Different Categories of Medical Wastes
1/5/2021
Identifying which trash bin a piece of medical waste goes into is an important part of medical waste management. Unlike regular garbage, improper segregation of medical waste can lead to dire consequences such as injuries, infections, and the further spread of diseases.
As such, it’s vital, especially for healthcare workers, to identify the different categories of medical wastes.
The general categories under medical wastes fall under are:
- Biohazard wastes
- These are a type of medical waste that is dangerous when improperly disposed of but won’t cause infections if encountered. Examples are syringes and certain types of chemical wastes.
- Regulated medical wastes
- These compose the majority of most healthcare facility waste. They are typically office and household waste. They generally pose no harm to healthcare workers.
- Infectious wastes
- Infectious wastes are the kind that can cause infections and spread diseases when improperly disposed of. These are often composed of things like human tissues, blood, and other bodily fluids.
Conclusion
These are just some of the general categories under which most medical wastes fall.
Depending on the location, these categories can be further broken down, with some having as many as 6 categories.Regardless of how many categories a state has, healthcare workers must comply with the proper segregation and disposal of different medical wastes. This allows for a healthier and risk-free environment for both healthcare workers and patients.