Dispose Of Sharps The Safe Way
Published
Today is the second of the Protect Your Patients, Protect Yourself challenge.
Did you know that one-third of nurses believe sharps injuries and blood-borne diseases pose a major risk in the workplace? And about 13% have had at least one sharps injury in the past 5 years.
Around 385,000 sharps-related injuries happen to health care workers in hospitals every year. A common way this happens is by getting stuck when trying to recap a needle after injection. These accidental needle sticks and punctures are unsafe because they can cause injury and expose you to infectious diseases.
Never recap a needle after use. Instead, dispose of used needles in the appropriate sharps container immediately after use. If available, use safety-engineered sharps, including needles, before disposing of them in the sharps container. Always use these safety-engineered sharps correctly and ensure the sharps disposal container is not already filled to an unsafe level. If you do happen to get stuck, report it immediately and get any needed healthcare right away.
For more information, browse our list of resources with best practices and advice on raising the profile of sharps safety in the workplace and read extensive information from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). You can also:
Find this helpful? Use the social media links on the left side of your page to share this with a nurse and invite them to join Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation!
Missed day 1? Catch up here. Join us on day 3.
Did you know that one-third of nurses believe sharps injuries and blood-borne diseases pose a major risk in the workplace? And about 13% have had at least one sharps injury in the past 5 years.
Around 385,000 sharps-related injuries happen to health care workers in hospitals every year. A common way this happens is by getting stuck when trying to recap a needle after injection. These accidental needle sticks and punctures are unsafe because they can cause injury and expose you to infectious diseases.
Never recap a needle after use. Instead, dispose of used needles in the appropriate sharps container immediately after use. If available, use safety-engineered sharps, including needles, before disposing of them in the sharps container. Always use these safety-engineered sharps correctly and ensure the sharps disposal container is not already filled to an unsafe level. If you do happen to get stuck, report it immediately and get any needed healthcare right away.
For more information, browse our list of resources with best practices and advice on raising the profile of sharps safety in the workplace and read extensive information from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). You can also:
- Read about ANA’s position on needle safety law.
- Refresh your knowledge on precautions and best practices to prevent infection before, during, and after injections by enrolling in this free module from ANA Project Firstline.
Find this helpful? Use the social media links on the left side of your page to share this with a nurse and invite them to join Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation!
Missed day 1? Catch up here. Join us on day 3.
Blog Challenge Tips
06/21/2023 9:16am CDT
Post a Comment or Question