special wastes: dealing with medical sharps and pharmaceuticals shannon judd environmental...
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Special Wastes:Special Wastes:Dealing with Medical Sharps Dealing with Medical Sharps
and Pharmaceuticalsand Pharmaceuticals
Shannon JuddShannon JuddEnvironmental Education/Outreach CoordinatorEnvironmental Education/Outreach CoordinatorFond du Lac Band of Lake Superior ChippewaFond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
ITEP Source Reduction TrainingITEP Source Reduction TrainingSeptember 2011September 2011
DefinitionsDefinitions
Medical SharpsMedical Sharps: Needles, syringes and other sharps : Needles, syringes and other sharps used to give injections, draw blood, etc.used to give injections, draw blood, etc.
Pharmaceutical WastePharmaceutical Waste: Unwanted, unused, expired : Unwanted, unused, expired
medications.medications. ControlledControlled: Pharmaceuticals whose distribution and use is more : Pharmaceuticals whose distribution and use is more
monitored and controlled due to the risk of dependancy or abuse. monitored and controlled due to the risk of dependancy or abuse. (i.e. morphine, methadone, hydrocodone.)(i.e. morphine, methadone, hydrocodone.)
UncontrolledUncontrolled: All other medications that are not listed under : All other medications that are not listed under controlled. controlled.
Medical SharpsMedical Sharps
Why are they a concern?Why are they a concern?
Risk of InfectionRisk of Infection
Risk of InjuryRisk of Injury
Risk of Spreading DiseaseRisk of Spreading Disease
Medical SharpsMedical Sharps Fond du Lac Sharps
Collection
Min No Aya Win Human Services distributes stickers and buckets to patients.
Collection containers in restrooms at Black Bear Casino Resort, the Fond du Lac Tribal Center and other locations.
No collection at FdL Waste Site
Medical Sharps
Guidelines for Proper Disposal:
Put sharps in hard plastic container with cap/lid (i.e. detergent bottles, pop bottles)
Label the container
When 2/3 full, tape lid on and bring into collection site
Stickers for Sharps Stickers for Sharps ContainersContainers
Medical SharpsMedical SharpsSafety Measures for Waste Site Safety Measures for Waste Site
StaffStaff Require Hepatitis Vaccinations for all Waste Require Hepatitis Vaccinations for all Waste
Site StaffSite Staff Educate your staff on potential hazardsEducate your staff on potential hazards Provide proper protective gear: gloves, boots Provide proper protective gear: gloves, boots
Steel-shanked, steel-toed boots Steel-shanked, steel-toed boots
Puncture-resistant glovesPuncture-resistant gloves Turtleskin: Turtleskin:
http://www.turtleskin.com/Safety-Gloves.aspx
Pharmaceuticals
Why are they a concern?
Potential Health Hazard
Potential Environmental HazardNo more flushing!!!
Pharmaceuticals
Fond du Lac Pharmaceutical Collection Began August 2011 Legal and Clinic Staff Spearheaded Effort;
Environmental provided input Main drive was to provide disposal for controlled
substances and to provide means of disposal in an environmentally friendly manner
Researched regulations – Controlled substance must be in presence of police officers at all times
Pharmaceuticals
Fond du Lac Pharmaceutical Collection Cont… Drop box for controlled
substances located at the Police Station
Pharmacy can take non-controlled substances
Policy on Medication Disposal Developed
Verbal approval obtained from DEA
Pharmaceuticals
Instructions for Medication Disposal 1. Leave medication in the original container. 2. Remove any personal information, such as
name, address, phone number. 3. Leave the name of the medication. 4. Drop the medication into the disposal box
opening.
Pharmaceuticals
Collection Options Annual, Semi-annual, Quarterly Collection Continuous Collection
If no collection options are available, advise people of proper disposal:
1) Scratch out personal information
2) Fill container with cat litter, sawdust, liquid or other material and tape shut
3) Put in non-transparent bag and dispose of in the trash
Medical Sharps and Pharmaceuticals
Getting Started Communicate with local officials, health care
facilities, and solid waste management staff Incorporate special wastes into your management
plans and ordinances Locate disposal options in your region Community Outreach
Community Outreach
Questions?
Shannon Judd
Environmental Outreach Coordinator
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
218-878-7123