Sharps disposal containers

Sharps disposal containers are specially designed containers into which used needles and other medical-waste sharps are discarded. They are intended to protect hospital employees--including sharps users and other workers downstream--from sharps injuries that result from contact with needles and other sharp devices. Since our last Evaluation of sharps containers in August-September 1993, manufacturers have introduced various new designs that may further reduce the risk of needlesticks and other sharp-object injuries (SOIs). These designs are intended to prevent users from overfilling the sharps container; they are also easier to use and better constructed. In this study, we evaluated eight models of sharps containers from four suppliers. None of the evaluated devices meet all our criteria; they all have disadvantages that could result in a needlestick. However, the devices that we rate Preferred or Acceptable meet our basic requirements for preventing SOIs and perform satisfactorily against most of our criteria. The eight evaluated models run the gamut: one is Preferred, four are Acceptable, two are Not Recommended, and one is Unacceptable.