Disposal of sharps medical waste in the United States: Impact of recommendations and regulations, 1987-2007

Perry, Jane; Jagger, Janine; Parker, Ginger; Phillips, Elayne Kornblatt; Gomaa, Ahmed

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2011.04.328

Cited by 25 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Studies have shown that a significant proportion (5-28%) of NSIs are due to unsafe sharp waste collection procedures [29,30] and use of safety boxes for collection of sharp waste reduces the risk [31]. Hence, a supply of safety boxes could be considered a positive initiative towards safe injection practice.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Injection practices in Nepal: health policymakers’ perceptions

Gyawali

Rathore²,

Shankar³

et al. 2014

BMC Int Health Hum Rights

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BackgroundThe unnecessary and unsafe use of injections is common in developing countries like Nepal. Policymakers have an important role in promoting rational and safe injection use. Hence, the present study was carried out to explore the perception of health policymakers regarding safe injection practice in Nepal.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative study design was used in this study. Key policymakers from both the central and regional level were selected using purposive sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO) was used after modifying the context. Interviews were conducted to clarify doubts and obtain additional information. The data was analyzed manually using deductive content analysis technique.ResultsIn total, eleven policymakers participated. All unanimously agreed that injection safety is a problem and seven participants reported that injections are overused. They shared the opinion that injections are administered by various providers, including formal and informal health providers, and also quacks. Almost half the respondents reported that the National Drug Policy discourages injection overuse, while others reported that the policy contains no provisions regarding injection overuse. Most policymakers stated that only single-use disposable injection equipment is used to provide injection, while others thought that sterilizable glass syringe is also used. More than half of the participants believed that the quality of injection equipment available in the Nepalese market is not regulated by any government institution. Almost two-third of the policymakers stated that syringes and needles are not reused, while the rest thought syringes might be reused without sterilization in some parts of the country. Almost half of the respondents stated that illegal commercialization of used syringes exists in Nepal. Almost all respondents thought that health care institutions have a waste management plan, while more than half of them opined that such plans are limited to tertiary care hospitals located in the capital.ConclusionsThe result of this study revealed a divergence of views among policymakers, even among those in the same ministry. Though there has been some effort from the government to increase the safety of injection practices, greater efforts are required, especially with regard to standardization of policies and procedures related to injection practice.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Injection practices in Nepal: health policymakers’ perceptions

Gyawali

Rathore²,

Shankar³

et al. 2014

BMC Int Health Hum Rights

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show abstract

“…In the United States, an analysis of the impact of recommendations and legislation relating to the segregation of sharp waste from 1987 to 2007 showed that a requirement to have punctureresistant containers in locations where there is generation of such waste (such as infirmaries), combined with the use of sharp objects with a safety device, reduced accidents with such waste by 40% in the inpatients sectors, by 69% in the outpatients sector, and by 73% for support area professionals (Perry et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The reality of waste management in primary health care units in Brazil

et al. 2014

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A large number of users are serviced in primary health care units in Brazil, both in health facilities and in households. These services generate waste that must be managed safely, but there is no legislation that regulates this type of waste management in Brazil. The objective of this study was to analyse the production and management of waste in primary health care. A direct observation was performed of the stages in the handling and weighing of waste generated in primary health care units in the municipality of Goiânia (Brazil). The units generated infectious, chemical, and common waste, as well as sharp objects. The generation of waste ranged between 0.027 and 0.075 kg user-day. The generated waste was classified mostly as common and recyclable. Flaws were observed in the management of all types of waste. The critical point is segregation. Only 34.1% of the waste disposed of as infectious actually belonged to this group, the rest was ordinary waste. Flaws at this stage increase the volume of infectious waste, the occupational and environmental risks, and associated costs. Intervention to change this reality is needed and it requires the careful preparation of a waste management plan, corroborating structural changes to the implementation of this plan, and professional training and public policies to guide waste management in primary care, especially those generated in households.

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“…Wastes containing sharp materials may affect not only health workers who produce them, but also waste collectors and laundry personnel who handle and collect them [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the same time, these injuries create an unequal burden on the workers in rate greater than those who are working in similar work settings and from the general public. The long term psychological and psychosocial burden due to fear of acquiring infection can also have major impacts on the lives of affected individuals [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%