Hygiene and Waste Disposal

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:59:11 GMT

Current Revision posted to The Practice Survival Guide by Arlo Guthrie on 1/7/2009 4:59:11 PM

The following tasks are needed to maintain clean, hygienic consulting rooms:

An effective disinfectant should be made up at the correct dilution in a suitable container on a daily basis. This is used with disposable towel to wipe down the examination table after each consultation.
The same solution can be used to clean surfaces, bins and small splashes of blood or urine.
Large soiled areas should be dealt with using a bucket and mop.
Dust and hair should be regularly vacuumed.
The sink should be cleaned first with a proprietary cleaner and then disinfected.
The source of any unpleasant odours should be removed and air fresheners changed frequently.
Protective clothing, including disposable aprons, gloves and face masks should be to hand in each consulting room.
Waste must be disposed of correctly, and bins should have lids to prevent children and dog noses from investigating. A brief summary of waste disposal follows:
- Black bin bag: regular waste.
- Yellow bag: Grade A clinical waste (material contaminated with blood, infectious material and syringes).
- Yellow bag striped with black: Grade E clinical waste (material contaminated with urine/faeces).
- Green Doop container: pharmaceutical waste.
- Yellow sharps container: needles.