What to Do if You Can't Find a Sharps Disposal Container?
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The safest way to dispose of a used needle is to immediately
place it in a sharps disposal container to reduce the risk of needle
sticks, cuts and punctures from loose sharps. If you cannot find a
sharps disposal container right away, you may need to recap the needle
or use a needle clipper until you have an opportunity to dispose of
sharps in an appropriate sharps disposal container. Never throw away loose needles and other sharps in trash cans or recycling bins, and never flush them down the toilet.
Recapping
If you need to put the cap back on the needle (recap), do not bend or break the needle and never
remove a hypodermic needle from the syringe by hand. This may result
in accidental needle sticks, cuts or punctures. Recapping should be
performed using a mechanical device or the one-handed technique (see
below for step-by-step instructions). Recapped needles should be placed in a disposal container at the next available opportunity.
The One-Handed Needle Recapping MethodStep 1: Place the cap on a flat surface like the table or counter with something firm to "push" the needle cap againstStep 2: Holding the syringe with the needle attached in one hand, slip the needle into the cap without using the other hand Step 3: Push the capped needle against a firm object to “seat” the cap onto the needle firmly using only one hand. |
Needle Clippers
Needle
clippers make syringes unusable by clipping off the needle. Clippers
may be used for needle disposal of small syringes (such as insulin
syringes), but not for clipping lancets.
After the needle clipper
clips off the needle from the syringe, the needle is automatically and
safely retained within the clipper.
Do not attempt to clip a needle with any tool except a needle clipper designed to safely clip a needle.
Source ~ www.FDA.org
Thank you so much for the "The One-Handed Needle Recapping Method". It's very helpful to me. Yes, before using the above procedures, you need to check your community guidelines for acceptable sharps disposal methods to avoid injury and spreading of infections that cause serious health conditions. The most common infections are Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Impact Hygiene provides a convenient sharps waste disposal solution handled by professionally trained technicians. The containers you need to safely and securely dispose of scalpels, needles, syringes and other medical waste will be provided, and serviced to provide you with convenience and peace of mind.
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http://impacthygiene.com.au/sharps-disposal/