Biomedical Waste Management - Classification, Segregation, and Disposal

Introduction

Biomedical waste is the waste generated by humans and animals during the diagnosis, treatment, immunization, or during any other activities carried out in hospitals or during research activities.

How is Biomedical Waste Classified?

Biomedical waste is classified as

1. Non-hazardous waste.

2. Hazardous waste.

3. Infectious wastes - Sharps and non-sharps, liquid wastes, and plastic waste.

4. Other wastes - Radioactive waste, cytotoxic waste, chemical waste, discarded waste, incinerator waste, and pressurized waste.

What Are the Steps for Waste Management?

The steps for waste management are as follows:

1. Segregation.

2. Collection and storage.

3. Transportation.

4. Treatment and disposal.

What Are the Categories of Biomedical Waste Management?

The categories of biomedical waste management include

What Are the Sources of Biomedical Waste?

The sources of biomedical waste include

• Hospital waste.

• Clinics.

• Blood banks.

• Nursing homes.

• Medical laboratories.

• Animal houses.

• Mortuaries.

• Medical research and training centers.

• Biotechnology institution.

• Waste can also be generated from home if home health is provided to the patient.

What Are Different Color Codes for Waste Categories?

What Are the Methods of Transportation and Storage of Biomedical Waste?

• Temporarily, the waste is stored in the central storage area of the hospital, and from there, it can be transferred to the final disposal site in bulk. It can be transferred once or twice during the day, depending on the quantity of the waste.

• Ensure that the containers and plastic bags are properly sealed and labeled.

• The bags should not be filled.

• One bag at a time should be lifted.

• Minimize manual handling of the bags to reduce needle prick injury and infection. Sharps can be stored in a sharps container which can prevent sharps from harming the waste bag.

• Biomedical waste should be kept only in specific storage areas.

• Clean the container as well as the lid with disinfectant properly after the removal of the bag.

• Waste bags and containers should be removed daily from the wards.

• The waste bags should be transferred in covered wheeled containers or large bins covered with trolleys.

• Biomedical waste should not be stored for more than 48 hours.

How is Biomedical Waste Disposed of?

• The biomedical waste is carried through a closed motor vehicle or truck as it prevents spillage of waste on the way.

• The vehicles in which biomedical waste is carried must have a “ Bio-Hazard” symbol, which should not be used for any other purpose.

What is the Method of Biomedical Waste Disposal?

The methods of biomedical waste disposal are

1. Deep Burial - Category 1 and 2 only, in cities with fewer than 0.5 million.

2. Autoclave and Microwaving - Category 3, 4, and 7.

3. Shredding - The plastic and sharps should be shredded only after chemical treatment, microwaving, and autoclaving.

4. Land Disposal - Secured landfill disposal and open dumps.

5. Incineration - It is an oxidation process that reduces organic and combustible waste to inorganic incombustible matter. Categories 1, 2, 3, and 5 can be incinerated.

What Are the Safety Measures Taken During Biomedical Waste Management?

• The generators of biomedical waste should adopt proper precautions and safety measures while handling biomedical waste.

• All the staff, nurses, and workers should be protected by vaccination against tetanus, and hepatitis B.

• Personal protective equipment should be worn.

• Drivers, collectors, and other handlers should be aware of the risk of waste.

• All medical professionals should be made aware of biomedical waste.

What Measure Can Be Taken for Waste Minimization?

• Selection of non-PVC plastic items.

• A sound and effective cycling policy should be established.

• Procedures and policies should be adopted in such a way that it will help to plan waste management accordingly.

• Make use of reusable items that are made of glass and metals.

• Every hospital should have a hospital waste management committee.

• Training should be conducted to plan the measures that can be taken.

• Every hospital should have a well-planned training and awareness program for all categories of personnel.

Conclusion

For effective disposal of biomedical waste, there should be collective teamwork with government support, dedicated healthcare workers, healthcare facilities, finance, and infrastructure development.