Blood and Bodily Fluids

Health care facilities generate waste which is a potential health and safety hazard. This type of waste can be regulated and managed by various organizations. Blood and Bodily Fluids!

Blood and Bodily Fluids

History of medical waste management

Until today, medical waste management has developed in many ways. In the old days, medical institutions used to incinerate all forms of waste as one unit. This provoked severe health threats to the people. With the year 1986 coming, there was growing concern on the issues regarding the handling of infected waste from blood as well body fluids.

OSHA and CDC are one of those authorities who provided instructions on biowaste handling.

As per the bloodborne pathogens standard, regulated medical waste includes liquid or semi-liquid blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) . Increases aimed to limit the healthcare worker, patients and general public to the substances of harmful nature.

These days, safe disposal areas include biohazard waste bags and strict rules concerning the disposal of sharps are observed. When going through this development, one is faced with the fact of learning how to prevent the spread of infections and create safety within the medical setting.

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Who regulates medical waste? Blood and Bodily Fluids

Such medical waste has obligations imposed by various authorities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is involved in the safety measures by issuing strategies for the safe handling of biohazard waste.

Their standards do act to minimize the possibility of healthcare personnel coming in risky contact with infectious materials. The role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also very significant. Two other governing bodies with similar powers are also present.

States have legal mandates, which makes it a must for organizations to adhere to the laws governing the disposal of biomedical waste. Some basic and different states may exist in regard to the rules governing the dangers and management of hazardous waste.

Some physicians have had serious consequences from not being careful enough to protect their patients from peripheral venous access.

Treatment and disposal methods – Blood and Bodily Fluids

Medical waste refers to items that are soiled with blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials. These different types of waste need different treatment methods. Autoclaving is one of the treatment methods that is protective to the hospital staff; it entails using steam under pressure to sterilize infectious waste.

By breaking this cycle, infectious diseases do not develop and little of that material will get through the waste treatment and disinfection processes. There are guidelines on how some medical waste should be land filled after treatment to prevent chances of abuse.

Incineration is a preferred disposal method for some of the biological waste. Of all the methods available, this technique offers the least waste volume reduction while eliminating toxic agents. Blood and body liquid may go into the sanitary sewer system or sewage disposal system with safety measures in place.

Remove any leftover material from the sink afterwards for NHPI. The discipline of use to guidelines of services put on the risks of these processes to the health care workers and patients comes to the full precautions.