The need for Clinical Waste Disposal is actually a fairly new thing believe it or not. It is also true that due to the ongoing worldwide pandemic we find ourselves in it is so vitally important to get rid of clinical waste in the best and most lawful way possible. The correct management of clinical waste is vital for all businesses. There are stringent laws regarding its segregation, storage and disposal. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste can be found in any business, but understanding the differences between clinical waste streams can be confusing. Clinical waste includes both hazardous and non-hazardous waste, which must be stored and disposed of in accordance with stringent waste regulations. Potentially hazardous substances can cause infection in a healthcare or cosmetic setting if not treated correctly.
What Is Included In Clinical Waste
Clinical waste includes any waste that consists wholly or partly of:
- Syringes, needles or other sharp instruments which, unless rendered safe, may prove hazardous to any person coming into contact with it
- Drugs or other pharmaceutical products
- Swabs or dressings
- Human or animal tissue
- Blood or bodily fluids
- Any other waste arising from medical, dental, pharmaceutical, or other similar healthcare practices
Disposing Of Clinical Medical Waste
When it comes to disposal there are three main medical waste disposal methods:
Autoclaving – About 90 percent of biohazardous waste is incinerated this way. The material is placed in a specialized container at high levels of temperature and pressure to be consequently destroyed. Or it’s zapped in a microwave on steroids to exactly the same effect.
Chemical Disinfection – Some biohazardous wastes can be chemically disinfected and then landfilled like any other kind of waste.
Encapsulation – This is used for what medical-waste aficionados call sharps, which is contaminated material that can easily puncture conventional waste containers and thereby spread their evil. Most obvious are syringes. This kind of stuff is encapsulated into puncture-proof containers and segregated from the more-pedestrian garbage in landfills.
There are actually a large variety of different types and kinds of clinical waste you would just want to be sure that you are following regulations and disposing of them correctly. Once you have set up your collection you are able to relax and trust that the company you have chosen to take care of your clinical medical waste will do the rest. Unless you have a business that is involved with clinical medical waste it is not something that needs to be arranged or thought about but if it is part of your business then having the right disposal is vital. You need to be sure that you are disposing of clinical medical waste in to the correct waste bags and bins and these will need to be provided by yourself in the building that you are working from. You will need to cater fully for the use and disposal of medical waste and if you are able to do this then as previously mentioned the rest will be taken care of by the clinical waste disposal company.