Strategies for Low-Resource Settings
Proper disposal of sharps
Proper disposal of sharps is a problem in many settings, but sharps can be disposed of properly with even minimal resources. You do not need to use expensive sharps-disposal containers. A cardboard box, plastic jug, or metal container can serve adequately as a sharps-disposal container.
Puncture-resistant sharps-disposal containers should be conveniently located in any area where sharp objects are frequently used (such as injection rooms, treatment rooms, operating theaters, labor and delivery rooms, and laboratories).
Whenever possible, make hypodermic needles and other sharps unusable by incinerating them. If sharps cannot be incinerated, reduce the risk of infections by decontaminating them before disposal, and bury them in a pit to make it difficult for others to scavenge them. (More information on proper disposal of sharps and other medical waste is covered in the Waste Disposal module of this course.)
To decontaminate needles and syringes...
Step 1
Immediately after use, fill the assembled needle and syringe with a 0.5% chlorine solution, and draw the solution in and out several times. (Information about how to make a 0.5% chlorine solution appears in the Instrument Processing module of this course.)
Step 2
Drop the needle and syringe into a container of 0.5% chlorine solution, and let them soak for 10 minutes.
Step 3
Remove the needle and syringe from the solution, either by hand or using pickups (lifters, cheatle forceps). If using your hands, be sure to wear utility gloves.
Step 4
Dispose in a sharps container. Or if the syringe is reusuable, rinse it with clean water, drawing the water into and out of it several times, and continue processing immediately.