Bumping into a full sharp container

Editorial Team / Admin · May 21, 2015

I can't imagine that unless sharps are exposed there would be much/any greater risk than coming into contact with anything else in the room. The more important question is why aren't the sharps bins emptied/replaced prior to getting to the point of so full they no longer close? Does the facility need to increase the schedule for emptying/replacing? Do the containers need to be larger?

yeezimiller · May 21, 2015

I don't think it was full. I think it was the secondary tubing that got it stuck and messed up the mechanism.

roser13, ASN, RN · May 21, 2015

Unless there are needles dangling out of the closed Sharps box, how could anyone get hurt?

roser13, ASN, RN · May 21, 2015

I don't think it was full. I think it was the secondary tubing that got it stuck and messed up the mechanism.

Even more reason to doubt that a sharp object will jump out and stab you.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · May 21, 2015

I don't think it was full. I think it was the secondary tubing that got it stuck and messed up the mechanism.

If you notice a sharps container stuck open, it is your responsibility to replace the container.

End of problem.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 21, 2015

If you notice a sharps container stuck open, it is your responsibility to replace the container.
End of problem.

To add: don't you call someone to change it out??

When I see a full sharps container I call materials management and they switch out the containers.

I'm curious.

FlyingScot, RN · May 21, 2015

We are responsible to switch our own.

nrsang97, BSN, RN · May 21, 2015

We call housekeeping to change ours.

yeezimiller · May 22, 2015

Which kind do you guys use?

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 22, 2015

Which kind do you guys use?

I have no idea because they are locked up...for safety reasons...

kidzcare · May 22, 2015

Where I work who ever notices it is full changes it.