title: Sharps disposal containers and their use.
abstract: Safe disposal of sharps in health care is more important than ever before especially with the risks of disease transmission. This paper reviews the fundamental issues of sharps containers including design features, container use and the future needs for safety. A simple solution meeting all requirements may never be available and further research to strive for the safest design is still needed. Although an ultimate design may emerge, the general education of all sharps users regarding safety will always be paramount.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hospital Infection, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gwyther
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008506:Medical Waste / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009339:Needles; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D013594:Syringes; D006113:United Kingdom; D014866:Waste Products
chemical_list: D008506:Medical Waste; D014866:Waste Products