Patient education: How to dispose of needles and other sharps (The Basics)

What are sharps? — "Sharps" are any medical device that can pierce or cut the skin. They include:

●Needles – Medical or "hypodermic" needles have a hollow center and a sharp tip. They attach to a hollow plastic tube called a "syringe."

●Lancets or "finger sticks" – These are small devices with a sharp blade on 1 end. They are used to make a small cut in the skin and collect a drop of blood (for example, to check your blood sugar).

●Injector pens or "autoinjectors" – These include devices that are prefilled with medicine and have a needle at the end. They also have a cap for easy carrying.

Many people need to use sharps. For example, you might use a medicine that requires you to give yourself an injection (shot) under the skin. Common examples of these medicines include insulins and some migraine shots.

The following is general information about how to safely get rid of sharps after you have used them.

Why is it important to dispose of sharps the right way? — Used sharps often contain small amounts of blood or other body fluids. If another person pokes themselves with it, they could get an infection. Sharps that are not disposed of correctly can also cut someone. For example, if someone is removing a bag of trash that has used sharps in it, they could accidentally stick or cut themselves.

An accidental needle stick or cut can be painful and stressful. It can also cause worry because some diseases (such as HIV and hepatitis B or C) can be carried in the blood. Because of this, urgent medical attention is often needed.

When you follow a few easy steps to get rid of used sharps the right way, you protect yourself, your family, and your community. These steps are listed below.

What should I do with sharps after use? — Never throw away used sharps loosely in the regular trash, toilet, or recycle bin. Instead, use a sharps disposal container (picture 1).

These containers are made of hard plastic so needles cannot puncture through them. They have a small opening on top with a cap or lid that screws on tightly. They come in different sizes, including a small size to use while away from home. They are labeled as "biohazard" or "biomedical waste" containers.

Where can I get a sharps disposal container? — You can get these at a pharmacy, medical supplier, doctor's office, or online.

It is best to use a sharps disposal container that is "FDA cleared." These containers are made of hard plastic and have a line to show how much to fill them. You can find a list of these containers on the FDA website: www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel/sharps-disposal-containers.

What if I can't get a sharps disposal container? — A sharps disposal container is the safest way to dispose of sharps. But if you can't get one, you can use a household container made of something that is hard to puncture. For example, you could use a hard plastic detergent bottle or a coffee can with a tight-fitting lid. Do not use a water or soda bottle.

How do I use a sharps disposal container? — Follow the disposal instructions that came with your device.

Here are general instructions:

●Needles and syringes – Put the whole device, including the syringe, in the sharps container. Do this immediately after giving the medicine. The needle end should go in first, through the opening in the top.

Do not put the cap back on the needle, if it had one. Do not try to bend, snap off, or remove the needle.

●Injector pens – Injector pens have a screw-on needle that you change every time you give yourself a shot. There are different types of pens. Carefully read the instructions that came with your injector pen so you know how to remove the needle. For most injector pens, to get rid of the needle after using it:

•Place the large outer semi-clear plastic needle cap on the table, then carefully pick it up with the pen. This is to avoid accidentally sticking yourself with the needle.

•Gently pull the large outer cap into place. Then, unscrew to remove the needle.

•Drop the needle and outer plastic cover into the opening of the sharps disposal container.

●Autoinjectors – Place the entire device in the sharps disposal container. Aim the needle end down. Some autoinjectors are big. You might need to dispose of them in a larger medical waste container.

●Lancets – A lancet is a small needle you use to get a sample of blood. (A sample is just a few drops.) There are different types of lancets. Carefully read the instructions that came with the lancet you have. For many lancet devices, to get rid of the needle after getting your blood sample:

•Twist off the lancet device cover, and hold the device over the sharps container opening.

•Then, slowly press the "ejector" button. The used lancet will drop into the container.

●Store the sharps container safely between use – Sharps disposal containers should be kept out of reach of children and pets.

●Stop adding sharps to the container when it is three-quarters full – A sharps container is considered "full" when it is about three-quarters full. At this point, it needs to be sealed and safely disposed of. Filling the sharps disposal container more than three-quarters raises the risk of someone getting hurt. Most sharps disposal containers have a line that shows when to stop adding sharps and dispose of the container.

How do I get rid of a sharps disposal container? — When the sharps container is three-quarters full, you should:

●Close and seal the container – Screw the cap on tightly. You might want to put heavy tape over the lid, too. If the container is not already labeled, you can write "Sharps" on the sides with permanent marker. Do not reuse sharps disposal containers.

●Check your local guidelines – Communities have different rules about how to dispose of sharps disposal containers. These can include:

•Sharps drop-off sites – These might be at places like doctor's offices, pharmacies, hospitals, police departments, or fire stations. These drop-off sites might be free or cost a very small amount of money to use.

•Hazardous waste collection sites – Check with them to make sure that they accept sharps.

•Mail-back programs – You might be able to mail your sharps disposal container to a disposal site. You usually have to pay for this service. These programs might have rules about what containers can be mailed and how to label the container.

•Home pick-up services – Some local trash pick-up services offer sharps disposal container pick-up. You usually have to pay for this service. Check that your service will pick up the type of container you use.

You can go to www.safeneedledisposal.org and type in your zip code to see which options are available near you. If you are having trouble finding a way to dispose of your sharps disposal containers, call your local health department. You can also ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for help.

What should I do if I get stuck or cut by a used sharp? — If you or someone else gets stuck or cut with a used sharp:

●Wash the area with running water and sudsy soap – Do not scrub or squeeze the wound to make it bleed.

●If soap and water aren't available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or another "antiseptic." Antiseptics help kill germs. Examples include hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

●Dry the wound, and cover it with a waterproof bandage or dressing.

●If a person gets stuck by their own used sharp, they should call their doctor or nurse to see if anything else needs to be done.

●If a person gets stuck with a used sharp that belongs to someone else, get medical attention right away even if you are not sure if the skin is broken. You might need testing and treatment to prevent an infection. If your doctor cannot see you on the same day that the injury happened, go to your nearest urgent care or emergency department.

Where can I learn more? — More information about safely using sharps and sharps disposal containers is available at:

●www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel

●www.safeneedledisposal.org

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