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TECHNOLOGIES THAT HELP REDUCE MEDICAL WASTES EFFECTIVELY

biohazard waste
Medical processes generate a lot of waste. Approximately 20 percent of this waste is either infectious or radioactive. There are several technologies used to decontaminate medical waste. Some of the methods work well for large hospitals, while others are ideal for small facilities with constrained budgets. They include:


TECHNOLOGIES THAT HELP REDUCE MEDICAL WASTES EFFECTIVELY


Medical processes generate a lot of waste. Approximately 20 percent of this waste is either infectious or radioactive. There are several technologies used to decontaminate medical waste. Some of the methods work well for large hospitals, while others are ideal for small facilities with constrained budgets. They include:


Autoclaving

Autoclaving or thermal treatment utilizes heated containers to disinfect biohazard waste. The waste is loaded in autoclaves or closed chambers, which are subjected to high pressure, heat, or steam over a specified period. Health facilities can purchase a large, medium, or small autoclaves depending on the amount of waste they generate.


Incineration

Incineration is done off-site and involves burning of the waste in an incinerator using the dry oxidation process. Incineration is carried out at very high temperatures that destroy 99 percent of microorganisms in the garbage. It is commonly used on the waste that is difficult to reuse, recycle, or bury in a landfill.


Encapsulation

This method works for sharp objects such as syringes and scalpels. It involves storing the items in well-labeled containers that are puncture resistant. The boxes are placed in a safe place as they await deposition.


Chemical Treatment

Chemical disinfection is often used to decontaminate liquid waste. The process is carried out on-site to avoid the spilling of the liquids during transportation. It can also be used to treat solid waste, but it would need to be shredded first.


Microwave Treatment

The microwave system is most useful for waste that has moisture. It makes use of heat and dries the trash after the process. Dry solid waste is often shredded and moistened to achieve the accuracy required.

Using these methods ensures that infections do not spread to the public. Before adopting any of them, ensure that you understand the waste management requirements of your facility.


Final Thoughts

Although these technologies are useful in some aspects, they are still not enough to completely solve the growing issues towards medical waste. Hopefully, more innovations in the feature address these issues to improve sanitation and ecological impacts.