Occupational syphilis
Sounding more like a troublesome consequence of prostitution, ‘occupational syphilis’ has been recorded in a recent report from the US. Previous reports have described many cases of occupational syphilis in […]
infection
Winter vomiting virus
Though the winder has <<so far>> been uncharacteristically mild, outbreaks of winter vomiting virus have been as frequent as ever. Hospitals have reported a substantial number of outbreaks, and these have […]
Infant tested for HIV following playground scare
A 1 year old West Lynn, Massachusetts boy is being tested for possible exposure to HIV after he picked up a syringe with an exposed needle in Ames Playground Tuesday and […]
Gloves come in pairs. Wear both of them!
“A worker at Dunedin’s recycling plant is facing a nervous six-month wait for blood test results after being pricked by a discarded syringe. “The incident happened as the woman worked at […]
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C viruses among medical waste handlers
Belay Anagaw, Yitayal Shiferaw, Berhanu Anagaw, Yeshambel Belyhun, Woldearegay Erku, Fantahun Biadgelegn, Beyene Moges, Agersew Alemu, Feleke Moges & Andargachew Mulu. Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C viruses among medical […]
Taking work home with you?
Many waste handlers and ancillary workers inadvertently take their work home with them, on contaminated shoes and on dirty clothing. And now, it seems, so do microbiologists! Last updated: Saturday, […]
The cost of sharps injury
The cost of a sharps injury can be great – at worst, transmission of a life-ending viral infection. However, it is important to look more generally at the cost of […]
Infections and infectious waste
It’s that time of year again, and most regions are reporting massive increases in winter vomiting (Norovirus) virus outbreaks. Norovirus is a particularly infectious agent. It is transmitted directly from person to person […]
Re-use of needles
The importance of a robust and effective disposal infrastructure operating adequate regulatory oversight at every stage is exemplified by news from China where over 200 individuals have acqured Hepatitis C […]
Dental clinic failures
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has reported that West Street Dental Practice in Congleton is not meeting the essential standard and must improve. Key failures were in cleanliness and infection […]
Hospital inspections – what is the risk of infection?
A watchdog’s inspection of the West Suffolk Hospital has found it is meeting essential standards, but has suggested some improvements are made. They found that the hospital was compliant, but […]
Managing Norovirus infection wastes
New guidelines are hot off the press regarding the management of Norovirus infection in acute and community health and social care settings. Those guidelines, prepared after collaboration between the British […]
Needle-free vaccinations
The use of syringes for vaccination is set to decline, affecting also the volume of sharps waste as work continues on alternate delivery systems for common vaccines. Some oral products […]
Hepatitis B virus infection among medical waste handlers in Addis Ababa
Hepatitis B virus infection among medical waste handlers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is a real problem. In a detailed research paper from that country, the incidence of Hepatitis B was […]
Norovirus risk for waste handlers
The Norovirus season will be upon us soon, and though much of the waste – mainly vomit bowls and the like – will go into the washer macerator, a great deal of […]
Illicit salvage for re-use
Reduce, reuse, recycle. It seems sensible but in many countries the reality is of illicit salvage of items from clinical wastes followed by repackaging (of sorts) and reuse, all without […]
Prison needle exchange scheme?
There is no doubt that in US and UK prisons, needles are a widespread problem and major health risk. The risk of sharps injury is high since needles are not […]
Dentist in trouble for sharps disposal violation
A Massachusetts dentist is being sued by the U.S. Department of Labor for allegedly firing an employee for raising concerns about needlestick hazards and filing a health hazard complaint with […]
Clinical waste security – watch out for spies
Waste security at all points from producer sites though intermediate storage area and transport to the point of final destruction is of obvious importance. In no particular order, protection against […]
Schoolgirl goes on rampage with needle
A Puerto Rican schoolgirl stabbed 37 classmates with a hypodermic needle after going on a playground rampage. Health officials in say the attack by the 14-year-old happened at lunchtime in the […]
Local Authority ‘dumps’ clinical waste collections
Ashfield District Council has upset at least one resident by ‘dumping’ clinical waste collections from most households. Over the last five years, one 43 year old resident who spends nine […]
HSE sharps injury advice updated
The HSE sharps injury advice page has recently been updated. http://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/needlesticks/index.htm Last updated: Saturday, August 13, 2011
Recycled medical waste floods city
“It’s wobbly with a crooked needle and a depressed piston. The tip looks blunt, the cap is loose and the tube has a pale exterior. ‘For single use only‘ says […]
Who suffers most sharps injuries and body fluid exposures?
Sharps injury, and to a lesser extend blood and body fluid exposures, are a constant problem for health professionals and great attention is given to its prevention. However, we have raised […]
Free webinar on sharps safety in non-hospital settings
The International Healthcare Worker Safety Center is sponsoring a free webinar on a much overlooked topic: “Achieving Sharps Safety Compliance in Non-Hospital Healthcare Settings.” Last updated: Sunday, October 10, 2021
High prevalence of HIV, Hep B, Hep C in IV drug users
Today’s BMJ carries a short report of the World Drug Report, launched at the UN headquarters in New York where the UN’s secretary general Ban Ki-moon, said that illicit drugs cause some […]
Handling waste from Norovirus outbreaks
The Hospital Infection Society is presently reviewing the penultimate draft of its guidance document “Guidelines for the Management of Norovirus Outbreaks in Acute and Community Health and Social Care Settings”. […]
BBV transmission
The estimated rate of BBV transmission after sharps injury is widely publicised. For Hepatitis B Virus infections the risk is around 30%, for Hepatitis C 3% and for HIV infections around 0.3% risk. […]
Removing needles from prisons
Prison must be a terrible place to be, though some recidivists seem to have an affection for life inside. By all accounts, violence and drug abuse are common and at […]
Sharps-related infections
We have previously discussed the wide diversity of infections that can be transmitted by sharps or needlestick injury. Last updated: Sunday, October 13, 2019