Today is our topic of discussion Sources of medical waste
Sources of medical waste
Major Source:
1. Hospital Waste
2. Dialysis center
3. Medical research center
4. Clinics waste
5. Laboratories
Minor source:
1. Dental clinics
2. Physician chamber
3. Acupuncture clinics
Types of medical waste management:
In-house management –
Management within the health care facility.
Out-house management –
Management out side the health care facility.
Elements of In-house waste management:
Waste minimization –
Waste mininization is directly proportional with waste management cost and related risk. Policies and practices that might reduce the waste volume are-
a. Source reduction
b. Stock management
c. Encourage use of Recyclable products
d. Control at institution level
Waste Segregation –
If waste is segregated, small amount are needed for disposal instead of large quantity of waste, ultimately related manpower, related cost, related risk lowered. Segregation of medical waste is the responsibility of waste producer and should be segregated at the point just after its generation.
Waste Identification –
Identifying waste by sorting the waste into different COLOR CODE containers.
Table of Recommended Color Code
Fig: Different color code for waste disposal
Waste Handling:
It means the links between packing, storage and transportation of medical waste from every area of the institution by designated individual.
Waste collection:
The designated personnel should collect the waste containers by a routine program through the designated route. Guidelines for waste collection are –
a. Collectors must wear protective materials.
b. Collection of waste in colored bag or colored covered bins.
c. Content of the container should not exceed three quarter of its capacity.
d. If bag is used for waste collection, tie the neck tightly.
e. Avoid throwing, dragging over floor or holding the bottom of the containers.
f. No container should be used if damaged or licked.
g. No container should be transported without labeling.
h. During collection each container should be replaced with a new one.
i. Collection of sharp medical waste under maximum precaution.
j. If there is spillage of waste from the container (Accidental/Damage of bin), gently collect the waste into a bin, soak the area with 2% Lysol solution, wait or 30 minutes, then wash and wipe.
Waste collection materials –
Character of the materials depends upon the type of medical waste. Materials should be domestic in origin, so that sustainability of supply could be ensured. The commonly used material for Bangladesh are colored waste containers or bins, colored heat resistant bags, heavy duty gloves, rubber service gum boots, hand tray, balcha, waste carrying trolley, rubber apron etc.
Placement of color bins –
Container should be placed at all important location where particular wastes are generated. Instruction on waste identification should be pasted over the containers. During replacement of the bin, same colored another bin is placed at the site.
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