Proper handling of medical waste is not only the law, locally and federally, it protects employees and others from becoming contaminated by infectious pathogens (bacterium, virus or other microorganisms), causing serious illness and diseases.
Infectious waste may contain various pathogenic microorganisms, which can enter the body through various modes; this includes:
• through a puncture, abrasion or cut in the skin
• through the mucous membranes
• by inhalation
• by ingestion
The World Health Organization, Table 3.1, lists examples of infections that can be caused due to improper medical waste disposal and the ways these infections are transported:
Gastroenteric infections: Spread through feces and/or vomit
Respiratory infections: Inhaled secretions, saliva
Ocular infections: Eye secretions
Genital infections: Genital secretions
Skin infections: Pus
Anthrax: Skin secretions
Meningitis: Cerebrospinal fluid
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): Blood, sexual secretions
Hemorrhagic fevers: All bloody products and secretions
Septicemia: Blood
Bacteremia: Blood
Candidemia: Blood
Viral hepatitis A: Feces
Viral hepatitis B and C: Blood and body fluids
People and professions most at risk include:
medical doctors, nurses, auxiliaries and hospital maintenance
patients in health-care establishments or receiving home care
visitors to health-care establishments
workers in health-care support services, such as laundries, waste handling and transportation
workers in waste disposal facilities (such as landfills or incinerators)
Safe handling and proper disposal of medical waste is the only way to eliminate the risk of exposure to healthcare related wastes, preventing illness and disease.
What is your plan to ensure safe handling and proper disposal of medical waste? San Diego Medical Waste can help: info@sdmedwaste.com or 619-990-4604. San Diego Medical Waste has all your professional, medical waste needs.