Waste disposal generally has a procedure that needs to be followed from beginning to end and in terms of Medical Waste Disposal it is vital that this procedure is followed to every detail. Waste disposal may seem very simple but those that work in the environment of medical waste need to understand the importance of disposing of medical waste correctly. The repercussions of not following the procedure correctly can be detrimental to themselves, to others and to the environment, so with all that considered it would certainly be beneficial to discuss the correct procedure for medical waste disposal.
When working in an environment that includes a range of medical waste the first thing that will need to be done is to familiarise all staff and patients about the different varieties of medical waste and also the correct containers that they will need to be disposed of. Being aware of the different medical waste types and knowing what containers they will need to be disposed in will help to severely reduce the risk of any injuries, harm or contamination and keep the environment safe. The first thing that will need to be discussed is the different types of medical waste and the more common types that will be seen and disposed of more regularly. These include medical waste that has been contaminated with bodily fluids such as bandages, wipes and other materials that can easily be disposed of in bin bags and bin type containers. When something has been contaminated with bodily fluids they should be handles with care and whilst using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as this will further reduce the risk of cross contamination and keep those handling the medical waste and those exposed to the medical waste safe in their work environment. Ensuring that all waste goes in the colour coded waste bags will ensure that the whole medical waste procedure is followed all the way through to collection and incineration.
The procedure for handling another type of medical waste though is very different. Medical sharps waste needs to be disposed of quickly and effectively in to a container that has been specifically designed to house used sharps and equipment. The reason for having a specific container for sharps waste and disposal is purely to keep everyone that comes in to contact with sharps waste as safe as possible. If the procedure for disposing of medical sharps is not followed closely there is a high risk of harm or injury to those that are handling sharps waste. If sharps were to be disposed of with other medical waste there is the chance that the sharp can pierce through the bag and go undetected and very easily cause harm and injury very quickly. However, if sharps waste is disposed of correctly in the specifically designed container then the sharps waste will in no way be able to cause harm or injury to another person and it will then be safely disposed of until it is collected.
