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Cherie Fisher

Eureka! – Diabetes Foundation of Rhode Island, Inc.Executive Director

Chrysalis Environmental Solutions, LLCPresident

Karen LeBoeuf

Eureka! – Diabetes Foundation of Rhode Island, IncDeputy Director

Chrysalis Environmental Solutions, LLCVice- President

Eureka! Co-Creators

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Reasons for Developing Program in Rhode Island

Over a 9 month period in 1999, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation experienced:

• 40% increase in loose sharps on the MRF line• 5 worker needle stick injuries• $120,000 loss due to shut-downs on the line• Loss productivity at the plant and reduced

worker morale

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Rhode Island MRF Line

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Eureka! Sharps Disposal SystemRhode Island Partners

• Diabetes Foundation of Rhode Island• Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation• Stericycle, Inc.• Rhode Island Department of Health• Rhode Island Department of Environmental

Management

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Eureka Needle Disposal Program

• Coordinate local committees• Create Kiosk to waive need for OSHA trained

staff• Consolidate existing state programs– Pharmacies– Fire Stations– Police Stations

• Expand sites6

Site Locations

• Training provided for site coordinator (s)• Sites are at 40 population based locations – Pharmacies– Fire Departments– Police Departments– Diabetes Foundation of Rhode Island, Inc.– Other

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Education Campaign

• Doctors, medical personnel, pharmacist,Firemen, Police

Teach- “The right thing to do”

• Consumer, patient, syringe user Learn- If they don’t do the “right thing”

what the consequences might be.

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Needles Collected at CVS PharmacyJul 2002-Dec 2007

100,573

189,508189,874

269,215253,231

14,102

243,342

162,635

216,887

96,756

280,214

151,206151,206159,830

213,147

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

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Picture of Kiosk

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Walgreen’s Pharmacy Chain Pharmacy

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Oxnard Pharmacy Independent Pharmacy

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Lincoln Fire Station

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Rhode Island Eureka! Preliminary Results

• Over six million sharps collected • Gave away over 8,000 sharps containers in first year• 100% reduction in worker related injuries • 50% reduction in loose needles at the MRF• 50% reduction in financial losses• Significant improvement in worker morale

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Pharmacy Response to Eureka! Program

• Pharmacist love the program. – “We finally have an answer when asked, what do we do with our used syringes!”

• Pharmacist received praise from customers for offering the program.

• Pharmacist DO NOT want to touch the sharps containers or the interior waste container.

• Pharmacist want kiosk safe for pharmacist, customers and waste hauler.

• Pharmacies want a “Turn Key” solution. 15

Operation Barriers

• Kiosk must:– Contain waste without a chance of overflowing.– Contain waste without having sharps containers

or syringes visible to public.– Be safe for waste handlers when removing interior

box.– Take minimal time away from pharmacist.

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Solving Barriers

Dec 2008 Eureka! will receive a grant from

Champlin Foundation and a donation from Chrysalis Environmental solutions

for new Electronic Kiosks.

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Patented Electronic Kiosk

• Patented safety lock hinges on lower locking door

• Indicator light to show user statues of kiosk

• Limited access roll bucket door• Optional floor anchoring kit• 14- gauge steel construction– No open box or viewing window

for customers to see waste.

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Safety Solutions to Pharmacist Issues

Sonar device to identify waste level. Light turns yellow when kiosk is ¾ full.

Alerting staff that kiosk is approaching need for a pick up. No need for Pharmacist to open kiosk.

Light turns red and the upper door locks when the kiosk is full.

Full level is just below top of box so containers will not jam.Interior box sides out safely with no worries of a spill.

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