In this slideshare, we will be talking about medical waste and what products/materials are considered medical waste.

1. What is Medical Waste? Presented by:
Andrea Suarez

2. We can’t overstate the
importance of having
secure waste disposal
methods - especially at
this moment in history.

3. Medical waste is anything
that could contaminate blood
borne pathogens.

4. But this doesn’t necessarily
mean anything that’s been in
contact with blood!

5. To be considered medical
waste, materials have to
“contain enough blood or
potentially infectious materials”
to be hazardous to those who
may come into contact with it.

6. Band-aids, for example,
aren’t usually considered
medical waste.

7. Gauze covering a gash
on an arm? That’s a
different story!

8. Medical waste exclusively
comprise items and materials
that contain or are saturated
with blood or other infectious
materials.
Medical waste isn’t only
sharps or needles!

9. When waste items fit
this descriptions, it
becomes what’s known
as regulated medical
waste.

10. Regulated medical waste
simply means that certain rules
apply to the disposal process
to ensure that no person is
exposed to potentially
hazardous materials.

11. It’s important to note
that different states
may have slightly
different ways of
referring to medical or
red bag waste:

12. - New York and Rhode Island
refer to it as “regulated
medical waste.”
- Colorado, Nebraska, and
Nevada all typically refer to is
as “infectious waste.”
- Connecticut, Florida, Georgia,
Maine and Washington State
refer to it as “biomedical
waste.”

13. Keep in mind that
medical waste can also
be referred to as
hazardous waste.

14. Who produces medical waste?

15. A wide range of industries
produce regulated medical
waste.
The EPA notes that such
industries may include:

16. Health care facilities, such as
hospitals, clinics, physician’s
offices, dental practices, blood
banks, and veterinary
hospitals/clinics, as well as medical
research facilities and laboratories.

17. Hospitals alone produce more
than 5 million tons of waste
each year, or about 30 pounds
of waste per bed each day.

18. In our experience, many
assisted living and
retirement facilities often
produce medical waste as
well.

19. But tattoo parlors and labs
can also produce waste that
falls in this category.

20. How is medical waste regulated?

21. Surprisingly, the federal
government does not
supply regulations for
proper red bag waste
disposal - the states do.

22. Individuals states often
require that you register as
a medical waste generator.

23. These are:
- Alabama
- California
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Maine
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New York - NYC
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania -
Philadelphia
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Washington
- West Virginia

24. Get in touch with your local
health department to find
out what regulations may
apply to you.

25. Why is proper medical waste
disposal important?

26. Proper disposal of any
medical waste containers is
absolutely critical.

27. 5.2 million people worldwide die
from conditions related to poor
medical waste - and this could
be completely eradicated with
proper procedures in place.

28. Do your part to ensure
that medical waste is
safely and effectively
disposed of.