Small round Sharps Boxes with Petals membrane

Colleagues may be aware that due to incidents where the contents of the small sharp’s containers carried in ambulances and observation pouches were found to ‘fall out’ of the container when they were not temporarily closed.

The solution was the same container with a ‘petals’ plastic membrane which essentially stops this from occurring, however, there have been a small number of incidents reported where staff have managed to get a needle stick injury putting a used sharp through the petals membrane.

Can we please ask staff using these containers with the membrane to be aware that there is some small resistance in pushing through the membrane which increases the risk of a needle stick injury and care and accuracy when disposing of the sharp is needed when disposing of sharps in these containers.

- IPC Team

Published 25th April 2023