Introduction
Students with diabetes who self-administer their insulin present the school
health professional with the challenge of ensuring that the sharps (needles
and lancets) are disposed of safely. Proper sharps disposal is an essential
element to protecting students, employees, and the public.
The Disintegrator Plus®, manufactured
by Safeguard Medical Technologies, LLC near Youngstown, Ohio, is designed
specifically for use by self-injecting patients, allowing the immediate
disintegration of the dangerous needle wherever they are used, such as in
the school.
Product
Overview and Description
More than 3 billion sharps are used each year to manage medical conditions
at home, work, or while at school. Improper handling and disposing of these
sharps can lead to injury for those using them, as well as anyone else who
may encounter them (other students, janitorial staff and waste handlers).
These needle stick injuries can result in diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
The simplest method of avoiding injury and keeping sharps out of the waste
stream is to provide an immediate, easy to use disposal solution.
The Disintegrator Plus® is that solution:
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FDA approved as
an "alternative to puncture resistant (sharps) containers" |
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Complies with federal,
state and municipal regulations governing non-clinical medical waste
disposal 1 |
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Reduces handling,
storage and disposal costs of used sharps |
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Long-life expectancy
(average 3 years) |
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Does
not require a contract |
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Can save hundreds
of dollars over it's lifetime vs. sharps-by-mail programs |
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Full 1-year parts
and labor guarantee |
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Manufactured in
the U.S.A. |
1Regulations sometimes
vary. Check state and municipal ordinances in your area.
Product
Use and Procedure
The Disintegrator Plus® is an effective, easy to use insulin needle
and lancet destruction device that utilizes a unique plasma arc
technology to eliminate the needle. The steel material of the
needle is heated to approximately 3000 degrees F, melting the steel into
a harmless BB shaped ball, sealing the syringe body and virtually eliminating
any pathogens. The remaining body is simply tossed into the trash without
the need for further handling.
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Drop
used syringe or lancet into the unit
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Push
and hold button until process is completed (about 2 seconds)
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Simply
throw the sealed syringe body into the common trash
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Features
and Benefits
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Convenient, discreet,
effective and easy to use |
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Waste is controlled
at the point of care |
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Reduces or eliminates
need for sharps containers |
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Reduces medical
waste disposal costs |
Frequently
Asked Questions
| Q: |
Is
it really okay to throw the disintegrated needle into the trash? |
| A: |
Yes. Few ordinances
exist governing the disposal of sharps by the self-injecting patient.
Most ordinances that do exist still allow disposal of the remaining
carcass into the trash once the needle is destroyed.
|
| Q: |
Why
can't untreated needles/syringes be thrown into the trash? |
| A: |
The Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that over 10,000
needle exposure incidents occur annually in the waste handling industry.
Although there are few laws governing the disposal of home generated
sharps, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated its
guidelines recommending that even needles generated by non-regulated
facilities and home injectors NOT be thrown into the trash, even if
they are placed in a plastic container. Needle destruction devices
are one of the EPA alternatives included on their website.
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| Q: |
Can
I use the Disintegrator Plus to destroy non-insulin type needles?
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| A: |
As supplied, the
Disintegrator Plus is designed for standard insulin syringes, pen
needles and lancets. Optional inserts are available from the manufacturer
for use with other needle types (i.e., TB/Allergy.
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| Q: |
What
is the potential cost of a needle stick injury in a school? |
| A: |
The following are
estimated costs to the district for a needle stick injury:
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Post-exposure
testing and follow-up….........................$3000
|
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Payment of
employee during testing………………………..?
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Holding of
blood if baseline testing refused…………….$300
|
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Post-exposure
medications for HIV testing……………$2000
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Testing of
source (if known)…………………………….$1000
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Lifelong medications
if 1 disease is contracted.…$25K/year
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Liver transplant
(if hepatitis B or C is contracted)…………..………………………………..$500,000
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Lawsuits…………………………………………….……Millions
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| Q: |
Disposal
has not been an issue in my school. Why change anything? |
| A: |
You should consider
the Disintegrator Plus because:
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3% of US population
are self injectors
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A school with
1000 students would statistically have 30 self-injectors
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Billions of
needles are discarded into the trash each year by self-injectors.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines on needle
disposal have changed. Patients are now instructed to use a
proper disposal method
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Over it's
lifetime, the Disintegrator Plus can save hundreds of dollars
when compared to sharps-by-mail or specialized disposal services
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Technical
Specifications
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Part#
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Description
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1986-069
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Disintegrator
Plus Insulin Needle & Lancet Destruction Device
Teardrop shaped design, approximately 3" X 7" X 2"
9.6 Volt NiCad rechargeable battery installed, charger included
Unit weight: 1 lb. Shipping weight (including adapter and inserts):
2 lbs
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Warranty
The Disintegrator Plus is guaranteed
to be free from defects in material and workmanship for one full year from
date of purchase.
Reimbursement
Medicare does not currently reimburse for the costs of sharps
disposal by the self-injecting patient. A currently pending bill in Congress,
HR2841, will provide for this much needed Medicare coverage. For more information
on this legislation go to: www.hr2841.com
Legislation
The SHARPS DISPOSAL
BY MAIL SYSTEM® complies with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, National Institute of Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines, Department of Transportation regulations,
Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, all state and local medical
waste regulatory agencies, and is approved by the United States Postal Service
for transport through the mail.
New guidelines from the EPA Website at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/medical/sharps.htm
EPA's
New Information about Disposing of Medical Sharps
Improper disposal of needles can pose a health risk to the patient, the
public and waste workers. Discarded needles may expose waste workers to
needle stick injuries and potential infection when containers break open
inside garbage trucks or needles are mistakenly sent to recycling facilities.
Janitors and housekeepers risk injury from loose sharps placed into plastic
garbage bags. Used needles can transmit serious diseases, such as HIV and
hepatitis.
Needle
Destruction Devices are an EPA suggested National Solution
Devices that destroy the needle prior to disposal are one of the EPA suggested
methods for safe needle disposal. Check with your health care provider,
pharmacist, or search the Internet using keywords "needle disposal."
These products are available through School Health.
Customer Testimonials
and Example Uses
Thousands of customers rely on
the Disintegrator Plus to safely and discreetly dispose of their used
needles and lancets every day, and in every corner of the world.
Other Information
Additional information is available at www.disintegratorproducts.com
or www.safeneedledisposal.org.
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