Sharps Container at Kaiser

TazziRN, RN · May 17, 2008

If it had the lid on it, no it can't be accessed by hand. The flap is such that it's impossible for a hand to get in there.

Rabid Response · May 17, 2008

The opening to the sharps container contains a barrel. When the lid to the container is opened, you can only access the barrel itself. When the lid is closed, the barrel rolls over so that its opening faces the storage part of the container. You open the lid, place the used syringe in the barrel portion, and when you close the lid the barrel rolls over and deposits your syringe into the container. If your son had opened the lid to the sharps container, he would only have been able to access the plastic barrel part, not the bucket part where the used syringes are stored. Is there some reason, other than the mere presence of the sharps container in the room, that causes you to believe that your son may have injured himself? You do not say how old he is, but if you do not trust him not to touch medical equipment, then he should not have been left unattended in the room.

GM1987 · May 17, 2008

Thank you for all of the generous replies everyone.

I'm assuming the lid was on it, as it appears to be an integral part of the sharps container.

It was mounted on the wall and I phsycially remember seeing a lock on it. A 'Do not fill above this line' and 'Incineration only' sign was also visible on it.

Do all contemporary sharps containers use the following safety mechanism? Thanks in advance.

Rabid Response · May 17, 2008

I only know that those are the types of wall-mounted sharps containers used by the Kaiser facilities in my area.

MikeyJ, RN · May 17, 2008

I actually tried myself (just to see if it was possible) to grab sharps out of a sharps container. We had a suicidal patient and I was just curious if it was possible and I was not able to get my hands in there.

GM1987 · May 17, 2008

I only know that those are the types of wall-mounted sharps containers used by the Kaiser facilities in my area.

I'm located in Los Angeles, CA.

I actually tried myself (just to see if it was possible) to grab sharps out of a sharps container. We had a suicidal patient and I was just curious if it was possible and I was not able to get my hands in there.

Good to know. Thanks!

GM1987 · May 18, 2008

Can any other Kaiser employees chime in please?

wooh, BSN, RN · May 18, 2008

If someone wants in to a sharps container badly enough, they'll figure a way in. Junkies are surprisingly innovative. But you aren't just going to "accidently" get your hand in there.

TazziRN, RN · May 18, 2008

Can any other Kaiser employees chime in please?

Why are you looking for Kaiser employees? Kaiser does not have a patent on sharps containers, they use the same containers that other facilities use. There are different companies that manufacture them but they have to follow OSHA guidelines before being used in facilities. Different companies have structural differences but they will all be extremely difficult to access.

GM1987 · May 18, 2008

Why are you looking for Kaiser employees? Kaiser does not have a patent on sharps containers, they use the same containers that other facilities use. There are different companies that manufacture them but they have to follow OSHA guidelines before being used in facilities. Different companies have structural differences but they will all be extremely difficult to access.

I talked to a phlebotomist at work and she said that there are some containers where sharps can be accessed. I don't think that type was present in the room though. Just wanting to make sure!

TazziRN, RN · May 18, 2008

Hospitals cannot use the ones that can be accessed, and even those could only be accessed by someone with a baby hand or with a pair of long forceps. Still difficult.