CLINICAL WASTE
Intelligent design has allowed some manufacturers to increase the capacity of their containers, while maintaining the same footprint.
Everyone who may come into contact with sharps during the course of their duties – from healthcare professionals to cleaning staff and waste handlers, is at risk of an NSI.
that has a much lower carbon footprint than virgin plastic, resulting in a 94% reduction in CO2 previous products.
e compared with In addition, some industry-leading manufacturers
Jenna Davies
Jenna Davies, Global Product manager for Clinical Waste Management at Vernacare, joined the company in 2021, and was part of the team responsible for launching the world’s first full range of sustainable single-use sharps containers that year. She continues to innovate and bring new products to the market, including the new 5 and 7 Litre Sharpsafe containers this year. She works closely with healthcare professionals and healthcare facilities delivering training and educational workshops on reducing the risk of needlestick injuries, and the potential harmful effects of clinical waste. An expert in her field, she is ‘passionate about developing the best solutions on the market for sharps and clinical waste disposal, and ultimately creating the best solutions for healthcare professionals and patient safety’.
have adapted their manufacturing process – to use more energy-efficient machines and processes. By choosing products and suppliers that focus on the sustainability of their single-use products, healthcare settings can definitively break the chain of infection, while also reducing the carbon footprint of sharps disposal. Optimising sharps container use can also help make NSI prevention strategies more sustainable. Intelligent design has allowed some manufacturers to increase the capacity of their containers, while maintaining the same footprint, helping to reduce the overall number of products needed, for example. Not only does this cut down on the number of products going for incineration, but it can also lower the carbon emissions associated with their transport, from procurement to disposal. One hospital found it could save 195.6 kg CO2
new designs. The saving was equivalent to five overnight hospital stays, at 37.9 kg CO2 trips to A&E, at 49 kg CO2 surgery, at 53 kg CO2
e each, or 3.5 hours of e each. In addition, this approach
can help reduce the number of bins being handled by ancillary and cleaning staff, further reducing their risk of NSIs.
Filling to maximum capacity Departments can compound the benefits of container use utilisation by ensuring that all containers are filled to their maximum capacity before disposal. There are risks associated with the overfilling of sharps bins; namely that it can leave staff vulnerable to NSIs. However, innovative solutions, such as safe fill container lids, can help mitigate this challenge. The Dual Protect Pro, for example, is a fully integrated, flexible yet durable safety shield. This stops contents from spilling from the container, whilst encouraging horizonal filling, to maximise the capacity of the box, and also discourages users from placing their hands inside the container. Healthcare settings are responsible for a significant
proportion of the country’s carbon footprint, and reducing that burden is a key priority for the NHS. Simultaneously, clinical waste disposal – which includes sharps waste, is a safety-critical arena. The prevalence of NSIs among healthcare and ancillary staff is high, and their potential health and financial costs are significant. There is then, no room for complacency. Luckily, the innovative design of modern sharps
66 Health Estate Journal November 2024
e a year, simply by switching to these e each, four ambulance
containers means there is no need to choose between safety and sustainability. Today’s leading products use recycled plastics and are manufactured in greener factories. They can hold more sharps, increasing their lifespan without increasing their footprint, and new safety features demonstrate that it is possible to enhance safety and sustainability at the same time. Ultimately, by embracing innovative and sustainable
practices, healthcare settings can protect their staff, reduce healthcare costs, and contribute to the larger goal of environmental stewardship. The journey to Net Zero is a collective responsibility, and all stakeholders – including those involved in sharps disposal and management – have their part to play.
References 1 Pavithran, VK et al. (2015). Knowledge, attitude, and practice of needle stick and sharps injuries among dental professionals of Bangalore, India. Int Soc Prev Community Dent 2015; Sep- Oct; 5(5):406-12.
2 Hosseinipalangi Z, Golmohammadi, Gashghaee A, Ahmadi L, Hosseinifard H, Mejareh ZN et al (2022). Global, regional and national incidence and causes of needlestick injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. East Mediterr Health J 2022; 28(3):233-241.
3 Imran, A, Imran H et al. (2018). Straight to the point: considering sharp safety in dentistry. Br Dent J 2018: 225(5), 391-394.
4 Cooke C E, Stephens J M (2017). Clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of needlestick injuries in healthcare workers. Med Devices (Auckl) 2017; 10: 225-235.
5 Hambridge K, Endacott R, Nichols A (2022). Exploring the psychological effects of sharps injuries sustained by healthcare workers. Nurs Stand 2022; Feb 28. doi: 10.7748/ns.2022. e11785. Online ahead of print.
6 Care Quality Commission. (2023). Dental mythbuster 7: Use of safer sharps. Available at:
https://tinyurl.com/447zs2kj
7 NHS Resolution. (2022). Did you know? Preventing needlestick injuries. Available at:
https://resolution.nhs.uk/learning- resources/preventing-needlestick-injuries
8 NHS England. Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ NHS. 1 October 2020. Available at:
https://tinyurl.com/3ewewwh5
9 Faculty Of Public Health Special Interest Group: Sustainable Development. (n.d.) The NHS: Carbon Footprint. Available at:
https://tinyurl.com/2vtemjx2
10 NHS England. (2023). NHS clinical waste strategy. Available at:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-clinical- waste-strategy/
11 Ford S. Reusable sharps bins linked to higher C. difficile rates. Nursing Times July 2015; 015 Jul; 111(28-29): 6.
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