Top Tips for Biohazard Waste Disposal
The medical waste disposal industry is constantly communicating with local facilities regarding dangerous substances, from soiled linens to used syringes. Government regulations must be transparent to both parties as the acceptance and removal of medical garbage continues on a daily basis. As the industry evolves, every medical professional should be aware of any updates or overall changes. Take a close look at the top tips from biohazard waste disposal companies today so that every facility can be as safe as possible.
Separate the Pharmaceuticals
Although they may appear to be part of the normal waste cycle, pharmaceuticals are processed in a different way. Don’t place these items into the everyday, red bags. They should be added to a dedicated container that’s secured. Pharmaceuticals must be recycled as a separate entity within the medical waste disposal industry. When medical professionals know which container is meant for each item, safe disposal simply becomes a habit. Depending on the type, pharmaceuticals can be detrimental to the environment or society if they aren’t strictly controlled as separate items from the overall waste.
Hold Onto Small Items
Medical professionals may access the waste containers several times a day. With this much proximity to the waste, mistakes and accidents can occur. It’s possible to drop keys, phones and other items into the waste. If this scenario occurs, the items shouldn’t be retrieved. They are now contaminated. In specific cases, the medical waste disposal industry might locate the item, but it should be considered a permanent loss otherwise. From bodily fluids to tissue samples, the waste that comes in contact with the item will be difficult to remove in the best of circumstances.
Be Aware of Alternative Sharps
Sharps are often thought of as strictly needles, but there are other piercing items that require this specialized container. Lancets, wires, files and other sharp substances should be kept in the sharps container. If the item can easily cut through skin, always reserve it for a plastic container. Puncture wounds are one of the most common injuries when sharps aren’t properly discarded.
Store Extra Inventory Offered by Biohazard Waste Disposal Companies
Some medical facilities are so busy that they go through containers or bags on a daily basis. In these cases, it’s a smart idea to store extra supplies at the facility instead of calling the disposal company for every need. Red bags are easily stored in a cabinet where they can be rolled out as necessary. Containers are slightly more complicated because they often hold sharps. With trained personnel, these medical disposal system containers can be pulled from their location and replaced with empty ones until the official removal process can be completed.
Prepare to Empty at the Halfway Mark
Overfilling any waste containers is a common issue in busy facilities. This habit, however, is a very dangerous one because workers and patients can be negatively affected by the exposed items. As a rule of thumb, call for disposal removal when the containers reach the halfway mark. This simple protocol gives the removal company a chance to enter the facility, perform the work and leave without any overflowing issues. An overflowing box forces medical workers to look for an alternative disposal option while holding onto the items for a much longer time than necessary.
Always select biohazard waste disposal companies that are properly permitted by the state or federal authorities, depending on the region. A medical facility is still liable for any damages if their waste isn’t removed and discarded in the proper fashion. When every professional works together, each medical facility can be updated and comprehensive about their medical waste services protocols.
