Standards of clinical waster management in UK hospitals

The arrangements for bulk clinical waste handling were observed in 26 UK hospitals. Storage of waste carts in areas freely accessible to the public, and failure to lock individual carts was common. Many clinical waste carts and areas dedicated to their storage were in a poor state of repair. Substantial improvement is required in the management of clinical waste in hospitals in order: (1) to eliminate the possibility of acquired infection through unauthorized, inappropriate access to clinical waste and to minimize adverse effects resulting from contact with waste pharmaceuticals; (2) to comply with the Duty of Care imposed by UK Health Et Safety Legislation; and (3) to satisfy concerns regarding the general standard of hospital hygiene. (c) 2005 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.