From Awareness to Action: Educating Staff on Sharps Safety Standards

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(This is the third of a series of articles from the conversation with Heitman. Find the first here and the second one here.)

Adherence with sharps safety standards among new and seasoned health care staff is not simply a matter of training—it is a matter of cultural transformation. According to Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, education is just the beginning. True safety comes from creating an environment where workers feel heard, supported, and empowered to protect themselves as much as they protect their patients.

In this Infection Control Today^® (ICT^®) interview with Heitman, perioperative educational consultant for Periop Anew, and supervisor of education of surgical services at WakeMed in Cary, North Carolina, she explains how to create that transformation.

New hires often come into health care settings with ingrained habits, some of which may be outdated or unsafe, Heitman said. The first step is offering education that raises awareness of updated standards and introduces engineering control devices designed to reduce risk. But knowledge alone isn’t enough. To truly improve adherence, the work environment itself must shift to support safety practices.

“[Many of] them either were taught a specific way, and that may not be the best way, but it's just the way they've always known,” Heitman said. She is also a member of the ICT Editorial Advisory Board. “And so again, allowing them to have that education of what else is out there, that there are better implementations, and trying to create a change to the workers’ environment is also helpful, instead of just relying on that worker to change their behaviors because that can be a little bit more difficult.”

That means involving staff in the selection and implementation of safety devices. When health care workers have a say in what tools they will use, and time to understand how those tools integrate into daily routines, they are more likely to embrace them. Seeing firsthand how a safety-engineered scalpel remover or needle shielding system works can turn skepticism into adoption.

Leadership plays a crucial role in sustaining these efforts. While physicians often influence final decisions, it is frontline staff who are exposed to sharps risks every day. Identifying safety “champions” among surgical teams and clinical units can drive ongoing engagement and consistent usage of protective tools.

Importantly, sharps injury prevention must be woven into the broader fabric of patient safety culture. Historically, patient outcomes have dominated safety initiatives, but staff protection must be given equal priority. Every sharps injury—no matter how minor—has the potential to cause lasting harm and ripple effects throughout a team.

Fostering a culture where injuries are reported without fear of blame is vital. Underreporting remains a major barrier, and shifting to a culture of safety requires trust. Workers must understand that reporting injuries leads to improvement, not punishment.

Ultimately, sharps safety depends on education, equipment, environment, and a shared commitment to speaking up, staying engaged, and protecting every hand on the team.