When sharps containers are overfull, who should be informed?

• A. Nursing manager
• B. Environmental services department
• C. Nursing manager and environmental services department
• D. Infection preventionist

Answer: (C)

When a sharps container is overfull, the immediate risk is a potential needle-stick injury and improper disposal. The responsible approach is to escalate to both nursing leadership and the environmental services department so the container can be replaced promptly and the waste handled safely. Nursing management coordinates safety, staffing, and authority to escalate the issue if needed, while environmental services is equipped to remove the full container and place a new one in the unit, ensuring proper disposal and preventing further overfill. This dual notification keeps the workflow aligned and minimizes risk to staff and patients. Infection prevention plays a role in policy and training, but the day-to-day remediation relies on nursing management and EVS.