Nebraska Biocontainment Unit perspective on disposal of Ebola medical waste

• Published in: American journal of infection control Vol. 42; no. 12; pp. 1256 - 1257
• Main Authors: Lowe, John J., PhD, Gibbs, Shawn G., PhD, Schwedhelm, Shelly S., RN, MSN, Nguyen, John, BS, Smith, Philip W., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.12.2014; Mosby-Year Book, Inc
• Subjects: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); Containment of Biohazards; Discourse analysis; Ebola virus; Environmental Health; Epidemics; Epidemics - prevention & control; Health Facilities - standards; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - epidemiology; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - prevention & control; Hospitals; Humans; Infection Control; Infectious Disease; Medical research; Medical Waste Disposal; Medical wastes; Nebraska; Public Health; Transportation - standards; United States; United States Environmental Protection Agency; Waste disposal; World Health Organization; United States > US
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.10.006

Clinical practices surrounding the current Ebola epidemic have been center stage in discourse concerning research and practice of care. As the medical community becomes more sophisticated in understanding the many facets of treating and containing this virus, the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit has identified Ebola medical waste disposal as a key area of concern for U.S. hospitals. The requirements for processing Ebola medical waste stand to impact most U.S. hospitals currently preparing readiness plans to receive and treat patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD).