Sharps Handling - NAPLEX

Dispose of the entire unit intact in a sharps container. Removing the needle risks injury, so intact disposal maintains safety and containment.

In a closed, upright, labeled sharps container. This setup prevents tipping, leaks, or exposure during movement, ensuring safe internal transport.

Wash the area with soap and water; do not squeeze aggressively. Washing removes contaminants without forcing blood into the wound, minimizing infection risk.

Place it directly into an approved sharps container. Immediate disposal prevents accidental needlesticks by ensuring sharps are contained without recapping or manipulation.

Follow state/local policy; accept only via approved take-back process. Pharmacies must comply with regulations to avoid improper handling of potentially infectious waste.

Use the one-hand scoop technique or a recapping device. This method minimizes hand exposure to the needle tip, reducing injury risk when recapping is unavoidable.

Recapping, bending, breaking, or removing needles by hand. These actions increase the risk of needlestick injuries by directly handling exposed sharps.

Use tools to retrieve if safe; otherwise discard bin contents per policy. Tools avoid direct contact, and policy ensures contaminated items are handled appropriately.

Empty IV fluid bag without a needle or spike attached. Without sharp components, it poses no puncture risk and can be handled as regular medical waste.

Needles, syringes with needles, lancets, and scalpel blades. These items have sharp edges that can cause injuries or transmit infections if not properly contained.

Replace the container; do not tape or force the lid closed. A faulty lid compromises containment, necessitating replacement to maintain safety standards.

Use a tool or gloved hand with forceps; place in sharps container. Direct hand contact risks injury, so tools ensure safe handling and proper containment.

Sharps container within arm’s reach at point of use. Proximity minimizes transport of exposed sharps, reducing the chance of accidental injuries.

Flush eyes with water or saline immediately and report exposure. Flushing dilutes and removes contaminants, while reporting initiates exposure protocols.

Gloves and eye/face protection as indicated by exposure risk. PPE barriers protect against bloodborne pathogen exposure during procedures with splash potential.

Use safety-engineered sharps with activated safety mechanism. Safety features like shields or retractors cover the needle post-use, preventing accidental sticks.

Securely mounted to prevent tipping and accessible at point of use. Proper positioning enhances stability and accessibility, reducing risks during disposal.

Place it into a larger secondary container and replace immediately. Secondary containment prevents leaks while replacement maintains overall safety protocols.

Close it if possible and replace; do not push contents down. Overfilled containers risk injury during handling, so replacement avoids forcing contents or exposure.

Dispose immediately in an approved sharps container. Lancets are contaminated sharps that pose a puncture risk and must be isolated from regular waste.

Puncture-resistant, leak-resistant, and closable with secure lid. These features ensure containment of sharps, protecting against punctures, leaks, and unauthorized access.

At the manufacturer fill line, typically about $rac{3}{4}$ full. Replacing at this level prevents overfilling, which could cause sharps to protrude or spill during closure.

Discard the pen needle immediately in a sharps container. Pen needles are sharps that require containment to prevent injuries and biohazard exposure.

Dispose the device promptly in a sharps container. Immediate disposal after activation ensures the protected sharp is contained without further handling.