OR workers have to mentally multitask when sharps are in use, focusing simultaneously on patient and worker safety. The human tendency is to devise a pecking order, and most often, patient safety comes first. Even if there is unexpected bleeding during a procedure, and speed becomes a factor, patient safety is still at the fore, right? This is by no means wrong - it's just that you must give worker safety nearly as much attention.

But thinking about worker safety does little good if you're not talking about it as well. You can help prevent needlesticks and subsequent exposure to bloodborne pathogens by teaching OR team members at all levels of responsibility to identify obstacles to communication and overcome them. Here's how.