From: Ian blenkharn@ianblenkharn.com
Category: Miscellaneous
Date: 04 Mrz 2008
Time: 19:27:43 +0100
Remote Name: 81.158.127.112
To my knowledge, very few studies have been done to examine the micro-organisms present in sharps bins. Generally, we take the attitude that it really doesn't matter, and treat sharps bins and their contents as a potent infection risk the presents a considerable risk for transmission of bloodborne virus.
A recent paper (Runner JC. Microbiological Profile of Reusable Sharps Containers: A Pilot Study. Am J Infect Control 2006; 34: E83-E84) reports findings of studies of newly processed reusable sharps bins a 130-bed New England community hospital and shows 27 containers (90%) positive for bacteria with 10% of the recovered isolates considered potentially clinically harmful. 9 of 30 bins (30%) were positive for viruses: HIV (10%), Hepatitis A Virus (6.7%), Hepatitis B Virus (6.7%), and Hepatitis C Virus (13.3%). Several containers tested positive for multiple viruses and bacteria. The results are clear and unambiguous.
Sharps bins and their contents present a clear risk of bloodborne virus infection, and every care must be taken in their handling and disposal. Since visible blood splashes may often be seen around the top of sharps bins, these must be handled in disposal only with gloved hands and hands should be washed when those gloves are removed.
First posted 29 June 2006