Different Types of Hospital Wastes
6/12/2020
Hospital waste is part of a much larger classification of medical wastes. These medical wastes may have originated not only from hospital facilities but also from dental clinics, blood banks, veterinary hospitals, and research facilities. Medical wastes primarily contain blood and other bodily fluids. There are times when medical wastes may contain toxic, infectious, and radioactive materials.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 85% of the wastes generated from health-related activities are classified to be non-hazardous. The other 15% is comprised of hazardous materials.
Risk Waste
Waste is classified to be of risk type if it presents a danger to the hospital facility and the patients within.
● Infectious waste
This type of waste contains any type of bacterium, virus, parasites, or fungi that may contaminate any surfaces it comes in contact with. These harmful organisms may come from laboratories, surgery, and autopsy. Some of them may even have come from an infected patient.
●Pathological waste
This type of waste is different from infectious waste mainly because pathological waste originated from the person itself. The waste may come from human organs, tissues, blood, and other bodily fluid.
This waste generates most of the medical wastes globally. According to the WHO, an estimated 16 billion injections are administered every year. That only comes from injections alone. Sharps also includes infusion sets, broken glass, and surgical equipment.
This waste includes pharmaceutical products that may have expired or not used. Unused drugs, pharmaceutical bottles, gloves, masks, and tubes are classified under pharmaceutical waste.
This waste contains hazardous substances such as cytotoxic drugs. These drugs may cause cancer. Such wastes may be present in vomit, feces, and urine.
Disinfectants, solvents, reagents used in hospital laboratory may be classified under chemical waste.
Products are classified under radioactive waste if they contain radionuclides be it in solid, liquid, and gaseous form.
Non-risk Waste
Hospital wastes may contain toxic, infectious, or harmful substances that may affect one’s health once it comes in contact with. Thus, this should be disposed of properly to avoid damage to health.
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References
● https://www.aboutcivil.org/hospital-waste-types.html
● https://www.epa.gov/rcra/medical-waste
● https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-care-waste