Expert Sharps Management: Identifying Sharps Waste

Sharps are objects or devices that have been used in patient care, medical, research, or industrial laboratories. Sharps can be glass, metal, or plastic with rigid corners, sharp edges, or protruding pieces that can slice, scrape or pierce the skin. Sharps may include (but aren’t limited to):

•Acupuncture needles
•Blood vials
•Broken glass or capillary tubes
•Culture dishes and slides
•Exposed ends of dental wires
•Lancets
•Needles, hypodermic and tubing
•Pipettes
•Scalpel blades
•Suture needles
•Syringes with and without needles
•Trauma scene waste that can cut, slice or pierce
•Tubing with needles

When disposing sharps, be sure that you’re compliant with local, state, and federal laws and adhering to the policies and procedures of your facility. Learn how to package sharps waste.

How do I package my sharps needle waste?

 1) Place sharps in a puncture-resistant container designed for sharps waste. Do not allow loose sharps in any waste container other than the sharps container.

 2) Securely close the container.

 3) Place disposable containers in the red bag waste or schedule for pickup