ICS Ltd. Disposal of Soiled Linen, Waste and Sharps

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2007 Disposal of Soiled Linen, Waste and Sharps Policy (PDF)

Disposal of Soiled Linen, Waste and Sharps

Home Infection Control Manual Cleaning and Disinfection Disposal of Soiled Linen, Waste and Sharps

Page updated 30 April 2007

Disposal of Soiled Linen, Waste and Sharps

Key Points
All clinical waste must go in a yellow waste sack The rest must go in black bags Waste bags must not be overfilled Bags are tied using labelled ties for traceability

Key Points

All clinical waste must go in a yellow waste sack

The rest must go in black bags

Waste bags must not be overfilled

Bags are tied using labelled ties for traceability

Responsibility

The nurse-in-charge of any clinical area is responsible for making sure that the following policies are enacted.

Bag / Waste Colour Codes

Display the colour coding chart for waste disposal in a prominent place and on sack-holder lids.

Do not tie up bags, use label ties which indicate source of the waste.


		Black: Domestic waste (not infected or contaminated)
		Yellow: Clinical or infected waste (to be incinerated)
		Clear or White plastic: Used linen
		Clear alginate bag inside a red plastic bag: Soiled and infected linen*
		Pink/Blue: Food discard.
		Grey: Patient's clothes and property.

*These bags are laundered whole and the alginate dissolves in the washing machine to release the contents.

Linen

Used Linen

Put into a clear plastic bag and seal

Soiled and Infected Linen and from infected patients

Double bag first in red (alginate stitched) and then in clear plastic bag
Tie each bag securely
Label with ward label

Waste

Dispose of waste in the wards according to the colour code
Do not use yellow bags for uninfected domestic waste
They are expensive and need to be incinerated

Disposal of Sharps

All sharp instruments,blades, knifes, needles and glass ampoules must be discarded in the approved Sharps containers supplied
It is sensible to take a Sharps bin to the bedside when an invasive procedure (e.g. phlebotomy) is being done
Do not carry used Sharps around in receivers
Used needles must not be resheathed; they must not be left for others to clear up
Sharps boxes should be attached to phlebotomy trolleys and to the wall in outpatients
They must not be left on the floor where they are a risk to inquisitive children
Do not overfill Sharps bins; seal and put them out for collection when three-quarters full Write on the box the source ward/unit, date and the name of the responsible person
Larger broken glass items should be discarded into a labelled cardboard box
Ward/floor labels or clips should be available to stick onto or to seal plastic bags, and to Sharps Bins so that the source can be identified if there is any problem about contents
Do NOT put sharps of any kind or glass into plastic bags. If you do this, you are putting yourself and others at risk

References

Health and Safety Commission Health Services Advisory Committee. Safe disposal of clinical waste. London : HMSO, 1992.

BS 7320: 1990. Specifications for sharp containers. London : British Standards, 1990.

UN Committee on Transport of Dangerous Goods. Clinical Waste, unspecified NOS or (bio) medical waste NOS, or regulated medical waste, NOS. UN 3291 specification. Geneva : United Nations.

Health and Safety Executive Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens Categorisation of biological agents according to hazard and categories of containment. 4th Edition. London : HMSO, 1995.

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