What's Not Suitable for Hospital Waste Disposal

A properly managed waste system protects the environment and public health. To accomplish this, it is essential to understand what is not suitable for hospital waste disposal so that mistakes can be minimized.

Failure to Label Waste Containers

Proper labeling of medical waste enables proper handling that will minimize the spread of infections. All medical waste should be labeled by type of waste, date of generation, and name of the facility generating the waste.

Untrained Staff

All medical waste requires the staff dealing with it to be fully trained in handling the waste. If they are not fully trained, they might mix various types of waste, which will result in increased exposure and physical injuries.

Failure to Segregate WEaste

Medical waste needs to be segregated because each type of waste requires a different method of disposal. Failure to segregate will lead to more contamination and exposure to hazards.

Using Appropriate Waste Boxes

Inappropriate waste containers increase the risk of exposure to hazardous elements. For instance, regular trash bags are not adequate for medical waste since they can be torn easily and expose waste.

Failure to Track Waste

The facility generating the waste should track it from the point of generation to the point of disposal to ensure that all steps involved in waste management are followed. Failure to do this can result in mishandling and loss of waste which will increase exposure.

Final Words

Following the above guideline while dealing with medical waste is crucial in ensuring that waste is properly handled according to local regulations to protect public health and the environment.