As the name indicates, medical waste is the waste generated from the healthcare

sector and it encompasses all kinds of infectious and hazardous wastes etc.

Healthcare wastes emerge out of hospitals, doctor’s chambers, clinics,

nursing homes, pathologies and medical laboratories etc. and could include

elements made up of metal, plastic, fiber or composite materials.

Regulated Medical waste is a category of medical wastes and includes majorly seven categories:

Infectious wastesHuman pathological wastes

Blood and other liquidSharps waste

Animal wastesFew isolation wastesSome unused sharps

Infectious waste refers to a waste that contains live pathogens and its exposure to

the environment could cause infectious diseases- to humans and to the animals etc. as well. It could also be called as biohazardwaste. Plus, the infectious wastes could be

harmful for the environment too, if left untreated.

Infectious wastes are of following types: Isolation wastes

Cultures and stocks of infectious pathogensBlood and blood productsBody organs and tissues

Contaminated sharpsContaminated animal organs

Other miscellaneous wastes, such as autopsy wastes and laboratory wastes

Sharps waste refers to medical wastes that include sharp objects such as needles, sharp

metallic products and contaminated IVneedles.

Sharps waste could be much more dangerous as they cause immediate harms and a slight mishandling could lead to troubles ranging

from mild to life-taking. Therefore, it requires proper safety measures for sharps waste

removal.

Since it is highly disastrous in nature, medical waste should be stored with

utmost safety. Use tips such as:

Contact an efficient waste managementorganization

Do not store it for too longEnsure proper packing of the waste

Do not allow access to the storage areaSegregate the medical wastes well

Medical waste is generally transported by an agency that has adequate knowledge and

experience. Hire an agency which:Has a proper medical waste transportation

licenseHas experience in its work

Provides safe vehiclesHas knowledge of the bylaws and regulations

Has a clean track recordConsiders environmental safety

Medical waste could be treated by the following advanced methods:

IncinerationAutoclaving

Vapor/gas sterilizationThermal InactivationChemical DisinfectionIrradiation sterilization

If you work or own a healthcare organization, it is essential to train your staff for the refusal and safety methods relating medical waste. Also it is essential to educate them of the

deadly consequences that the medical waste could lead to. Be safe, so that you could save other living beings and the environment too.

877-633-7328Secure Waste, Inc.#1 Research CourtRockville, MD 20850