When Do Hospitals Store Infectious Medical Waste

Infectious medical waste might not be a familiar topic for many of us, especially if you don't work in a healthcare facility environment. However, knowing a little bit more about the subject can be beneficial because it can save you from getting into contact with infectious materials.

In this article, we will go over what infectious medical waste is and why it is important for hospitals and medical facilities to take good care of it.

What Is Infectious Medical Waste Storage?

Infectious medical waste storage is a procedure that takes place before the disposal process. The procedure starts with segregation, which involves categorizing waste materials into different categories.

Infectious waste materials are separated from other objects such as pharmaceuticals and regular garbage. After the segregation process, these waste materials will be stored in a specific container until the disposal process starts.

What Comes After Infectious Medical Waste Storage?

Hospitals usually use these two techniques to get rid of infectious waste materials: autoclave and incineration. The first method is often used to process sharps and it involves treating the objects with high temperature to effectively kill the harmful microorganisms.

The second method, on the other hand, requires burning infectious materials in a specialized and controlled environment. Advanced medical facilities usually have on-site incineration equipment, which takes away the need for infectious medical waste transporting.

The Takeaway

The infectious medical waste category covers a wide range of objects, including bandages, needles, and other medical supplies that come into contact with bodily fluids. An average Joe might see them as harmless things, but they actually require special treatment so that they don't risk spreading infectious diseases.