Healthcare Waste Management Flashcards
wastes generated by Diagnosis, treatment, and immunization of humans
health care wastes
wastes generated by - Research using laboratory animals geared towards
improvement of human health;
health care wastes
between 75-90% of wastes generated by health care activities are ______
non-hazardous
__% of sampled facilities from __ countries had adequate systems in place for the safe disposal of healthcare wastes
58%, 24 countries
what percent of wastes generated by healthcare activities are non-hazardous?
10-25%
in the Philippines, what percentage of waste from healthcare facilities are hazardous?
30.36%
in the ph, what % of wastes from health care facilities are general wastes?
69.63%
hospitals generate an average of ___kg of infectious sharps and pathological wastes and __kg of general wastes per bed per day
0.34 —— 0.39
all health care facilities, institution, business
establishment, and other spaces where health care
services are offered with activities or work processes
that generate health care waste.
Health Care Waste Generators
what are the categories of wastes?
- infectious waste
- pathological & anatomical wastes
- sharps
- chemical wastes
- pharmaceutical wastes
- radioactive wastes
- non-hazardous/ general waste
- all wastes suspected to contain pathogens or toxins
in sufficient concentration that may cause disease.
infectious wastes
- Tissue sections and body fluids or organs derived
from biopsies, autopsies, or surgical procedures sent
to the laboratory for examination.
PATHOLOGICAL & ANATOMICAL WASTE
- Waste items that can cause cuts, pricks, or puncture
wounds
SHARPS
Discarded chemical generated during disinfection
and sterilization procedures
CHEMICAL WASTES
Expired, split, and contaminated pharmaceutical
products, drugs, and vaccines including discarded
items used in handling pharmaceuticals
PHARMACEUTICAL WASTES
Wastes exposed to radionuclides including
radioactive diagnostic materials or radiotherapeutic
materials.
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
Wastes that have not been in
contact with communicable or
infectious agents, hazardous
chemicals, or radioactive
substances, and do not pose a
hazard
NON-HAZARDOUS OR GENERAL WASTES
enumerate the pyramid of healthcare WM system from most preferable to least preferable
prevent
reduce
reuse
recycle
recover
treat
dispose
Bin: strong leak-proof bin
with cover labelled ‘infectious’
with biohazard symbol
Liner: yellow plastic that can
withstand autoclaving with
0.009 mm thickness
infectious waste
Bin: strong leak-proof bin with cover labelled
‘pathological/anatomical waste’ with biohazard
symbol
- Liner: yellow plastic that can withstand autoclaving
with 0.009 mm thickness
pathological/anatomical waste
Bin: puncture-proof
container with a wide mouth
and cover
- Liner: not applicable
SHARPS
bin is a disposable
bottle made of ambercolored glass with at
least 4 liters capacity that
is string, chemical-resistant, and leak-proof
Liner: yellow with black band plastic with 0.009 mm
CHEMICAL WASTES
Bin: strong leak-proof
bin with cover labelled
‘pharmaceutical waste’
Bin: strong leak-proof
bin with cover labelled
‘pharmaceutical waste’
- PHARMACEUTICAL WASTES
Bin: radiation proof repositories, leak-proof, and
lead-lined container
Liner: orange plastic with
0.009 mm thickness
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
Bin: optional recycle
symbol for recyclable
non-hazardous wastes;
Bin: optional recycle
symbol for recyclable
non-hazardous waste
GENERAL WASTES
what are the seven treatments and disposal of health care wastes?
- pyrolysis
- autoclave
- microwave
- chemical disinfection
- biological process
- encapsulation
- inertization
Thermal decomposition of health care
wastes in the absence of supplied
molecular oxygen in the destruction
chamber where waste is converted into
gaseous, liquid, or solid form.
- PYROLYSIS
The use of steam sterilization to render
waste harmless and is an efficient wet
thermal disinfection process. The usual
setting is at 121C with a pressure of 15v
psi for 15 to 30 minutes.
AUTOCLAVE
Typically incorporates some type of size
reduction device. Wastes are exposed to
microwave that raise the temperature to
100C for at least 30 minutes.
MICROWAVE
Chemicals like Na hypochlorite, Hydrogen
peroxide, peroxyacetic acid, and heated
alkali are added to health care wastes to
kill or inactivate present pathogens. 5% Na
hypochlorite is recommended.
- CHEMICAL DISINFECTION
Uses an enzyme mixture to decontaminate
health care wastes. The technology is
suited for large applications.
BIOLOGICAL PROCESS
Involves filling of containers with water,
adding and immobilizing material, and
sealing the containers. The containers are
filled with plastic foam, sand, and cement
mortar, sealed, and disposed in a landfill.
ENCAPSULATION
Especially suitable for pharmaceutical
waste that involves the mixing of waste
with cement and other substances before
disposal.
- INERTIZATION
