The Policies Behind Managing Waste in Hospitals
10/28/2022
All hospital waste will be taken care of in a way that does not result in injury or harm to individuals, the environment, and the community. Waste that belongs to multiple categories will be classified based on the highest risk.
Objectives
● Minimize waste
● Minimize risk
● Maximize recycling
● Ensure best practices in the waste disposal
● Ensure compliance with policy among staff
Implementation
All members of the staff shall receive waste management training in their orientation. They will also receive updates about waste education as seen fit.The Waste Officer is the Team Leader of the Front of House. This position gives oversight of waste management. Nominated members of housekeeping staff will take bi-annual competency assessments conducted by the compactor contractor to confirm that they are authorized trainers.Housekeeping staff members assigned to use the compactor for waste disposal will receive guidance and education courtesy of the authorized trainers.The Waste Officer shall organize visits of housekeeping staff to the waste disposal sites.
The officer will also write an annual report on waste to be shown to the committees on Quality & Risk and Infection Prevention & Control. Staff will receive the annual waste report through waste education updates and newsletters.The said report shall cover:
● Individual stream cost analysis
● Waste incidents, number, and type
● Practice changes when applicable
● Audit reports on segregation, internal, and contractor● Promotion and education
EvaluationThe following will be used to evaluate the waste disposal system:● Staff feedback● Training records● Patient feedback● Audit reports● Incident reportsBottom LineUncontrolled hospital waste management can result in outbreaks of diseases and contamination of the environment.
As a result, it is critical to reduce medical waste creation to a minimum and run management to an optimal level.
Objectives
● Minimize waste
● Minimize risk
● Maximize recycling
● Ensure best practices in the waste disposal
● Ensure compliance with policy among staff
Implementation
All members of the staff shall receive waste management training in their orientation. They will also receive updates about waste education as seen fit.The Waste Officer is the Team Leader of the Front of House. This position gives oversight of waste management. Nominated members of housekeeping staff will take bi-annual competency assessments conducted by the compactor contractor to confirm that they are authorized trainers.Housekeeping staff members assigned to use the compactor for waste disposal will receive guidance and education courtesy of the authorized trainers.The Waste Officer shall organize visits of housekeeping staff to the waste disposal sites.
The officer will also write an annual report on waste to be shown to the committees on Quality & Risk and Infection Prevention & Control. Staff will receive the annual waste report through waste education updates and newsletters.The said report shall cover:
● Individual stream cost analysis
● Waste incidents, number, and type
● Practice changes when applicable
● Audit reports on segregation, internal, and contractor● Promotion and education
EvaluationThe following will be used to evaluate the waste disposal system:● Staff feedback● Training records● Patient feedback● Audit reports● Incident reportsBottom LineUncontrolled hospital waste management can result in outbreaks of diseases and contamination of the environment.
As a result, it is critical to reduce medical waste creation to a minimum and run management to an optimal level.