Safe and compliant sharps disposal is an essential step in preserving staff and patient safety. A strong sharps disposal program plays a critical role in maintaining a safe work environment. Proper sharps management and disposal significantly reduces the risk of needlestick injuries and other sharps-related incidents. This, in turn, limits the potential spread of bloodborne pathogens in healthcare facilities. However, the benefits of properly containerizing sharps extend beyond the workplace as doing so protects the environment and the surrounding communities by reducing contact with potentially infectious materials.
What Makes a Sharps Container Compliant?
A key step when implementing a compliant sharps disposal program is selecting the proper container that meets the latest industry standards. There are Provincial and Federal requirements for sharps containers that should be considered when selecting them. Sharps waste must be disposed of directly into a puncture-resistant container in accordance with National Standard of Canada (CAN)/CSA Standard CAN/CSA Z316.6.
Where Should Sharps Container be Placed?
Sharps containers should be placed in areas where needles, scalpels, the exposed ends of dental wires and other types of sharps are frequently generated, which most often means patient care locations, laboratories, pharmacies, and so on. They should be convenient and easily accessible so employees don’t have to walk far distances to reach a sharps container, thereby reducing the risk of a needle stick injury.
How Do Sharps Containers Enhance Safety?
Sharps containers should have a design that makes it easy to dispose of sharps while minimizing the risk of injury. For example, containers with a vertical drop lid allow for easy disposal while keeping the opening on top visible. This ensures that the sharp is securely inside the container.
Stericycle offers a variety of sharps containers, including both single-use and reusable options. These containers come in multiple sizes, including 7.5, 15, 30, and 64 litre, and feature different lid styles, such as vertical drop, horizontal drop, and rotating cylinder lids. Healthcare organizations can choose the most appropriate container based on the facility type and location.
Learn more about Stericycle’s wide range of reusable and disposable sharps containers, designed to enhance safety and help reduce needlestick injuries.
