Where should disposable soiled equipment be placed?

Disposable soiled equipment should be placed in plastic bags lining waste receptacles to ensure proper containment and safe disposal. This method helps prevent the spread of infectious materials and protects healthcare workers and others from potential exposure to hazardous waste.

Using plastic bags that are specifically designed for biohazardous waste is crucial, as these bags are often color-coded and marked to indicate that they contain potentially infectious materials. This alerts waste handlers and others in the vicinity to handle the materials with appropriate care. Additionally, lining waste receptacles with these bags allows for easy and hygienic disposal once the bags are full, minimizing direct contact with the waste.

In contrast, using a regular trash can does not provide the necessary containment for soiled or potentially infectious items, while placing items under the patient’s bed could lead to accidental exposure and is not a safe disposal practice. Storing soiled equipment in a cardboard box is also inadequate, as it lacks the protective qualities of a specialized plastic bag and could easily be breached, leading to contamination.