What is a critical safety practice when handling needles and sharps in dialysis?

• A. Follow standard precautions; use sharps containers; avoid reuse of needles and recapping.
• B. Reuse needles to save costs.
• C. Recap needles after use.
• D. Dispose of sharps in regular trash.

Answer: (A)

Handling needles and sharps in dialysis hinges on protecting everyone from infection and injury. The essential practice is to treat every sharp as potentially infectious, follow standard precautions, and immediately dispose of used needles in a designated, puncture-resistant sharps container. Never recap or reuse needles because recapping greatly increases the chance of a needle-stick injury, and reusing needles risks cross-contamination and infection transmission. Disposing sharps in regular trash is unsafe and violates safety rules and regulations. By using proper sharps containers and single-use needles, you maintain sterile technique and reduce risk for both patients and staff.