HHC Health & Home Care Clinical Policy And

HHC EHALTH & HOME CARE Section: 13-11
Infection Control: Disposal/Handling of Infectious Medical Waste __RN __HHA
PURPOSE:
To prevent the spread of infection when handling
infectious medical waste.
CONSIDERATIONS:
1. Follow applicable regulations for disposal of all
infectious medical waste.
2. Instructions must be given to patient/caregiver on
appropriate handling/disposal of infectious waste in
the home.
3. Volumes of blood/body fluids/body secretions can
be safely disposed of in the patient's toilet. Pouring
should be done slowly and carefully to minimize
splashing, spattering, or aerosolizing. If there is a
potential for splashing, spattering, or aerosolizing,
Personal Protective Equipment must be worn
including mask, eye protection, gown, and gloves.
4. All needle/sharps containers must be leakproof,
puncture-proof, closable. Sharps containers must be
easily accessible, maintained upright, and discarded
when 3/4 full.
5. In circumstances where no alternative to recapping
is feasible, or such action is required; an acceptable
method such as the one-handed technique should
be utilized.
6. Containers that become contaminated on the
outside must be placed in secondary containers.
EQUIPMENT:
Gloves
Antimicrobial and/or non-antimicrobial soap, alcoholbased
handrub
Appropriate-sized container
Impervious trash bags
Tape or twist tie
Trash receptacle, with lid if possible
PROCEDURE:
1. Disposal of needles, syringes, and sharps.
a. Adhere to Universal Precautions.
b. Disposal of needles, syringes, lancets, and
other sharps used by clinical staff.
(1) Never re-cap, bend, clip, or otherwise
manipulate needles.
(2) Needles and syringes used for injections or
lancets should be placed intact into needle
disposal container.
(4) When container is approximately 3/4 full or
according to agency policy, secure lid and
tape down. Store and transport sealed,
waste containers separate from patientcare
supplies, such as in the trunk of the
car. (See #e. below.)
c. Disposal of IV therapy needles and/or needles
and syringes being used by the RN on a
frequent basis in a patient's home.
(1) If the home infusion therapy company
supplies a disposal container to dispose of
needles/syringes, then utilize their system;
or
(2) A large, needle disposal container should
be left in the home for short-term, frequent,
parenteral therapy.
(3) At the end of therapy and/or when the
container is 3/4 full, the RN should secure
lid and tape down for removal by the IV
company.
(4) If the IV company does not remove and
replace containers, then the container must
be disposed of by the agency. See #(4)
above.
d. RN instructions to patient/caregiver for disposal
of needles, syringes, and other sharps used by
patient/caregiver:
(1) Adhere to Universal Precautions.
(2) Use a leakproof, puncture-proof closable
container.
(3) Needles and syringes should not be
clipped, bent, or recapped, but disposed
intact into this container.
(4) Do not overfill container and maintain
container in an upright position.
(5) Prior to disposal, secure the lid to the
container and tape down, and then dispose
into the household trash.
Note: Tape cannot be used in place of a lid.
2. Disposal of contaminated patient-care supplies,
e.g., dressings, catheters, etc.
a. Adhere to Universal Precautions.
b. Place contaminated supplies in impervious bag
and close tightly.
c. Double bag in a second impervious bag. A
plastic trash bag. A plastic trash bag lining a
wastebasket is acceptable. Seal second bag
when full by tying, use of tape, or twist tie.
d. Dispose of double-bagged waste in household
trash.
e. RN instructions to patient/caregiver for disposal
of contaminated patient care supplies:
(1) Adhere to Universal Precautions
(2) Dispose of contaminated supplies using a
double-bag system.
(3) Dispose in household trash.
(4) Decontaminate hands
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