Slow Down for Safety: Sharps

Rushing and hurrying can lead to Healthcare Team injuries. If you are in a high-risk situation where you are likely to get injured, such as giving an injection or during a surgical procedure, please take a moment to “Slow Down for Safety” to prevent injury.

This week you may have seen some MHC leaders wearing safety vests as a reminder to slow down to prevent injuries.

• Slow Down for Safety whenever handling a sharp or sharp instrument — before, during, and after use.

• Use situational awareness to think through what you’re doing and look around your environment for potential risks.

• Focus on the work you’re doing, not on the next step or the next task.

• Remember running on autopilot can cause your focus to drift and lead to injuries and errors.

• Support the Team with Peer Checking and Peer Coaching and encourage your coworkers to focus on safety over speed.