Isolation waste: This is a form of contaminated biological waste.Human and non-human blood components and products: This includes any therapeutic blood specimen used for plasma-derived medicine and transfusion.Microbiological waste: This refers to waste that contains cultures and stocks of infectious agents, including pathological and pharmaceutical specimens.Uncontaminated sharps: This includes discarded cultures and stocks of biological or infectious agents and microorganisms.Contaminated sharps: This includes needles, broken glass, capillary tubes or scalpels contaminated by blood borne pathogens and OPIM.Pathological waste: This consists of bodily materials that have been examined in a laboratory or culled from biopsies and surgical procedures.Examples of regulated medical waste include: The EPA specifies several types of medical waste. Pathological and anatomical waste, which contains human and animal organs, tissues or body partsĬontaminated animal carcasses, body parts, and bedding Most states separate the types of medical waste into six categories:īlood components that can be poured, dripped or flaked off of materials or tools However, it’s important to research your state’s guidelines to ensure compliance. Some states will adopt the definitions found in federal guidelines, like those from the EPA, OSHA and DOT. Guidelines will vary from state to state, depending on their definition of “infectious”. Medical waste is generally categorized as: You can start with our free waste segregation brochure, which outlines the correct containers and contents for regulated medical waste disposal. We recommend implementing engaging training programs on the disposal of medical waste to educate and protect healthcare workers. However, it’s ultimately up to facilities to understand the different types and categories of medical waste. It’s equally important to stay up to date on government and state definitions and guidelines to ensure compliance. Governments and state agencies provide frameworks for proper waste disposal. Responsible Waste Segregation Starts With You Therefore, it must be placed in regulated medical waste containers that comply with government guidelines. RMW refers to any waste that could put human health or the environment at risk. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines RMW as items that have been in contact with blood components, bodily fluids and other potentially infectious materials ( OPIM ). RMW has the potential to transfer infection and spread diseases to the handler. Regulated medical waste (RMW) is waste that is potentially biohazardous, biomedical or infectious in nature. This information will help you ensure compliant medical waste management in your facility.Ģ / Responsible Waste Segregation Starts With Youĥ / Medical Waste: The Importance of Understanding the Types and the CategoriesĦ / Ensuring Compliance Every Step of the Way Improper disposal has a variety of consequences, such as an increased risk of injury and a negative impact on the environment. At Daniels Health, we endeavor to help our partners manage their medical waste confidently, compliantly and efficiently. According to federal and state guidelines, waste generated from healthcare facilities must be effectively segregated, transported and destroyed. In this article, we’ll delve into the different types of medical waste and how to keep your employees safe when handling and disposing of it. This is a task that comes with high stakes. All healthcare workers will be familiar with the challenge of sorting and disposing of medical waste.
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