Brandon Regional Hospital Aids Diabetics, Others in Disposal of Used Needles, Lancets

Brandon Regional Hospital has joined the list of Tampa Bay area medical centers making it easier for residents to safely dispose of “sharps” — needles and other items used in the treatment of diabetes and other health conditions.

As noted in a report issued by the Hillsborough County Health Department, which coordinates the program, “the improper disposal of sharps threatens every member of the community” because these items could be “contaminated with hepatitis, HIV and/or other serious diseases."

The Bay Area Sharps Disposal Program is for residents with medical conditions that require injected medications.

“While helping prevent accidental needle sticks in our community, you may also be protecting  yourself from liability,” the department release further notes.

Professional health practitioners and businesses fall under state and federal biomedical waste laws and regulations and are not allowed to participate in the residents-only disposal program.

"Sharps” is the term used to describe medical items that can puncture or lacerate. Included are syringes with attached needles and the disposable lancets used by
diabetics and patients with other medical conditions.

Because of the risk of injury and contamination, sharps should never be discarded in curbside trash, at landfills or in solid-waste containers.

Keep the following tips in mind:

• Never snap off needles or attempt to recap them.

• Do not bring sharps to approved disposal sites (see below) in anything other than site-approved containers.

• Properly seal containers. Disposal site officials have the right to refuse improperly packaged containers to protect the safety of employees.

• Give filled and properly sealed containers to authorized personnel. Never leave any container unattended.

• Never dispose of a sharps in household waste. 

• Be prepared to show proof that documents your need to use syringes.

• Use an approved container to store your sharps or, as a substitute, store sharps in a coffee can or liquid detergent container that seals securely. Permanently seal closed containers.

The county’s health department offers an online fact sheet on how and where to dispose of sharps.

Disposal sites include:

, 119 Oakfield Drive

• Where/When:  Pre-admission testing, from 1-4:30 p.m., weekdays (except holidays).

Memorial Hospital of Tampa, 2901 Swann Avenue, Tampa

• Where/When:  Main lobby, information desk, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., weekdays (except holidays). 

Moffit Cancer Center, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa

• Where/When:  Ground floor, environmental services, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  

St. Joseph’s Hospital, 3001 West Martin Luther King Blvd., Tampa

• Where/When: Habana Security Station No. 3, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., weekdays

Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 12502 N. Pine Drive, Tampa

• Where/When:  Receiving dock, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., weekdays.  

South Bay Hospital, 4016 State Road 674, Sun City Center

• Where/When:  Materials Management Department, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., weekdays. 

 South Florida Baptist Hospital, 301 N. Alexander St., Plant City.

• Where/When:  Receiving Department, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., weekdays.

Tampa General Hospital, 2 Columbia Drive, Davis Island, Tampa

• Where/When: Central Processing, Room D-107, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., weekdays and weekends.

Town & Country Hospital, 6001 Webb Road, Tampa

• Where/When: Hospital switchboard - lobby, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., weekdays.

University Community Hospital, 3100 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa

• Where/When: Patient Service Center, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., weekdays  

University Community Hospital, Carrollwood Campus, 7171 North Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa

• Where/When: Main entrance, one-day surgery, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., weekdays