Fluid Waste Disposal: Best Practices
Overview
Fluid waste is generated in multiple areas throughout the health care facility. Fluid waste that has not been treated prior to disposal is considered biohazardous and poses a risk to all health care professionals who come in contact with this form of medical waste.
Patients are also at risk for exposure to pathogens when fluid waste particles become airborne. Therefore, fluid waste may be considered a regulated medical waste that must be handled and disposed of according to regulatory requirements. This can be costly and difficult for health care professionals to comply with due to a lack of training, knowledge, and standardized practices. Several solutions are available to render medical waste safe for disposal. Evidence-based approaches for safe fluid waste management and disposal are also available for health care professionals to incorporate in policies, procedures, and staff educational activities, reducing the risk of dangerous exposure to fluid waste across the health care setting.
Objectives
Upon completion of this continuing education activity, the participant should be able to:
- Define regulated medical waste and fluid waste disposal requirements.
- Identify hospital practices and associated risks with fluid waste disposal.
- Discuss solutions for safe fluid waste disposal in various health care settings.
- Define evidence-based approaches to establish safe fluid waste disposal practices.
Accreditation information
California Board of Registered Nursing
Pfiedler Enterprises is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP14944, for 2.0 contact hours.
Obtaining full credit for this offering depends upon attendance, regardless of circumstances, from beginning to end. Licensees must provide their license numbers for record keeping purposes.
