DEFINITION/MANAGEMENT/DISPOSAL STANDARD:
Medical waste is defined as wasted which, because of its infectious nature, may:
A. Cause or significantly contribute to and increase mortality;
B. Cause seriously irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness;
C. Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment.
Therefore, treatment, storage, transportation and disposal of same must be clearly defined.

Areas contributing such wasted include:
Nursing offices

Types of Waste:
A. Sharps
B. Red-bagged waste

Also see Hazardous Materials and Waste Management (EOC) Plan

POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING MEDICAL WASTE
Purpose: To safely transfer medical waste from place of origin to off-site disposal.
Equipment: Biohazard approved red plastic bags .
White biohazard disposal box
Sharps containers provided by the Nursing Department.
Locations: Hillcrest Center Nursing Office
High Point Nursing Office
Brookside ITU Nursing Office
Housatonic Academy Nursing Office
Medical Waste Storage Location:
Hillcrest Dental Care, 788 South St., Pittsfield Ma.

Procedure:
1. Medical waste (as defined) will be placed into appropriate sharps containers in the nursing offices, or approved red plastic bags.
2. When sharps containers are filled and in need of disposal, the nurse manager at the location will call the Housekeeping Office at Administration, phone # 413-499-7924 ext. 114, to arrange for a pick-up.
3. The housekeeper will place the sharps container in the biohazard disposal box located at the Dental Clinic.
4. When the biohazard storage box is full the dental Manager will call for a pck-up.
5. All housekeeping staff will be trained regarding Universal Precautions and disposal of medical waste
6. In the event an exposure occurs during transport, the staff will notify their supervisor immediately and be evaluated by Occupational Health
7. In the event an accidental needle/ sharps exposure occurs the Exposure Incident Report contained in the Infection Control Manual should also be completed.