What to do if you have a BBF / Needlestick exposure (.pdf)
BBF Exposure Control Plan
Exposure to blood and body fluids (BBF) is a major concern for healthcare workers because of the potential for acquiring disease and the related psychological stress that can occur.
The VIHA BBF Exposure Control Plan was developed as a means to reduce the risk of BBF exposure through promoting current best practices and the substitution of safer products such as safety engineered medical devices (SEMD’s), which include “Safety Sharps.”
Safety Sharps
As part of the Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Control Plan implementation, VIHA was the first health authority in BC to introduce a coordinated approach to sharps technology and blood and body fluid (BBF) exposures.
The Sharps Care program introduced safety needle devices and reinforced current best practices as a means to reduce needle stick injuries (NSI) and blood and body fluid (BBF) exposures in the workplace. Conversion to safety engineered medical sharps is an ongoing process. As new suitable products are identified and successfully evaluated, they are implemented.
During the last several months, this program has been evaluating various “safety scalpels.” Evaluations are drawing to a close and it is anticipated that conversion to the selected safety product will start in October 2009 and largely be completed by December 2009.
For further information on the BBF Exposure Control Plan, or the Sharps Care program, please contact Ken Kamsteeg (kenneth.kamsteeg@viha.ca).