Introduction to Disposal of Medical Waste
When you care for someone in the home, there is a good chance that you will come in contact with medical waste. If the person has an infection, the infection can pass to you if you touch the medical waste. Of course, you might not know if the person has an infection. So, you must always know how to handle, clean or throw away medical waste to protect yourself and anyone else who helps care for the person.
What is Medical Waste?.
Medical waste is any object or piece of equipment that carries infectious material, such as blood, urine, stool, drainage from a wound, and vomited food or liquid. Examples of medical waste include:
- Used syringes
- Used needles
- Soiled bandages
- Soiled bed linen or clothing
- Lancets used for finger sticks
- Blood and urine test strips
- Drainage tubing from wound drains
- Intravenous tubing
- Used Disposable Razors
- Dirty gloves
- Dirty tissue from nasal discharge
- Bed pans and urinals
This lesson will teach you the health risks from contacting medical waste and how to properly throw away items you use when caring for someone in the home.
Here is Cara’s Story:
If you care for someone in the home, be very careful how you throw away any dirty items, like a syringe or needle. I learned the hard way. I was giving my dad his insulin shot, and after giving the shot I stuck my finger with the dirty needle. I called my doctor and they told me to first wash my finger real well. I thought I did, but my finger started to bother me. So, I ended up going to the doctor and I had to take antibiotics for a week. Nothing else happened, but I learned to be careful how I throw away anything I use to take care of dad. I got information from the local city courthouse, so now I know the right way to dispose of needles and any other waste.