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Medical Waste Management Program PI& Page 5 of 8 <br />R <br />Sharps containers will be rigid puncture proof containers that whf sealed are leak <br />resistant and not able to be reopened without great difficulty. Sharps containers shall <br />be considered "full" when they reach 2/3 capacity or the manufacturer's full line. Lids <br />on filled sharps containers must be snapped closed, taped, or otherwise sealed to <br />prevent loss of contents prior to disposal. Medical waste will be stored and <br />transported in rigid containers to the Biohazardous Waste Storage Area located near <br />the shipping / receiving area. The containers will be labeled with the words <br />"Biohazardous Waste" or the word "Biohazard," and the international biohazard <br />symbol. This storage area will be locked at all times. Access will be limited to <br />Environmental Services and Plant Operations & Maintenance Department personnel. <br />Waste consisting of medical and nonmedical waste will be handled as medical waste <br />except as follows: <br />a.. Medical waste mixed with hazardous waste will be treated as hazardous waste. <br />b. Medical waste mixed with radioactive waste will be treated as radioactive waste. <br />c. Medical waste mixed with hazardous and radioactive waste will be treated as <br />radioactive waste. <br />2. Chemotherapeutic Waste: <br />All trace contaminated (e.g., empty vials, ampules, IV bottles/bags, tubings and <br />sharps) will be deposited in a specially marked, yellow collection container labeled <br />with the words "Chemotherapy Waste" or "Chemo." When the container is full, <br />without compacting, the locking lid is to be secured to prevent loss of contents prior <br />to disposal. Gowns, gloves, and other trace contaminated non -sharps objects may <br />also be deposited in the container. The container will be transferred to a specially <br />marked, secondary container for storage in the Central Waste Storage Area. Final <br />is pick-up occurs on a scheduled basis by Stericycle Incorporated medical waste hauler <br />for transport to an approved incineration facility. <br />3. Pathology Waste: <br />Due to an outsource agreement, pathology specimens are couriered off-site to a non - <br />owned facility remote from Dameron Hospital for analysis. <br />All pathology waste will be separated from other medical waste and hazardous wastes <br />(such as fixatives). Waste will be placed in a red bag and deposited into a specially <br />marked secondary container labeled with the words "Pathology Waste" or "PATH." <br />The container will be stored in the Central Waste Storage Area. Final pick-up occurs <br />on a scheduled basis by Stericycle medical waste hauler for transport to an approved <br />incineration facility. Unfixed specimens deemed waste shall not be stored for more <br />than 14 days at a temperature above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. <br />4. Placental Waste: <br />Placentas shall be handled and disposed of as "pathologic waste" in accordance with <br />California Health & Safety Code Section 118275(f) and 118215 (a), unless as <br />described herein. Because placentas are filled with liquid blood, they are classified as <br />biohazardous waste. <br />Unfixed (without formalin preservative added; fresh) placentas are considered <br />biohazardous waste. Unfixed placentas from Obstetrics are stored in the Pathology <br />refrigerator for up to ninety-six (96) hours and then are handled as pathology waste <br />http:// 172.16.0.5/policy/policy.nsfl7db0ebfd3e2l O600872571470079e3 a4/f230e0l 2cdfa90a0882575640061... 4/8/2010 <br />