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Operating Procedures <br />Provision of Safe Syringe Initiative (SSI) Kits <br />a. Any individual requesting syringes will be given a pre - packaged SSI kit that includes <br />clean syringes, education and referral materials, and safer sex materials. <br />b. SSI kits will be available at the front desk of each OCHD clinic and also within <br />clinics for patients. <br />Education attempts should be made whenever appropriate or feasible. Topics to <br />discuss include HIV and Hepatitis A, B, C prevention, safer sex, and safer injection <br />techniques. Participants should be encouraged to participate in individual and group <br />delivered behavioral interventions and skills building activities. Although enrollees <br />are offered services in addition to syringe exchange, they are under no obligation to <br />participate in them. <br />II. Linkage to Care <br />a. OCHD may make provide services and referrals to outside providers according to <br />current policies for OCHD patients. Referrals may include, but are not limited to: <br />anonymous and confidential HIV counseling and testing services, HIV, Hepatitis A -C <br />and general primary health care facilities, family planning, prenatal and obstetrical <br />care, substance use treatment and related medical services, tuberculosis screening and <br />treatment, sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment, case management <br />and support services for HIV - infected people, and mental health services. <br />III. Staff Training <br />a. All staff will be trained in the basics of the SSI, including locations, procedures for a <br />client receiving syringes, and harm reduction philosophy. <br />b. Additionally, staff that provide syringes through the SSI will receive refresher <br />training on the OCHD's approved policies and procedures that cover: <br />i. Disposal of infectious waste and needle stick prevention management. <br />ii. Procedures for making referrals, including primary care, detox and drug <br />treatment, HIV counseling and testing, prenatal care, tuberculosis and <br />Hepatitis A, B and C screening and treatment, screening and treatment for <br />sexually transmitted infections, and other HIV support and social services. <br />IV. Disposal <br />a. Infection control training and procedures will follow follow existing policies and <br />procedures outlines in the OCHD Infection ControlBloodborne Pathogens Program <br />Manual. <br />b. Individuals will be instructed to return used sharps to the Orange County Health <br />Department. OCHD staff members should never dispose of syringes or other SSI <br />materials for a client. Staff should instruct the client to dispose of the materials in the <br />appropriate sharps disposal containers. <br />c. Syringes that are returned to OCHD in glass jars or coffee cans will be accepted and <br />carefully deposited in a sharps container by the participant. OCHD staff will educate <br />