Hygiene and disposal: Fundamentals of all medical activities
The topics of "hygiene and disposal" are omnipresent in the medical field. They are constantly being discussed and further developed. The Federal Ministry of Health registers an average of around 400,000 to 600,000 cases of illness caused by hospital infections per year. Approximately 10,000 to 20,000 deaths per year can be attributed to hospital germs. Despite legal regulation and corresponding control bodies, the avoidable transmission of so-called nosocomial pathogens ("hospital germs"), which have often become multi-resistant to antibiotics, continues to occur. The annual "supra-regional hygiene update" from Hannover Hospital explicitly draws attention to the often neglected structural infection prevention in healthcare buildings.
Infectious pathogens are invisible and yet present everywhere. Although intensive efforts have long been made to optimize hygiene standards in hospitals, it is not always possible, even for experienced medical staff, to be constantly alert and pay attention to whether the door handles or surfaces have been touched with contaminated hands or gloves. The "Clean Hands Campaign", which was launched in 2008 and in which the Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit e.V. is also involved, aims to raise awareness of the fact that frequent hand disinfection to prevent illness cannot be emphasized enough, not only in hospitals but also in retirement and nursing homes and the outpatient sector. In addition to hygiene, disposal is also a potential source of danger for medical staff in particular. Hospitals in Germany produce around one million tons of waste per year, making them one of the largest generators of waste. While 90% of this consists of harmless household waste, around 10% of this waste poses a risk to staff and patients.
Things to know about hygiene measures in the medical sector
The aim of hygiene measures is always to reduce pathogens as much as possible. Hygiene regulations in the medical sector are mainly limited to three different procedures that are implemented using different devices or disinfectants: hand disinfection, surface disinfection and the sterilization of substances or objects. While hand and surface disinfection can be carried out using hygiene dispensers, disposable gloves and various disinfectants, an autoclave is required for sterilization. Autoclaving is a thermal disinfection process in which the items to be sterilized are heated in a pressure-tight chamber under defined parameters such as pressure, water content and temperature for a certain period of time.
Hygiene measures must be carried out and monitored with particular care, especially in the operating room. Surgical procedures in particular must be carried out under sterile conditions, as any overlooked contamination can have far-reaching consequences. The same applies to the handling of immunocompromised patients. In the surgical field, for example, there are also guidelines for the handover, transportation and reprocessing of any substances or objects that have become contaminated.
The most important facts about waste disposal in the medical sector
The disposal of waste in the medical sector primarily involves the safe and legally compliant handling of waste that is potentially hazardous to health. In addition to infectious waste, single-use sharp instruments and radioactive waste can pose a significant risk to staff. Hospitals and clinics that generate more than 2 tons of hazardous waste per year must also appoint a waste management officer who advises staff and draws up an annual report on all measures and changes.
System optimization in the area of hygiene and disposal
A hygiene and disposal system functions optimally when all work equipment is available where it is needed. Sterile and non-sterile items are spatially separated whenever possible. In the area of hygiene, the relevance of the number and placement of hygiene dispensers cannot be emphasized enough. Every hygiene dispenser in the right place prevents the spread of germs and at the same time reduces air pollution. It is definitely advisable to go beyond the legally required minimum at this point. In addition to wall-mounted dispensers, mobile dispensers on desks and work tables as well as on all consoles and shelves are a useful addition. The same applies to surface disinfectants. Disinfectants are only used where they are readily available. Wherever sterile work is carried out or where there are both unclean and clean areas and materials, disinfectants should not be more than an arm's length away from the personnel carrying out the work. It should be possible to clearly differentiate between disinfectants for different areas of application. Most surface disinfectants are not suitable for hand disinfection. The hygiene work plan should list all high-risk areas that need to be disinfected particularly frequently. These include, in particular, door handles, light switches and buttons for operating appliances. Wherever large rolls are used, experience has shown that the number of germs is particularly high, so there should always be a hygiene dispenser for hand disinfection and one for surface disinfection.
Suitable products for the disposal of hospital waste
In the area of waste disposal, care must be taken to ensure that a sufficient number of different waste collectors are available for each category of waste. It must be ensured that sharp and pointed objects may only be collected, transported and disposed of in solid containers.
The risk of injury and infection for staff is particularly high here. Infectious waste that needs to be thermally inactivated is always best collected immediately in an autoclavable waste bag.
Buschmeier medical technology - always where you need it
With our products, every workplace in the medical sector can be made much more hygienic, clearer and more efficient with just a few purchases. When it comes to hygiene and waste disposal, we recommend making optimum use of the available space while still maintaining a clear layout. If there are not enough standard rails available, we will be happy to supply you with various sizes. We also have a range of flexibly combinable holders and retaining claws to match. Also take a look at our various waste bins. They are all suitable for standard rails measuring 25 x 10 millimetres in accordance with DIN EN ISO 19054. For hazardous waste, we recommend our lockable waste bin with a capacity of 20 liters. A support device on the back prevents accidental tipping or tilting. The swivel version, which allows a load of up to 2 kg, provides more flexibility for smaller disposal quantities.
Refilling consumables in the hygiene and disposal area takes a lot of time. Multi-purpose trolleys with accessories are suitable for all areas of application and can ensure that disinfectants, large rolls and bin liners can be transported to their assigned locations with minimal effort. Four swivel castors allow them to be used in the tightest of spaces. The trolleys do not get in the way, even when door handles are being cleaned, as the passageway is not blocked in the process. Our products are all particularly easy to clean and naturally meet all legal requirements and standard specifications for the respective category.
If your working environment in the medical sector has special requirements for medical technology, we are also happy to offer you individual custom-made products on request. We are constantly expanding our range and will of course be happy to provide you with comprehensive advice before you make your purchase decision.