Key Takeaways:
The best approach to dispose of sharp medical items including needles, syringes, and lancets ("sharps") is to place them in an FDA-approved sharp container.
If you don't have access to an FDA-approved sharps container, you can use a strong container that won't puncture. One example is a bottle of laundry detergent.
States, cities, and localities may have their policies regarding needle and sharps disposal. Always check with your local health agency to see what their sharps disposal requirements are.
The phrase "sharps" refers to medical instruments and supplies with sharp points or edges. These objects can pierce the skin. Sharps are used to treat a variety of medical diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and infertility. To avoid injury, dispose of syringes, needles, and lancets, sometimes known as "sharps." Proper disposal of used needles can also help you prevent diseases including viral infections hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and HIV.
Here, we'll go over the fundamentals regarding how to dispose of sharps, such as syringe needle disposal, the best needles container, and where to find free sharps containers. Sharp products include the following: Needles and syringes are used for injecting medication.
Lancets (devices that can be used to collect blood samples for lab tests)
Auto injections (prefilled syringes with drugs)
How Do I Dispose of Used & Unused Needles & Other Sharps?
Disposing of a needle or other sharp instrument immediately after use is recommended. This prevents an accidental needle stick or cut. A sharps disposal container (also known as a "sharps container") is the ideal place to dispose of needles and other sharps. These are strong plastic containers that can withstand leaks and cuts from sharps. They also have a lid. An FDA-cleared container is the best type of sharps container. But a strong plastic container would suffice if you can't find one.
Unused or unopened sharps might be harmful if they are opened. Consider donating any unused or unopened sharps. Some groups collect leftover medical items and donate them to individuals in need. However, if you cannot donate them, dispose of them in a sharps container as if they were used.
How to Get a Sharps Container?
You can buy an FDA-approved sharps container without having to get a prescription. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe for you. Some insurance companies may cover sharps containers with written authorization.
Sharps containers are available in pharmacy stores, medical supply companies, and through your healthcare practitioner. They can also be located online. If you don't want to purchase a sharps container, look for free alternatives. Please contact the manufacturer of the medicine you are taking or the health department in your area. They may be able to send you a complimentary sharps container. Some examples of programs that perform this are available here. The best sharps container is one that meets your demands and lifestyle. Keep this in mind while you choose yours. For example, a larger sharps container may be ideal at a location where it does not need to move, such as at home. Small sharps containers are available for those who are on the go or traveling. What To Do if I Don’t Have Quick Access To a Sharps Container?
If you do not have access to a sharps container or an unused household container, there are various options for storing sharps in the meantime. One method is to recap the needle. You'll need to accomplish this with one hand. This keeps you safe from an accidental needle stick.
To reattach the needle, place the lid on a flat surface. Using one hand, hold the syringe with the needle connected and align the needle tip with the aperture of the syringe cap. Place the needle in the cap while using your other hand. Once the needle is capped, press it against a hard, flat surface to firmly hold the cap. You can also render syringes useless by taking out the needle with a needle clipper. This specialized instrument removes the needle from the remainder of the syringe. If you use a threaded clipper, the needle will remain inside the clipper after it is cut. Lancets are not compatible with needle clippers.
Needles and syringes should be disposed of in a sharps receptacle as soon as possible, even if they have been recapped or clipped. Never dispose of medical sharps like regular trash, and never flush them down the toilet.
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