Faculty Handbook 2020-2021

SUNY College of Optometry

Faculty Handbook 2020-21

Sharps Handling and Disposal of Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) Puncture resistant containers are used to dispose of needles, scalpel blades, lancets, glass and other sharp items. • Contaminated or non contaminated needles should not be recapped by hand the entire unit must be placed directly in the sharps container. • Needles should not be bent, broken, reinserted into their original sheaths or removed from disposable syringes or handled unnecessarily. • Sharps containers must be located as near to the area of use as possible. • Sharps containers must not be overfilled and must be closed prior to removal or replacement. When regulated medical waste containers, red bags or sharp containers, are about half full, employees should call the EHS Office at ext. 5581, for removal. Procedures for Handling Blood Spills, Bodily Fluid Spills, and Minor Cuts The University Police Department will serve as the main coordinator for all incidents within the College. Employees who have come across an area with blood or bodily fluid spill should: • Secure the area to prevent others from coming in contact with the site • Notify UPD at ext. 5566 (UPD will notify the EHS office) • Notify their supervisor Employees who have come in contact with potentially infectious blood or bodily fluid should: • Report incident to UPD to file a work related incident report • Seek opinions from the Nurse on the 6th floor and the EHS Officer • Seek immediate medical attention Hepatitis B Vaccination Policies The Hepatitis B vaccine is available to all employees involved in patient care, maintenance of patient care areas and public safety. Refer to UEC policy on Hepatitis B vaccines. C. Expired Medication All expired medication must be given to the associate director for Administration. The expired medication will then be sent to the EHS office, which ships the medication to an approved disposal facility. ANNUAL COMPLIANCE TRAINING

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