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Hi Michael,
I agree. In some jurisdictions/institutions, sharps definition (along with “..could penetrate human skin”)… includes “… or puncture waste bags”. i.e. IV spikes and other sharp-edged items that might puncture/rupture a yellow bag with resultant potential for blood/OPIM leakage onto handlers.
T.
Terry Grimmond FASM, BAgrSc, GrDpAdEd
Consultant Microbiologist
Grimmond and Associates
Ph/Fx (NZ): +64 7 856 4042
Mob (NZ): +64 274 365 140
E: tg@gandassoc.com
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Hi Verily
The problem with this question is it is local legislation and local waste management regulation specific. It will depend upon what your state legislation requires, and also what your local waste management regulations (eg local council area or landfill site) requires.
In principle, the ‘spigot end’ of an IV giving set is not a sharp designed to penetrate skin, or to be used for that purpose, and thus may not meet the definition for sharp in some jurisdictions. But your local legislation and regulations may have specific guidance for this, so that should be your first line of enquiry.
Most regulations allow facilities to develop their own polices with in the guidance of the regulations. Thus, if you want to consider all IV administration sets as clinical waste, it can be a facility decision. You could not decide to allow used clinical sharps to be placed in general waste, though, if this would be a breach of the regulations.
Hope these thoughts help.
Cheers
Michael
Michael Wishart
CNC Infection Control
Holy Spirit Northside Private Hospital
627 Rode Road, Chermside, Qld 4032
t: (07) 3326 3068 | f: (07) 3607 2226
e: Michael.Wishart@hsn.org.au
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Dear All
I wonder if anyone out there can assist with a good response to feedback to staff regarding this question I am so often asked. I have tried with reason to advise however I would appreciate any further input from out there to address this issue:
The question:
‘During one of the COPS meetings a question was raised around how to appropriately dispose of peritoneal dialysis fluid and whether the spigot of an IV line is classified as a sharp. Some wards believe that if they separate a used IV bag from the line, they must cut the spigot end off and put this in the sharps bin and dispose of the rest of the line in the clinical waste bin. I was hoping to get some clarification on these issues so I can feed it back to the COPS group.’
Thanks for your assistance.
Regards
Verily Thomas
Clinical Nurse Consultant | Infection Prevention and Control
SWSLHD-Bankstown/Lidcombe Hospital
Eldridge Road, Bansktown.NSW 2200
Tel 02 97228000 pager 28230
Tel 02 9722 8633 | Fax 02 9722 7822 | verily.thomas@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au
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