5.4 Quart Pearl Safe BD Sharps Container Side Entry

Description

Frequently Asked Questions

What goes in sharps containers?

The following items are considered “sharps”:
• Needles – Needles used for injections or blood draws
• Syringe/Lancet – Used needles to draw blood from a patient
• Auto-Injection Pen – Used needle to inject medication
• Connection Needle – Used to connect tubing to an IV infusion set

What are some characteristics of Sharps Containers?

These containers come in many different sizes and shapes. They usually have a lid on them and they are made out of plastic. You may see some metal ones too. There are side entry and top-loading types available. Some people prefer one type over, it depends on the configuration of your treatment room.
Consider getting two or three of these containers, one for each area they will be used in. This avoids transporting sharps between areas in the office.

Can sharps containers be reused?

Yes, these containers can be re-used as long as the needles aren’t exposed. This means that the lids should always stay closed while the sharps are inside the container. When using a new container, place the needles into the bottom. Then close the lid tightly. Once the container has been emptied, rinse it thoroughly under running water before storing it somewhere safe. Make sure there isn’t anything sharp sticking out of the opening. After rinsing, dry the container completely. Now you can reuse it again. Many offices dispose of the containers when full and purchase new ones.

Do sharps containers really reduce waste?

Absolutely! Reusing sharps containers reduces the amount of trash generated by medical facilities. Not only does this help protect the environment but it helps save money too. By recycling sharps containers instead of throwing them away, hospitals and clinics can avoid paying disposal fees. Plus, they get to keep their valuable resources rather than sending them off to landfills where they eventually decompose.

Where should sharps containers be located?

The location of sharps containers varies from facility to facility. But generally speaking, sharps containers should be placed near the point of service. This includes:
• Patient rooms
• Nursing stations
• Medical offices
• Pharmacies
• Emergency departments
• Operating suites
• Intensive care units
• Dialysis centers
• Psychiatric wards
• Correctional facilities
• Other locations where injections occur

If possible, try to locate sharps containers within easy reach of the person who performs the injection. This makes it easier for him/her to access the container quickly without wasting precious time looking for it.

Source: (hercenter.org)

What happens if someone breaks open a sharps container?

It doesn’t matter whether the container was locked or unlocked. As soon as something gets broken, contaminated material enters the air. Sooner or later, everyone inhales it. Even though the risk of contracting hepatitis B virus through needle sticks is very low, it still exists. And once infected, you cannot tell if you already have the disease or not until symptoms develop. Therefore, it is important to follow proper safety precautions whenever handling sharps.

Is it okay to put dirty sharps containers back in circulation?

No. Always dispose of your sharps properly. Never leave them lying around. Instead, take them directly to a designated sharps collection site. Remember, sharps containers are designed specifically to prevent accidental injuries. Unfortunately, accidents do happen. So please be careful.

What are some ways to dispose of a sharps container?

Drop Box or Supervised Collection Sites:
You may be able to drop off your sharps disposal containers at collections sites, such as hospitals, pharmacies, health departments, medical waste facilities, and police or fire stations. Services may be free or have a nominal fee.

Mail-Back Programs:
You may be able to mail certain FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers to a collection site for proper disposal. This service usually requires a fee. Fees vary, depending on the size of the container. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions included with the disposal container, as these programs may have specific requirements for mail-back.

Source: (fda.gov)