CLINICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT Podiatry Damian Murray 1
Clinical Waste a podiatrists perspective What is clinical waste? What types of clinical waste do podiatrists produce? How do we dispose of clinical waste? Why should we segregate our clinical waste? What is the best practice to manage podiatry waste? - for the clinic / practice podiatrist - for the domiciliary podiatrist - for the NHS podiatrist Podiatry waste audit what to expect. Questions 2
What is clinical waste? Clinical waste as defined in the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992 is any waste which consists wholly or partly of: human or animal tissue; blood or bodily fluids; excretions; drugs or other pharmaceutical products; swabs or dressings; or; syringes, needles or other sharp instruments; which unless rendered safe may prove hazardous to any person coming into contact with it. And, any other waste arising from medical, nursing, dental, veterinary, pharmaceutical or similar practice, investigation, treatment, care teaching or research, being waste which may cause infection to any person coming into contact with it. 3
What types of clinical waste do podiatrists produce? infectious Skin Nails Blood Gloves & Couch Roll Swabs & Dressings Blades Syringes & Needles Pharmaceutical Products noninfectious 4
How do we dispose of clinical waste? 5
Why Segregate Clinical Waste? 6
Best Practice to Manage Podiatry Waste Clinic / Practice Podiatrist <1-13 Weeks <1-4 Weeks < 12 Months < 12 Months Take a full medical history to identify possible waste stream. Use couch roll or debris tray to isolate foot debris / dressings etc. for waste segregation. All offensive soft waste can be disposed of in tiger bag (yellow bag / black stripe). All hazardous soft waste must be disposed of in a yellow or orange bag marked clinical waste. Record the waste stream on patients notes. When ¾ full seal the waste bags and store in a lockable cupboard / external bin. Arrange for removal by a licensed clinical waste company within the appropriate timescales. Keep the Waste Transfer Note (offensive) and Consignment Note (hazardous) for 3 years. 7
Best Practice to Manage Podiatry Waste Domiciliary Podiatrist Take a full medical history to identify possible waste stream. Use couch roll or debris tray to isolate foot debris / dressings etc. for waste segregation. With the patients permission all waste can be placed in an opaque bag and disposed in the patients general waste. Blades to be removed and stored in a blade box. Record the waste streams on patients notes. Obtain written consent to use clinical waste facilities at nursing / residential homes. <12 Months < 12 Months < 12 Months Arrange for home removal by a licensed clinical waste company within the appropriate timescales. Keep the Consignment Note (hazardous) for 3 years. 8
Best Practice to Manage Podiatry Waste NHS Podiatrist Podiatrists who work within the National Heath Services will have varying waste control policies depending on regions and trusts. Specific guidance is generally issued by the trusts infection control officer. Within the NHS the same colour codes apply but often the collection frequency differs. 9
Clinical Waste Audit what to expect? Your current clinical waste company will contact you to complete an online or paper audit. The audit applies to the site of waste production, so if you work from more than one site, then you must complete an audit for each site. The audit is valid for 5 years. The audit will cover the site of production, categories of waste produced, EWC codes, waste segregation & method(s) of disposal. Waste disposal companies may refuse to accept your waste after July 2012 if you have not completed an pre-acceptance audit. The cost of a pre-acceptance audit can vary from 15-75 depending on your waste management company. Pre-acceptance audits only apply to the movement of HAZARDOUS WASTE 10
Thank you for listening I am happy to answer any questions? 11