Clinical Waste Disposal

Question 1

What are the principles of waste management? (4)

Answer 1

• Waste producer is responsible for ensuring waste can be safely disposed of by others in the disposal system
• Waste must be segregated at the point of disposal
• Clinical waste must be incinerated
• Non-clinical waste disposed of by landfill at local refuse tips

Question 2

What are the common types of waste? (3)

Answer 2

• Clinical waste
• Non-clinical dangerous waste
• Domestic waste

Question 3

What is domestic waste? (1)

Answer 3

Domestic waste is waste generated in routine non-clinical work of the med centre and non-clinical items discarded by patients e.g. newspapers, flowers, office waste, paper hand towels

Question 4

Describe the process for domestic waste disposal (4)

Answer 4

• Only placed in black waste bags
• Must not be mixed with clinical waste
• Secured at 3/4 full to prevent spilling during transit
• Removed to a recognised waste disposal area as frequently as possible

Question 5

What is non-clinical dangerous waste? (1)

Answer 5

Non-clinical dangerous waste is waste from a non-clinical source that may present injury to those disposing of it e.g. glass, aerosols and tins

Question 6

Describe the process for non-clinical dangerous waste disposal (3)

Answer 6

• Use rigid cardboard boxes
• Or use stout brown paper sacks
• Ensure all aerosols are empty

Question 7

What is clinical waste? (1)

Answer 7

Clinical waste is waste generated from the treatment or nursing care of patients including soiled dressings, material from patients with infectious diseases, blood, bodily fluids and their containers

Question 8

Describe the process for clinical waste disposal (11)

Answer 8

For YELLOW BAGS,
- they should be held in place by a rigid foot operated bin whilst in use
- securely stored pending collection and disposal by an accredited waste disposal contractor
- always wear gloves
- removed from clinical areas as frequently as possible
- they should be secured at 3/4 to prevent spilling
- labelled with med centre name, location and date
- closed using ‘swan neck’ technique

For SHARPS,
- disposed of at point of care
- appropriately filled
- marked with date and initial
- correct height