Treating diabetes (type 1 or type 2, it does not matter) on your own can be difficult sometimes. One of the reasons for that is the need to dispose of the sharps you use. And, let’s face it, most people don’t know nearly enough about proper medical waste removal Fort Lauderdale as they should.
In this short article you will learn how to dispose of your sharps.
8 Rules of Sharps Disposal at Home
Here are 8 rules you have to know about safe disposal of sharps used for treating diabetes:
1. Don’t get stuck or cut. Well, as some would say “duh”. Of course, there is no chance of infecting yourself with a communicable disease, but a physical injury while using a syringe or a lancet is quite possible and should not be underestimated. To prevent this from happening, either clip the sharp end from your needle or lancet, or put a hard cap back on after you used the needle.
2. Discard sharps waste as directed. There are more than enough federal, state and local laws and regulations that you have to follow that there is no lacking when it comes to direction for discarding needles and other sharps. One of the first rules of medical waste removal is to never put sharps for recycling. These are not recyclables by any stretch of a margin. In fact, since recyclables often need to be sorted manually (that is, by hand) this can be dangerous for workers.
3. Do not leave used needles lying about. Once you have used a sharp, make sure to place it in a sharps container. Don’t put them in a cardboard box or the like with the intention of doing this later (by then, your “later” may very well become “too late” if one of your household members, such as your kid, gets stuck on them.
4. Be acquitted with sharps disposal laws. We already mentioned how important knowing medical waste removal laws is, even for an individual, especially regarding sharps disposal. There are different rules and regulations in every state and even local laws regarding sharps differ in some cases. These are today available even online, so there is no excuse in not knowing them.
5. Only use proper sharps containers. A sharps container should always be nearby when you are using needles. Once you have administered a needle on yourself, you should immediately place it inside a sharps container. Only use plastic receptacles, as glass might shatter and cardboard and wood can bend and may be pierced easily. You can use old plastic bottles (for instance, a bleach or soap bottle will do just nicely), just make sure it has its cap.
6. Seal the sharps container. Waste should stay inside the sharps container, so it is best if you use some duct tape to seal the lid. Do this even with those sharps bins you buy from the store, and not just DIY sharps containers.
7. Label the container. A sharps container should be clearly labeled so that the medical waste removal workers know exactly what is stored in them. They should be marked with the words “Sharps Waste” or similar, on all sides in order for the warning to be more visible. Also, don’t neglect putting a biohazard symbol on the front of the box.
8. Ask about sharps disposal options. You have a number of options for sharps disposal and it is up to you do find them. Many companies have mail-back sharps container exchange programs or they do pick ups for medical waste removal Fort Lauderdale.
