Accidental needle sticks and sharps injuries pose a significant threat, with hundreds of thousands occurring annually in the United States. This blog post sheds light on the importance of safe handling of medical sharps and needles, emphasizing the impact on both facility employees and the community. Additionally, it addresses the critical issue of illegal disposal, highlighting the potential risks waste management teams face and the transmission of bloodborne illnesses.
The Dangers of Improper Sharps Disposal: The illegal disposal of used needles and syringes not only endangers waste management teams but also increases the risk of transmitting serious bloodborne illnesses such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and viral hemorrhagic fevers. Sharps, defined as objects used in patient care, medical, research, or industrial laboratories, can be glass, metal, or plastic with sharp edges capable of causing injuries. Examples of sharps include acupuncture needles, blood vials, dental wires, syringes, and more.
Compliance with Regulations
Proper disposal of sharps is crucial, and facilities must adhere to local, state, and federal laws. Medical waste, including needles and used sharps, should be collected, stored, and shipped in puncture-proof, leak-proof containers and color-coded (red) bags labeled as medical waste. Waste Medic offers a diverse range of sharps disposal containers in various sizes and styles tailored to the needs of any organization.
Waste Medic Solutions
Waste Medic provides safe and secure disposal solutions through its programs:
Small Quantity Generators (SQG): Avoid unnecessary expenses with Waste Medic’s SQG program. As the owner of our fleet, we pick up and dispose of your sharps in a compliant and cost-effective manner.
Large Quantity Generators (LQG): Our LQG program includes skilled technicians monitoring your facility’s sharps containers. They identify full containers, replace them with empties, and utilize a reusable sharps container system, reducing the risk of injuries and environmental impact.
Optimizing Sharps Disposal
If you’re currently enrolled in a costly sharps mail-back program, Waste Medic invites you to contact us for a no-obligation quote. Discover how our services can optimize your sharps disposal management, ensuring both safety and efficiency for your facility.
