2. ASSIGNMENT
Identify a MOH Hazardous Waste and develop a Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing its purchasing,
use and final disposal. Include details of
persons/departments responsible for each activity.
Hazardous Waste chosen: Toxic and Infectious Substances
3. Presenters:
Overview, Introduction, Objective, Purpose and Scope
Damion Morgan 320071752
01
Sustainable Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the
Purchasing of Scalpel Blades and Needles
Desmond Hinds 320112692
02
Sustainable Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the
Usage of Scalpel Blades and Needles
Mushincan Samuels 320086486
03
Sustainable Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the
Disposal of Scalpel Blades and Needles
Mikail Brooks 320022742
04
Responsible Persons/Departments, Sustainability
Integration, Compliance and Governance, Conclusion
Claudine Goodin 320051772
05
4. OVERVIEW
▪ Sharps are a subset of biohazardous waste and pose a significant risk to
healthcare workers, waste handlers, and the wider public when not used
and disposed of correctly.
▪ From this standpoint, a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) was
developed for the the Purchasing, Usage, and Disposal of Scalpel Blades
and Needles.
▪ This presentation serves to present this SOP and is intended to be used as
a training companion in the SOP’s implementation.
5. ▪ This presentation will present the topics and information contained in the
SOP and will cover areas such as:
o The Objective, Purpose and Scope of the SOP;
o The Specific Procedures, from a Sustainability standpoint, to be
followed when Purchasing, Using and Disposing Scalpel Blades and
Needles;
o The person(s) and/or department(s) responsible for each specific
procedure.
o The Sustainability Integration, Compliance and Governance adopted
by the SOP.
OVERVIEW
6. ▪ The MOHW, as the major generator of all categories of medical waste in
the public health sector, is mandated to collect, store, transport, treat and
dispose of medical waste effectively.
▪ This public health sector constitutes four Regional Health Authorities
(RHAs), which collectively comprise 24 hospitals and 318 health centres
along with other specialized entities.
▪ Sharps are a subset of biohazardous waste and sharps such as scalpel
blades and needles are essential tools in medical practice, yet they pose
significant risks if not managed responsibly throughout their lifecycle.
INTRODUCTION
7. ▪ These items, if improperly managed, can transmit bloodborne pathogens
like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, especially through accidental needle-
stick injuries.
▪ Given the severity of these risks, there is a critical need for healthcare
facilities to adopt and implement standardized procedures for the safe
handling and disposal of sharps.
▪ This SOP integrates sustainable practices into the purchasing, usage, and
disposal of these items, aligning with both local and global public health,
safety, and environmental standards.
INTRODUCTION
8. OBJECTIVE
▪ To develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing the
purchasing, use and final disposal of Scalpel Blades and Needles.
▪ Identify the person(s) and/or department(s) responsible for each specific
procedure to be adopted in the purchasing, use and final disposal of
Scalpel Blades and Needles.
▪ Outline the Sustainability Integration, Compliance and Governance
adopted by the SOP.
9. ▪ To assist the MohW in tracking all categories of waste from generation to
the safe disposal based on local regulation and guidelines.
▪ To address the full lifecycle of sharps; from procurement, usage, and
collection, to final disposal.
▪ To ensure compliance with local public health laws, reduce occupational
and environmental risks, and promote safe and sustainable healthcare
practices in accordance with Jamaican national policies and international
standards.
PURPOSE
10. ▪ This SOP is aligned with Jamaica’s Public Health Act (1974), the National
Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines (2017) issued by the MOHW,
and international best practices such as those outlined by the WHO.
▪ Intended as a comprehensive guide to procure responsibly, use safely, and
dispose of sharps in a manner that supports Economic Sustainability
through cost-efficient procurement and inventory control, Social
Sustainability by ensuring safety and equity in access and Environmental
Sustainability – by minimizing waste, promoting reusable and
biodegradable alternatives, and ensuring proper final disposal.
SCOPE
11. ▪ This SOP provides detailed procedures for the:
o Procurement of sharps and approved disposal containers;
o Safe use of sharps by clinical staff;
o Collection and segregation of used sharps;
o Temporary storage and internal transportation;
o Final disposal through compliant and environmentally sound
methods; and
o Assignment of responsibilities to relevant individuals or departments
at each stage.
SCOPE
12. PURCHASING
1. Needs Assessment:
❑ Monthly inventory checks to prevent overstocking and minimize
expiry-related wastage.
❑ Based on average consumption rates and public health activity data.
2. Requisition Process:
❑ Utilize MOHW standardized requisition forms.
