General Waste Stream

All waste where blood/body substances are contained (cannot be expelled when squeezed or compressed).

2.05 MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL GRID 1

  • ALL surgery drapes without pouches
  • ALL paper drapes
  • ALL gloves, gowns, shoe covers
  • ALL PAP smear or cysto spatulas or brushes
  • ALL Q-Tips, swabs
  • ALL insertions, prep or catheter kits
  • ALL diapers, peri-pads, tampons (local, state, federal agencies do not consider these items to be regulated medical waste since these are items normally used in residential sites)

2.05 MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL GRID 1

Regulated Medical Waste Stream

Red Biohazard Bags / Rigid Sharps Container / Special Containers
  • ANY blood/body substance (urine, stool, respiratory secretions, etc.)that could be expelled when squeezed or compressed
  • Small amounts of tissue
  • ALL surgery drapes with pouches
  • ALL biohazard bags or labels (new or used)
  • ALL containers with blood or any body fluid
  • Urine catheters, Foley bags
  • IV catheter bags & tubing
  • Suction catheters, canisters & tubing
  • Tracheostomy & endotracheal tubes
  • Wound drains, devices and tubing
  • ALL cultures of infectious agents, culture dishes, swabs and devices used for transfer; inoculates and mix cultures
  • Syringes that do not have a needle attached (note: this applies to situations when the needle was never attached, or was removed as part of the process – it is not acceptable to remove needles from syringes for disposal purposes)
  • ANY other potentially infectious materials not covered above
/ ALL sharps, used or unused:
  • Syringes that have (or have ever had) a needle attached
  • Needles, lancets, scalpel blades, suture needles, surgical staples
  • IV tubing with connected needles
  • Bone saws, J-wires, bone drills, bone screws, any surgical wire
  • Disposable endoscopic instruments
  • Glass tubes, slides or containers that have been contaminated with blood or body fluids
  • Tubes that can be broken during handling
NOTE: All syringes, used and unused, with needles are required to be placed in rigid sharps containers. / Pathological waste:
  • Recognizable body parts or organs
  • Bone
  • Fat
  • Placentas

Other Waste that May Require Special Handling
  • Chemotherapeutics
  • Chemicals
  • Radioactive materials
  • Pharmaceutical waste
Consult the appropriate regulatory agency for further information on handling these materials.
Do not place sharps containers in red bags

Note: Local waste handling requirements and ASC’sspecific waste hauler’s requirements may vary. Be familiar with regulations that impact your specific facility.

REFERENCE

Adapted from OHSU Health Care System

DISCLAIMER: All data and information provided by the Oregon Patient Safety Commission is for informational purposes only. The Oregon Patient Safety Commission makes no representations that the patient safety recommendations will protect you from litigation or regulatory action if the recommendations are followed.The Oregon Patient SafetyCommission is not liable for any errors, omissions, losses, injuries, or damages arising from the use of these recommendations.

2.05 MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL GRID 1