Selecting, Evaluating, and Using
Sharps Disposal Containers

III—CONCLUDING REMARKS

Sharps disposal containers that are functional, accessible, secure from patient or visitor tam pering (if necessary), visible, and convenient to use will decrease the risk of percutaneous sharps injury. For optimal protective value, the container must be readily available and of sufficient size and capacity. Sharps disposal container use should be part of an institutional process that

—supports surveillance of sharps injury,
—eliminates unnecessary sharps,
—promotes worker education and training in the proper use of sharps disposal containers and safety devices,
—immunizes HCWs at risk of exposure to HBV, and
—advocates compliance with standard precautions.

Products that meet all of the performance criteria identified in this document may not exist. To de velop and disseminate products that meet these crite ria, manufacturers and end users should work to gether to design and modify containers.

This page was last updated on March 4, 1998