M

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T
E
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A

The METEKA Hygiene and Infection

Prevention System

INSTRUCTION FOR COLLECTION,

TRANSPORTATION, and DISINFECTION
of infectious healthcare waste

with

MEDISTER 20 waste disinfection device

and
MEDITAINER MTC 20 waste container

Copyright METEKA SAM MB U 5 E F11

Version 01/11 1/13
 CONTENT

1. EXPLANATION OF OPERATING HINTS...................................................................3

2. DEFINITION OF HEALTH CARE WASTE .................................................................3

2.1 INFECTIOUS WASTE ............................................................................................................... 4
3. THE METEKA SYSTEM: COLLECTION, TRANSPORTATION, AND
DISINFECTION OF INFECTIOUS WASTE.................................................................5
3.1 GENERAL NOTES ................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR WASTE COLLECTION ........................................................................ 6
3.3 SPECIAL TYPES OF WASTE ..................................................................................................... 7
3.3.1 Small and thin-walled closed rigid receptacles .................................................7
3.3.2 Needles and other metal objects ......................................................................7
3.3.3 Dry waste..........................................................................................................7
4. PRACTICAL EXECUTION ..........................................................................................8
4.1 WASTE COLLECTION.............................................................................................................. 8
4.2 DISINFECTION ..................................................................................................................... 10
4.3 REMOVAL OF THE WASTE..................................................................................................... 11

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1. Explanation of operating hints

ATTENTION:
This hint means warning against
• danger to the safety of the user and to other persons in case of non-observance of
the precautions;
• potential damage to the device, to the plant and to other intrinsic values;
• incorrect settings.

PLEASE NOTE:
Malfunction or device breakdown may occur in case of non-observance of this operating
hint.

2. Definition of health care waste

The term “Health-care waste” describes the total waste stream generated by health-
care establishments, research institutions and laboratories.

About 75 % - 90 % of HCW is general waste similar to domestic waste.

Only 10 % - 25 % of the total waste stream requires special treatment.

About 15 % can be categorized as pathological and infectious waste,

approx. 1 % as sharps waste and

approx. 3 % as chemical or pharmaceutical waste.

Less than 1 % is special waste (radioactive or cytostatic waste, pressurized containers,

broken thermometers, used batteries etc.).

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2.1 Infectious waste

Infectious waste is suspected to contain pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites

or fungi) in sufficient concentration or quantity to cause a disease in susceptible
hosts. The category „infectious waste“ includes:
• cultures and stocks of infectious agents from laboratory work e.g. petri dishes, object
plates, stool bins ;
• waste of surgery and autopsies on patients with infectious diseases (e.g. tissues,
and materials or equipment that have been in contact with blood or other body
fluids);
• waste from infected patients in isolation wards (e.g. excreta, dressings from infected
or surgical wounds);
• waste that has been in contact with infected patients undergoing haemodialysis (e.g.
dialysis equipment such as tubing and filters, disposable towels, gowns, aprons,
gloves and laboratory coats);
• infected animals from laboratories, animal litter, excrements;
• any other materials that have been in contact with infected persons or animals;
• wastes with risk of injury, e.g. cannulae or other sharp objects which are dangerous.

The categorization and declaration of infectious healthcare waste into risk

categories (class 6.2 – category A or B - according to the ADR/RID regulation -
European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods
by Road) is the obligation of the „waste producer“.

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3. The METEKA System:
Collection, transportation, and disinfection of infectious
waste

3.1 General notes

• Waste for disinfection in MEDISTER 20 devices has to be collected by trained

persons only. Strict observance of this directive is a prerequisite for trouble-free
operation.

• Waste collection and disinfection is only allowed by use of the original MEDITAINER
MTC20 (subsequent named MEDITAINER in this manual) waste container.

• In case of closed containers with lyophilized germs/spores, field testing is required to

determine the efficacy of disinfection in the MEDISTER device.

• Liquids may be collected straight in the MEDITAINER container, or alternative also

e.g. in containers made of polypropylene. These filled containers must be placed
inside the MEDITAINER – unfasten its screw-cap and start disinfection. After
treatment the disinfected liquid can be disposed into the drain.

• If there is any doubt, whether a waste category is suitable for treatment in the
MEDISTER 20, METEKA should be contacted first and then it should be tested with
a small volume. In case of non-suitability this material must be sorted out and
treated in a different way. In any case METEKA is not liable for any damage or risk
associated with the microwave treatment of non suitable material in the MEDISTER
20.

ATTENTION:

The inhomogeneous composed waste may possibly contain microwave-absorbing

plastics. Please do not insert!

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3.2 Safety guidelines for waste collection

The MEDISTER 20 is designed exclusively for disinfection of moist (moistened)

waste and liquids.

The MEDISTER 20 is the ideal disinfection device for:

Typical hospital waste such as waste from isolation wards, blood bags, drainage
systems, dialysis sets, etc.

Laboratory waste: culture media in petri dishes, culture broths, blood culture bottles,
stool receptacles, slide cultures, body fluids (blood, stool, urine, sputum), infectious
liquids except for acids, lyes, chemicals, and explosive substances.

Liquids: Liquids except acids, lyes, chemicals and explosive substances.

The residual moisture in used tubing is sufficient for safe disinfection. Completely dried
out tubing is not suited for disinfection in MEDISTER.
Therefore put used tubing (eg. catheter sets) immediately after use into the
MEDITAINER container and disinfect the entire waste in MEDISTER within 72 hours.

