Sharpsmart has created first-class solutions to manage clinical waste disposal with methods that optimise safety and drive waste volume and cost reductions.
After identifying what clinical waste is, it's crucial to know that stringent regulations govern its collection, transport and disposal. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare, Sharpsmart has the solutions, licensing and compliance expertise to protect the safety risk exposure and regulatory responsibilities of healthcare facilities in the total management of clinical waste.
Sharpsmart puts safety first when developing our waste management plans, which is why our clinical waste services aim to provide disposal of clinical waste at the point-of-use. By providing point-of-use disposal, the risk of infection transfer is minimised while waste segregation is optimised.
Request a quote or contact us for more details about our clinical waste management process.
Ensuring safe clinical waste collection, disposal, and management is a critical component of infection control and prevention within healthcare facilities. Compliance with these protocols not only ensures public safety but also minimises the environmental impact of clinical waste, which can be significant if not managed properly.
Here are detailed steps detailing how to dispose of clinical waste:
It is essential to correctly identify the type of clinical waste at the point of generation. This classification of waste involves using colour-coded bins or sacks to segregate waste according to its hazardous properties. Such segregation is crucial as it determines the appropriate treatment and disposal method required.
Place all identified clinical waste into designated containers that are built to contain and secure this type of waste safely. Sharpsmart offers a range of containers, such as sharps containers for needles and other sharps waste, and Clinismart units for other clinical waste types. These containers are designed to minimise the risk of spillage and exposure during the storage and transportation phases. We also cater to bagged waste streams with our space-efficient Bag to Bed System.
Regularly scheduled pickups by certified waste contractors that specialise in handling clinical waste. These services are equipped to deal with various types of clinical waste, ensuring that it is transported and treated according to legal and safety standards. This step is vital for safeguarding public health, as well as complying with regulations on a local and national level.
Wondering what happens to clinical waste? Depending on its categorisation, clinical waste may undergo different treatments:
Waste that poses the highest danger to public health or the environment requires treatment through high-temperature incineration at an authorised facility. This method effectively neutralises harmful pathogens and chemicals, reducing the risk of any adverse environmental impact.
Clinical waste that poses a lesser risk can be treated using methods such as sterilisation. This alternative treatment is adequate for waste derived from patients with known infection
s but categorised as lower risk. Sterilisation helps in safely repurposing or disposing of the waste without the environmental impact associated with incineration.
It's important to consider the environmental implications of clinical waste disposal. Waste that cannot be recycled or repurposed typically ends up in controlled landfill sites. However, with effective segregation and treatment, the amount of waste sent to landfills can be significantly reduced, minimising the overall environmental footprint.
Treatment and disposal of all sharps and clinical waste streams including Category A waste (e.g. Ebola waste)
Drive up to 50% reduction in clinical waste volumes through our innovative Bag-to-Bedside system, waste audits and online Verify waste categorisation tool
Our clinically engineered containers are designed with air-lock seals that minimise odours and prevent leaking, spillage and cross-contamination.
Our mobile cart and foot pedal operated accessories enable point-of-generation waste disposal, improving segregation outcomes and minimising occupational risks.
Through reusable containers, effective waste diversion, energy-efficiency transport and washing technologies, and green treatment methods, we can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint.
We don't take risks with patient and staff safety, all Sharpsmart solutions deliver the highest standards of staff safety, environmental and regulatory compliance. Your staff are protected.
