importance of proper post-exposure procedures following percutaneous sharp injuries in healthcare workers, specifically focusing on electrodiagnostic physicians. It highlights that many healthcare workers, including EDX physicians, are unfamiliar with these procedures, which can increase the risk of blood-borne pathogen seroconversion. The article provides a scenario in which a physician experiences a needlestick injury and emphasizes the need for immediate washing with soap and water and seeking urgent medical care. It also mentions the availability of real-time guidance at the National Clinician Consultation Center and National Clinicians' "PEPline."<br /><br />The article addresses a multiple-choice question regarding "high risk" exposures in percutaneous sharp injuries, with the correct answer being the presence of visible blood on the sharp at the time of injury. It explains that these injuries pose a significant risk for healthcare workers and emphasizes the importance of proper post-exposure procedures. It mentions that healthcare workers should immediately wash the affected area, report the incident to their supervisor, and seek medical care. It also discusses the necessary laboratory testing for exposed healthcare workers, including HIV, HCV, and HBV testing, as well as testing on the source patient.<br /><br />The article mentions the initiation of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV within 2-3 hours of exposure and provides information on the recommended antiretroviral regimen. It states that further management is not necessary for HBV if the healthcare worker is fully vaccinated, and it does not recommend HCV postexposure prophylaxis. The article also emphasizes the importance of reporting sharp injuries, both locally or state-mandated and through the institution, to aid in quality and patient safety processes.<br /><br />The sources provided in the article include studies and guidelines related to post-exposure prophylaxis and the management of occupational exposures to blood-borne pathogens. The article concludes by mentioning the availability of real-time guidance for EDX physicians at the National Clinician Consultation Center and National Clinicians' "PEPline." The author of the article is Daniel Pierce, MD.

Keywords

post-exposure procedures

percutaneous sharp injuries

healthcare workers

electrodiagnostic physicians

blood-borne pathogen seroconversion

needlestick injury

washing with soap and water

urgent medical care

high-risk exposures

visible blood