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Lodi Memorial Hospital go Facilities Management Environmental Services .19 463 9 4.114 N4 *.1 POLICY 410 L-8440-050 Revised: November, 1997 Page 1 of 3 It is the policy of Lodi Memorial Hospital to render infectious waste to a sterile state prior to disposal in the solid waste compactor. II. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS A. The only material to be sterilized in this unit shall be that which is determined to be "INFECTIOUS CONTAMINATED WASTE" according to 22 specifications. B. Operation may be performed on by those employees of Facilities Management, both Environmental Services and Maintenance divisions. 1 All employees that are required to operate the waste sterilizer must be trained and oriented to the full operation of the unit prior to initiating any operational actions. 2. Training will be provided and documented by Environmental Services Manager or designee. Training documentation will remain on file. C. Each load will run for a minimum of 45 minutes and be maintained at a temperature reading of 270 degrees F. The pressure gauge must hold at 40 lbs. pressure while the unit is in operation. D. All waste to be sterilized will be secured inside the appropriate sterilizing bags that are designed with a color strip which turns brown indicating the material has been autoclaved. Ill. WASTE PREPARATION PROCEDURE A. Always wear protective gloves and cover gowns when handling infections waste prior to processing. B. Transport infectious waste from collection points to the sterilizing unit in the approved "Infectious Waste Cart" only. C. Place all infectious waste for processing into the appropriate autoclave bags and close securely with a twister tie or tie into a knot. 1. Always check the graph to assure completion of the processing. 2. If the graph does not show the appropriate temperature and minutes processed, then the load must be run again. a. Check the nut and ink marker on the graph to assure it is on appropriately. b. Check all valves and then notify Maintenance division. C. Never place any waste from the solid waste compactor if there is any doubt it has been sterilized. If in doubt, place it into contracted containers within the fenced area and the hauler will remove per our contract. IV. STERILIZER UNIT OPERATION A. Obtain keys for unit from the basement janitors room. B. Do not attempt to open door of the unit unless the pressure gauge has no reading Indloated. When the door of the unit Is safe to open the pressure gauge will drop to "0" (zero). Always check this gauge first and proceed when safe. Unlock the padlock and move the chain out of the locked position. Do not remove lock and chain away from the unit.