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LODI MEMORIAL HOSPITAL D-8420-20 <br />FACILITIES MANAGEMENT REVISED: MAY, 2010 <br />ENVIRONMENT OF CARE PAGE 1 OF 2 <br />MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT <br />I. POLICY <br />A. Lodi Memorial Hospital medical waste is contained separately from other waste at the point of <br />generation and is placed in the waste type-specific containers provided. <br />To ensure that medical waste is handled safely and in accordance with the California Medical Waste <br />Management Act, Department of Health Services, Health and Safety Code Sections 117600-118360. <br />A. When cleaning patient care areas, Environmental Services places all medical waste into RED <br />BIOHAZARD BAGS. These bags are to be impervious to moisture and have strength sufficient to <br />preclude ripping, tearing, or bursting under normal use and handling. <br />1. The biohazard waste collection bags are to be constructed of material that passes the 165 gram <br />dropped dart impact resistance test as required by Standard D 170985 of the ASTM. <br />2. Documentation from the manufacturer of compliance with these minimum construction <br />standards are kept on file in Facilities Management. <br />3. The bags are tied to prevent spillage in the event the bag is turned upside-down. <br />B. All sharps are placed into containers properly labeled with "SHARPS WASTE" or with the <br />international biohazard symbol and the word "BIOHAZARD". <br />1. The Sharps Containers are to be rigid, puncture proof and, when sealed, leak resistant and not <br />able to be reopened without great difficulty. <br />2. Sharps Containers are considered "FULL" when they reach 3/4 capacities or the manufacturer's <br />full line. <br />3. Lids on Sharps Containers must be snapped closed, taped, or otherwise sealed to prevent loss <br />of contents prior to disposal. <br />C. All chemotherapeutic waste (i.e., empty vials, ampoules, IV bottles/bags, tubing and sharps) is placed <br />in specially marked, yellow collection containers labeled with the words "CHEMOTHERAPY <br />WASTE" or "CHEMO INCINERATION ONLY". <br />1. When the container is full, without compacting, the locking lid is secured to prevent loss of <br />contents prior to disposal. <br />2. Gowns, gloves, and other trace contaminated non -sharps objects are deposited in the <br />container. <br />3. A contracted medical waste hauler picks up the containers for transport to an approved <br />incineration facility when routine medical waste is hauled away for treatment. <br />