Medical Waste Handling Safety
Medical facilities require expert waste handling safety. Hospital departments from the laboratory to radiology each have unique medical waste requirements that demand delicate, appropriate disposal in order to not cause harm to staff and patients. Primary forms of medical waste are categorized by microbiological material, sharp implements, blood and bodily fluids, and various tissue. Safety precaution levels vary depending on each form of surgical/hospital waste. Here are the guidelines for handling each specific type of medical waste: 1. Chemotherapy agents Surgical centers, hospitals and cancer treatment facilities each manage chemotherapy agents. Such drugs are used to directly suppress and fight Cancer. There are over 100 different kinds of chemo agent formulas. Chemo drugs work by using alkylating agents to attack growing cells while at rest, in order to prevent cancerous growth. Examples of alkylating agents include poisonous metal salts and even derivatives of mustard gas. Proper disposal of chemotherapy agents is paramount. Medical professionals handle these agents by using full personal protective gear including a mask, gloves, and gown, and perform proper disposal techniques by always using color-coded, seal-ready containers, leaving medicines un-crushed, and promoting proper transportation of the waste. 2. Sharps waste disposal When you think of “sharps”, it’s needles that come to mind.