Refrigerating clinical wastes is something that occasionally appears on the UK agenda but is rightly dismissed as an unnecessary energy expenditure (though with global warming perhaps things will change). However, […]
Coffee is an increasing popular drink, overtaking tea as the national drink. Coffee shops seem to be everywhere, with outlets in the high street, in book shops and libraries, in […]
The Sharps Terminator is a new(ish) product that is to all intents a reworking of slightly older technologies which aimed to put sharps destruction onto the desktop. We have discussed these […]
Having spent an hour or so in each of two busy hospital phlebotomy rooms last week it was interesting to observe the approach to newly introduced safety needle devices. Using […]
There have been several reports recently, from at least 4 different countries including the UK, of teenagers and others sneaking into hospitals and other places where alcohol hand rub dispensers […]
LB Barnet have been working hard to update their clinical waste information for community producers. Their recently published GN 5 – Guidance Notes for Storage and Disposal of Clinical Waste explains the […]
East Cheshire NHS Trust has outsourced all of its waste management to SRCL. In a predictably upbeat news release, it is reported that the Trust has become the first organisation to […]
It is becoming increasingly common to downplay or overlook completely the possibility of bloodborne virus infection after sharps injury or other blood or bloodstained body fluid exposure. The low incidence of […]
Sounding more like a troublesome consequence of prostitution, ‘occupational syphilis’ has been recorded in a recent report from the US. Previous reports have described many cases of occupational syphilis in […]
Belay Anagaw, Yitayal Shiferaw, Berhanu Anagaw, Yeshambel Belyhun, Woldearegay Erku, Fantahun Biadgelegn, Beyene Moges, Agersew Alemu, Feleke Moges & Andargachew Mulu. Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C viruses among medical […]
In the period since Christmas, I have twice noted heavy and widespread cockroach infestation in and around the clinical waste storage area of large hospitals, and once more in the lean-to […]
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 […]
The effective management of clinical and related wastes is one part – generally the last part – in a complex undertaking that starts with procurement of supplies and clinical practice, […]
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 […]
Concern in Hartlepool about several backstreet tattooists operating there. “Several investigations have recently been carried out in Hartlepool into unregistered tattoo and piercing businesses operating out of private homes. “Those […]
The consequences of a sharps injury can be grave. Though the incidence of seroconversion is fortunately low there are still many transmission events of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, […]
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 […]
A watchdog’s inspection of the West Suffolk Hospital has found it is meeting essential standards, but has suggested some improvements are made. They found that the hospital was compliant, but […]
The Norovirus season will be upon us soon, and though much of the waste – mainly vomit bowls and the like – will go into the washer macerator, a great deal of […]
Hospital ancillary staff in Queensland’s public hospitals are expected to ramp up industrial action in their fight for a better pay deal. New bans on a range of patient services will […]
Antibiotic-resistant pathogens born in hospitals may enter the wider environment through the facilities’ sewers, although the magnitude of the danger remains unclear. A team from the Federal University of Saõ […]
It is a general rule, predicated on safety, that once an item has been placed into a clinical waste container then no attempt should be made to retrieve it. Even with […]
Workwear hygiene for waste handlers is a largely ignored issue but one that is nonetheless important and worthy of further investigation. We know that the external surfaces of most clinical […]
Hand care – quite distinct from the equally important hand hygiene – is an essential requirement for healthcare professionals and for waste handlers alike. Good standards of glove use and […]
PPE for waste handlers is a somewhat thorny subject – many do not wear it, even when it is provided while others, many others, assume that a corporate sweatshirt or […]
The Hospital Infection Society is presently reviewing the penultimate draft of its guidance document “Guidelines for the Management of Norovirus Outbreaks in Acute and Community Health and Social Care Settings”. […]
Correct glove use and associated hand hygiene are undoubtedly primary health and safety issues for all of those working right across the waste industries, and for those handling clinical and […]
Blenkharn Environmental and the Clinical Waste Discussion Forum have long recognised the importance of hand hygiene for waste handlers, and the current deficiencies in hand hygiene performance. Last updated: Friday, […]
Alcohol hand rubs are widely used in healthcare and are finding their way into the catering and waste management sectors also. They are fast, convenient, simple to use and more […]
Since the beginning of November 2010, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has recorded 43 outbreaks of norovirus infection in hospitals. Of these, 39 have led to ward closures. Last updated: Thursday, […]