The Most Effective Ways to Dispose of Medical Waste
10/25/2022
Healthcare facilities generate large volumes of medical waste annually. About 20% of these wastes are biohazardous. Therefore, healthcare facilities must have proper waste management to handle this waste as it can be toxic, infectious, and radioactive. Some hospitals have poor waste management plans that are ineffective in handling this type of medical waste. However, such hospitals can utilize the following three methods of medical waste disposal because they are the most effective.
1. Encapsulation
Encapsulation is mainly used to dispose of sharp waste such as needles, syringes, and broken glass. These sharp waste materials require special handling because they can tear the waste bags and spread infections before disposal. The method involves encapsulation of the waste materials in puncture-resistant containers and labeling them appropriately. Then, the containers are placed in designated locations before the waste is disposed of in a landfill
2. Autoclaving
Autoclaving entails the use of heated containers called incinerators to destroy medical waste materials. It is considered one of the most effective methods of biohazard waste disposal. In the United States, approximately 90% of biohazard medical waste is autoclaved in incinerators. 3. Chemical disinfection Some medical waste materials can be disinfected chemically before disposal. For instance, animal waste is commonly disinfected chemically. Disinfected waste does not pose any threat when deposited in a landfill.
Final Thoughts
Medical waste can be hazardous, meaning that it should be handled with caution. The most effective methods of disposing of medical waste are chemical disinfection, autoclaving, and encapsulation.
1. Encapsulation
Encapsulation is mainly used to dispose of sharp waste such as needles, syringes, and broken glass. These sharp waste materials require special handling because they can tear the waste bags and spread infections before disposal. The method involves encapsulation of the waste materials in puncture-resistant containers and labeling them appropriately. Then, the containers are placed in designated locations before the waste is disposed of in a landfill
2. Autoclaving
Autoclaving entails the use of heated containers called incinerators to destroy medical waste materials. It is considered one of the most effective methods of biohazard waste disposal. In the United States, approximately 90% of biohazard medical waste is autoclaved in incinerators. 3. Chemical disinfection Some medical waste materials can be disinfected chemically before disposal. For instance, animal waste is commonly disinfected chemically. Disinfected waste does not pose any threat when deposited in a landfill.
Final Thoughts
Medical waste can be hazardous, meaning that it should be handled with caution. The most effective methods of disposing of medical waste are chemical disinfection, autoclaving, and encapsulation.