Best Practices for Safe Storage & Disposal

Just like hospitals, surgery centers and other healthcare facilities, dialysis centers are tasked with safe handling, storing and disposal of medical waste. In the process of treating patients with a variety of kidney disorders, these centers generate several kinds of waste that can be dangerous to staff, patients and visitors if managed improperly. Take a look:

Types of Medical Waste Generated at Dialysis Centers

Dialysis treatments for kidney patients create various types of medical waste. The process by which dialysis is performed involves filtering the patient’s blood through various methods. The procedures used during treatments require healthcare staff to work closely with blood, blood products, sharps and other materials that can pose a risk of injury, illness and exposure to dangerous pathogens. The different categories of waste from dialysis include:

• Sharps & Needles
• IV Tubing
• Blood
• Bodily fluids
• PPE
• Pharmaceutical

Proper Storage & Disposal is Key

In addition to ensuring compliance with local and federal mandates, dialysis centers must protect their staff, visitors and the community by properly storing and disposing of all medical waste.

Sharps waste must be stored in an approved, secure container that has a locking lid. Sharps containers must never be overfilled and must be picked up for disposal on a regular basis.

Biohazardous waste, sometimes referred to as red bag waste, includes any items contaminated with blood, blood products or bodily fluids. These items must be collected and stored in approved biohazardous waste containers. Biohazardous waste containers must be spill and leak-proof and prevent cross contamination from occurring.

Pharmaceutical waste can cause illness or even death if improperly stored or disposed of. Expired, contaminated or unused medications from dialysis centers should be stored in a tamper-proof, spill-proof, secure container.

The key to safe and secure medical waste disposal from dialysis centers is not only having the proper containers, but also ensuring the center is on a regular pick-up schedule from a licensed and reputable medical waste disposal provider.

All Points Medical Waste is a family-owned and operated medical waste disposal company located in Stuart, Florida. We serve dialysis centers, hospitals, clinics, physician and dental offices, veterinarians and other healthcare facilities throughout South Florida. Give us a call today or complete the form on this page to get a quick quote or learn more.