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Managing Sharps Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish a safe, compliant, and efficient process for handling, storing, and disposing of sharps used in domiciliary care settings. Our organisation recognises the risks associated with sharps, including needlestick injuries, cross-contamination, and improper disposal, and is committed to ensuring all staff follow best practices to minimise risks.

This policy ensures compliance with the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, and the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005. It aligns with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) guidance on infection control and waste disposal, ensuring the safety of service users, staff, and the wider community.

Our home care service efficiently manages sharps by providing staff training, enforcing strict disposal protocols, ensuring appropriate PPE usage, and maintaining clear reporting procedures for any incidents related to sharps handling.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All staff, including care workers, supervisors, and managers, who handle sharps or support service users in managing medical waste.
• Service users who self-administer medications involving sharps.
• Family members, representatives, and external healthcare professionals involved in sharps management.
• Third-party waste collection services responsible for hazardous waste disposal.

It covers:

• Types of sharps used in domiciliary care.
• Safe handling, usage, and disposal procedures.
• Infection control and PPE requirements.
• Procedures for reporting needlestick injuries and incidents.
• Legal and regulatory compliance.

3. Identifying and Managing Sharps in Home Care

3.1 Types of Sharps Used in Domiciliary Care

Sharps include any medical instruments with sharp edges or points that can cause injury or infection. These include:

• Needles and syringes (e.g., insulin injections, anticoagulants).
• Lancets (used for blood glucose monitoring).
• Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPens).
• Scalpel blades or scissors used in wound care.
• Broken glass ampoules containing liquid medication.

All sharps must be handled with extreme care, and proper procedures must be followed for use, storage, and disposal.

3.2 Safe Handling and Usage of Sharps

To minimise risk when handling sharps, staff must:

• Only handle sharps when trained and authorised to do so.
• Wear appropriate PPE (gloves, aprons, eye protection if required).
• Ensure good lighting and a clean environment before using sharps.
• Never recap needles after use, as this increases the risk of needlestick injuries.
• Dispose of sharps immediately after use into an approved sharps container.

If a service user self-administers medication, staff must ensure:

• The individual has been trained to use and dispose of sharps safely.
• A designated sharps container is provided and correctly positioned.
• Any misuse, improper storage, or potential risk is reported immediately.

4. Safe Storage and Disposal of Sharps

4.1 Using Sharps Containers

Sharps must be disposed of immediately after use in yellow-lidded sharps containers that meet UK waste disposal standards. Containers must:

• Be leak-proof, puncture-resistant, and clearly labelled.
• Remain upright and securely positioned in the service user’s home.
• Never be overfilled—they should be replaced when two-thirds full.
• Be sealed securely when full and collected by an approved waste service.

4.2 Collection and Disposal Procedures

Sharps containers must be disposed of via:

• Local authority or NHS sharps collection services.
• Pharmacy-based disposal schemes where available.
• Licensed clinical waste contractors, if applicable.

Staff must:

• Confirm the disposal process with the local authority or pharmacy.
• Ensure full containers are replaced promptly.
• Report any issues with disposal services to the Registered Manager.

Under no circumstances should sharps be placed in general waste bins, flushed down toilets, or left unsecured.

5. Managing Needlestick Injuries and Exposure Incidents

5.1 Immediate Response to a Needlestick Injury

If a staff member sustains a needlestick injury, they must:

1. Encourage bleeding from the wound (do not suck the wound).
2. Wash the area with warm water and soap (avoid scrubbing).
3. Cover with a sterile dressing.
4. Seek medical advice immediately—this may include attending A&E for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if HIV or Hepatitis B exposure is suspected.
5. Report the incident to the Registered Manager and complete an incident report.

5.2 Investigating and Reporting Sharps Incidents

All sharps injuries, near-misses, or concerns must be documented and investigated.

• Staff must complete a detailed incident report, including:
  • The type of sharp involved.
  • Where and how the incident occurred.
  • Actions taken following the injury.
  • Any witness statements.
• The Registered Manager ({{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}) must review the report, ensure appropriate medical follow-up, and determine if further risk assessments or staff training are required.
• Where necessary, the incident will be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations).

6. Staff Training and Responsibilities

6.1 Mandatory Training on Sharps Handling

All staff must receive comprehensive training covering:

• Safe handling and disposal of sharps.
• Infection control and PPE usage.
• Sharps injury prevention techniques.
• Emergency response procedures for needlestick injuries.
• Correct use of sharps containers and disposal services.

6.2 Staff Responsibilities

All staff handling sharps must:

• Follow infection control protocols at all times.
• Report any unsafe sharps disposal, misuse, or missing sharps containers.
• Ensure that service users who self-administer medications have safe disposal methods.
• Seek immediate medical attention if exposed to a needlestick injury.

Failure to adhere to this policy may result in disciplinary action, in line with the Disciplinary and Grievance Policy (DCW31).

7. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

This policy ensures compliance with:

• The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016.
• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.
• The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005.
• Public Health Wales guidelines on infection control.

8. Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside:

• Infection Prevention and Control Policy (DCW17).
• Health and Safety at Work Policy (DCW16).
• Risk Management and Assessment Policy (DCW18).
• Medication Management and Administration Policy (DCW21).
• Confidentiality and Data Protection Policy (DCW34).

9. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislative updates or incident reviews require amendments. The Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring full compliance and implementation.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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