LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify medical waste sorting, packaging, handling, and disposal procedures.

Concern about potentially adverse effects of infectious waste on public health and the environment has gained widespread media attention. While scientific evidence shows that infectious waste is no greater threat to the environment or public health than residential solid waste, medical facilities are perceived to be a source of pollution. It is, therefore, imperative that a medical facility establish an effective plan for dealing with infectious waste. This plan should include the segregation, packing and handling, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of such debris. The management plan should establish recordkeeping systems and personnel training programs, and should incorporate the minimally acceptable management standards for Navy MTFs and DTFs (as contained in BUMEDINST 6280.1, Management of Infectious Waste).

INFECTIOUS WASTE
Infectious waste is liquid or solid waste containing pathogens in sufficient numbers and of sufficient virulence to cause infectious disease in susceptible hosts exposed to the waste. Several examples are:

sharps (needles, scalpel blades),

microbiology waste (cultures, stocks containing microbes),
pathological waste (human tissue, body parts),
liquid waste (blood, cerebrospinal fluid), and
medical waste from isolation rooms.

TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL METHODS FOR INFECTIOUS WASTE

Several steps should be used in the treatment and disposal of infectious waste. These steps include the identification of waste; segregation, sorting, packaging,

Table 2-2.-Treatment and Disposal Methods for Infectious Waste

handling, transporting, and treating of waste; and, finally, disposal of the waste. The treatment and disposal methods shown in table 2-2 are the minimally acceptable standards.

SUMMARY
This chapter has introduced you to many basic patient-care procedures and philosophies, such as patient rights and responsibilities, professional conduct, reporting and assessment procedures, patient education, and patient safety precautions. Additionally, you have learned about inpatient care and the various types of patients you will encounter as a Hospital Corpsman. Finally, you have been introduced to standard rules of hygiene, aseptic techniques, and the management of medical waste. Having a good grasp of these areas of patient care will give you a good base from which you can grow as a Hospital Corpsman.