BUMEDINST 6280.1B

Question 1

What guide is used to govern shipboard medical personnel for afloat practices regarding Regulated Medical Waste (RMW)?

Answer 1

The current Afloat Medical Waste Management Guide.

Question 2

What are the two classifications of medical waste?

Answer 2

Non-RMW or RMW.

Question 3

Describe Non-RMW.

Answer 3

Solid material intended for disposal, produced as a direct result of patient treatment, diagnosis, or therapy.

Question 4

Give an example of Non-RMW.

Answer 4

Soiled dressings, bandages containing very small amounts of blood or other body fluids, disposable catheters, swabs, used disposable drapes, gowns, masks, and empty used specimen containers/urine cups.

Question 5

How is Non-RMW disposed of?

Answer 5

Requires no further treatment and is disposed of as general waste/trash.

Question 6

Describe RMW.

Answer 6

Generated during diagnosis, treatment, or illununization of humans or animals and is capable of causing disease or would pose other adverse health risks to individuals
or the community if improperly handled.

Question 7

How many groups is RMW organized into?

Answer 7

Nine groups based on associated risks.

Question 8

Any medical wastes originating from medical isolation rooms and/or sanitary napkins
originating from post partum suites or gynecological surgical wards are handled as what?

Answer 8

Regulated Medical Waste

Question 9

Other Potentially Infectious Materials are?

Answer 9

The following human body fluids; semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid,
synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures.

Question 10

Other Potentially Infectious Materials continued are?

Answer 10

HIV, HBV, and any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead).

Question 11

What are the nine groups of RMW?

Answer 11

Group (1) Cultures, Stocks, and Vaccines. (2) Pathological Waste (3) Blood & Blood Products (4 and 7) Sharps

Question 12

At what point is RMW separated from other waste?

Answer 12

At the point of origin.

Question 13

Line containers with plastic bags of what sufficient thickness?

Answer 13

Typically 3 millimeters

Question 14

What disposal method should never be used when discarding needles?

Answer 14

Never clip, cut, bend or recap needles.

Question 15

RMW should never be transported in what way?

Answer 15

RMW should never be transported in chutes or dumbwaiters.

Question 16

Anatomical pathology waste is placed in what containers?

Answer 16

Double-wall corrugated boxes or rigid containers double-lined with plastic bags for transport.

Question 17

How must pathological waste be stored?

Answer 17

Refrigerated or frozen in dedicated cold storage unites.

Question 18

Storage of non-pathological RMW shall not exceed how many days?

Answer 18

7 days

Question 19

Frozen storage of RMW

(applies only to pathological wastes) shall not exceed how many day

Answer 19

30 days

Question 20

Treatment and disposal of RMW is achieved by what means?

Answer 20

Incineration, or through inactivation by heat, chemicals, or radiation.

Question 21

Federal regulations require facilities maintain shipping

paperwork/manifests for how many years after RMW was accepted by waste carrier?

Answer 21

2 years

Question 22

What information is kept on file by the facility system for tracking?

Answer 22

Date, type of waste, amount, (weight, volume, or number of containers) and disposition.

Question 23

When should employees with occupational exposure to RMW receive training?

Answer 23

Prior to beginning work, and at least annually thereafter. Training must be provided at no cost to the employee and during working hours.

Question 24

Steam sterilization requires temperatures of at least what temp and duration, and gauge pressure to be effective?

Answer 24

121° C (250° F) for at least 90 minutes at15 pounds

per square inch of gauge pressure