Used needles and other sharps can cause needlestick injuries and spread infections if they aren’t disposed of properly. As the opioid epidemic continues and the number of patients who self-inject medications increases, so does the need for secure disposal options in public spaces and for those who self-inject medications at home.
In 2019, an estimated 9.7 million people misused prescription painkillers, and 70.6 % of drug overdose deaths involved opioids. Not all of those deaths were the result of intentional misuse. Prescription opioids and opioid use disorder treatment medications kept in the home pose a danger to children and pets if they aren’t stored in secure containers and disposed of safely.
Last updated on September 28, 2021
With many long-term care (LTC) communities already struggling with staff shortages, rising salaries, declining resident census, and other challenges, new government regulations can seem like just one more burden. However, changes to federal medication disposal regulations can actually help assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, memory care facilities, and other providers realize significant savings.
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Sharps Compliance has announced the winners for its semi-annual Fall 20201 scholarship contest. Congratulations!
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Many healthcare providers that are in the same healthcare sector generate similar hazardous waste streams. For instance, long-term care facilities typically all have hazardous waste pharmaceuticals, and healthcare laboratories will generate flammable solvents, considered hazardous waste. Let’s look at some of the more common hazardous waste streams generated by healthcare facilities.
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