Behind-the-scenes activities like medical waste incineration protect public health and safety in healthcare. Medical waste, including spent needles and contaminated materials, is dangerous if not properly disposed of, which is why our team at Sunbelt Medical Services provides you with the services you need to ensure the utmost safety when it comes to things like medical waste.
Here are a few things to know about medical waste incineration:
- What is medical waste incineration? The process of medical waste incineration is completed in specialized facilities that can dispose of the medical waste safely at high temperatures. Our facilities are capable of managing infectious trash, sharps, pharmaceutical waste, and more.
- How does the process work? Medical waste is initially separated into infectious and non-hazardous categories, with collection for infectious materials occurring with the use of leak-proof containers. From there, the waste is carefully collected and transported to an incinerator facility. Controlled combustion at temperatures above 800°C (1472°F) kills microorganisms and lowers waste volume.
- Why is medical waste incineration important? Medical waste incineration is important for many reasons, including the following:
- Public Health: Pathogen destruction reduces infectious illness spread.
- Environmental Protection: Proper incineration minimizes trash and landfill loads.
- Compliance: Effectively disposing of medical waste ensures rules and regulations are followed, protecting companies, workers, and the environment.
Medical waste incineration is essential for healthcare facilities. Additionally, understanding and supporting proper waste management keeps our healthcare systems safe and sustainable for future generations.