Medical Waste Removal: What the Experts Lookout For

Your medical facility deals with a lot of waste, from soiled linens to human tissue. Every item must be secured within a particular container. Illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria are thwarted with these procedures. Disposing of medical waste doesn’t end with just the container on the wall, however. Experts visit the facility for regular pickups. Get to know what the experts look for when they deal with medical waste removal. Attention to detail keeps the waste isolated to each container.

Ripped Bags

The majority of waste ends up in designated bags. They’re marked with hazardous-waste logos. Strong seams make them difficult to damage, but rips can be possible. When the disposal professionals arrive, they examine the bags before moving them. Any rips are quickly documented and then the contents are placed in a new disposal bag for security purposes.

Rips cannot be ignored. Although the items within may be merely soft clothes, any germs trapped among the fibers can spread through those rips. Avoiding infectious transmittal through a proper waste collection process is the goal of any reputable company.

Punctured Containers

Red, plastic containers for Sharps are incredibly durable. They have specific thicknesses that make them virtually indestructible. However, punctures still occur. Disposal companies will examine the containers before emptying or moving them. If any punctures are visible, they take steps to secure the contents.

Damaged Sharps containers can be very dangerous. Contact your medical disposal facility if you see damages before a scheduled visit. Punctures cannot be left unattended.

Signs of Misuse

Disposing of medical waste is a complex job. Items thrown away are usually sorted by the type of waste involved. You disposal facility personnel will make observations during a pickup about the facility’s workforce properly following protocol. Containers that appear to be misused are obvious to waste experts. Signs of forced entry into a container or dents alongside large bins are causes for concern. Your waste expert should bring up these issues to the facility’s manager. Further training may be necessary to avoid further misuse problems.

Broken Locks

Any containers designed for bio-hazardous material should have locks for everyone’s safety. Sharps containers are good examples of locked boxes. Most people don’t want access to these dangerous items, but the locks might break over time. Experts look for any signs of broken locks. They’ll remove and replace the container in the meantime. Those locks cannot be loose because anyone can open them at that point. Elderly folks and children are especially vulnerable to pricks if they access a damaged container

Declining Hinges

Each container must be easy to access through its lid design. Busy, healthcare workers will try another container if they cannot easily pop another bin open. Waste experts inspect the containers for any bad hinges. They should be smooth with little friction during use. New bins are the solution as the experts swap out bad parts.

Overloaded Containers During Medical Waste Removal

Medial waste removal professionals must be aware of any overloaded containers. Items spilling out onto the floor create unsafe conditions. If professionals see an issue, they discuss the problem with the facility’s manager. Overflowing items are dangerous to anyone in the immediate area. This is the time to discuss either larger or extra bins.

Ideally, each scheduled pickup should have containers with equal amounts of discarded items. This scenario reflects a well-arranged facility with containers ready for almost any discarded item. Overloaded bins cannot continue to occur for safety reasons.

Disposing of medical waste requires skill and certifications. Partner with local experts, such as MedSharps, to haul off your waste. Medical waste removal performed by the best in the business reflects positively on your facility as both patients and workers remain healthy and happy.