Tips on handling potentially hazardous medical waste

Sometimes seemingly minute details can fall through the cracks


When healthcare facilities focused on the policies, procedures and regulations for disposing of infectious medical waste, sometimes minute details can fall through the cracks, according to an article on the Infection Control Today website.

For example, considering how much waste is disposed into each biocontamination bag. It's advisable to only fill trashbags two-thirds of the way. 

There is less risk of contaminated waste spilling out of the bag, and staff are less likely to sustain an injury from a bag that is too heavy.

On University of Nebraska Medical Center's biocontainment unit, healthcare workers double-bag all solid waste in clear autoclaved bags. Once the bag is secured, a staff member (in full PPE) places the bag in a pass through autoclave located within the isolation unit and/or to a waste holding container. Once sterilized, the waste is placed in a red biohazard bag, bag top twisted, goose necked and placed inside a medical waste shipping box for incineration, according to the article.

Read the article.

 

 



November 13, 2015


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Ambulatory Care Facilities Reshape FM Strategies

Facilities management playbooks were written for acute care facilities, but ambulatory sites require a different approach.


Intermountain Foundation Receives $150M Gift for Children's Hospital in Nevada

Intermountain Health Felicia and Ben Horowitz Children’s Hospital is expected to open in 2030 at the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park in southwest Las Vegas.


Texas HHSC Reaches Construction Milestone for Wichita Falls State Hospital

The $452 million, 225-bed replacement hospital will provide inpatient psychiatric care and is expected to be completed in late 2027.


Preparing Healthcare Facilities for Wildfire Air Quality Events

Wildfire smoke puts pressure on mechanical systems already working hard to maintain controlled indoor environments.


UW Health Set to Open Expansion at East Madison Hospital

The $140 million project adds 120,000 square feet to the hospital, expanding its footprint to roughly 620,000 square feet.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.