How to store medical waste?
In accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Health of 5 October 2017 on the detailed handling of medical waste, medical waste may be stored in an appropriately adapted room or a stationary or portable refrigeration device.
A room for storing medical waste should:
- have an independent entrance,
- be protected against access by unauthorized persons,
- have walls and floors made of smooth, easily washable and disinfectable materials,
- be protected against access by insects, rodents and other animals,
- have an entrance door without a threshold, the width and height of which guarantee free access,
- have separate and marked spaces or boxes depending on the type of medical waste stored, and in the case of storing medical waste in marked, tightly closed containers or containers, it is permissible not to have separate boxes,
- be equipped with a thermometer to measure the temperature inside the room,
- have ventilation ensuring negative pressure, with filtration of the exhaust air; it is permissible to use gravity ventilation provided that medical waste is stored in tightly closed containers or containers and marked depending on the type of medical waste stored,
- have technical protection against the spread of stored medical waste, including the collection of any leachates from this waste.
A stationary refrigeration device should:
- be protected against access by unauthorized persons,
- have walls and floors made of smooth, easily washable and disinfectable materials,
- be protected against access by insects, rodents and other animals,
- have an entrance door without a threshold, the width and height of which should guarantee free access,
- be equipped with a thermometer to measure the temperature inside the device,
- have a lock for the entrance door that allows it to be opened from the inside,
- have a vestibule in front of the entrance to the device,
A portable refrigeration device should:
- have an interior made of smooth, easily washable and disinfectable materials,
- be protected against access by insects, rodents and other animals,
- be protected against access by unauthorized persons,
- be equipped with a thermometer to measure the temperature inside the device.
The storage room and the stationary refrigeration device shall be provided with access to:
- a sink with running cold and hot water, installed in a way that allows at least washing hands immediately after leaving the room or device, equipped with dispensers with soap and hand disinfectant and single-use towels,
- hot and cold running water for cleaning purposes,
- separated areas for storing clean and collecting dirty personal protective equipment for persons staying in places designated for the initial storage of medical waste.
A dispenser with hand disinfectant, a dispenser for clean disposable gloves and a container for used disposable gloves shall be provided in the vicinity of the portable refrigeration device.
The storage room or refrigeration device shall be kept clean on an ongoing basis. After each removal of medical waste, the room or device shall be disinfected and then washed or disinfected and washed using a washing and disinfecting agent.
