POST 00512E : CONTAMINATION STUDY OF NEEDLE REMOVERS
Follow-up on Post 00509E and 00510E
20 October 2002
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Anthony Battersby (mailto:[log in to unmask]) comments on Mary Catlin's
contribution (Post 00510E) and Janet Vail (mailto:[log in to unmask]) responds
to some of her concerns.
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Mary Catlin has made an eloquent and comprehensive critique of the case for
needle removing. Ever since the idea of defanging was first presented at
the waste disposal meeting in Almaty in 1999, some of us have been strongly
against the idea. Now a professional nurse has given clear reasons why
needle removing is a bad idea. Please now let us forget about needle
removing and needle destruction and concentrate on reduction of injections
and safe disposal/destruction of syringes and needles.
There is another point that I would like to add to Mary's list. Why make
two pieces of waste out of one? For years we had beer cans with removable
tabs (two pieces of waste), now tabs are non-removable. As soon as the
needle is taken off the syringe there are two pieces of hazardous waste to
be taken care of. In the case of needle cutters the number of pieces of
waste is a great deal more.
I do not understand the ethics of pursuing the development of a technology
for poor countries which has been made illegal in rich ones.
Anthony
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Thank you, Mary, for your comments. This is reminiscent of the discussion
that occurred over SIGNpost almost 2 years ago. Since then, needle removal
technology options have expanded; we have positive feedback from users and
policy makers in countries that this concept would be helpful to reduce AD
waste volumes (for example, India, Pakistan, Mozambique, Senegal, Ivory
Coast); and GAVI has identified "defanging" as a priority for research and
development.
The objective is to reduce waste volume, ease disposal, and reduce sharps
in the waste stream. It is critical that such a device be used at point of
use, and as part of an overall waste disposal system: for example,
contained used needles would be disposed of in a protected pit, and used
syringes would be transported to some place for final destruction.
We'll be addressing advantages and disadvantages of the concept at the SIGN
meeting, and look forward to consolidating data to address concerns.
Janet Vail
PATH
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