This blog post is a brief medical waste guide to explain what is considered medical waste and what isn’t. It also touches on how medical waste can be disposed of safely and responsibly.
Did you know that of the total amount of waste generated by health-care related activities, about 85% is general, non-hazardous waste – similar to domestic waste? The remaining 15% is considered hazardous material that may be infectious, chemical, or even radioactive.
Initial is not able to dispose of radioactive health-care risk waste (or medical waste). However, we are able to assist our customers with the safe and responsible disposal of infectious waste, sharps, and pharmaceutical waste. Read our blog on understanding health-care waste terminology to really understand the distinctions.
The infographic below explains what falls into these categories of medical waste:
The major sources of health-care risk waste are:
- hospitals and other health facilities
- laboratories and research centres (Read more about medical food waste and contaminated food waste here)
- mortuary and autopsy centres
- animal research and testing laboratories
- blood banks and collection services
- nursing homes for the elderly
All of these facilities should therefore have medical waste disposal solutions in place. This ensures that employees, patients and residents are protected. If after reading this far you’re still wondering whether your business needs a medical waste disposal service, find out if you need a medical waste disposal service.
Health risks
Health-care risk waste contains potentially harmful micro-organisms that can infect hospital patients and health workers.
Other potential hazards may include drug-resistant micro-organisms spreading from health facilities into the environment. There are also risks of sharps-inflicted injuries. Additionally, toxic exposure can occur to pharmaceutical products like antibiotics and cytotoxic drugs released into the environment.
Environmental risks
The handling and disposal of healthcare waste can indirectly endanger public health by releasing pathogens and toxic pollutants into the environment.
Improper disposal of healthcare waste in landfills can contaminate drinking water, surface water, and groundwater, especially when the landfills lack proper construction and management.
This is why it is so important to make sure that you have a reputable, registered waste carrier to handle your medical waste. Here are 4 very important questions you should be asking your medical waste service provider.
Medical waste disposal services
The safe management of all medical waste is vital, including its separation, storage, and disposal. This reduces potential risks to both humans and the environment, while also fulfilling legal obligations.
Good waste disposal services are designed to assist in effectively managing medical waste and ensuring full compliance with current legislation. Medical waste units must be regularly exchanged with meticulously cleaned replacements or entirely replaced as needed. The quantity of units and the frequency of service can be adjusted to accommodate individual requirements.
Where to find medical waste disposal services
Initial believes in making compliance with legislation as easy as possible. You should focus on what you do best – delivering exceptional healthcare to your patients. Throughout South Africa, healthcare facilities place their trust in us to provide an efficient and reliable medical waste management service.
Initial is a registered infectious waste carrier. We are able to provide all the relevant waste tracking documentation to put your mind at ease. Our commitment to our customers and our colleagues ensures that we collect, handle and dispose of your healthcare risk waste in the safest manner available. Contact Initial today for more information.
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