Untitled Quiz

Study Notes

Purpose of Waste Management:
- Prevent disease spread (cross-contamination)
- Protect the environment from harmful dental waste
- Ensure the health and safety of waste handlers
Waste and Recycling:
- Dental practices should implement recycling programs.
- Recycle bins for office paper, non-medical glass, and packaging should be readily available.
- Regular removal of recyclable waste (at least weekly).

Non-Regulated Waste:
- General waste from the practice such as office paper and administrative waste.
- Should be shredded and placed in designated recycling bins.
- Includes waste generated by staff (lunch wrappers, paper cups).
Regulated Waste:
- Medical Waste:
  - Contaminated waste and infectious waste generated during dental treatment.
  - Includes waste contaminated with blood or saliva.
  - Disposable items should be disposed of in biohazard containers.
- Sharps:
  - Sharps such as needles, scalpels, and suture needles should be placed in dedicated sharps bins.
Chemical Waste:
- Hazardous and toxic waste.
- Dispose of according to manufacturer instructions, legislation, and using a licensed waste disposal contractor.
- Store chemicals as per instructions and have them collected for safe disposal by a licensed company.

Types of Clinical Waste:
- Sharps
- Human tissue (excluding teeth)
- Blood and blood products
- Blood-stained disposable materials (cotton rolls, swabs)

Biohazardous Waste Symbol:
- A universal symbol is used to identify biohazardous waste.
Containers:
- Biohazard containers are specifically designed for collecting and disposing of biohazardous waste.
- Items like contaminated gloves, masks, paper towels, gauze and cotton rolls should be placed in these containers.
Non-Compliance:
- Failure to dispose of medical/clinical waste in biohazard containers can result in contamination of general waste, posing a danger to the public.

Features of a Sharps Bin:
- A fill line marked on the outside of the container
- A feature to prevent unauthorized withdrawal of contents
- Handles for relocation
- Often have a wall bracket and lock for security
Content for Sharps Bins:
- Used injection needles (after single use)
- Scalpel blades
- Suture needles
- Matrix bands
- Syringes
- Orthodontic wires
- Clinical glass
Safe Disposal:
- Sharps should be deposited into a rigid, impermeable sharps container.
- The opening should be wide enough but not allow hand access.
- Never handle sharps with hands.
- The container should not be filled beyond 3/4 capacity.
- The sharps container should be yellow with black lettering stating "Contaminated Waste."

Safe Removal:
- Proper techniques for safely removing needles from syringes.
Re-capping Needles:
- Never recap needles directly.
- Use a safety device or technique to recap needles.

Procedures:
- Dispose of chemicals according to manufacturer guidelines, legislation, and always use a licensed waste disposal company.
- Ensure clear and visible labels on all chemical containers with safe handling instructions and cautions.

Manual Handling:
- Minimize manual handling using appropriate carts to move waste.
- The containers should be designed to prevent spills.
- Carts should be made of easily cleanable and disinfectable materials.
- Ensure waste containers are properly closed during transportation.
- Implement designated routes for waste movement, minimizing passage through clean areas and patient care spaces.
- Consider using a waste compactor for landfill waste, following all applicable regulations.

Regulations:
- Dispose of all waste according to national, provincial, regional, and municipal regulations.
- Review relevant HPCSA publications for specific guidance on waste disposal.