Getting the point: DGMC solves a sharp issue

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Heather Scherer
  • 60th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  In response to feedback received from patients and the Travis community on the Commander's action line, sharps containers and drop-off stations are now available throughout David Grant USAF Medical Center.

Patients who use needles or syringes for their medical care now have a safe way to dispose of them.

"Needles, syringes, and lancets, otherwise known as sharps pose a number of serious human health risks and environmental concerns if they are not properly disposed of," said Lt. Col. Michael Lee, 60th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron Pharmacy Flight commander. "As a concern for our outpatients that are seen here, DGMC has partnered with both of our pharmacies in providing sharps containers and drop-off stations for easy, convenient sharps disposal."

"There are two drop-off stations currently available in the lobby areas of the north and south entrances of DGMC," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Webster, 60 MDTS non-commissioned office in charge of the Outpatient Pharmacy. "The north entrance sharps station is available from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. while the south entrance sharps station is available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, weekends and holidays."

According to Sergeant Webster, DGMC will expand sharps drop-off stations to two additional locations. One will be positioned at the Arthur J. Sachsel Dental Clinic entrance with another at the Emergency Department entrance.

According to Colonel Lee, sharps collection containers for home use can be dispensed via prescription, or are readily available without a prescription at either the first floor outpatient pharmacy or Base Exchange pharmacy.

"Once the container is filled to the indicator line, seal the container carefully and take it to one of the handy drop-off stations," said Capt. Lamont Q.C. Ong, 60th MDTS chief of pharmacy support. "There are signs conveniently posted next to the sharps containers to help walk our patients through the proper disposal process."

Below are some common Dos and Don'ts associated with the sharps container and drop-off stations:

DOs:
DO discard only approved sealed containers at the drop-off station;
DO fill the sharps container to the indicator line;
DO ensure the sharps container is properly sealed, and;
DO utilize one of our convenient drop-off locations.

DON'Ts:
DO NOT separate the needle from the syringe;
DO NOT overfill the container;
DO NOT return the sharps container to the DGMC pharmacy or laboratory, and;
DO NOT attempt to recap the needle.

If you have any questions regarding this service, contact the DGMC and ask a member of the pharmacy staff, or call 423-7114 for more information.