By and large, medical waste isn’t something you can simply throw in the trash and dump in a landfill. As hazardous waste, this trash requires extra care. And, with a rapidly aging population, medical waste is something more people are likely to encounter in their day-to-day activities, whether by caring for themselves or others. So knowing how to manage this waste is more crucial than ever.
Those handling the disposal of medical waste as part of their work are at risk if they fail to follow certain protocols. Follow along as we detail the top four common mistakes to avoid when handling medical waste. Keep these mistakes in mind and keep your employees informed of why they need to be extra fastidious in handling the waste generated by your facility.
This may not be a mistake so much as an oversight. Staff members must understand that medical waste is more dangerous than other kinds of trash due to the communicability of disease and infection. These hazards can hurt them, fellow staff members, patients, and the community. Keep your staff trained in the proper collection, disposal, and handling of medical waste according to state and federal guidelines as well as industry standards. All hospitals have standard operating procedures for safely disposing of medical waste. OSHA demands specific training in bloodborne pathogens, for example, and other agencies have their regulations and stipulations as well. Schedule training sessions for new and old staff, and ensure they remain aware of today’s rules and approaches.
This is a big no-no for most wastes. Hazardous waste is hazardous because it can infect others, ignite, explode, or cause other negative reactions. Some dangerous reactions occur when incompatible wastes encounter one another. Establish which chemicals and other materials need to stay far apart and keep them separated. For example, keep sharps out of containers that must remain leakproof. Establish rules on what waste goes where and employ training and signage to ensure volatile combinations never occur.
Choose receptacles that won’t react with or fail to contain the waste. For example, sharps containers must feature puncture-resistant plastic with distinct coloring and labeling. Containers may need to protect not only against liquid leaks but also escaping vapors, and some materials, such as acids, require glass packaging that won’t corrode or melt. Using improper containers is likely to lead to accidents and harm to the ecosystem.
Here’s the last of the top four common mistakes to avoid when handling medical waste: forgetting the environmental impact of your waste. Incineration is certainly a thorough means of getting rid of medical waste, but what is its effect on the surrounding environment and community? Find out before sending all that waste into the air. Look into methods such as autoclaving, which uses high-temperature steam to sterilize waste. Also, make up for the production of hazardous waste by using biodegradable means for collecting and recycling nonhazardous waste. Every little bit helps!
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