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A Look into the Common Waste We Find from Hospitals

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In their efforts to save lives and make patients healthier, hospitals produce waste products that can be harmful when improperly managed and disposed of.
Among the most dangerous waste generated from hospitals are sharps, the tools that can puncture or cut a person handling them. They include scalpels and used syringes.

Worldwide Alarm

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 12 percent of HIV cases and 40 percent of hepatitis cases worldwide are brought upon by occupational exposure. Hospitals need to employ effective waste management plans for their patients' safety and, most importantly, for the safety of their medical staff.

Hospitals produce certain waste that requires special handling, such as radioactive, pharmaceutical, and chemical trash. They cannot throw them out in a pile with ordinary garbage because it can put the lives of those who will get exposed to the waste at risk.

Common Medical Waste


The following are the common wastes found in hospitals and other health care facilities:

1.    Pharmaceutical waste
This is any waste generated from prescription and over-the-counter medications, including expired products.
2.    Hazardous waste
It pertains to any waste containing blood or contaminated with elements, including bacteria or viruses. The waste can cause damage to the environment and people who get exposed to them.
3.    Infectious waste
They are the waste that contains pathogens, which can cause infections and other health concerns. Infectious waste can come from many sources, including patient care areas, medical equipment, and disposal systems.
4.    Radioactive waste
The waste contains radioactive elements that can cause harm to anyone exposed to them.
5.    Biomedical waste
It contains infectious or potentially infectious materials. They include sharps, human tissues, blood samples, and many more.

Conclusion

Hospitals are always looking for ways to reduce their waste footprint, and dealing with medical waste is one way they can do that. They can help protect the environment and avoid potential health risks by following proper procedures and correctly handling medical waste.