2018 Volume 61 Issue 12 Pages 822-826
The inappropriate disposal of insulin needles is becoming a social problem. Similarly, insulin needles are occasionally encountered by staff cleaning Tokaido Shinkansen trains. A cleaning company investigated the actual situation of inappropriate insulin needle disposal on Tokaido Shinkansen trains. The cleaning staff on Tokaido Shinkansen trains found 97 insulin needles from April 2013 to March 2014, 153 insulin needles from April 2014 to March 2015, and 170 insulin needles from April 2015 to March 2016. They investigated the locations of the insulin needles from April 2015 to March 2016. Insulin needles were found in the restrooms (51 %), on floors (32 %), near seats (8 %), and in washrooms (7 %). Although insulin needles were found every other day on Tokaido Shinkansen trains, only 1 case of needlestick accident occurred among the cleaning company staff. We considered that this low incidence was due to employee training. Needlestick accidents cannot be completely prevented as long as the inappropriate disposal of insulin needles continues. We hope that doctors and nurses make good use of the results of our investigation.
