2. Biomedical waste management
Definition:
“Bio Medical waste” is any waste, which is generated during
the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or
animals or in research activities pertaining to or in the
production or testing of biologicals and categories.
3. Healthcare waste
Definition
• Healthcare waste (HCW) is defined as the total waste stream from a
healthcare facility (HCF)
• Two basic categories
• Healthcare General Waste (HCGW) 75-90%
• Healthcare Risk Waste (HCRW) 10-25%
4. Healthcare general waste
• Healthcare General Waste (HCGW)
• Paper Packaging
• Plastic packaging
• Food preparation
• And other items that haven’t been contaminated
5. SOURCE OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE
• Biomedical waste is generated in: hospitals, nursing homes,
clinics, medical laboratories, blood banks, animal houses etc.
• Such a waste can also be generated at home if health care is being
provided there to a patient (e.g. injection, dressing material etc.
6. Components
Solids:
• Catheters and tubes
• Disposable masks and scrubs
• Disposable tools
• Medical gloves
• Wound dressings
Liquids:
• Blood
• Body fluids and tissues
• Cell, organ and tissue cultures
7. Sharps:
• Blades (Razor or Scalpel)
• Material made up glass such as cuvettes and slides.
• Needles
• Plastic pipettes and syringes
Laboratory waste:
• Animal carcasses
• Hazardous chemicals
• Medicinal plants
• Radioactive material with biological components
• Supernatants
• • Cadavers,urine,feces and cytotoxic drug are not considered biomedical waste
8. SOURCE OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE
• Biomedical waste is generated in: hospitals, nursing homes, clinics,
medical laboratories, blood banks, animal houses etc.
• Such a waste can also be generated at home if health care is being
provided there to a patient (e.g. injection, dressing material etc.)
10. Classification
• Non hazardous:
• approximately 75-90% of the biomedical waste is non-hazardous and as
harmless as any other municipal waste. (E.G, Plastic,Glass,Cardboared,etc)
• Hazardous waste:
• Classification 10-25% is hazardous and can be injurious to humans or
animals and deleterious to environment.
• It is important to realise that if both these types are mixed together then the
whole waste becomes harmful
11. CATEGORY WASTE TYPE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL METHOD
1 Human waste (Tissues, Organs, body
parts)
Incineration/ Deep burial
2 Animal Waste Incineration/ Deep burial
3 Microbiology and biotechnology waste Autoclave/ microwave/ incineration
4 Sharps Disinfection ( Chemical Treatment )+
Autoclaving/
microwaving/ mutilation shredding
5 Discarded medicines and Cytotoxic drugs Incineration/ Destruction and drugs
disposal in secured landfills
12. CATEGORY WASTE TYPE TREATMENT AND DISPENSE METHOD
6 Contaminated solid waste Autoclave/ microwave/ incineration
7 Solid waste ( except Sharps) Disinfection by chemical treatment +
microwaving / autoclaving & shredding
8 Liquid Waste (generated from laboratory
washing , cleaning and disinfectant
activity)
Disinfection by chemical treatment + and
discharge into the drains
9 Incineration ash Disposal in municipal landfill
10 Chemical Wastes Chemical treatment + and dicharge in to drain
for liquids and secured landfill for solids
13.
14. DISPOSAL OF WASTES
Containers Type
• Container type Must be appropriate to contents & regulations Bags– NO sharps,
medicines or liquids Sharps bins– sharps ONLY Other Rigid Bins– various e.g.
High liquid-content Clinical Combustible Radioactive Special & Clinical (e.g.
Cytotoxic) Waste medicines
• Containers – Colour Container colour Tells other staff what is in the container
Tells the contractor what to do with the waste Can apply to both sacks and rigid
containers Safe for Disposal to General Waste Sharps Lab plastics Cytotoxic
Carcass, anatomical
15. Disposal Procedure
Carcass
• Carcass or anatomical material Small / medium carcasses or obvious body
parts Render safe first
• Yellow bags or containers
• Freeze prior to collection or keep refrigerated
Blood
• Blood or body fluids Render safe first Including heavily soaked materials
(e.g. swabs, dressings)
• Yellow containers or heavy gauge yellow bags (only if doubled and NOT
leaking)
• Freeze prior to collection
16. Disposal Procedure
Sharps
• Sharps Including needles, scalpel blades and small pieces of glass.
• A a Sharps bin Do NOT overfill or shake.
• Follow H&S guidance and take care (If contaminated) autoclave when bin is
full.
Plastics
• Laboratory plastics Render safe first
• If non-identifiable following autoclave then non-clinical disposal [Black Bag and
label “Safe for Disposal”]
• If identifiable still then possibly “offensive” - Orange Bag and label as for
Clinical Waste Introduction to Biological Waste Training Session
17. Disposal Procedure
Glass
• Glassware Render safe first Designated boxes – clearly labelled “Broken
Glassware – Safe for Disposal”
• Except if contains hazardous chemicals – special disposal route via
Chemistry
Medicines
• Medicines Designated medicine bins only (usually Blue Rigid container)
• Do not use containers intended for other uses (e.g. sharps bins)
• Do not pour down the drain Some medicines are considered to be Special
Waste
18. Disposal Procedure
Special I
• Cytotoxic Waste Special Waste, therefore Packaging and labelling
requirements
• Holding locations – separate containment “Pre-notification” of SEPA by
contractor & Special Waste Consignment Note Extra charges Notify Waste
Manager
Special II
• Infectious Waste Wherever possible, should be rendered safe / inactivated
BEFORE leaving the lab
• If not possible then special conditions apply: Packaging and labelling
Holding locations – separate containment “Pre-notification” of SEPA Extra
paperwork Extra charges Notify Waste Manager immediately
19. PRECAUTIONS
Key points to remember:
• Never fill sacks more than ¾ full Never overfill sharps bins
• Do NOT use anything that leaks Secure sacks with a plastic tie/seal bins
before removing from lab
• Always use a Barcode Label and complete your Label Record Sheet
• Know if it is “Special Waste” & act accordingly Place in approved Holding
Location (freezer