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Safe Disposal of Used Needles and Syringes. Need for Safe Disposal of Used N/S. Needle Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP) is a major component of the harm reduction strategy adopted by NACO Disposal mechanism of the used N/S in the intervention sites is a huge challenge to the strategy
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Need for Safe Disposal of Used N/S • Needle Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP) is a major component of the harm reduction strategy adopted by NACO • Disposal mechanism of the used N/S in the intervention sites is a huge challenge to the strategy • If proper disposal mechanism is not followed, there is a real chance of transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases not only among the IDUs, but also to the general community
How to Set Up the Systems? • Link up with waste management agencies (Common Bio-waste Treatment Facility) wherever available • Link up with Government Medical College/ large hospital which has a proper waste disposal system in the city/ town • In case a waste management agency is not available, arrange for transport of the disinfected sharp wastes to the hospital disposal system
When Services are not Available... • Local mechanisms may be adopted for disposal of needles and syringes: • For needles: Construction of sharp pits for disposal of the disinfected needles, or encapsulation • For syringes: Shredding, or mutilation and burial on site For further details refer to : NACO’s ‘Guidelines on Safe Disposal of Used Needles and Syringes in the Context of Targeted Intervention for Injecting Drug Users’
Needle-stick Injury –What Should One Do? Do • Be calm and cool • Remove gloves, if appropriate • Wash the exposed site thoroughly with running water • Irrigate with water or saline solution if exposure sites are eyes or mouth • Wash skin with soap and water Don’t • Panic • Put the pricked finger into the mouth • Use alcohol, chlorine, bleach, betadine, iodine, or any other antiseptic on the wound Contd…
Needle-stick Injury –What Should One Do? • Post exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) – Take antiretroviral medications as soon as possible after injury so that exposure will not result in HIV infection • PEP should begin within 72 hours after exposure to needle-stick injury • The closest ICTC from where PEP drugs are available should be contacted • Treatment should continue for four weeks, if the person can tolerate it • Contact /inform a supervisor (PM, counsellor of DIC)/doctor immediately • Most cases of needle-stick injury by outreach staff are not reported; PM should routinely enquire in staff meetings
Role of the PM The PM should ensure: • Regular planning and conducting of safe disposal of used N/S • Guidelines are properly followed • Provisions (gloves, puncture proof boxes, chemicals, etc.) are always available with buffer stocks • Linkages with waste management agencies/hospitals (where available) are established and maintained • Availability of PEP medicine (through linkage) • Display of protocol for dealing with needle-stick injury • Staff is trained on safe disposal, needle-stick injury