Missing Sharps Procedures

If during a sharps count staff discovers that a sharp is missing, the following procedures are to be followed:

1. Recount all sharps expanding search to include other places the missing item may have mistakenly been placed (i.e. other drawers and cabinets).
2. Contact the previous shift direct are staff to question them about the whereabouts of the missing item.
3. Expand search to include entire office area, kitchen and pantry, garbage, dining room, T.V.room, and activity area, resident bathrooms (to include toilet tank), laundry room and staff bathroom, visiting room, and administration kitchen/library.
4. Expand search to include resident bedrooms. (If kids are in bed, page on all first).
5. Confront residents to allow an opportunity for the missing item to be returned, at a lesser consequence (24 vs 48 hour restriction).
6. Contact on-call for approval to conduct search of residents. (Additional staff may be needed)
7. Resident search:
1. Gather all residents in a common area with limited space to hide items (ex-activity area).
2. Keep all residents in constant staff observation.
3. Re-search all resident bedrooms including bed, dresser drawers, noticeable loose tiling, light fixtures, etc.
1. One at a time, have residents change in the staff bathroom from their own clothing to mall loose fitting t-shirt and sweat pants (preferably without elastic at the bottom of the leg) without undergarments.
2. Have resident shake out clothing.
3. Have resident wait in visiting room while staff re-searched bathroom and resident clothing.
4. Allow resident to change into own clothing and remove them to a secure area away from unsearched residents (with staff supervision).
5. Re-search visiting room.
6. Repeat with each resident until all residents have been searched.
7. Re-search activity area before residents are returned to the Shelter.
8. Document search procedures and results of search.
9. If missing sharps item is not found, increase night checks to every 5 minutes for all residents until item is located or staff is otherwise instructed by on-call or administrative staff.