title: Compliance with sharps waste standards by a sample of Sydney acupuncture premises.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine current practices with regard to the safe collection, storage and disposal of sharps waste in acupuncture premises and to determine compliance with the NSW Public Health (Skin Penetration) Regulation 2000 and the NSW Health Skin Penetration Code of Best Practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample of acupuncturists in the City of Sydney local government area was selected and surveyed using a structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 26 acupuncturists surveyed had sharps disposal bins and complied with the Regulation, but the following elements of the Code were not uniformly followed: regular disposal of sharps (77%), disposal through a waste contractor (23%) and placement of bins out of reach of visitors (8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular disposal of sharps containers in acupuncture premises could be improved.
authors: Aboriginal Environmental Health Officer Training Program, NSW Department of Health.
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Blundell
authors: Toni
authors: T
authors: Cains
authors: Kelly-Anne
authors: KA
authors: Ressler
authors: Mark J
authors: MJ
authors: Ferson
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000592:standards*; D009339:Needles; D009517:New South Wales; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D017744:Medical Waste Disposal