For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

1. (1) “Department of Health” means the District of Columbia Department of Health.
2. (2) “Engineered sharps injury protection” means a physical attribute built into a sharp that effectively reduces the risk of an exposure incident by a mechanism such as a barrier creation, blunting, encapsulation, withdrawal, retraction, destruction, or other effective mechanisms.
3. (3) “Exposure incident” means contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from a sharp injury.
4. (4) “Person” means any individual, corporation, or other such entity that sells, distributes, uses, or possesses sharps.
5. (5) “Sharp” means any medical device that is or contains a needle.
6. (6) “Sharps injury” means any injury caused by a sharp, including cuts, abrasions, or needlesticks.

History

Apr. 4, 2001, D.C. Law 13-272, § 2, 48 DCR 1633