Factors Contributing to Appropriate Sharps Disposal in the Community Among Patients With Diabetes
Abstract
Proper disposal of sharps has been well studied in hospital settings but not often addressed in the home setting. This lack of attention has resulted in erratic use of proper sharps disposal techniques and thus increased risk of needle-stick injuries and infections. This study aimed to evaluate methods of disposal and patient demographic factors associated with correct disposal of diabetes-related sharps in the community. A survey was administered to diabetes patients at an endocrinology clinic of an academic tertiary care center. Correct disposal of sharps was defined as use of designated sharps or other leak-proof containers. Numerous patient factors were evaluated for a clinically significant association with correct disposal of sharps via χ2 testing. Fifty-nine percent of patients reported disposing of their sharps correctly. Those with diabetes for >30 years had the lowest rate of correct disposal (36%). Age, sex, education level, type of diabetes, and type of diabetes regimen were not associated with correct disposal. Patients who received formal training on proper sharps disposal from a nurse or from other sources were more likely to dispose of sharps correctly (odds ratio [OR] 3.95, 95% CI 1.37-11.34, and OR 4.55, 95% C...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Software Mentioned
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
American Diabetes Association Journals
Discover the latest diabetes research published by the journals from the American Diabetes Association.