The Lanarkshire Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) Network is supporting work to raise awareness among healthcare workers in NHS Lanarkshire about the prevention and management of exposure to blood or body fluids.

It is the team’s intention to produce some promotional materials that will provide information to staff and help improve sharps safety in future practice.

Jean Wheatley, occupational health-BBV specialist nurse, said: “We are keen to highlight the responsibility that staff have for the safe selection, use and disposal of sharps equipment.

“They should also know how to manage any injuries from sharps/needles, or from splashes of blood or body fluids to eyes, mouth, nose or areas of broken skin, and report the details of any such incidents as soon as possible to ensure all the appropriate actions are taken to prevent any potential transmission of a blood borne virus.”

For further information about this work email Jean Wheatley on jean.wheatley@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk