Final answer:
When handling blood-tainted sharp objects, health-care professionals must wear protective clothing and wash any skin contact areas with detergent and warm water, followed by a cleaning agent like 1 N NaOH. Contaminated waste should be incinerated or autoclaved, and reusable instruments cleaned and soaked in a strong basic solution. Following proper hygiene practices and using PPE is essential to prevent pathogen transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
Handling blood-tainted sharp objects requires strict safety precautions to prevent infection and injury. Health-care professionals should wear protective clothing, including a lab coat, face protection, and cut-resistant gloves. In the event of skin contact with blood, immediately wash the area with detergent and warm water without scrubbing. After that, wash the affected skin with 1 N NaOH or a diluted bleach solution for at least one minute. All contaminated waste needs to be properly disposed of by incineration or autoclaving in a strong basic solution, and reusable instruments must be cleaned and soaked in a strong basic solution. Avoiding the risk of pathogen transmission is crucial, and hands should be washed often, especially after being around sick people or handling contaminated materials. When working with sharp objects such as knives, use extra caution to avoid injuries, and if a cut occurs, appropriate post-exposure protocols, like HBIG and vaccination, should be followed.