Main Types of Medical Waste
4/13/2021
One way of maintaining safety in a hospital or medical facility is ensuring that patients are not exposed to potentially dangerous medical waste. Medical waste causes harm to humans and pollutes the environment.
Therefore, there is a need to have a proper waste management system. For this system to be successful, you need to know the different types of medical waste generated in medical facilities so that you can handle each type appropriately. Here are the four major types of medical waste.
1. General waste
This type of waste is similar to the waste generated in your household. It includes plastics, papers, and other types of office waste. It does not require specialized handling as it can be taken to landfills or disposed of regularly.
2. Infectious waste
Infectious waste comprises waste materials that can cause infections in humans. It includes surgical waste, sharp materials, blood, cultures, swabs, and other contaminated bodily fluids. Therefore, it requires specialized handling, storage, and disposal.
3. Hazardous Waste
This refers to dangerous waste, although it is not always infectious. It includes chemicals, aerosol containers, and pharmaceutical materials. Although it may not be infectious to humans, it is harmful to the environment.
4. Radioactive Waste
This type of waste contains radioactive materials. It is generated from radioactive processes such as nuclear medical treatments and cancer therapies. It requires special handling and disposal because it is harmful to humans and the environment.
Final Thoughts
Having a proper waste management system in a medical facility is important to ensure patients' safety. Therefore, you need to know more about the major types of medical waste so that you can handle each type appropriately.
Therefore, there is a need to have a proper waste management system. For this system to be successful, you need to know the different types of medical waste generated in medical facilities so that you can handle each type appropriately. Here are the four major types of medical waste.
1. General waste
This type of waste is similar to the waste generated in your household. It includes plastics, papers, and other types of office waste. It does not require specialized handling as it can be taken to landfills or disposed of regularly.
2. Infectious waste
Infectious waste comprises waste materials that can cause infections in humans. It includes surgical waste, sharp materials, blood, cultures, swabs, and other contaminated bodily fluids. Therefore, it requires specialized handling, storage, and disposal.
3. Hazardous Waste
This refers to dangerous waste, although it is not always infectious. It includes chemicals, aerosol containers, and pharmaceutical materials. Although it may not be infectious to humans, it is harmful to the environment.
4. Radioactive Waste
This type of waste contains radioactive materials. It is generated from radioactive processes such as nuclear medical treatments and cancer therapies. It requires special handling and disposal because it is harmful to humans and the environment.
Final Thoughts
Having a proper waste management system in a medical facility is important to ensure patients' safety. Therefore, you need to know more about the major types of medical waste so that you can handle each type appropriately.