Sharps Containers in Public Restrooms?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Just finished my second CCRN review class, which was held at a hospital in the Seattle area. They have sharps containers in the public restrooms there. I hadn't seen that before, but with the growing population of insulin dependent people, it seems like an excellent idea. I emailed a suggestion to someone in management that we should do this, before someone in housekeeping gets a needlestick.

This sharps container appeared more secure than the average one I see in pt rooms. Also, it seems to me that other public places ought to start getting them.

Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.
The only place I've seen them is in casino restrooms.

Oh! Oh! Oh! Me too!!!!

There are thousands upon thousands of public facilities here, but the only place I have ever seen them is at the casino. Freaky....

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Restrooms in the highway rest areas in NH have them and I beleive in MA also.

Swtooth

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Very, very good idea. I have never seen them before. Would these have a lock on them? You know how desparate heroin addicts get when they need "supplies"

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Umm I can't speak for the rest of the country but the reason you seen them around here is because of the Heroin and Meth epidemic. It came about because kids were finding needles in the restrooms and they weren't from diabetics. Let's be honest how many diabetics inject themselves in the local restrooms compared to people fixing anywhere they can? Also Diabetics tend to be a little more responsible with their needles than addicts.

It's really sad, the Little league fields have people walk the fields to clean up/check for needles. Last summer just walking from the parking area to the Fairgrounds I picked up five needles lying in the grass. For some reason the West coast has become Heroin central with San Francisco and Seattle being the worst. We also have the joy of losing power or phones because addicts are stealing the lines for copper to sell. It never ceases to amaze me the power these drugs have to ruin lives.

:o

Peace,

Tripps

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.
Umm I can't speak for the rest of the country but the reason you seen them around here is because of the Heroin and Meth epidemic. It came about because kids were finding needles in the restrooms and they weren't from diabetics. Let's be honest how many diabetics inject themselves in the local restrooms compared to people fixing anywhere they can? Also Diabetics tend to be a little more responsible with their needles than addicts.

I was under the assumption this is more the reason for the sharps. Good idea, but sad.

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Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.

I kind of think street drugs are the reason for the sharps around here. I don't think the casinos have a higher than normal ratio of diabetics in the room.

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I got an email back saying that they're going to install these in our bathrooms. That was quick.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.

that's awesome gardendove, you've really set an example around here that sometimes just speaking up with a simple email is enough to get changes happening.

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that's awesome gardendove, you've really set an example around here that sometimes just speaking up with a simple email is enough to get changes happening.

What me, a role model?:rotfl: :smiletea2: :smiletea: :roll

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We have them in our bathrooms

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