disposal of ns flush syringes-needleless

rn/writer, RN · Sep 17, 2006

Hope does your facility dispose of used NS flush syringes without a needle on it? We put them in the sharps container but I often find them in the waste basket.

There is no reason for them to go in the sharps container. They don't have needles. They aren't sharp. The regular wastebasket is just fine.

If your facility requires you to put them in the sharps container, it would be interesting to find out the rationale. Disposing of sharps is far more expensive than getting rid of regular trash.

ginger58, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2006

I guess the rationale is the fear of non-staff taking the syringe or maybe that it has had contact with blood. I can see both sides of its' disposal so that's why I'd like to see what others are doing. Thanks in advance.

rn/writer, RN · Sep 17, 2006

I guess the rationale is the fear of non-staff taking the syringe or maybe that it has had contact with blood. I can see both sides of its' disposal so that's why I'd like to see what others are doing. Thanks in advance.

I don't see how it would have contact with blood under normal circumstances, but if it did, you could toss just that one in with the sharps. But a NS syringe after a routine flush doesn't pose a hazard.

So someone takes it out of the trash. They're not much good for illicit purposes without needles. Besides, you can buy syringes at a pharmacy.

I'm as cautious as anyone about actual sharps, but sometimes I think you (not you personally) can go overboard. In my large urban hospital, the flushes normally go in the trash.

My daughter used to take the liquid med syringes home from her son's many hospitalizations. They were handy for giving other meds. And sometimes her kids used them to squirt each other.

ginger58, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2006

I don't see how it would have contact with blood under normal circumstances, but if it did, you could toss just that one in with the sharps. But a NS syringe after a routine flush doesn't pose a hazard.

If you're checking a line, especially a central line, for blood return it might have some cells in it.

rn/writer, RN · Sep 17, 2006

If you're checking a line, especially a central line, for blood return it might have some cells in it.

Biohazard guidelines talk about special treatment of items that have enough blood on them (non-sharp items) that it might drip, pour, or flake. If there is a visible residue, by all means, put it in the sharps container.

For NS flushes into an IV port, sharps disposal is unnecessary.

jmgrn65, RN · Sep 17, 2006

we were told all syringes regardless of needle at end should go in the sharps container, I don't remember why ( must not have been a very good one).

Beeanurse · Jan 19, 2007

I always throw them out in the sharps d/t the fact that if you flush a picc there is always the chance of some contamination of blood. Not to mention the risk of someone taking it out of the garbage.. What I don't like seeing is btw shifts if someone has NS already drawn up in their pocket, passing it to the next nurse on shift so she can use it..not that I don't trust anybody but I don't feel that its safe you never know..

bethin · Jan 19, 2007

I throw them in the trash. Guidelines state that as long as blood is not dripping, flaking, etc off the syringe, blood bag, etc that it can go in the trash.

crb613, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2007

Ours go in the trash

vamedic4, EMT-P · Jan 19, 2007

Hope does your facility dispose of used NS flush syringes without a needle on it? We put them in the sharps container but I often find them in the waste basket.

It's no wonder health care is so expensive!! Sharps containers are weighed, and your facility is charged by the pound...ounce, whatever, of "hazardous materials" (sharps boxes included) that you have to be disposed of.

There is really no reason, except for having blood in the syringe, as to why needleless syringes need to be in a sharps box at all.

vamedic4

jmgrn65, RN · Jan 19, 2007

I think the reason for them to go in the sharps is so drug users can't get to them.