Medical waste varies in its nature, ranging from mundane to gross, and even posing direct threats to health. Awareness of safety risks associated with medical waste is imperative, not only for personal well-being but also for determining the appropriate way to dispose of it.
Medical waste falls into four broad categories: expired pharmaceutical, sharps, radioactive waste, and general medical waste/expired medications.
Types of Safety Risks
1. Sharps: Sharps constitute one of the most hazardous forms of waste in healthcare settings, with hundreds of thousands of needlestick injuries occurring annually in the United States. The primary risks arise from contaminated needlestick injuries, leading to infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV. Those handling sharps should be familiar with the institution's compliance plan and the location of sharps disposal containers to ensure proper and timely disposal.
2. Radioactive Waste: Generated from nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and PET, radioactive waste can cause severe health issues if mishandled. Strict safety procedures are crucial to prevent radiation poisoning. Proper disposal involves placing it in clearly marked containers, segregating radioactive sharps, storing in radiation-sealed rooms with restricted access, and eventually disposing of it when it no longer poses a danger. Some radioactive waste, like Cobalt-70, requires special procedures due to its extended decay process.
3. Infectious and Hazardous Waste: Comprising 15-25% of total healthcare waste, infectious and hazardous waste includes materials in contact with infectious diseases, blood, or bodily fluids. The primary safety concern is disease transmission. Proper disposal involves placing the waste in marked bins and then the majority of this waste will be autoclaved, but some will be incinerated.
4. General Medical Waste and Expired Medication Waste: While general medical waste, excluding recyclable and compostable materials, poses minimal health risks, proper disposal is still necessary for environmental reasons. Unlike sharps, radioactive, and infectious waste, general medical waste is comparable to standard office or household waste in terms of health hazards.
Understanding the safety risks associated with various types of medical waste is crucial for implementing proper handling and disposal procedures. Based in Athens, Texas, US Med-Disposal, Inc. was founded as a way to provide health and medical professionals with services that are more affordable, more streamlined, and less stressful. No matter the type of medical waste, US-Med is here to help! Call us at 903-675-1583 or toll-free at 800-256-4794.