Handling sharps and needles

Preventing Injuries

Before you use a sharp object, such as a needle or scalpel, make sure you have all the items you need close by. This includes items like alcohol swabs, gauze, and bandages.

Also know where the sharps disposal container is. Check to make sure there is enough room in the container for your object to fit. It should not be more than 2/3 full.

Some needles have a protective device, such as a needle shield, sheath, or blunting, that you activate after you remove the needle from the patient. This allows you to safely handle the needle without the risk of exposing yourself to blood or body fluids. If you are using this kind of needle, make sure you know how it works before you use it.

Follow these guidelines when you work with sharps:

• Do not uncover or unwrap the sharp object until it is time to use it.
• Keep the object pointed away from you at all times.
• Never recap or bend a sharp object.
• Keep your fingers away from the tip of the object.
• If the object is reusable, put it in a secure, closed container after you use it.
• Never hand a sharp object to someone else or put it on a tray for another person to pick up.
• Tell the people you are working with when you plan to set the object down or pick it up.

Sharps Disposal

Make sure the disposal container is made for disposing of sharp objects. Replace containers when they are 2/3 full.

Other important tips include:

• Never put your fingers into the sharps container.
• If the needle has tubing attached to it, hold the needle and the tubing when you put it in the sharps container.
• Sharps containers should be at eye level and within your reach.
• If a needle is sticking out of the container, do not push it in with your hands. Call to have the container removed. Or, a trained person may use tongs to push the needle back into the container.
• If you find an uncovered sharp object outside of a disposal container, it is safe to pick it up only if you can grasp the non-sharp end. If you cannot, use tongs to pick it up and dispose of it.

Update Date: 2/26/2012

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.