Lesson 11 : Healthcare waste management Flashcards
Process of separating different types of waste at the
point of generation until their final disposal.
Segregation
What are Healthcare Waste?
All the waste generated by health-care establishments, research facilities, and laboratories
Classification of Waste
o All waste materials that are contaminated by infectious microorganisms or chemicals
o Used cotton, specimen container, gauze pad, syringe needles, and culture plates.
o Has a potential threat to our health
Hazardous
Classification of Waste
o Unstable and reacts violently to chemical changes
o Can cause explosion or release toxic fumes when mixed with water
Explosivity and Reactivity
Classification of Waste
Waste that needs to be separated from
other wastes
Corrosivity
A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue
Carcinogens
Classification of Waste
Waste that can cause fire during waste
disposal and storage conditions
Ignitability
lowest temperature, at which a chemical produces vapor to cause ignition
Flash point
Categories of Healthcare Waste
Waste suspected to contain pathogens
Infectious Waste
Categories of Healthcare Waste
Human tissues or fluids
Pathological Waste
Categories of Healthcare Waste
needles, infusion sets, scalpels, knives, blades, and broken glass
Sharp waste
Categories of Healthcare Waste
pharmaceuticals that are expired or no longer needed; items contaminated by or containing pharmaceuticals (bottles, boxes)
Pharmaceutical Waste
Categories of Healthcare Waste
waste containing cytostatic drugs (often used in cancer therapy)
Genotoxic Waste
Categories of Healthcare Waste
laboratory reagents; film developer, disinfectants that are expired or no longer needed, solvents
Chemical Waste
Categories of Healthcare Waste
batteries, broken thermometers, blood-pressure gauges
Wastes with high content of heavy metal
Give examples of Pressured Containers
gas cylinders, gas cartridges, aerosol cans
Categories of Healthcare Waste
unused liquids from radiotherapy or laboratory research, contaminated glassware, packages, or absorbent paper, urine, and excreta from patients treated or tested with unsealed radionuclides, sealed sources
Radioactive Waste
Provide an impact of infectious waste and sharps
- significant risk of blood-borne infections (through sharps)
- significant risk of agents spread through other media like sewage (cholera etc.)
- injuries ( nurses and housekeeping personnel )
Provide an impact of chemical and pharmaceutical
waste
extensive intoxication
What is a common cause of problems in chemical and pharmaceutical waste?
improper handling of chemicals or pharmaceuticals in health-care establishments
How do you minimize the risk caused by chemical and pharmaceutical waste?
- substitute less hazardous chemicals whenever possible
- wear PPE
- Ventilate (premises where hazardous chemicals are used)
- Train personnel at risk
Healthcare Waste Management System
Wastes are minimized even before their generation
Prevent
Healthcare Waste Management System
Implemented by encouraging proper waste segregation to determine the nature and volume of generated wastes to allow efficient waste management at the least cost
Reduce
Healthcare Waste Management System
Either finding a new application for a used material or using the same product for the same application repeatedly
Reuse
