Used and unused sharp disposable implements: needles, syringes (with or without attached needle), blood transfer devices (with syringes), vacutainer holders/needles, blood specimen tubes, blood culture bottles, scalpel blades, suture and spinal needles, lancets, scissors, probes, safety pins, razors, scrapers, glass ampules/vials, laboratory slides/slip covers. These sharps are discarded directly into the needle disposal container (i.e., sharps box). NOTE: Contaminated needles should not be recapped by hand, or purposefully bent, broken or otherwise manipulated by hand. Report any obvious or suspected needle disposal container compromise to the Environmental Services Department manager or supervisor and to the Unit/Clinic/Department Head immediately. Needleboxes should not be used when more than 3/4 full and Environmental Services/Environmental Associate should be notified to remove and replace the sharps container.

Sharp objects such as large glass bottles, or medication vials which are too big to be placed in a needle disposal container, should be deposited into puncture resistant waste receptacles labeled for glass only. Sharp regulated waste items that cannot be disposed of in the needle disposal container system should be managed according to department-specific procedures that are approved by Hospital Epidemiology and/or Environmental Services Department.