Sharps, Medical Waste, and Equipment Cleaning
Sets out how staff handle and dispose of sharps and regulated medical waste generated by Agency care, teach patients to dispose of household sharps safely, clean up blood spills, and clean and disinfect reusable equipment between patients.
About this policy
- Policy number
- DC-HH-IC-03
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- 22-B DCMR §3920.5(f)
- Library
- Washington, DC home health · 58 policies
- Category
- Infection control
- Sections
- 18
In short
- Keep the sharps container close and upright, and close it when it is about three-quarters full.
- Never leave a used sharp in the home or put one in household trash.
- Bag dressings and items soaked with blood as regulated waste and bring them to the office for disposal.
- Clean and disinfect equipment like blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes after every patient.
- Teach patients who use needles at home to use a strong, closed container and how to dispose of it safely.
What's inside
18 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (22-B DCMR §3920.5(f)-(g); 29 CFR §1910.1030(d)(4))
- 5. Sharps Containers During Visits
- 6. Regulated Waste Generated by Agency Care
- 7. Household Sharps and Waste Generated by Patients
- 8. Blood and Body Fluid Spills
- 9. Cleaning Reusable Equipment
- 10. Supplies and the Office
- 11. Responsibilities
- 12. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 13. Staff Training
- 14. References
- 15. Related Policies and Forms
- 16. Approval
- 17. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- Show me how your nurses carry and dispose of a sharps container.
- Who picks up and disposes of the Agency’s regulated medical waste? Show me the contract.
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