Sharp disposal by families with type-1 diabetes mellitus

Introduction: In the recent years, outbreaks of blood-borne infections have been reported from assisted living facilities, which were traced back to improper blood glucose monitoring practices, needle-stick injuries have been implicated in many such cases. This directly raises concerns over sharp disposal practices of diabetic patients self-managing their condition in home care settings. Proper way of disposing sharps is one of the important, but often neglected component of proper injection techniques. Methods: Interview of families attending follow-up clinic and telephonic interview of families under the care of our unit and data pertaining to disposal of sharp wastes collected and entered into a structured proforma. RESULTS: Data collected from 50 families (43%) under follow-up (chronological age 9.0±5y, 13 males, 2.2±2.0 diabetic age). Sharp wastes discarded into the street dustbin, container, cover and others in 52.1%, 21.7%, 17.3% and 8.6% respectively. Sharps from containers, covers and others entered into street dustbin in 80% cases and landfill in 20%. Needles were bent, covered and clipped by 39.1%, 60.8% and 0% respectively. 50% of the mothers accepted to have accidentally injured with needles, 23% more than once. 39.1% accepted their practice as adverse for the community. 91% and 33% of the families use the needle beyond three days, and glucometer lancet beyond 3 days, respectively. All families were receptive to the unit providing a sharp disposal bin. CONCLUSION: There is a significant prevalence of inappropriate disposal of sharps generated in families with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.