Why don't facilities handle waste properly?

Appropriate disposal of waste is such a problem because:

• The staff who collect and dispose of medical waste, those who decide on the facility's budgets (such as government officials), and those who handle and dispose of trash once it leaves the facility (such as trash haulers or dump operators) are often unaware of the risks that medical waste poses.
• Many administrators and staff do not know or think about how waste is handled or where it goes--they just assume that waste is being disposed of in an appropriate manner.
• Health care facilities are often designed with little consideration for waste disposal.
• There may be a mistaken belief that fancy, expensive waste-disposal technology is necessary in order to dispose of waste properly. If this technology is unavailable or unaffordable, many people believe that little can be done to address the problem of waste disposal.

By educating staff, administrators, and the local community about the dangers of contaminated waste and by instituting low-cost, safe waste-disposal practices, all health facilities can minimize the risks associated with waste disposal.

CAUTION!
Always dispose of medical waste correctly; never simply throw it outside or leave it in an open pile.

©2004 EngenderHealth