Standards of clinical waste management in hospitals--a second look.

METHODS The arrangements for bulk clinical waste handling were audited in 16 UK hospitals, one year after an earlier audit that revealed many deficiencies in performance. RESULTS Storage of clinical waste carts in areas accessible to members of the public and failure to lock individual waste carts was common. Waste segregation was poor. Many clinical waste carts and the areas dedicated to their storage were in a poor state of repair. Many instances of clinical waste storage apparently in breach of UK health and safety legislation, of fire regulations, and of the hazardous waste regulations were observed. CONCLUSIONS The standard of performance in clinical waste management in UK hospitals remains poor, with evidence of neglect of basic hygiene, housekeeping and safety standards. However, codes of practice exist, and despite implementation of the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2006 that provide further control on all wastes management issues, the reality of clinical waste management in some National Health Service (NHS) hospitals continues to be largely inadequate.