Full sharps containers not getting emptied!?

[Beanyamean]

This has become an increasing problem at the facility I work at in the clinic, urgent care, and ER area. Our sharps containers are routinely above the "full" line, often so full that you can actually reach in and pull out used sharps as our sharps containers have a wide open mouth at the top, not the flap-type used at other facilities. I understand there are many different types. I ALWAYS activate the safety guard on needles and scalpels when available. I have addressed this issue with my supervisor, infection control, housekeeping (who supposedly is supposed to empty them highly and when we page them) and with our clinical management. I have brought this issue up on numerous occasions. Nothing is being done. This is very concerning as we live in an are where IV drug use is rampant and I would not put it past a patient to pull a syringe out of a container. In addition, if a container is full, I find myself leaving a room carrying dirty sharps in search of a container. We are expecting a visit from JC in the next week or so. And i know they would not be pleased. Who else could I escalate this issue to to ensure these containers are changed to ensure the safety of our patients and staff? It's dangerous and frustrating!

[PghRN30]

In my facility it is housekeeping as well. We do not even have access to the spare empties or the keys to remove the full from the wall/our carts. Ours do have the flip tops on them, but one time i told housekeeper standing next to me that mine on my med cart was full and needed changed when she had the chance, she reached over and flipped the flip lid and said, it still swings freely, it doesnt need changed. I told her no, it was full, we dont fill them til the swing lid cant swing. now I just lock the lids then tell them.

[amoLucia]

Do you have some kind of OSHA compliance officer? Is there some corporate number you can try?

[sapphire18]

I certainly hope they're not being emptied and are in fact being changed completely!

Why would you think they were being emptied?