Disposal of Infectious Samples and Used Cartridges in CBNAAT Lab

Disposal of biohazardous waste is essential to prevent contamination and possible infection of those handling the infected specimens.

At the end of each day, Cartridge-based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) laboratories generate contaminated material such as:

• Used sputum containers
• Used cartridges
• Transfer pipettes.

All used materials should be considered contaminated.

All infectious samples should be sealed in a biohazard bag and disposed off according to Biohazard Waste Disposal Guidelines under the National Pollution Control Guidelines, 2019.

• Contaminated materials should be picked up with a gloved hand and placed in a closed lid container of 5% phenol solution or a biohazard bag.
• At the end of the day, the phenol should be drained, and the materials/ bags should be autoclaved at 121°C at 15 psi pressure for 20 minutes.
• Once done, the materials should be cooled and sent to the common waste treatment facility for mutilation/ shredding or disposal.

It is a good practice to display the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the disposal of each item in the CBNAAT laboratory.

Resources

• Guidelines for Management of Healthcare Waste as per Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016