Friday, 28 April 2017

Importance Of Medical Waste Management Henrico VA

By Christine Richardson


The health sector is one of the most sensitive industries which require high hygiene levels. Poor disposal of unwanted materials has been known for its impacts to human life and also to the environment with bacteria mutating everywhere in horrifying rates. This is a wake-up call for all health care facilities to take necessary measures to ensure that any unwanted desolate has been properly disposed. Just take a look at some of the importance of medical waste management Henrico VA.

The health sector deals with different types of unwanted materials day in day out. This may include used bandages, used needles, sharp objects among others. Disposing off these wastes in one bin can pose health risks. In any case of a disease breakout, this means that the health workers are at a high risk of contracting the disease. Eventually, the health center will lack practitioners to take care of the patients.

It is estimated that 16 billion injections are performed each year globally. Among these used needles and syringes, some of them end up being poorly disposed off, creating high chances of re-use, injury, and infections. Used needles are known to cause infectious diseases like hepatitis and HIV.

Improper disposal of unwanted materials does not necessarily mean that you are not disposing them off. A health facility may invest on dust bins, but its staffs may be careless and dispose off sharp objects in incorrect bins. This poses a health risk to some garbage collectors. Used needles and sharp objects can transmit diseases like hepatitis or HIV.

Garbage incineration is commonly practiced. However, as much as it can be a way of getting rid of these litters, not all materials are fit for the practice. When healthcare materials containing mercury and chlorine are incinerated, they produce furans and dioxins. These pollutants are human carcinogens which are linked with adverse health effects.

Studies have shown that incinerated medicinal materials which contain mercury and chlorine are a threat to human life. Waste management involves burning the proper materials thus reducing the risk of these carcinogenic effects to humans. This, in turn, helps promote a healthy community. Recycling is one of the ways to reduce environmental pollution through landfills. Though not all materials can be recycled, reduced landfill medical litters reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Alongside this, health facilities can also save money by recycling these products.

Regardless of whether the unwanted material is dealt with by another third party company or treated by the facility, disposing off all unwanted and used materials helps provide a good environment for everyone in the facility. One thing health centers do not understand is an inadequate waste disposal can cost them a lot of money and even face legal cases.

Creating a good conducive environment and managing the way garbage is disposed off is a responsibility for every medical facility. This includes all laboratories, clinic and hospitals, blood banks, veterinary, medical research centers, dental facilities and all physician offices. Failure to comply with the garbage management industry laws can jeopardize your business.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment