# Sharps & Splash Injuries

## Overview

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) during procedures includes the safe management of ‘sharps’, encompasses high-level measures such as health facility design and management, protocol-based measures such as adherence to national and facility level guidelines, and individual actions by each health care provider and ancillary staff member. The health care provider is encouraged to familiarise themselves with their facility’s specific IPC protocols and reporting systems, which is outside the scope of this module.

This module describes how to manage sharps injuries and body fluid exposure/splash injuries.

## Procedure

## Reporting

## Troubleshooting

The source patient is HIV positive and failing 2nd line treatment.

Patients failing second line ART usually have no resistance to protease inhibitors so lopinavir/ritonavir should still be effective, but rather consult with a virologist or infectious disease physician for advice on which PEP to use.

The PEP drugs are causing side-effects such as nausea and diarrhoea.

Seek counselling and prescription for the side-effects. If unsuccessful, consult with the occupational health clinic/practitioner to consider a change in regimen. Do not stop using the PEP unless you have consulted a virologist or infectious disease physician.

## References