Types of listening - Quiz A transcript

Splashes by blood or body fluids and injuries by sharps or needles

You can be infected with HIV or hepatitis if you come into direct contact with infected blood, or infected needles and sharps. Here are some important first-aid points to follow if you think you have ever been in direct contact with infection.

First of all, splashes of blood or body fluids. If you get a splash on your eyes, stop what you are doing immediately, go to the nearest tap and rinse your eyes thoroughly with plenty of water. If you get a splash anywhere on cut or broken skin, rinse at once with plenty of water. If you get a splash in your mouth, rinse at once with plenty of water, and be careful not to swallow any water.

Next, injuries with used needles or sharps. If you stick yourself with a used needle, stop what you are doing at once. Squeeze the skin around the puncture really hard so as to encourage as much bleeding as possible. Then wash the puncture very thoroughly with soap and water. Don't use a scrubbing brush. If you cut yourself with a used sharp, do the same as for a needlestick injury.

While you are applying the first aid, get someone to phone the needlestick helpline on extension 2468 straight away. This number is available during normal working hours. If the incident happens outside normal working hours phone the hospital switchboard and ask for the virologist on call. Contact for help immediately.

Finally, you must:
a) inform the site manager
b) fill out an incident form and send it to Risk Management.

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