When it comes to the healthcare industry, one thing that many may not consider is the amount of waste generated on a daily basis. On average, 3.5 million tons of medical waste are created every year, equating to around 29 to 42 pounds per patient, per day. In fact, the ‘healthcare facilities’ classification is ranked as the second-highest producer of waste in the country. So, what exactly makes up this large waste number?

The first thing to understand is that this classification includes anything from major hospitals to dentists to blood banks. So, alongside needles and scalpels, things like blood bags and controlled substances are also frequently seen in this medical waste. Alongside that, cleaning fluids, sterilants, and mercury is also prevalent in medical waste trashcans. Most importantly, a substantial amount of the medical waste generated is incredibly hazardous to individuals, if accidentally pricked, touched, or ingested in any form.

For this reason, safe handling of medical waste is important. Alongside proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), using containers that won’t be punctured and hand hygiene stations both reduces the risks of accidents and provides easy options if an emergency does come to pass. Moreover, once the waste has been handled, it should be given to a reputable medical waste disposal company to ensure it is properly disposed of to avoid becoming a hazard to anyone else. Ultimately, medical waste is bound to happen. To make sure it doesn’t become a problem, proper prevention steps and a good waste disposal company is key.

Source: Amergy Disposal