Biomedical waste is classified as a biohazard because of the disease that it might contain. Medical waste contains materials that have been contaminated by body fluids and may contain viruses, bacteria and even harmful drugs such as chemotherapy and radiation drugs. The importance of biomedical waste management should be high on any medical facility’s training and safety procedures.
Treatment of Biomedical Waste
When you ask yourself, “How is biomedical waste treated?” even someone with no training should realize that biomedical waste disposal is something not to be taken lightly. However, some medical facilities still dump the waste illegally. Medical facilities have separate bins for different types of waste, including sharps, materials that have been contaminated by body fluids and materials that have been contaminated by certain drugs.
This classification of biomedical waste helps tells the disposal companies how the waste should be treated. In some cases, it may be burned. Some biomedical waste must be disposed of in special septic systems. Regardless of the method of disposal, it must be neutralized before it is disposed of.
Biomedical Waste Effects
The effects of biomedical waste on environment and the effects of biomedical waste on human health are highly dangerous. Should animals get a hold of material contaminated with bacteria, it could be spread to humans. If someone illegally disposes of medical waste in a landfill, deadly microbes could get into the water supply and infect an entire community.
The Importance of Healthcare Waste Management
Medical facilities must separate their medical waste as different types of biomedical waste are treated differently. Sharps – anything that is sharp and may have come in contact with body fluids – have their own bins. Sharps may include needles, IVs, pieces of broken glass, scalpels and other sharp implements.
Materials that may be contaminated with chemotherapy and radiation drugs are also separated from other medical waste and have their own bins. Body fluids mixed with water and cleaning chemicals must be washed down special drains that drain into a segregated septic system or tank.
How to Dispose of Biomedical Waste
Because the health of patients is important to hospitals, they are tasked with proper disposal of biomedical waste. Having the proper bins for waste disposal is part of keeping patients safe from additional illnesses that they could contract while in the hospital. Hospital staff are responsible for putting the biomedical waste into the proper bins. This is only the first step in properly disposing of biomedical waste pursuant to state and federal guidelines.
Once the waste has been separated into proper bins, a medical waste company such as MedWaste Services picks up the waste. It transports the waste to its treatment facility and then properly treats the waste prior to disposing of it.
Medical Waste On The Environment
Improper waste management causes environmental problems and health hazards for humans and animals. Medical facilities should properly dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins and then contact a disposal company. The waste is properly neutralized before it is disposed of. Some of the waste is incinerated and other types are neutralized before being sent to a landfill.
Medical personnel could significantly reduce disease risk by ensuring that medical waste is placed into the proper bins and that the facility uses a reputable medical waste disposal company to pick up and treat the waste.
Contact Med Waste Services
Contact Med Waste Services to discuss the disposal of your medical waste. We will create a schedule so that your waste is picked up in a timely fashion and then properly disposed of. We will also discuss the cost of our service, which does not have any hidden fees.