HSPA Workplace Safety and Risk Management in SPD 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the proper response to a needlestick injury in decontamination?
- Continue and report at shift end
- Immediately wash wound, report to supervisor, seek medical evaluation, and document the incident (Correct answer)
- Apply bandage and continue
- Only report if symptoms develop
Correct answer: Immediately wash wound, report to supervisor, seek medical evaluation, and document the incident
Needlestick injuries require immediate wound cleaning, prompt reporting, medical evaluation, and documentation.
HIV PEP should be initiated within 2 hours if indicated. Steps include wound cleaning, supervisor notification, medical evaluation, source patient testing, baseline blood draw, and follow-up at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months.
Question 2: What are the ergonomic risks in SPD and how are they mitigated?
- No ergonomic risks
- Repetitive motion, heavy lifting, prolonged standing, and awkward postures mitigated through training, equipment, mats, and workstation adjustments (Correct answer)
- Only back injuries
- Only in decontamination
Correct answer: Repetitive motion, heavy lifting, prolonged standing, and awkward postures mitigated through training, equipment, mats, and workstation adjustments
SPD workers face multiple ergonomic hazards requiring comprehensive mitigation.
Mitigation includes proper body mechanics, mechanical lift assistance, height-adjustable workstations, anti-fatigue mats, task rotation, scheduled breaks, and ergonomic tools.
Question 3: What chemical hazards exist in SPD?
- No chemical hazards
- Enzymatic detergents, disinfectants, and sterilant chemicals managed through SDS, engineering controls, PPE, and monitoring (Correct answer)
- Only cleaning products
- Only in sterilization area
Correct answer: Enzymatic detergents, disinfectants, and sterilant chemicals managed through SDS, engineering controls, PPE, and monitoring
Multiple chemical agents throughout SPD require comprehensive hazard management.
Hazards include enzymatic detergents, glutaraldehyde, OPA, peracetic acid, H2O2, and ETO. Management requires SDS access, ventilation, PPE, spill procedures, and exposure monitoring.
Question 4: What fire safety considerations are specific to SPD?
- No unique fire risks
- Flammable chemicals (ETO), compressed gases, electrical equipment, and packaging lint require specific prevention measures (Correct answer)
- Only sterilizer is a risk
- Facilities management responsibility only
Correct answer: Flammable chemicals (ETO), compressed gases, electrical equipment, and packaging lint require specific prevention measures
SPD has specific fire hazards from flammable gases, compressed gas, electrical equipment, and combustible materials.
Staff must know extinguisher locations and types, evacuation routes, RACE procedures, and how to shut down sterilizers and gas supplies in emergencies.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a safety data sheet (SDS)?
- Product advertisement
- Comprehensive information about chemical hazards, safe handling, and emergency procedures, immediately accessible to all exposed employees (Correct answer)
- Only lists ingredients
- Kept in manager's office only
Correct answer: Comprehensive information about chemical hazards, safe handling, and emergency procedures, immediately accessible to all exposed employees
SDSs provide essential safety information and must be immediately accessible as required by OSHA.
16-section documents covering hazards, first aid, firefighting, PPE, and more. Must be accessible during all shifts. Staff must be trained on how to locate and use SDS information.
Question 6: What infection prevention precautions are specific to SPD workers?
- Standard precautions sufficient
- Heavy-duty utility gloves, fluid-impervious gowns, full face protection, Hepatitis B vaccination, and transmissible disease protocols (Correct answer)
- Only additional masks
- Fewer precautions since instruments are not from active patients
Correct answer: Heavy-duty utility gloves, fluid-impervious gowns, full face protection, Hepatitis B vaccination, and transmissible disease protocols
SPD workers need enhanced precautions beyond standard due to concentrated pathogen exposure.
Decontamination requires the highest PPE level. Puncture-resistant utility gloves are required, not exam gloves. Post-exposure prophylaxis protocols must be readily available.
HSPA Workplace Safety and Risk Management in SPD 2
What is the proper response to a needlestick injury in decontamination?