Guidelines for Handling Hazardous Medical Waste

Since the pandemic started, medical waste has risen by 40% globally. Because of this, medical waste management is even more essential.

In Canada, there are specific waste management processes required by federal regulations. Knowing how to properly dispose of medical hazardous waste is essential to lower the risks of spreading human infections and the likelihood of epidemics.

Properly disposing of medical waste ensures the safety of many people involved in the chain—for example, hospital employees, patients, and the local community.

If you need to become familiar with disposing of medical waste, keep reading. You can learn more about hazardous waste disposal in this article.

What Is Medical Waste?

Medical waste is waste that healthcare facilities generate. For instance, hospitals, health clinics, veterinary clinics, dental practices, doctors' offices, blood banks, etc. There are four primary types of medical waste:

• Hazardous
• Infectious
• Radioactive
• Sharps

Hazardous medical waste is often too dangerous to mix with other medical waste. As such, one should dispose of them appropriately. For example, medicine is typically considered hazardous waste.

Infectious medical waste is any material that can spread infection. One needs to handle infectious medical waste with care and requires specific training. This type of waste includes:

• Wound dressings
• Body tissue and organs
• IV tubing

Radioactive medical waste is any material that has come into contact with radiation. Radioactive medical waste includes:

• Clothing used in radiation treatments
• Sharps used for radiation
• Any material that comes into contact with radioactive rays

This type of waste disposal requires specific training due to the volatile nature of the waste. If mishandled, radioactive medical waste can cause long-term health damage.

Finally, sharps are any medical tool that is capable of puncturing the skin of a human or animal. Examples include needles and syringes, scalpels, lancets, etc., used for drawing blood, vaccinations, etc. This type of waste will have its own dedicated disposal container.

Medical Waste vs. Biomedical Waste

It's important not to confuse medical waste with biomedical waste, which some think is interchangeable. However, there are some differences.

For example, medical waste typically doesn't include contaminated cultures. And anything with no biohazardous material is classified under medical waste. Instances of biomedical waste will consist of things such as:

• Body parts
• Blood
• Body Fluids
• Infectious materials

Types of Medical Waste Disposal Containers

When disposing of medical hazardous waste, it's vital to dispose of them in the correct containers. Manufacturers make several medical waste disposal containers for specific waste products. They are:

• Red Bag Waste
• Yellow Bins
• Sharps Containers
• Blue Bins
• Black Bins

Red Bag Waste

Red bag waste containers are explicitly reserved for any material that is classified as biohazardous. Materials containing human matter on them should be disposed of in these bags. Red bag waste includes items with human matter (i.e., blood, body fluids) and plastic surgical tools.

Yellow Bins

Yellow bins are used for disposing of chemotherapy waste. There are two types of chemotherapy waste: RCRA empty and non-RCRA empty. Yellow bins are reserved for the former. When the volume of medical waste is less than 3% of its total volume, it is considered RCRA empty, i.e., vials, syringes, and IV bags.

Sharps Containers

As the name suggests, sharps containers are used for any item that can puncture human or animal skin. For example, needles used to draw blood, administer drugs, etc. This waste must be disposed of appropriately, or you risk fines from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA).

Blue Bins

Blue bins are reserved for hazardous pharmaceutical waste. You would dispose of expired medicine or drugs that are hazardous to anyone who misuses them in blue bins to avoid endangering hospital staff and the general public.

Black Bins

Black bins are similar to yellow bins in that these containers are used for partially used chemotherapy equipment, cytotoxic waste, cleaning materials, and PPE. The waste disposed of in black bins should not be RCRA empty.

Common Problems During Hazardous Waste Disposal

Despite specific medical hazardous waste disposal guidelines, it's often disposed of incorrectly. Here are some of the more common problems faced when disposing of medical waste.

Not Remaining Compliant

Medical hazardous waste disposal regulations in Canada differ from province to province. Therefore it's recommended to familiarize yourself with the rules in your area. You can find more info on the federal government website or by contacting the appropriate regulatory agency.

Miseducation

Appropriately training employees that handle hazardous medical waste is essential. Untrained staff is a liability for the company, which could result in fines, penalties, injuries, etc.

Sorting Irregularities

If you have staff that isn't adequately trained in managing medical waste, it's easy to have sorting irregularities. This can result in employees disposing of materials in the incorrect containers. Ensuring your employees handle and sort medical waste correctly will ensure compliance.

Training Courses for Medical Waste

If you need to send your employees for training on how to handle and dispose of medical waste, there are several courses you can enroll in. For example, this Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens course. This online course will train your staff on safely handling materials that have human matter on them, such as blood and body tissue.

Dispose Of Medical Waste Responsibly

It's important to dispose of medical waste in the healthcare industry responsibly. This means keeping your employees updated on the latest rules and regulations regarding medical waste disposal, using appropriate containers to separate different medical waste, and ensuring your facility remains compliant with your region's hazardous medical waste disposal regulations.

Failing to do this risks the health and safety of facility staff, patients, and the local public.

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