Are Sharp Medical Waste Regulated?
9/5/2022
Sharp medical waste is basically waste that can cut or pierce the skin. Needles, lancets, wires, broken glass, syringes with needles, scalpels, staples, etc. all belong to the sharps waste category.
What is regulated medical waste?
Regulated medical waste (RMW) is healthcare-related waste that, when not handled properly, can potentially spread disease. Some diseases that can be spread through improperly handling RMW include TB, Ebola, and Hepatitis.
Because of the danger that sharp medical waste poses, they are constantly regulated to avoid harming other people. They are also treated differently from other categories of RMW.
A sharps container is the safest way to dispose of sharps medical waste. They are made either of plastic that’s resistant to puncture or metal with sides that are resistant to look. They also have a lid that’s tight-fitting and can resist any puncture with an opening that’s enough for depositing sharps waste but not enough to fit an entire hand.
• Needles
• Dental anesthetic carpules that have residual blood
• Scalpels
• Sutures, wires, and dental files
Take note that only sharp medical waste goes into the sharps container. Other medical wastes such as blood-soaked items, pharmaceuticals and pathological specimens should have their own separate type of containment.
Conclusion
Sharp medical waste isn’t exempt from regulations because of the danger they pose. There are different governmental agencies that are responsible for handling the different categories of medical waste. In this case, the FDA oversees the regulation of sharp medical waste.
It’s important to comply with the regulations set to make sure that these medical wastes do not cause further harm.
What is regulated medical waste?
Regulated medical waste (RMW) is healthcare-related waste that, when not handled properly, can potentially spread disease. Some diseases that can be spread through improperly handling RMW include TB, Ebola, and Hepatitis.
Because of the danger that sharp medical waste poses, they are constantly regulated to avoid harming other people. They are also treated differently from other categories of RMW.
What is the sharps container?
Items that go into this container include:
• Dental anesthetic carpules that have residual blood
• Scalpels
• Sutures, wires, and dental files
Take note that only sharp medical waste goes into the sharps container. Other medical wastes such as blood-soaked items, pharmaceuticals and pathological specimens should have their own separate type of containment.
Conclusion
Sharp medical waste isn’t exempt from regulations because of the danger they pose. There are different governmental agencies that are responsible for handling the different categories of medical waste. In this case, the FDA oversees the regulation of sharp medical waste.
It’s important to comply with the regulations set to make sure that these medical wastes do not cause further harm.