1. Onsite Medical Waste Management and Bloodborne Pathogens

2. Biological Waste Disposal (Research Laboratories)
Sharps
Solid Wastes
Liquid Wastes
Pasteur pipettes,
razor blades, scalpels, syringes with attached needles
Culture dishes, cultures or stocks gloves, drapes, or other solid materials contaminated with infectious material
Blood, tissues culture wastes, growth media,
Collect in flask, plastic jugs ect.
Collect in approved
containers
Utilize a rigid biohazard collection container lined with an autoclave liner.
Immerse in 10% solution of bleach or 70% isopropanol for 15 minutes
Autoclave waste. Be sure to fill out the waste log book. Once waste has been autoclaved, place waste into a white trash bin lined with an opaque liner.
Call to request collection or place into a medical waste box for disposal
Release to sanitary sewer (lab sink)
Sharps containers are available for research labs at no cost from EHS

3. Learning Objectives
Gain general autoclave awareness and become familiar with onsite medical waste treatment procedures including: record keeping for waste cycles utilizing the Autoclave Use Log and sterility monitoring procedures
Become familiar with regulatory requirements for onsite treatment of biological wastes
Document Annual Bloodborne Pathogens refresher training

4. Biological Waste Regulations
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
25 TAC, Chapter 1, Subchapter K
Defines what regulated medical waste consists of and acceptable treatment and disposition methods.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
30 TAC Chapter Medical Waste Management
Sets management standards for generators, transporters, and disposal facilities
Establishes onsite treatment and efficacy monitoring requirements
Requires notification of onsite treatment processes

5. Steam Sterilization (Autoclaving)
Used for sterilization of solid and liquid waste (microbiological, blood, etc.)
Autoclave waste should be packaged in heat resistant bags with the opening loosely closed to allow steam to enter bags
Sterilization is temperature, pressure, and time dependent
minimum parameters 250F, 15 psi, 30 min.
Use care when treating infectious waste. Check the volume and configuration of load
Avoid overloading autoclave, utilize a secondary containment tray, and keep the sides of the bag from touching the sides of the autoclave chamber
Perform quality control on a routine basis (fill out the use log and include a test strip or test vial).

6. Steam Sterilization

7. Autoclave Use Log Date Waste type
Record on the Autoclave Use Log (for waste cycles only)
Date
Waste type
Conditions of treatment (what pressure, temperature, and time?)
Quantity (lbs)
Initials and signature of person conducting treatment

8. AUTOCLAVE USE GUIDELINES
1. Place sterilizing indicator tape on the autoclave bag. Make sure that bags designated for
autoclaving are used.
2. Place waste inside autoclave. Use secondary containment (pan) under the bag. If waste does not contain any moisture, put ½ cup of water inside bag for steam generation.
3. Autoclave according to manufacturers instructions for a minimum 30 minutes, at a minimum operating temperature and pressure of 250 deg. F and 15 psig.
4. When cycle is finished, inspect sterilizing tape, and visually check bags to ensure autoclave was
working correctly.
5. Place waste in black opaque bags. Seal bag with tape or tie wrap.
6. Place waste in trash cans labeled “Autoclaved Waste Only” .
Log activities in the autoclave usage log.
Perform routine efficacy monitoring and record results.
IMPORTANT!
Use heat resistant gloves and keep your face away from the door when
loading and unloading autoclave!
Biological waste should be stored in rigid leak proof containers such as biohazard boxes, bins, or secondary containment pans. Waste should be stored inside
the autoclave room and not in the hallways!
Biological waste containing hazardous chemicals (solvents, oxidizers etc.) or Sharps (needles, razor blades, etc. ) should not be autoclaved. Call EPP’s waste line at for collection of these items!
Biological Waste should not be left for “someone else” to autoclave.

9. Quality Control Autoclave temperature tape recommended
Parameter monitoring (pressure and temperature)
Record every load (located on use log)
Efficacy monitoring schedule (required by TCEQ regulations)
<100 lbs/month - monthly
lbs/month - biweekly
>200 lbs/month - weekly
Routine parameter monitoring maybe substituted for biological monitoring, except on “pinwheel” plot autoclaves

10. Common Deficiencies Training records incomplete
Waste stored in hallway
Autoclaved trash not removed routinely by housekeeping (FIXT)
Food or drink consumed or stored in autoclave area
Sterility monitoring not performed
Autoclave log incomplete