Page 160 - policy and procedure infection control

Policies and Procedures on Infection Control

9. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

9.1 Introduction
This policy applies to all facilities within the Ministry of Health Malaysia. This document
outlines the prevention, reporting and management of sharps injuries, needlestick injuries
and other percutaneous exposures to blood and body fluids which may potentially expose
an employee to the risk of blood-borne viruses.

9.2 Policy Statement
The Ministry of Health aims to create awareness, reduce sharps injury and mucosal
exposure to a reasonably practical level. Should an exposure occur, ensure timely and
appropriate management of the exposure to reduce the risk of blood-borne pathogens to
the affected employee.

Needlestick and sharps injuries will be managed by the Infectious Disease Unit /Infection
Control Unit. There should be a clear designation of responsibilities in each facilities. All
information must be made known to all staff.

9.3 Definitions of sharp injury
Sharps injury can be defined as injury from needle or other sharp device contaminated with
blood or a body fluid and penetrates the skin percutaneously mucosal/ cutaneous exposure.
Blood borne pathogens are viruses that some people carry in their blood and which may
cause severe disease in certain people and few or no symptoms in others. The virus can
spread to another person even if the carrier is asymptomatic.
The main blood borne viruses of concern are:

- Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Source patient is the person whose blood is present on the item that caused the sharps injury.

9.4 Responsibilities
1. All head of facilities are responsible for implementing this policy in their respective
hospital. They must ensure that all employees are aware of this policy and of their
responsibilities contained therein.
2. Doctor in-charge (other than the affected HCW) will be responsible for:
• Obtaining informed consent from the source patient for HBV and HCV blood/ HIV tests

Ministry of Health Malaysia 149