23 November 2021
 Categories: , Blog

Biohazardous waste management is a very important part of hospital biohazard control. Biohazards are divided into two categories: bloodborne pathogens and other biohazards. Bloodborne pathogens refer to any human infectious agents transmitted by direct contact with an infected person's blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM). Biohazardous waste poses a serious threat to public health if it is not managed properly. Moreover, it poses severe environmental implications, necessitating effective management. As such, hospitals should take sufficient steps to ensure they dispose of biohazardous waste according to health and safety guidelines. Below are some ways hospitals can promote biohazardous waste management in their facilities.

Containing Spills and Splashes That May Cause Exposure to Biohazardous Waste

Bio-cleaning agents are often necessary to clean up spills or blood on walls and floors. Otherwise, chemicals can damage equipment or get into water supplies, leading to serious health consequences for both healthcare workers and patients. Any hospital employee who encounters a spill must follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines concerning cleanup procedures, including using personal protective equipment. Spills involving biohazardous waste must be reported immediately to initiate appropriate containment measures, such as the use of plastic sheeting or absorbent pads. Moreover, spills involving biohazardous waste must be cleaned up by employees wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce their exposure to toxins.

Educating Hospital Staff on Biohazardous Waste Management

A proper education program in biohazardous waste management is essential in reducing the risk of injury among hospital staff and patients. Moreover, regular training may also reduce overall liability risks, which can ultimately save money regarding insurance premiums. All staff must be trained to understand the dangers of improper procedures when handling and disposing of biohazardous waste. Hospitals should offer hands-on training programs and workshops to reinforce the staff's self-efficacy regarding handling biohazardous waste. For example, hospitals may coordinate with companies that offer biohazardous waste solutions to curate training programs specific to their facilities.

Reduction of Turnover Time for Waste Disposal

Unfortunately, piles of garbage are a common sight in some hospitals. Biohazardous waste is a safety risk; thus, it needs proper and timely disposal. However, hospital staff members are often busy with other tasks, so they end up neglecting proper biohazardous waste management. This leads to biohazardous waste accumulation in consultation rooms and patient wards, posing safety risks. As such, hospitals should acquire efficient biohazardous waste management solutions to reduce their disposal turnover time. For example, hospitals may partner with companies that offer medical equipment supplies to install sufficient biohazardous waste collection bins to meet the hospital's needs. Moreover, hospitals may outsource biohazardous waste management services for safe and efficient disposal.

Contact a company like Metro Detroit Medical Waste to learn more.