How to Properly Remove Biohazardous Waste Safely and Within Compliance

Proper disposal of biohazardous waste is vital in hospitals to ensure the safety of patients, healthcare staff and the environment. The dangers of mishandling this type of waste include contamination, spread of infections and non-compliance with regulatory standards, which can lead to lofty penalties.

What Types of Waste are Considered Biohazardous?

Biohazardous waste includes any waste item that can contain infectious pathogens or hazardous biological materials. These materials pose risks to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly.

Examples of biohazardous waste include:

• Blood and blood products: Any items contaminated with blood or blood components, such as gauze, bandages or IV tubing
• Body fluids: Contaminated materials with fluids like urine, cerebrospinal fluid or amniotic fluid
• Pathological waste: Human tissues, organs and body parts removed during surgery or a biopsy
• Sharps: Items including needles, scalpels and broken glass that can puncture the skin and carry infectious agents
• Microbiological waste: Specimens from lab cultures, swabs or petri dishes used in testing
• Personal protective equipment (PPE): Gloves, masks, gowns and other items used by healthcare workers that have been exposed to infectious agents

What Types of Biohazardous Waste Are Found in Patient Rooms

In hospital patient rooms, biohazardous waste can include various types of materials. It is crucial to identify and categorize them correctly to ensure safe removal.

Sharps Waste:

This type of waste includes the following:

• • Needles, syringes and lancets used for blood draws, medication administration, or testing
  • Razor blades and scalpels used in minor procedures
  • Broken glass from vials or laboratory equipment

Solid Biohazardous Waste:

This type of waste includes the following:

• • Contaminated gauze, bandages and wound dressings
  • Disposable bedding or towels soiled with blood or bodily fluids
  • Non-sharp disposable instruments

Liquid Biohazardous Waste:

This type of waste includes the following:

• • Blood and blood-soaked items
  • Fluid-filled containers such as catheter bags, chest tubes or suction canisters
  • Waste from bodily fluids collected during medical procedures

Pathological Waste:

This type of waste includes the following:

• • Human tissues or organs from surgical procedures
  • Biopsy materials or amputated limbs

Contaminated PPE:

This type of waste includes the following:

• • Gloves, gowns, masks, and face shields that have come into contact with infectious materials.

Compliance for Biohazardous Waste Disposal

Hospitals must adhere to local, state and federal regulations when disposing of biohazardous waste. These mandates are enforced by several agencies, including:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires very specific protocols for handling and disposing of biohazardous materials in healthcare facilities. This includes the use of labeled, leak-proof containers and color-coded bags for waste disposal.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The EPA regulates medical waste disposal under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which provides guidelines for the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste.

State and Local Regulations

Different states and municipalities may have additional regulations concerning the disposal of medical waste. Hospitals are responsible for ensuring compliance with their local mandates.

The Department of Transportation (DOT)

Any medical waste that is transported off site must comply with DOT regulations to prevent exposure and contamination during transit.

Steps to Remove Biohazardous Waste Safely

Hospital staff must take specific steps to remove biohazardous waste when cleaning patient rooms.

1. Segregate Waste Properly

Step one in handling biohazardous waste is to segregate it from other types of waste. Staff must use clearly marked and color-coded containers to categorize waste and separate sharps, liquid, solid and pathological waste. Industry approved red bags or bins should be used.

2. Proper Handling of Sharps

The next step is to ensure all sharps waste, including needles and scalpels, must be placed in puncture-resistant sharps containers immediately after use. These containers should be located close to the point of use to minimize handling and reduce the risk of needle-stick injuries.

3. Proper Disposal of Solid Waste

All solid biohazardous waste, including contaminated dressings and gauze, should be placed in leak-proof red bags or containers. These containers must be sealed tightly to prevent any leaks or spills.

4. Management of Liquid Waste

All liquid biohazardous waste must be placed in clearly labeled leak-proof, locked containers. The waste should be stored in areas that are specifically reserved to reduce the risk of contamination or spills.

5. Safe Disposal of Pathological Waste

Pathological waste, including human tissues, must be double-bagged in leak-proof containers and stored safely until picked up by a professional medical waste disposal company.

6. Use of Personal Protective Equipment

All staff members that deal with biohazardous waste must wear the appropriate PPE, including gloves, gowns and face masks to minimize exposure risks. They must also dispose of contaminated PPE as biohazardous waste.

Compliance is Key

Biohazardous waste disposal regulations are put in place to protect patients, staff and visitors, as well as the environment. These mandates are a legal requirement. Improper disposal can lead to:

• Spread of infections: Improper handling of biohazardous waste can expose patients and staff to dangerous pathogens and lead to the spread of infections.
• Legal consequences: Hospitals and any medical facility that fails to comply with regulations can be fined or suffer violations and legal actions. Non-compliance can also result in loss of licenses.
• Environmental Dangers: Improper disposal can contaminate water supplies, harm wildlife and cause other environmental issues.

All Points Medical Waste serves hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the state of Florida. We can assist you in ensuring safe and proper disposal of biohazardous waste in your facility. Give us a call today or complete the form on this page to get more information.