04/28/2026
1 in 3 sharps injuries happen during disposal.
Most sharps injury prevention campaigns emphasize the needle, features, and proper technique. This is where training budgets are allocated, and compliance efforts are focused.
However, studies cited by OSHA show that as many as 1 in 3 sharps injuries in hospital settings occur during the disposal process, not during procedures. This implies that factors such as the type of container, its mounting location, how full it is, and the existence of a proactive exchange schedule are equally important, yet receive significantly less attention.
This week, vaccination events are running in pharmacies, clinics, schools, and community health centers across the country. Each of these sites generates sharps , particularly temporary or low-volume sites that operate without a fully compliant disposal system.
is a celebration worth having. Vaccines have saved over 150 million lives in the past 50 years. However, that protection doesn't stop when the needle leaves the patient's arm; it continues until the needle is safely and responsibly disposed of.
Sharps Medical Waste Services serves providers of all sizes, including hospital systems and multi-site practices with scheduled route-based pickups, as well as community pharmacies and sites that use mailback systems. One provider for every care setting and every waste stream.