How To Dispose Of A Contaminated Needle

DOs and DON'Ts of Proper Sharps Disposal

• DO immediately place used needles and other sharps in a sharps disposal container to reduce the risk of needle sticks, cuts or punctures from loose sharps.
• DO use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, if possible. If an FDA-cleared container is not available, some organizations and community guidelines recommend using a heavy-duty plastic household container as an alternative.
• DO make sure that if a household container is used, it has the basic features of a good disposal container.
• DO carry a portable sharps disposal container for travel.
• DO follow your community guidelines for getting rid of your sharps disposal container.
• DO call your local trash or public health department (listed in the county and city government section of your phone book) to find out about sharps disposal programs in your area.
• DO ask your health care provider, veterinarian, local hospital or pharmacist
  • where and how to get an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container,
  • if they can dispose of your used needles and other sharps, or
  • if they know of sharps disposal programs near you.
• DO keep all sharps and sharps disposal containers out of reach of children and pets.
• DO seal sharps disposal containers when disposing of them, label them properly and check your community guidelines on how to properly dispose of them.
• DO ask your medical or prescription insurer whether they cover sharps disposal containers.
• DO ask the manufacturer of your drug products that are used with a needle or other sharps if they provide a sharps disposal container to patients at no charge.
• DO report a problem associated with sharps and disposal containers.

• DON’T throw loose needles and other sharps into the trash.
• DON’T flush needles and other sharps down the toilet.
• DON’T put needles and other sharps in your recycling bin -- they are not recyclable.
• DON’T try to remove, bend, break, or recap needles used by another person. This can lead to accidental needle sticks, which may cause serious infections.
• DON’T attempt to remove the needle without a needle clipper because the needle could fall, fly off, or get lost and injure someone.
• www.QDSyringeSystems.com
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