Good Microbiological Practices and Procedures (GMPP) 3: sharps

Summary

This video outlines essential safety practices for handling sharps in laboratory environments. It emphasizes reducing sharp item use, proper disposal in puncture-proof containers, and the importance of avoiding needle stick injuries. Sharps should be disposed of in designated containers that are sealed and decontaminated, ensuring they are not treated as normal waste. The video also covers emergency disposal methods and the proper handling of sharps bins before collection or incineration. Key guidelines include never resheathing needles and disposing of used syringes and needles together to prevent infections.

Takeaways

• 😀 Minimize the use of sharps wherever possible to reduce the risk of injury and contamination.
• 😀 Sharps should be handled and disposed of carefully in puncture-proof containers with tight-fitting lids.
• 😀 Place sharps bins close to work areas to avoid unnecessary movement while handling sharps.
• 😀 Do not overfill sharps bins; follow the maximum fill line marked on the container to prevent additional hazards.
• 😀 Non-sharp items like absorbent tissues should not be placed in sharps bins to avoid contamination.
• 😀 Once a sharps bin is full, seal it, disinfect its surface, and treat it as infectious waste until it is autoclaved.
• 😀 In emergency scenarios, a heavy-duty plastic container (like a detergent bottle) can be used as an alternative to a sharps bin.
• 😀 Needles should never be resheathed after use. Place them directly in the sharps bin to reduce needle-stick injuries.
• 😀 Never detach a needle from a syringe; dispose of both as one unit to prevent accidents.
• 😀 Sharps bins should be stored in a dedicated collection area before disposal, either by a professional service or incineration.
• 😀 After autoclaving, sharps bins should be labeled as 'autoclaved' and can then be disposed of as regular waste.

Q & A

What are considered 'sharps' in a laboratory setting?

Sharps refer to items with sharp points or cutting edges capable of piercing or cutting human skin. Common examples in a lab include scalpels, needles, scissors, tweezers, and bits of broken glass or plastic.

Why is the risk of injury greater when sharps are contaminated with biological agents?

When sharps are contaminated with biological agents, they create a greater hazard because they can transmit infections or harmful biological substances, leading to potentially serious health risks.

How should sharps be disposed of in the laboratory?

Sharps should be collected in puncture-proof containers fitted with covers that are difficult to reopen once sealed. These containers should be used immediately after sharps are discarded and should not be overfilled.

What should be done once a sharps bin is filled to its maximum capacity?

Once a sharps bin reaches its maximum fill level, the lid should be sealed shut. The bin should then be wiped with an appropriate disinfectant before storage and disposal.

What is the importance of placing sharps bins close to the work area?

Sharps bins should be placed as close to the work area as possible to minimize the need for movement while handling sharps, which reduces the risk of injury.

Can non-sharp items, like absorbent tissue or loops, be placed in sharps bins?

No, non-sharp items such as absorbent tissues, loops, and spreaders should not be placed in sharps bins. These bins should be reserved exclusively for sharps waste.

What should be done if a proper sharps bin is not available in an emergency?

In emergency situations, a heavy-duty plastic household container, such as a laundry detergent container, can be used as an alternative. The container should be leak-resistant, puncture-resistant, and have a tight-fitting lid.

How should sharps bins be disposed of after they are autoclaved?

After autoclaving, sharps bins should be labeled as autoclaved and can then be disposed of as normal sharps waste. They no longer need to be treated as infectious waste.

What is the key practice for preventing needle-stick injuries in laboratories?

To prevent needle-stick injuries, needles should never be resheathed. Instead, they should be placed directly into the sharps bin, along with the syringe if the needle is attached, to reduce the risk of injury.

What is the proper method for disposing of needles attached to syringes?

Needles attached to syringes should not be detached. Instead, the entire unit, syringe and needle, should be placed directly into the sharps bin to reduce the likelihood of needle-stick injuries.