"Who Ya Gonna Call"... Sharps Hotline

This presentation focuses on an Occupational Medicine Inventory conducted at a 491-bed Academic Medical Center in central Pennsylvania to comply with federal and state regulations. One of the areas reviewed was the Bloodborne Pathogens Sharps Injury Program. The organizational plan for Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control was compliant with OSHA standards and hospital policies; however, the process had operational gaps, including lack of centralized reporting and collection methods for sharps injury or blood/body fluid splashes. A literature review was conducted to determine evidence based practice and to inquire about best practices both regionally and nationally. Analysis revealed a poorly designed process for reporting, post exposure care and follow-up. An interdisciplinary team was formed to create and implement a Sharps Injury Hotline within the Institution.