Recycling operation halted by needle finds
A Fife recycling plant was brought to a standstill when a sharps bin was found on the picking line. Of course, that should not happen, and those involved are right to […]
regulation
Water conservation
There is substantial evidence to suggest that the majority of the UK will face drought conditions in the year ahead. Even though the water companies have at last done something about […]
“Hazardous clinical waste stagnates at Saudi hospital”
“Large amounts of hazardous waste have been found dumped around King Fahd Hospital in Al-Hufof. The waste includes used syringes and IV solutions, according to local media reports. Last updated: […]
Taking work home with you?
Many waste handlers and ancillary workers inadvertently take their work home with them, on contaminated shoes and on dirty clothing. And now, it seems, so do microbiologists! Last updated: Saturday, […]
Source segregation – getting the process right
Much is said about source segregation of waste from clinical areas. A sometimes apoplectic response can be expected when inappropriate general waste items are found in an orange or yellow clinical waste […]
Radiation risks
A load of construction debris set off radiation alarms at a waste station in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Somewhat bizarrely, investigation revealed a rare find – an antique medical kit containing four capsules […]
No wonder it’s so bad
Clinical waste management in the clinical environment should be managed to an exemplary standard in order to maintain hygiene standards and eliminate the hazards associated with sharps and sharps injury. But is that […]
No go for Shotts incinerator plan
After substantial delay, “North Lanarkshire Council’s decision to reject a planning application for a controversial medical waste treatment plant in Shotts could result in the loss of 120 jobs. “Last […]
US “Stop Stericycle” campaign spreads to Stericycle suppliers
It seems that the “Campaign to Stop Stericycle” (CSS) are still making life difficult for Stericycle in the US for their implied support of various abortion clinics. Simply by collecting clinical waste […]
2011 Local Authority clinical waste audit
The first part of the results of the 2011 Local Authority clinical waste audit have now been published. Dealing with the management of clinical wastes from domestic premises, this is published in […]
NICE clinical guideline – primary and community care (waste management)
The National Clinical Guideline Centre has released its latest and probably last draft of its document “Infection: prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections in primary and community care” for pre-publication […]
Out-of-hospital care generates extra clinical waste in the community
It is several years ago that the Clinical Waste Discussion Forum predicted a substantial increase in community-based care with patients managed for an increasing complex range of conditions at local clinics […]
Infections and infectious waste
It’s that time of year again, and most regions are reporting massive increases in winter vomiting (Norovirus) virus outbreaks. Norovirus is a particularly infectious agent. It is transmitted directly from person to person […]
Biohazardous waste left behind after crashes mean mess for homeowners
Residents in Charlotte, NC are concerned about clinical wastes left at the scene of a motor vehicle accident, drawing attention to what one man calls a gap in the law. A […]
Cancer hospital effluents blamed for killing Sri Lankan villagers
Waste containing radioactive particles released from the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama (Cancer Hospital) were responsible for cancers among the villagers living in its vicinity, the Western Provincial Council’s Environment Ministry […]
Reducing pharma waste
Cutting costs and reducing waste have been a primary focus for healthcare facilities in the years since the recession hit, prompting many to look into implementing pharmacy process improvement. US […]
Waste registration for embedded NHS service providers
This message, from Chris Lowe, PPC/RSR Officer 1 from the Environment Agency England & Wales) will cause considerable concern to many organisations working on hospital and university sites. “It has come […]
Temporary stall to North Lanarkshire waste treatment application
North Lanarkshire Council has deferred consideration of the 34,000tpa clinical waste treatment facility at a former opencast coal site near Easthill and Shotts to allow for a site meeting and hearing. Last updated: Tuesday, […]
Queensland waste regulation divides companies
Medical waste processor SteriHealth has defended the Queensland Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2011, disputing claims by business rival Ace Waste that they contradict the Act and allow for the […]
Waste incinerator site wrongly approved
It is claimed that the Department of Environment (DOE) has wrongly approved a medical waste incinerator site with no buffer zone of 1 km radius at the SME Industrial Estate in Lok Kawi, East Malaysia, some […]
Malta incinerator open for public viewing
There is a long and troubled history surrounding the disposal of clinical and other waste in Malta. With repeated suggestions of corruption, of dubious ‘experts’ basing their advice more on hospitality […]
Storing waste in the hospital undercroft
Many UK hospitals store waste in a corner of the hospital car park. There are obvious advantages since access by large vehicles collecting that waste will generally be easier, though […]
Positive regulatory action
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in San Fernando, Philippines, is setting up checkpoints along the North Luzon Expressway and the Manila North Road (MacArthur Highway) to prevent the transport of […]
Dental waste and hygiene management
Dental hygiene and infection prevention has been a major issue in recent UK practise but the management of clinical and sharps waste from dental surgeries has never really hit the […]
Kolkatta hospital fire spread by waste
“At least 73 people have died after a fire tore through an Indian hospital this morning. “Many of the elderly patients died after they were trapped by smoke as the […]
“Thousands exposed to poison-spewing plant”
“The health of thousands of residents at a housing area is at risk from emissions from a bio-hazard waste incinerator plant operating practically at their doorstep. “Each day tonnes of […]
War of words
In the on-going war of words between pro-life protesters and registered US abortion clinics, it seems there are no limits to the extent of criticism and guilt by association. Some time ago, […]
Dental clinic failures
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has reported that West Street Dental Practice in Congleton is not meeting the essential standard and must improve. Key failures were in cleanliness and infection […]
Confidential paper disposal
“Confidential patient details were thrown out in the wrong bin at Peterborough City Hospital, breaching data laws. “An investigation has been launched by Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust […]
Ireland cleans up another illegal dump
Lawyers representing Wicklow County Council have informed the High Court of the council’s intention to begin the clean up of a large illegal dump in West Wicklow. The dump, at […]