Which of the following is a safe practice regarding the use of sharps?

Having the surgeon place sharps on a designated area on the Mayo stand is considered a safe practice because it minimizes the risk of accidental injury to surgical staff. Designating a specific area for sharps helps ensure that all team members are aware of where the instruments are located, reducing the likelihood of unintentional contact with sharp objects. This practice facilitates organization and keeps the surgical area safer, thereby enhancing overall protocol adherence in the operating room.

The other options do not adhere to safety protocols. For instance, passing sharps in a curved position increases the risk of a needle stick or cut if the receiving party is not adequately prepared to accept them. Waving a sharp to get attention could lead to a situation where the instrument is accidentally dropped or inadvertently comes into contact with someone. Placing sharps in a pocket is also dangerous, as it poses a high risk of injury if the sharp object shifts or is accidentally jostled. Therefore, the safe and effective management of sharps is critical in a surgical setting.