5 Examples of Medical Waste
5/2/2023
Have you ever dealt with medical waste? Generally, no one likes these types of waste materials, especially when dealing with the disposal process. However, it is an unavoidable thing for those who work in the healthcare industry or those who care for the sick.
Medical Waste Defined
Clinical or medical wastes are garbage from the healthcare industry that may cause a spread of infection from one person to whoever comes into contact with the material. It may consist of but is not limited to sharp medical instruments such as needles and syringes, it may also be in the form of masks, body parts removed during surgery, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, swabs, and body fluids.
Different Types of Medical Wastes
These medical wastes can be categorized into different types, namely:
General or Nonhazardous Medical Waste
Nonhazardous medical wastes are medical gowns, gloves, containers, wrappers, papers, plastics, and dressings that do not contain blood or potentially infectious materials. These materials typically do not pose any physical, radioactive, chemical, or biological hazard. However, it would still be best if proper precautions are always observed.
Biohazardous or Infectious Waste
This trash is contaminated with substances that may infect other people. This comprises test kit components, specimen samples, wastes from patients with infections, cultures or infectious substances from laboratory work, body fluids, and materials with blood.
Sharps Waste
Sharp wastes pose the danger of injury. It includes medical devices that have sharp edges or points which may cause cuts or punctures on the skin. These are blades, disposable scalpels, needles, and syringes. Never throw these into toilets, recycling bins, trash cans, and even bags.
Instead, you must use a sharps disposal container that is clearly labeled to warn others of the dangerous contents. The container should also be leak-resistant, heavy-duty, can be closed with a tight-fitting cap or lid, and can be placed in an upright or stable position when using it.
Pathological Waste
Pathological wastes are body parts, fluids, organs, and human tissues.
Cytotoxic Waste
Cytotoxic drugs are mainly used to target and damage cells that grow at a fast rate, like cancer cells. However, their waste has substances that can be detrimental to one’s health.
Medical waste must never be taken lightly since it poses a serious risk to everyone. Hence, it needs to be properly disposed of to safeguard the wellness of the community.