When it comes to Monroe County-FL medical waste management & removal of sharps, the common misconception is that this is something that only regards health care facilities. In fact, diabetics commonly use needles and syringes for treatment at home and giving themselves daily insulin shots.
Of course, these sharps do not miraculously disappear once used. Instead, used needles have to be properly discarded so as not to endanger the health and well-being of other family members.
With the proper removal of sharps, you ensure the potential risk of one of your family members getting stuck on a needle and infected averted.
Removal of Sharps Instructions
Here is what you need to know about this medical waste management procedure (removal of sharps):
1. First, you need to take care of any debris or anything else that obstructs the view and approach to the needles and syringes. You need to have a clear view of medical sharps at all times.
2. Do not forget to don some disposable gloves. Latex are cheapest and you can buy them in bulk, but nitrile and vinyl are also good for the removal of sharps, if not even better. By wearing disposable gloves, you ensure your hands and fingers having valuable protection from needle sticks. In addition, gloves also prevent microorganisms, such as bacteria, from getting in contact with the skin on your hands.
3. Make sure that the sharps container is on a flat surface. This can be the floor, table, shelf or anything like this. Try not to hold the container in your hands or touching it while you are placing needles and syringes in it. Don’t worry, commercial sharps containers are designed to allow you to use them like this, so no acrobatics or magic tricks are needed. If you don’t have a regular sharps container, you can use any other leak-proof and puncture-resistant receptacle, like a detergent or bleach bottle.
4. Don’t try to jam syringes into the sharps container all at once. Instead, pick them up one by one and place them carefully inside the sharps box. Never pick the syringe by the attached needle. Instead, take it by the barrel or plunger at the end. I don’t thing I need to tell you how much safer this is.
5. Once you have placed the sharps into the container, close the lid. Commercial sharps containers have lids that have interlocking systems. This prevents them from being reopened, provided you didn’t do anything dumb like overfilled them. If you’re using a DIY container for the removal of sharps, you should secure it extra with some duct or packaging tape.
6. Take of the disposable gloves and put them in a red plastic bag. Throw the plastic bag according to medical waste management regulations in your state and city. Wash your hands with some anti-septic soap and warm water.
7. Bring the sharps container to the designated drop off area in your city. Most hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities accept sharps containers for disposal, and so do fire department stations. Be sure to call them first to make sure. This is free of cost.
8. If there is no such drop off spot, try finding a medical waste management company that deals with the removal of sharps from individuals.
9. Don’t forget to follow federal, state and local regulations for Monroe County-FL medical waste management & removal of sharps.
