Lab: Veterinary Sharps Safety Guide

What Is a Sharp?

A sharp is any object capable of puncturing or cutting skin,

Sharps include what

• Hypodermic needles

• Suture needles

• Scalpel blades

• Trocar tips

• Orthopedic pins and wires

• Dental needles

• Razor blades

• Broken glass

• Microchip implantation needles

• Any sharp or bladed instrument

All sharps should be considered potentially contaminated with:

• Blood

• Body fluids

• Zoonotic pathogens

• Pharmaceuticals

• Chemotherapy agents (when applicable)

Veterinary personnel are at increased risk of injury because:

• Animals may move suddenly without warning.

• Sedation may be incomplete or variable.

• Procedures may be performed in cages, kennels, treatment areas, barns, farms, or field settings.

• Multiple staff may be involved in restraint or procedures.

• Patients cannot be instructed to remain still.

• Needlestick injuries may involve exposure to vaccines, anesthetics, euthanasia solutions, hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs.

General Sharps Safety Principles: Before Beginning Any Procedure

• Assess animal temperament and anticipated movement.

• Ensure appropriate restraint is available before handling sharps. Consider the use of PVP medications to improve safety and patient comfort.

• Position a sharps container within reach.

• Have all supplies prepared before restraining the patient or beginning a procedure involvingsharps.

• wear appropriate PPE:

• Examination or surgical gloves

• Eye protection when splash risk exists

• Protective gowns as indicated

• Use sedation or chemical restraint whenever clinically appropriate.

Before Beginning Any Procedure what should we never do

• Begin procedures requiring sharps before effective restraint is established.

• Carry uncapped needles in pockets.

• Leave sharps unattended on treatment tables, cage tops, anesthesia machines, or instrument carts or surgery tables.

Before Inserting a Needle or Making an Incision Confirm: What should we confirm

• Animal is properly restrained, sedated or anesthetized.

• All personnel understand their responsibilities.

• The procedure and plan has been explained and verified to the team.

• Sharps disposal is immediately available.

If the Patient Moves Unexpectedly what should we do

Stop immediately.

Withdraw the sharp if safe to do so.

Re-establish patient control.

Replace contaminated equipment if necessary.

Never continue a procedure on a struggling animal.

Injection Needle Safety: Drawing Up Medications

Use a new sterile needle.

Maintain awareness of needle direction.

Label syringes appropriately.

Remove air bubbles carefully to avoid spraying medication.

Injection Needle Safety: Administering Injections

Keep fingers away from the anticipated needle path.

Use proper restraint techniques.

Consider sedation for painful procedures.

Anticipate movement before inserting the needle.

Needle Recapping: Preferred Practice

Dispose of needles immediately after use.

If Recapping Is Required Use:

One-handed scoop technique

Mechanical recapping device

If Recapping Is Required what should we never do

Recap using two hands.

Hold the cap in one hand while inserting the needle with the other.

Scalpel Blade Safety—Loading and Unloading Scalpel Blades

Use a needle holder, hemostat, or approved blade-loading instrument.

Confirm proper blade attachment before use.

Scalpel Blade Safety—Loading and Unloading Scalpel Blades what should we never do

Mount or unmount blades using fingers.

Force blades onto handles.

Loading and Unloading Scalpel Blades what is the surgical use

Maintain visual control of the blade at all times.

Keep non-dominant hand clear of the cutting path.

Anticipate sudden patient movement during standing procedures.

Return scalpels to a designated location when not in active use.

Ensure all sharps are accounted for and removed from the surgical instrument field.

Passing Scalpels During Surgery Preferred method: Neutral Zone Technique

1. Place scalpel in designated tray.

2. Announce "scalpel down."

3. Receiving person retrieves instrument.

What is the alternative Neutral Zone Technique

Pass handle-first if direct transfer is necessary.

Never pass blade-first. Follow institutional protocols.

Scalpel blade removal is one of the most common causes of

laceration injuries.

What is the Safe Procedure for removing a scalpal blades

1. Place handle on stable surface.

2. Use a hemostat or approved blade remover.

3. Grasp blade at blunt base.

4. Slide blade off carefully.

5. Dispose immediately into a sharps container.

Surgical Suture Needle Safety Handling Suture Needles: correct usage

Load needles using a needle holder.

Manipulate needles with instruments rather than fingers.

Keep visual track of the needle throughout the procedure.

Account for all needles before patient recovery.

Maintain an organized surgical field.

Surgical Suture Needle Safety Handling Suture Needles: we should never do

Hold needles in your mouth.

Leave needles in drapes, towels, or surgical packs.

Place loose needles on instrument tables.

During Suturing Safe Technique

Use needle holders to drive and retrieve the needle.

Follow the natural curvature of the needle.

Use forceps rather than fingers to manipulate tissue near the needle.

Verbally communicate needle location when assistants are involved.

During Suturing: Assistant Awareness Assistants should:

Know where the needle is at all times.

Avoid reaching across the surgeon's working area.

Maintain visual contact with the needle when assisting.

Surgical Needle Counts For major surgical procedures:

Count needles before the procedure.

Monitor needle use throughout surgery.

Confirm all needles are recovered before closure.

Investigate and document missing needles.

Standing Surgery and Large Animal Procedures: Standing procedures present unique sharps risks. Examples include:

• Equine laceration repair

• Bovine surgery

• Small ruminant procedures

• Standing mass removals

Standing Surgery and Large Animal Procedures: Safety Recommendations

Anticipate sudden movement despite sedation.

Keep sharps directed away from yourself and assistants.

Use the minimum exposed blade or needle length required.

Secure instruments when not in use.

Stop immediately if the animal becomes unsafe.

Consider whether conversion to a more controlled anesthetic procedure is warranted.

Shelter Medicine and High-Volume Surgery Settings Additional risks include:

• Fatigue

• Repetitive procedures

• High patient turnover

• Time pressure

Risk Reduction Strategies in Shelter Medicine and High-Volume Surgery

Settings

Standardize surgical workflow.

Use designated sharps zones.

Replace overfilled sharps containers promptly.

Maintain clear communication among surgical teams.

Encourage immediate reporting of injuries.

Schedule adequate breaks during high-volume surgery days.

Sharps Disposal: Approved Disposal

Dispose of sharps immediately after use.

Use puncture-resistant approved sharps containers.

Replace containers before reaching the fill line, ideally at 3⁄4 full.

Secure containers during transport.

Sharps Disposal: What should we never do

Place sharps in regular trash.

Push down contents with hands.

Reach into sharps containers.

Leave sharps in cages, kennels, stalls, treatment tables, or laundry.

Response to Sharps Injuries: Needlestick or Laceration

1. Stop the procedure safely.

2. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.

3. Allow minor bleeding naturally.

4. Apply a clean dressing.

5. Report the injury immediately according to institutional protocol.

Response to Sharps Injuries: Exposure to Veterinary Pharmaceuticals

Immediate medical evaluation is particularly important following exposure to:

• Euthanasia solutions

• Sedatives

• Anesthetic agents

• Opioids

• Hormones

• Chemotherapeutic agents

• Potent wildlife immobilization drugs

Bring the product label or drug information whenever possible.

Reporting and Documentation: Documentation should include:

• Date and time

• Procedure being performed

• Type of sharp involved

• Animal species

• Drug or biological product involved (if applicable)

• Circumstances contributing to injury

• Corrective actions taken