Cytotoxic Waste Disposal Guidelines

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Always wear appropriate PPE when handling cytotoxic waste to protect against exposure.
• PPE includes gloves, gowns, face shields, etc.

Cytotoxic Waste Disposal

• Dispose of all cytotoxic waste in designated purple cytotoxic bins.
• Ensure bins are secured to prevent leakage during transportation.
• Proper disposal is crucial to maintain safety and compliance with health standards.

Contaminated Waste Handling

• Emesis Bags:
  • Close the top securely before placing it in the purple waste bin.
  • Helps prevent leakage and contamination.
• Bodily Fluids:
  • Use pans, urinals, etc., for collection.
  • Transport to the pan room with caution to minimize splashing.
  • Empty contents into the sleuth as close to the waterline as possible, and flush twice to ensure proper disposal.
• Toilets:
  • If feasible, empty bodily fluids into the toilet in the patient’s room first, flush twice, and then transport to pan room.
• Kidney Dishes:
  • Dispose of all contents appropriately to avoid contamination.
  • Some items may need to go into small cytotoxic bins (e.g., sharps, syringes).
  • Non-sharp materials like gauze should go into the purple waste bin.
  • Transport to the pan room quickly for processing.

Pathology Specimens

• When transporting items for pathology, label the outside of the bag with a purple cytotoxic sticker to indicate special handling is required.

Linen Disposal

• Unsoiled Linen:
  • Place in regular linen skips for cleaning.
• Soiled Linen:
  • Use a second linen bag for double bagging.
  • Affix a purple cytotoxic sticker on the outside.
  • Call laundry services to arrange for special collection; do not leave soiled linen sitting on the ward.