When clinical areas are configured in this manner, waste that is generated at the patient's bedside has to be moved to the remote disposal points. Often this waste will contain offensive, infectious and/or sharps material.

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Infectious, foul and offensive waste - should be disposed of as near to the source of generation as possible. The transporting of these items, often across clean areas is unacceptable and poses a risk to staff and patients alike.

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Sharps - are a well-known risk in the health and social care sector. Sharps contaminated with an infected patient's blood can transmit more than 20 diseases, including hepatitis B, C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Because of this transmission risk, sharps injuries can cause worry and stress to the many thousands who receive them. According to the NHS Employers Organisation, 2015. Although 65 per cent of injuries are sustained during a clinical procedure, 27 per cent occur after the procedure but before disposal.

 

Risk assessment indicates that sharps and hazardous waste be removed at the point of generation.

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