❑ Prioritize reusable handle systems with replaceable blades to reduce
waste, and use single-use devices where sterility and infection control
demand it.
13. PURCHASING
3. Supplier Selection:
❑ Select ISO 14001 certified suppliers.
❑ Favour biodegradable packaging and local vendors to support
Jamaica’s economy and reduce transportation emissions.
4. Procurement Controls:
❑ Comply with GOJ Procurement Act.
❑ Secure multi-year pricing agreements for long-term cost savings.
14. PURCHASING
5. Verification & Storage:
❑ Ensure packaging integrity, batch traceability, and expiry monitoring.
❑ Store in temperature-controlled, secure, and clean areas.
15. 1. Preparation:
❑ Open packaging only at the time of use.
❑ Choose correct blade/needle for the procedure.
2. During Use:
❑ Apply one-hand scoop technique if recapping is necessary.
❑ Use safety-engineered devices when possible.
❑ Single-use items must be discarded after one use to prevent cross-
contamination, reduce infection risks, and comply with WHO and
MOH standards.
USAGE
16. 3. After Use:
❑ Immediate disposal in MOH-approved sharps containers.
❑ Reuse of single-use items is strictly prohibited.
4. Training & Monitoring:
❑ Annual refresher training for clinical staff.
❑ Incident reporting system for sharps injuries.
USAGE
17. 1. Point-of-Use Disposal:
❑ Colour-coded (red), puncture-resistant containers clearly labelled
"Sharps Only", marked with the Biohazard symbol.
❑ Sharps bins should be wall-mounted and sealed at all treatment
stations and removed when 75% full.
2. Collection & Transport:
❑ Replace containers at ¾ capacity.
❑ Transport using sealed, leak-proof containers per OSHA and MOH
guidelines.
DISPOSAL
22. 3. Treatment & Final Disposal:
❑ Sharps to be incinerated or autoclaved and shredded based on MOH
policy.
❑ Maintain disposal logs for auditing.
4. Community & Staff Awareness:
❑ Ongoing training and community engagement to discourage improper
disposal.
DISPOSAL
24. RESPONSIBILITIES
Sharps Procurement Responsibilities by Role
Personnel/Role Responsibilities Actions
Doctors & Nurses (End
Users)
Identify clinical needs for sharps. Recommend
types that enhance patient and staff safety.
- Provide technical specifications for procurement
team.
- Recommend safety-engineered sharps (e.g., auto-
disable).
Stores Department Forecast usage and ensure stock availability.
Ensure quality and regulatory compliance of
products.
- Review stock levels and consumption trends.
- Ensure procured items are registered by the
Pharmacy Council.
Medical/Infectious Waste
Coordinator
Advise on product types that reduce waste or
are easier to dispose of.
- Recommend items with reduced environmental
impact or compatibility with local treatment systems
(e.g., Ecodas T2000).
Infection Control Officer -Ensure that purchased sharps meet safety
standards to minimize risk of injury or
infection.
-Ensure used sharps container meets standard
specification
- Verify sharps devices include safety features
(WHO/CDC compliant).
- Participate in evaluation committees.
Procurement Officer
(Facility Level)
Conduct purchases according to GOJ
Procurement Act and Ministry of Finance rules.
- Develop bid documents with input from clinicians
and IPC teams.
25. RESPONSIBILITIES
Sharps Usage Responsibilities by Role
Personnel/Role Responsibilities Actions
Doctors Ensure safe handling and use of
sharps during medical procedures.
- Use sharps only when necessary.
- Employ safety-engineered devices where possible.
- Avoid recapping needles.
- Dispose of immediately after use.
Nurses Administer injections, IVs, and
perform minor procedures using
sharps.
- Prepare and use sharps carefully.
- Use the correct technique to avoid needlestick injuries.
- Place sharps directly into containers without passing
them hand-to-hand.
Janitorial Supervisor Oversee cleaning team and ensure
safety compliance.
- Train staff to avoid handling used sharps.
- Enforce use of PPE.
- Monitor areas for improperly discarded sharps.
Infection Control
Officer
Oversee safe sharps usage across
departments.
- Monitor adherence to safe practices.
- Conduct sharps safety audits.
- Recommend safer devices and practices.
Public Health Nurse Educate and model safe practices
during immunization or community
interventions.
- Demonstrate safe sharps handling during public health
outreach.
- Educate community health workers on risks and
26. RESPONSIBILITIES
Sharps Disposal Responsibilities by Role
Personnel/Role Responsibilities Actions
Doctors Ensure safe use and disposal of sharps
during procedures.
