T r e at m en t a n d D isp osa l o f Sha r p s 435
Kinds of syringes
Reusable syringes can be used again and again. Reusable
syringes make less waste and can save money, but they must
be washed very carefully and disinfected after every use. Never use a syringe
without washing and disinfecting it first. HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases
are spread easily if needles and syringes are not carefully disinfected between
uses.
Disposable syringes are made to be thrown out with the
needle attached after one use. Some disposable syringes can be taken apart,
boiled or steamed, and reused several times. This is not recommended,
because if the syringe or needle is not completely disinfected it can spread
disease.
Auto-disabled syringes become locked or cover the
needle after the syringe is used, so that it cannot be
reused. However, auto-disabled syringes still have a needle inside, so they
still have the danger of needle-stick accidents inside or outside of the
health center.
For safe disposal methods, see pages 438 to 439.
Important: Never reuse a syringe and needle without
cleaning and disinfecting first!
How to wash and disinfect a syringe and needle for reuse
Using a needle more than once can spread HIV or other diseases
unless it is properly cleaned and disinfected, and so is best avoided.
But many communities do not have enough syringes and needles to afford to
dispose of them after a single use. For this reason, we include information on how
to wash and disinfect a syringe and needle for reuse.
➊ Put on a pair of heavy gloves to protect your hands from germs.
➋ Draw 5% bleach solution (see page 431) up through the needle into the
syringe barrel.
➌ Squirt out the bleach solution.
➍ Repeat several times. Rinse everything several times with clean water.
➎ Take the syringe apart and boil or steam the syringe and needle
(see page 432).
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012