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9 <br />GENERAL HOSPITAL <br />DeSANa ent Of <br />OUSEKEEPING <br />Page of <br />1 2 <br />Policy/Procedure No. Effective Date <br />Date Replaces <br />7.1 1 A 7/02 <br />1/96 <br />Title of Policy/Procedure <br />OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING INFECTIOUS WASTE <br />POLICY: <br />Housekeeping Service Workers are to follow this policy when processing infectious waste. <br />PURPOSE: <br />To ensure operating procedures for the processing of infectious waste is done properly to render <br />infectious waste non-infectious. <br />PROCEDURE: <br />1. Gloves are to be worn at all times when handling infectious waste and infectious waste receptacles. <br />At the beginning of each shift, the person assigned to trash pickup will inspect the interior of <br />the autoclave and clean out any debris that has collected. This includes inspection of the drain <br />screens. If the drain screens are dirty, they are to be replaced with clean ones. The dirty screens <br />are to be placed in the cleaning bucket. <br />Daily cleaning of the drain screens will be the responsibility of the person assigned to day shift <br />trash pick up. If the screens become clogged with material that cannot be removed with soapy water <br />and a brush, they must be given to the maintenance person in charge of the autoclave. DO NOT <br />DISCARD DIRTY SCREENS! <br />4. Place autoclave cart liner into one of the autoclave carts. (see attached instructions) <br />a. Place red infectious waste bags into autoclave cart liner. <br />5. When the first cart is full place in the autoclave: <br />a. Unfold the hinged ramp and place on the ground <br />b. Roll the cart onto the ramp and push the cart to the rear of the autoclave <br />c. Repeat the same procedure with the second cart <br />6. When carts have been placed into the autoclave: <br />a. Activate the power switch for the hydraulic pump <br />b. Pull the door closed and hold with one hand <br />c. With the other hand push the lever, rotating the locking ring into the locked position <br />d. Pull the safety lock into position <br />7. Once the safety lock is in position, push the green start button on the control panel and the auto- <br />clave will complete the following functions: <br />a. Inject steam and achieve 274 degrees Fahrenheit <br />b. Automatically run a cycle for 45 minutes at 275 degrees Fahrenheit <br />c. Automatically discharge the condensation at the end of the cycle <br />Reviewed: <br />Rev' ed: 7/v <br />a Hosp. 1580 (3/96) <br />