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Rubbish and waste: out quickly, hands off

In a rubbish bin, food scraps spoil fast, bacteria and fungi multiply and insects are attracted. During neutropenia these risks should be reduced.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A yellow sharps container for used needles
Figure 1.A special container for needles

01Short answer

Use a lidded pedal bin so you do not have to touch it. Take rubbish out every day, especially food waste. Tie the bag. If possible, someone other than the patient takes it out; if the patient touches it, they should wash their hands. The patient should not handle compost or garden waste (“Plants and soil: greenery, with care”), or clean litter trays and animal waste (“Pets: love and safety”). Needles and syringes (for example from home injections) go only into a special container; ask your team. For items soiled with body fluids see “Body fluids: precautions at home”.

02Simple explanation

A pedal bin.

Out every day.

Someone else takes it out.

Needles: sharps box.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: during neutropenia, avoiding animal waste, soil and dirty materials reduces infection risk.

NCI: chemotherapy can lower neutrophils, platelets and red cells, which raises the risk of infection, bleeding and fatigue.

04What happens in the body?

Compost

Compost contains many fungal spores.

Needles

A needle-stick injury risks bleeding and infection.

Neutrophils

The first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.

Platelets

Help blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

05Daily protection: four steps

Wash, protect, check, report.

Wash — Hands and personal hygiene.1WashHands and personal hygiene.
Protect — Against injury and infection.2ProtectAgainst injury and infection.
Check — Temperature and skin.3CheckTemperature and skin.
Report — Tell your team about changes.4ReportTell your team about changes.
HygieneClean hands.
TemperatureThe 38 °C threshold.
ProtectionYour team's rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
CompostCompost contains many fungal spores.
NeedlesA needle-stick injury risks bleeding and infection.
NeutrophilsThe first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.
PlateletsHelp blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

07Key terms

Sharps container
A sturdy box for needles and syringes.
Compost
Decomposing organic waste.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • Lidded bin.
  • Daily.
  • Wash hands.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

How should we wash the bin?

With hot soapy water; someone else should do it.

Where do home injection needles go?

Into a sharps box; ask where to return it.

What should I watch every day?

Temperature, bleeding, tiredness and the catheter site; tell your team about any change.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. How should we wash the bin?

  2. Where do home injection needles go?

  3. What should I watch every day?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  2. National Cancer Institute. Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia) and Cancer Treatment
  3. National Cancer Institute. Anemia and Cancer Treatment
  4. World Health Organization. World Hand Hygiene Day
  5. American Cancer Society. Financial and Insurance Matters
  6. Macmillan Cancer Support. Money and work
  7. Cancer and Careers. Resources for working people with cancer
  8. Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population (Azerbaijan). Disability assessment: general information (in Azerbaijani)
  9. JAMA, 2009. Cancer survivors and unemployment: a meta-analysis and meta-regression
  10. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2018. The financial burden and distress of patients with cancer: Understanding and stepping-up action on the financial toxicity of cancer treatment
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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