Increasing numbers of patients are receiving medical care at home and as a result,pharmacists are involved in the collection and disposal of more infectious medical waste from patients’homes than ever before.This puts them at risk of needlestick injuries.In this study,we evaluated the current practices of community pharmacies for collecting and disposing of infectious medical waste as well as the current rates of pharmacist needle-stick injuries due to improper separation of infectious medical waste.
We conducted a questionnaire-based survey of 1,111 pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Hiroshima Prefecture and 482 provided responses.Infectious medical waste was collected in original sterile containers by 183 pharmacies,whereas it was not by 12 pharmacies.More than 70% of the pharmacists indicated that instructions regarding proper methods of collecting and disposing of such waste were needed.Respondents also said that instructions on first aid for needlestick injuries were needed but such instructions were only provided in 5 pharmacies.
To prevent needle-stick injuries and the related infections,detailed instructions regarding the handling of infectious medical waste and needle-stick injuries should be immediately provided and they should be complied with.In addition,patients and their caregivers should be instructed on how to deal with infectious medical waste properly and prevent needle-stick injuries.
