There is set guidance for segregating waste depending on the hazards it presents. One of these hazards is a risk of infection, which is influenced by patient health. What makes patient waste hazardous? For a waste item to be...
Keeping your dental practice clean and efficient is crucial, and that includes managing the disposal of old or redundant equipment. As we enter late spring, it’s a great time to review your storage areas and address any outdated items...
Laboratories must safely discard products every day. Waste management is a predictable part of laboratory workflows, and so it’s possible to optimise the daily routine by placing containers at points of use. There are several advantages of conveniently placed...
Tooth extractions are needed for various reasons in dental care, but make no mistake, they aren’t anatomical waste. At least, teeth don’t need to be discarded as anatomical waste in the same way that other soft and hard tissues...
Every busy healthcare practice juggles countless priorities. Patients need attention, staff require training, and regulations must be followed. In the hustle, a pre-acceptance waste audit might seem like just another task to tick off. But imagine discovering your clinic’s...
Going green is important to many laboratories, but making waste workflows environmentally friendly may not be simple. Laboratories in university and medical environments have been described as “the last frontier” for environmental attitudes, and many may assume that laboratory...
Offensive and clinical waste in healthcare waste management must be separated to minimise the risks of personal harm and negative environmental impact. In Health Technical Memorandum 07-01, the clinical waste colour code delegates highly infectious material to yellow containers,...
Two years ago, NHS England unveiled the NHS clinical waste strategy. It aimed to improve waste management practices amongst primary care providers to achieve the following: Healthcare professionals can look at the strategy to help formulate plans within their...
Medical waste disposal is critical in healthcare settings, as improper handling can lead to severe and wide-ranging consequences. It’s essential for professionals to not only recognise what constitutes medical waste but also to appreciate the implications of failing to...
The black and yellow offensive waste stream, also known as the tiger stripe, is for non-hazardous and non-infectious waste that may still be unpleasant to deal with because of its odour or appearance. Examples of this type of waste...