Clinical Waste Management

Overview of Clinical Waste Regulations

Clinical waste regulations encompass several crucial aspects including segregation, storage, disposal, and documentation:

• Segregation: Ensuring proper separation of different types of waste.
• Storage: Safe storage practices to prevent contamination.
• Disposal: Proper methods for disposing of various types of clinical waste.
• Documentation: Keeping accurate records and information related to waste management.

Colour Coding Scheme for Clinical Waste

The Department of Health provides guidelines using a colour-coded system for identifying different types of clinical waste:

• Purple: Used for cytotoxic or cytostatic contaminated waste, disposed of by incineration.
• Red: Designates anatomical waste also disposed of by incineration, includes body parts and blood products.
• Yellow: Indicates clinical or highly infectious waste, disposed of by incineration, includes dressings, gloves, and contaminated garments.
• Blue: For medical non-hazardous waste, such as expired medicines, also incinerated.
• Orange: Used for infectious waste from patients with known or suspected infections, treated to render safe or incinerated.
• Yellow and Black: Non-hazardous, non-infectious hygiene waste, disposed of in deep landfill or incinerated.
• Black, Clear, or Opaque: Mixed municipal or household waste, disposed of in landfill.

Specialised Waste in Dentistry

In dental settings, specific containers are used for handling dental waste:

• White with Red Lid: For dental amalgam and mercury waste, recovered or recycled.
• White with Skull and Crossbones: Contains dental amalgam and mercury waste for recovery, includes old fillings and capsules.

Proper Procedures and Awareness

It's essential for healthcare staff to:

• Know which receptacles to use for different types of waste.
• Adhere to specific procedures and guidelines for safe handling and disposal.