Healthcare Waste: Difference between revisions

[[Healthcare Waste]] is waste produced during human or animal healthcare, or related research activity, and covers both '''Clinical Waste''' and '''Offensive Waste''' as defined in the [[Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012]] <ref>[https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-waste-appropriate-measures-for-permitted-facilities/definition-of-healthcare-waste Definition of Healthcare Waste]</ref> and requires specific management measures. Healthcare Waste containing radioactive materials requirements compliance with specific guidance<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/radioactive-substances-regulation-for-non-nuclear-sites The Radioactive Substances Regulation Guidance]</ref>.

==Management of Healthcare Waste==

The management of Healthcare Wastes is set out in '''Healthcare Technical Memorandum 07-01 - Safe Management of Healthcare Waste'''<ref name=''Tech1''>[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/167976/HTM_07-01_Final.pdf Link to pdf document]</ref> Which replaced the Safe Management of Healthcare Waste in 2013 <ref>Published in 2006, this removed the clinical waste classification system categorising into 5 types; A to E</ref>. Management of Healthcare Waste for regulated facilities with an environmental permit is the subject of guidance issued in June 2020 <ref>[https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-waste-appropriate-measures-for-permitted-facilities Healthcare Waste:Appropriate Measures for Permitted Facilities]</ref> by the [[EA]] which sets out appropriate measures in the following sections: 

 

* Definition of Healthcare Waste (as set out in the table below)

 

The types of [[Healthcare Waste]] are grouped and designated by packaging colour set out in the table below (can be bag colour or lid colour)<ref>[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f05a7fae90e0712d0206e88/Types_of_healthcare_waste_table.pdf Types of Healthcare Waste]</ref> <ref name =''Tech1''/>:

==Treatment of Healthcare Waste==

With regard to the table above, it can be seen that there are options for '''incineration''' and '''alternative treatment'''. With regard to any treatment process, it must demonstrate that Healthcare Waste is 'rendered safe'. 'Rendered safe' means:

* demonstrates the ability to reduce the number of infectious organisms present in the waste to a level at which no additional precautions are needed to protect workers or the public against infection from the waste;

* renders all '''Clinical Waste''' (including any equipment and sharps) unusable and unrecognisable as '''Clinical Waste''';

* destroys the component chemicals of chemical or medicinal and medicinally-contaminated waste.  

 

* [[Dry Heat]]

* [[Physical/Mechanical Treatment]]