Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0720 - Health Facilities Commission
Chapter 0720-35 - Standards For Home Care Organizations Providing Professional Support Services
Section 0720-35-.10 - INFECTIOUS AND HAZARDOUS WASTE

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0720-35-.10

Current through April 3, 2024

(1) Each agency must develop, maintain and implement written policies and procedures for the definition and handling of its infectious and hazardous waste. These policies and procedures must comply with the standards of this rule and all other applicable state and federal regulations.

(2) The following waste shall be considered to be infectious waste:

(a) Waste human blood and blood products such as serum, plasma, and other blood components;

(b) All discarded sharps (including but not limited to, hypodermic needles, syringes, pasteur pipettes, broken glass, scalpel blades) used in consumer care; and

(c) Other waste determined to be infectious by the agency in its written policy.

(3) Waste must be packaged in a manner that will protect waste handlers and the public from possible injury and disease that may result from exposure to the waste. Such packaging must provide for containment of the waste from the point of generation up to the point of proper treatment or disposal. Packaging must be selected and utilized for the type of waste the package will contain, how the waste will be treated and disposed, and how it will be handled and transported prior to treatment and disposal.

(a) Contaminated sharps must be directly placed in leakproof, rigid and puncture-resistant containers which must then be tightly sealed.

(b) Infectious and hazardous waste must be secured in fastened plastic bags before placement in a garbage can with other household waste.

(c) Reusable containers for infectious waste must be thoroughly sanitized each time they are emptied, unless the surfaces of the containers have been completely protected from contamination by disposable liners or other devices removed with the waste.

(4) After packaging, waste must be handled, transported and stored by methods ensuring containment and preserving of the integrity of the packaging, including the use of secondary containment where necessary.

(5) Waste must be stored in a manner which preserves the integrity of the packaging, inhibits rapid microbial growth and putrefaction, and minimizes the potential of exposure or access by unknowing persons. Waste must be stored in a manner and location which affords protection from animals, precipitation, wind and direct sunlight, does not present a safety hazard, does not provide a breeding place or food source for insects or rodents and does not create a nuisance.

(6) In the event of spills, ruptured packaging, or other incidents where there is a loss of containment of waste, the agency must ensure that proper actions are immediately taken to:

(a) Isolate the area;

(b) Repackage all spilled waste and contaminated debris in accordance with the requirements of this rule; and,

(c) Sanitize all contaminated equipment and surfaces appropriately.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 68-11-202, and 68-11-209.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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