DH Clinical Waste Consultation
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On Jan 23 2006 11:43AM  philip.pugh wrote: 
Live consultation ends on the 7th February for those who are interested the link is http://www.dh.gov.uk/Consultations/LiveConsultations/LiveConsultationsArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4122213&chk;=dgJuvR
Apparently according to the AMM site one user suggests that the control of infection basis is a nonsense and very confused but, if we allow it to be implemented "as is", then it will tie us in knots for years to come.
On Jan 23 2006 3:23PM  david.shakespeare wrote: 
Indeed, we have done a joint acute / pct contribution to this consultation and came up with a lot of issues. There are some positives like widening the new 'offensive' waste stream. There are also key negatives notably asking clinicians to make a decision on the classification on the type of 'infectious' waste they are generating; which would arguably be a step back in terms of how we define clinical waste as part of standard precautions at present. There are also difficulties is segregating cytostatic and cytoxic sharps from non cytostatic and cytotoxic sharps. Are busy staff going to be able to check every item? Furthermore,with the new waste streams e.g. yellow / orange some trusts may not wish to take the risk of guaranteeing segregation and place all their waste in the higher stream at horrendous cost. It has also been suggested that in the community staff will have to transport all clinical waste back to base, leading to issues around waste being transported in cars and whether Class 1 Car insurance will cover this. Its interesting that much of this has apparently come about due to the lack of capacity in current incineration sites, yet the government announced a separate consultation only last week about building more. I agree that while much of the proposals are well intended there will be many issues to deal with, not least around training.

David.
On Jan 23 2006 4:54PM  Marina.Burd wrote: 
I presume someone has looked at the Irish classification which is working successfully or 5 years
On Jan 24 2006 9:09AM  sue.berry wrote: 
Hi All
Just a quick comment to urge you al to make comment on this document. I
would really appreciate as many constructive comments as possible. I think
there is a general consensus that the proposal is complicated, onerous and
totally impractical in places, however unless these are voiced and
alternatives put forward the document will go ahead in its current misguided
shape, which I hope none of us would want. Therefore please can I urge again
that you all make comment on this via your trust and if possible through
your professional organisations. If any of you would like to discuss the
document prior to sending comments please do not hesitate to contact me. In
this we have to at least stand together for a stronger voice.
Bring it on
Regards

Sue
On Jan 24 2006 9:34AM  debbie.king wrote: 
Sue - I think you hit the nail on the head when you said alternative suggestions. Marina - what is the Irish system?
Deb
On Jan 24 2006 11:10AM  alison.murphy wrote: 
I am compiling the comments from my 2 PCT's at this moment, I think the implications for community staff are immense and constructive comments are really needed. General consensus amongst all areas is that it is very confusing and when is a wound infected - only if a swab identifies an organism? Also two shades of yellow may be difficult if you are colour blind?
On Jan 24 2006 6:09PM  Marina.Burd wrote: 
We use alternative technology for 95% of our Healthcare Risk Waste with the remainder Exported for incineration. We therefore had to take a serious look at what in real terms constituted a likely source of potential harm to handlers and the general public. We have a fairly unique classification based on sound principles of IC allied with Segregation, Packaging, and Storage which protects everyone from potential sources of infection. If you go to www.doh.ie / publications/segregation_packaging you will find the full document Segregation Packaging and Storage Guidelines for Healthcare Risk Waste (3rd edition) or if you want the Burd version you can look up Professional Nurse April 2005 Vol 20 N0 8.
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