Infection Control for Healthcare Level 2 (VTQ)

55 videos, 2 hours and 36 minutes

Course Content

Waste Disposal

Video 40 of 55
1 min 54 sec
English
English
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It is important to always dispose of any type of waste correctly, as not doing so can not only get you into a lot of trouble, but it can also create a serious risk of infection to anyone who comes into contact with it.

You should not overfill any container, as this can result in potential injury, as the lid is closed. If bags are overfilled, they can easily burst. Plastic bags need to be sealed with a zip tie and on solid containers, they are secured closed.

Waste management planning is usually undertaken within the surgery in accordance with workplace policies and procedures and often it is down to the practice manager to ensure everything is done correctly.

All waste containers need to be both closed securely and labelled correctly.  Sharps boxes have a section on the box where you can write both dates and any other relevant information.  Bags can be labelled with a tag. The information which must be recorded on bags or boxes includes the address of the practice or surgery, the date the box was started, the date it was sealed and the name of the person who sealed it. The reason for this is so that the waste can be traced from source to incinerator and this is a requirement under the practice's duty of care.

A consignment note is created by the producer of the waste, and a copy of this is given to the waste carrier.  The waste is then taken by a registered or licensed carrier, to the incineration plant where it is disposed of correctly.

Returns are then sent at set periods from the incinerator to the practice, to show that the waste was received, whereby due diligence checks can be made to prove there are no errors.