- Dispose of sharps immediately in designated
containers.
- Never recap needles.
- Report incidents.
Nurses Perform clinical tasks and manage
sharps at point of care.
- Use sharps containers properly.
- Monitor container fill levels.
- Report overflows or injuries.
Phlebotomists / Lab
Technicians
Safely handle blood collection
instruments.
- Dispose of used needles and tubes in approved
sharps containers.
- Avoid hand-to-hand passing.
Housekeeping Staff Handle waste during collection and
cleaning.
- Never pick up sharps by hand.
- Transport sealed containers only.
- Wear PPE at all times.
Public Health Nurse Support community and facility-based
infection control measures.
- Advocate for proper sharps disposal education.
- Conduct outreach and facility audits.
27. SUSTAINABILITY INTEGRATION
Dimension Impact Area Ecodas T2000 Sterilwave 440
Economic
Operational Efficiency - Fully automated cycle reduces labour costs.
- Requires centralized setup; higher throughput supports cost-
efficiency in larger facilities.
- Compact & mobile; allows decentralized use, saving on
transport & third-party disposal fees.
- Shorter cycle time (~30 mins) lowers energy cost per cycle.
Cost of Ownership - Higher initial capital cost.
- Long lifespan with stainless steel construction.
- May require dedicated infrastructure for installation.
- Lower installation cost.
- Plug-and-play design reduces capital investment and
maintenance burden.
Waste Management Cost - Up to 80% waste volume reduction minimizes transportation and
landfill costs.
- Waste is sterile and inert, reducing costs of hazardous waste
handling.
Social
Occupational Health & Safety - Fully enclosed system minimizes risk of exposure.
- Automation limits direct human contact with waste.
- Multiple safety interlocks, real-time monitoring, HEPA filters
protect operators.
- Ideal for mid-size facilities with limited waste teams.
Training and Skills - Requires trained personnel for operation and system monitoring.
- Generates detailed compliance reports.
- Intuitive touchscreen controls reduce complexity.
- Faster learning curve for operators.
Community Health Impact - Ensures complete inactivation of pathogens (10⁸ microbial reduction).
- Prevents potential disease transmission via sharps or infectious
waste.
- Converts hazardous waste into municipal-grade waste.
- Eliminates incinerator-related pollution risks for nearby
communities.
Environmental
Pollution & Emissions - No combustion = zero emissions of dioxins, furans or hazardous air
pollutants.
- Microwave-based treatment avoids burning and chemical
treatments.
- Integrated filtration limits air emissions.
Waste Volume & Quality - 80% waste volume reduction; shredded and sterilized waste is
unrecognizable and compact.
- Treated waste is sterile, odorless, and ready for landfill or
recycling.
Energy Use - Uses electricity for shredding and high-pressure steam generation.
- Energy-intensive due to high temp & pressure.
- Lower temperature sterilization = more energy-efficient per
batch.
Recyclability - Output can be safely handled or recycled in municipal systems
depending on local policies.
- Homogenized, inert output allows safe disposal or recycling
where permitted.
Climate Change Mitigation - Reduces landfill burden and avoids incineration, thereby reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
- Supports health sector’s green transition by eliminating fossil-
fuel-based disposal methods.
28. ❖ Local Authorities: Ministry of Health & Wellness, National Solid Waste
Management Authority (NSWMA), Bureau of Standards Jamaica.
❖ International Bodies: World Health Organization (WHO), Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
COMPLIANCE AND GOVERNANCE
29. CONCLUSION
▪ This presentation presented the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP),
developed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), for the the
Purchasing, Usage, and Disposal of Scalpel Blades and Needles.
▪ The SOP integrates sustainable practices into the purchasing, usage, and
disposal of Scalpel Blades and Needles, aligning with both local and global
public health, safety, and environmental standards.
30. CONCLUSION
▪ Sharps are a subset of biohazardous waste and sharps such as scalpel
blades and needles are essential tools in medical practice, yet they pose
significant risks if not managed responsibly throughout their lifecycle.
▪ It is from this standpoint that the SOP clearly outlines the Specific
Procedures, from a Sustainability standpoint, to be followed when
Purchasing, Using and Disposing Scalpel Blades and Needles, along with
the person(s) and/or department(s) responsible for each specific
procedure.
31. CONCLUSION
▪ It is intended that this SOP will help to ensure compliance with local
public health laws, reduce occupational and environmental risks, and
promote safe and sustainable healthcare practices in accordance with
Jamaican national policies and international standards.