| [ Summary ] |
There has been a striking increase in home care, creating the problem of environmentally sound management of waste. Home care is comprised of two kinds of service. The first one is provided by physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals making home visits. The second is medical treatment carried out by the patients themselves (or their family members) at home. From the standpoint of infection control, medical waste must be disposed of in accordance with standard precautions. Most medical waste poses no risk of infectious transmission. However, even items which are not sharp require hygienic disposal. This includes disposal of any remaining liquids which should be kept in a container in a plastic bag that is tied securely. Insulin pen type self-injection needles come with screw-type needle cases. Ensuring that needles are always put back in their cases eliminates one possibility of infection. A disposal method is proposed in which medical waste is put into plastic containers, then into plastic bags, and then finally into large garbage bags for disposal. The Workshop for Managers of Specially Controlled Industrial Waste is recommended as an instructional medium. |