BioMedical Waste Solutions, a prominent national medical waste disposal firm, is proactively addressing the concerning prevalence of needlestick injuries through heightened awareness about the risks linked to improper medical waste (needle) disposal. Recent CDC findings reveal approximately 385,000 needlestick- and sharps-related injuries reported annually by U.S. healthcare workers, with many cases likely going unreported, especially those in private settings like homes, affecting millions, including diabetic individuals reliant on daily needle use.
Globally, WHO reports staggering figures, with sharps injuries annually causing approximately 2,005,000 HIV infections, 66,000 hepatitis B virus (HBV) cases, and 16,000 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among healthcare workers, potentially resulting in severe outcomes like death, chronic illness, and disability.
OSHA underscores a troubling statistic—33% of all sharps injuries occur during disposal, highlighting the critical need for proper medical waste disposal practices to protect healthcare workers and the public.
BioMedical Waste Solutions has launched “The Definitive Guide to Medical Waste Disposal in 2024” to provide clear instructions for safe disposal of needles, syringes, and sharps materials, addressing the urgency of this issue and promoting responsible waste disposal practices to mitigate needlestick injury and infection transmission risks.
The guide offers essential tips, including:
- Using FDA-approved sharps/needle containers for disposal.
- Ensuring containers are not more than 70% full.
- Avoiding direct contact with sharps containers.
- Not attempting to remove needles from syringes or recap them.
- Keeping sharps and containers away from children.
JP Richards, Director of Communications at BioMedical Waste Solutions, expresses deep concern over needlestick injuries’ prevalence and their adverse impact on healthcare workers and communities. He stresses the guide’s value in injury prevention and underscores the company’s commitment to providing safe waste disposal services.
BioMedical Waste Solutions urges healthcare facilities, professionals, and needle users to consult its comprehensive guide for proper sharps and medical waste disposal. With expert teams and specialized equipment, the company ensures compliance with national, state, and local safety standards for handling, transporting, and disposing of medical waste, including sharps. Together, they aim to minimize needlestick injury risks and safeguard public health.
