1. Issues related to patient assessment
- Was the patient agitated before the procedure?
- Was the patient cooperative before the procedure?
- Did the patient contribute in any way toward the event?
2. Issues related to staff training or staff competency
- Did the healthcare worker receive training on injury prevention technique for the procedure performed?
- Are there training or competency factors that contributed to this event?
- Approximately how many procedures of this type has the healthcare worker performed in the last month/week?
3. Issues related to the device
- Did the type of device used contribute in any way to this event?
- Was a “safety” device used?
- If not, is it likely that a safety device could have prevented this event?
4. Work environment
- Did the location, fullness or lack of a sharps container contribute to this event?
- Did the organization of the work environment (e.g., placement of supplies, position of patient) influence the risk of injury?
- Was there sufficient lighting?
- Was crowding a factor?
- Was there a sense of urgency to complete the procedure?
5. Was a lack of or misinterpretation of information contribute to this event?
- Did the healthcare worker misinterpret any information about the procedure that could have contributed to the event?
6. Communication
- Were there any communication barriers (e.g., language) that contributed to this event ?
- Was communication in any way a contributing factor in this event?
7. Appropriate policies/procedures
- Are there existing policies or procedures that describe how this event should be prevented?
- Were the appropriate policies or procedures followed?
- If they were not followed, why not?
8. Worker issues
- Did being right or left handed influence the risk?
- On the day of the exposure, how long had the worker been working before the exposure occurred?
- At the time of the exposure, could factors such as worker fatigue, hunger, illness, etc. have contributed?
9. Employer issues
- Did lack of supervision contribute to this event?
Source: CDC
Read more about sharps injury prevention:
– Sample Baseline Assessment Worksheet for Sharps Injury Prevention Program
– Sample Survey of Device Use for Sharps Injury Prevention Program
– Sharps Injuries Still High Despite Legislation and Improved Technology
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