Department: Quality Improvement
Document Identifier: GL/HCO/004/03
Sharps are items that have corners, edges or projections that can cut or puncture human skin, e.g. needles, stylets, scalpels and razor blades, surgical and dental instruments, broken glass and ampoules, lancets, capillary tubing, microscopic slides, and bone and teeth. Sharps which are contaminated with blood or body fluid pose a serious risk of infection to workers, patients, and visitors in healthcare facilities. The risk of life threatening blood borne illness such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) from needle stick or sharps injury is to be minimized. Improper handling and disposal of sharps is a significant cause of injury in the workplace and a primary cause of workplace infection transmission.
| 1.1 | The purpose of this guideline is to provide minimum standards and procedures for the safe handling and disposal of sharps by healthcare operators and workers in medical facilities in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). |
| 1.2 | This guideline has be... |