We were having an email discussion today about glass vials and ampules, because a manager recently attended a conference that discussed them as sharps. The speaker reported that OSHA has identified them as sharps and should be disposed in a sharps container. This would be a definite practice change for us. Are we behind again?
Do you dispose of glass vials and ampules in a sharps container?
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas
They are sharps
That is why Bard wraps gauge around the handles
They should be disposed of as sharps
kathy
Kathy Kokotis
Bard Access Systems
I can see ampules being sharps, but glass vials? I never really thought of them as a sharp. I guess because I have rarely seen one broken.
Look forward to what you are currently doing. Dispose of them in sharps container or not??
Gwen
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Can you imagine a housekeeper who cuts their hand on a broken piece of glass that is in the trash? I always thought that "if it can break" it should be separated from normal room trash.
Scott Gilbert RN
Honolulu, Hawaii
Scott Gilbert RN, VA-BC, MPH
Honolulu,