Techniques Used In Medical Waste Management

By Mark Foster


The effectiveness of the health sector is greatly influenced by how well various institutions involved dispose of their wastes. Proper waste disposal will enhance effective services delivery. Many establishments have forged different ways of controlling it. There are several techniques that have been invented to enhance proper Medical Waste Management as highlighted below.

Disinfecting of the wastes by the use of a chemical is the first method that can be used in managing medical refuse. Chemicals are well selected for disinfecting because not every chemical can be used for this purpose. Only a few debris too that may be managed through this technique. Animal and human debris have been found to be the most suited for this method. The refuse is transferred in a designated pit to make sure it does not cause more harm.

The other way of controlling such refuse is via encapsulating it in a special container. The container should have the resistance to easy puncturing. This is because this treatment is given to the sharp objects like used up syringes and needles. The objects are kept in that container and placed in a designated area as they wait being dumped in the major depositing spot.

The other method that has existed since ancient times is incineration. The incinerator helps in offering controlled combustion of medical refuse. There is advanced technology in the incinerators to reduce the hazardous nature of burning emissions into the atmosphere. The method helps in minimizing the mass of debris and their infectious state before they are taken to traditional methods.

Use of autoclaves is also a very common method used in hospitals. The wastes are put in a closed compartment with conditions like heat, pressure or steam. They are left to be there for a considerable span when they are washed off the microorganism. This makes some equipment to be returned to use surgical knives. The autoclave can also be used to burn staff that releases fewer gases into the atmosphere.

Another effective but uncommon way is vitrification. This method involves incorporating solid trash in the process of glass formation. Because the process involves high temperatures, it is able to kill pathogens and burn completely some garbage. The remains are closed up in a glass that allows low diffusion. This way, the waste will not get into the environment in large quantities and be deposited safely.

People have used microwaves for the treating of the medical refuse. The method is yet to gain popularity but it has been found to be effective. The waste has to be wet before being introduced into the microwave. This is to promote how effective the steam penetrates into all areas killing microorganisms. The refuse is also reduced into smaller masses that help in reducing the volume of the remaining debris to be deposited.

A landfill can be an ideal method to help in proper management of such wastes. Landfills will accommodate the already shredded trash and that has been decontaminated. Garbage that has not been passed through any treatment can also be taken there if any other method is unavailable. They can get excavated to avoid contaminating the soil and water.




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