title: Sharps disposal practices among diabetic patients using insulin.
abstract: Insulin-dependent diabetic patients are not educated on safe sharps disposal methods, so leading to unsafe disposal of needles. Appropriate education on the correct disposal of sharps should be an integral part of their diabetic counseling. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists should all take responsibility for educating and reinforcing information about correct sharps disposal methods. Patients should be advised to either discard sharps into puncture resistant containers placed into their household refuse, or return them in secure containers for disposal by the dispensing institutions. Patients should also be educated regarding health risks associated with used needles. The South African Metabolic and Endocrine (SEMDSA) Guidelines and the South African Standard Treatment Guidelines (STG) should also give clear guidance on the safe disposal of needles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. shaunandmicci@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Dhanalutchmee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Govender
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013594:Syringes / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal