Southampton Treatment Centre promotes Sharps Awareness

Company news

Jul 07, 2010

Southampton NHS Treatment Centre, are holding a ‘sharps awareness week’ from 5th to 9th July, to raise awareness of the potential threats from needle stick, bites and scratch injuries that can potentially transmit blood borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis.

An eye catching display area has been placed in the main reception of the centre to highlight the process for dealing with sharps injuries and the treatment centre’s Infection Control and Prevention Nurse, Claire Evennett, will be providing daily sharps tips to staff.  The treatment centre is also holding a sharps quiz for staff and Daniels Healthcare, who provide the centre’s sharps bins, are providing a prize for the most knowledgeable staff members.

Claire Evennett said: “Staff are continually reminded about the various procedures they have to undertake whilst working in our hospital.  The prevention of sharps injuries, and what to do if an injury occurs are very serious subjects and it’s vitally important our staff are knowledgeable in this area to ensure the safety of patients, their colleagues and themselves.  We have tried to have a bit of fun and do something different by holding a sharps awareness week to ensure our staff are reminded of the importance of dealing with injuries caused by needle stick, bites and scratches in the correct ways.  Our staff have responded in a great manner – taking part in the quiz, reading our display and asking lots of questions to try and further their knowledge.”

Southampton NHS Treatment Centre has over 150 clinical staff including consultants, nurses and healthcare assistants and they will all be taking part in the week.

Pictured:  Infection Control and Prevention Nurse Claire Evennett (2nd left) with members of the centre’s Theatre Department