Disposing of lancets, needles, and syringes, commonly called "sharps, " is critical to avoid harm. You can prevent infections from using needles, such as HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV), by properly disposing of them. Needles, syringes, and lancets collectively, "sharps" should always be disposed of by placing them in a sharps container that has received FDA approval. Use a strong, impenetrable container if you don't have access to an FDA-approved sharps container. A bottle of laundry detergent is one illustration. States, cities, and localities may have their regulations regarding the disposal of needles and sharps. Always inquire about the rules for sharps disposal with your local health department.
Medical equipment and gadgets with sharp edges or points are referred to as "sharps." These objects can pierce the skin. Sharps are used to treat a variety of illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, and infertility. Products that fall under this category include, for example:
Needles Syringes (instruments that fasten to needles for administering medicine)
Lancets: instruments for drawing blood samples for laboratory analysis
Autoinjectors (medication-containing prefilled syringes)
How to Dispose Used & Unused Sharps?
It is recommended to dispose of a needle or other sharp instrument immediately after use. 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 punctures from sharps. They also have a lid. An FDA-cleared container is the best type of sharps container. But if you can't find one, a strong plastic container would suffice.
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 are unable to donate them, dispose of them in a sharps container as if they were used.
What To Do If You Have No Access To Sharps Container?
If you don't have a sharps container, there are alternative ways to store sharps in the meantime. One alternative is to recap the needle. You will need to perform this with one hand. This keeps you safe from an accidental needlestick. Place the needle's cap on a level surface. Hold the syringe with the attached needle in one hand and align the needle's tip with the aperture of the syringe cap. Insert the needle into the cap without using the other hand. Once the needle has been sealed, press it against a hard, flat surface to firmly secure the cap.
You can also render syringes useless by removing the needle with a needle clipper. This specialized instrument removes the needle from the remainder of the syringe. If you use a needle 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.
Safe sharps management and disposal of needles are critical to avoiding harm and illness. It is better to dispose of sharps immediately after they have been used. An FDA-cleared sharps container is the ideal type to use. If you don't have one, you can use another heavy-duty plastic household container, such as a laundry detergent container. Sharps containers are available in pharmacies, online, and from your healthcare provider. If you need a free sharps container, the maker of your prescription or your local health department may be able to send you one.
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