FOLLOWING WASTE MATERIALS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR DISINFECTION IN

MEDISTER:

ATTENTION:

IMPORTANT!
Waste materials not suitable for microwave treatment in MEDISTER: not
allowed to insert into the MEDITAINER:

* Closed rigid containers – Risk of explosion

(e.g. filled glass bottles)
* Explosive substances - Risk of explosion
* Acids, chemical byproducts, lyes - Risk of explosion
* Radioactive substances
* Living creatures
* Cytostatics
* Intense HF-absorbing materials (e.g. containing charcoal-graphite)

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3.3 Special types of waste

3.3.1 Small and thin-walled closed rigid receptacles

(in case they cannot be opened)

They have to be collected in microwave-transparent containers made of polypropylene.

Then this container is filled with water until all liquid-containing receptacles to be
disinfected are at least half immersed into the water.
Greater and thick-walled receptacles have to be opened in any case!

ATTENTION:

Risk of explosion in case of disregard!

Never put these containers filled this way into the MEDISTER by themselves,
rather put them into the MEDITAINER unclosed and in a standing position,
together with the other waste.

ATTENTION:

Be sure there is no water running out of this extra container! Risk of

explosion!

3.3.2 Needles and other metal objects

Needles and other metal objects may be collected in microwave-transparent, prick-proof

extra containers made of polypropylene. These containers must be filled with enough
water to cover all metal parts.

3.3.3 Dry waste

In case of mainly or exclusively dry material (paper, cellulose etc), the waste must be
moistened in layers already when filled into the MEDITAINER (add approx. 1 liter of
water per 1 kg dry waste).

ATTENTION:

Risk of overheating!!

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4. Practical execution

4.1 Waste collection

• Before waste collection a disposable, microwave and temperature resistant waste

bag is placed in the MEDITAINER waste container. When placing this waste bag into
the MEDITAINER turn the upper protruding edge of the bag outward over the rim of
the MEDITAINER.

Illustration 1: MEDITAINER MTC20 ready for waste collection

• Infectious waste should be collected directly at the place where it is produced.

Waste - with about the same starting temperature - should be filled loosely (not
compressed) into the MEDITAINER.

Illustration 2: Loosely waste in the MEDITAINER

• Do not fill the MEDITAINER more than three fourth and not more than one half
if you are processing mainly liquid waste in plastic bags (volume increase by
inflation of closed bags).
• Closed, deflated plastic bags have to be opened before putting inside the
MEDITAINER. If it is not possible to open these bags, do not fill more than one
fourth of them into the MEDITAINER (volume increase by inflation of closed
bags).

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 • The volume of the liquids in different inserted receptacles must not differ by more
than 250 ml.

Maximum volume of liquids filled into the MEDITAINER 20 –5 liters

Maximum weight of MEDITAINER 20 – 10 kg

ATTENTION:

Do not bring in closed waste bags!

No „Bag-in-Bag“ Collection – Risk of overheating!

• Fill up the MEDITAINER according to the waste collecting guidelines close the lid
and shut the lockings.

Illustration 3: Closing the MEDITAINER Illustration 4: Shut the lockings

• The protruding edge of the waste bag stays outside the MEDITAINER.

• The MEDITAINER is now ready for disinfection, and can be brought to the
MEDISTER 20.

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4.2 Disinfection

Insert the MEDITAINER into the MEDISTER 20 and close the device door.

Illustration 5: Insert of the MEDITAINER

Press the START-Button to start the disinfection cycle.

Illustration 6: Start of the disinfection cycle

By pressing the „START“-Button for 3 seconds the disinfection program runs fully
automatic.

The disinfection cycle takes about 45 minutes and consists of following periods which
are displayed via status LED’s at the control panel:

- Water-/VISCIT adding
- Heating up period (HEATING)
- Holding period (DISINFECTION)
- After cooling period (COOLING)

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4.3 Removal of the waste

• At the end of the disinfection cycle an acoustic signal is heard, the LED “Cycle OK”
flashes and the display shows the message “DISINFECTION OK, REMOVE
WASTE“.

• The cycle documentation is printed.

• Now you can open the device door and bring out the MEDITAINER from the
MEDISTER

Illustration 7: Status Cycle OK Illustration 8: Removal of MEDITAINER

ATTENTION:

The MEDITAINER is hot! Wear protecting gloves!

• Before opening the lid of the MEDITAINER allow the container to cool down a few
minutes. This will reduce possible smell coming out of the MEDITAINER.

• Use a cable tie, a wire or a similarly item to close up the waste bag after disinfection.

• The disinfected waste with the bag is now ready for disposal.

ATTENTION:

Remove the disinfected waste (in the waste bag) from the MEDITAINER after
cooling down only. Otherwise danger of scalding out of hot residual water
from the waste/waste bag could be possible!

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 Illustration 9: Removal of disinfected waste Illustration 10: Closing up the waste bag

NOTE:

The disinfection cycle can be stopped by pushing the STOP button at any time.

PLEASE NOTE:

In this case the disinfection of the waste is not finished! Please start the program
again.

ATTENTION:

When using a condensate tank: Check condensate level and empty the tank at
regular intervals.

ATTENTION:

If the waste in the disinfection container starts burning due to self-ignition, keep the
door of the device closed, push the STOP button and pull out the power plug. Open
the disinfection container only after the fire has stopped by itself. Moisten the waste
sufficiently and restart the cycle.

Copyright METEKA SAM MB U 5 E F11

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Non-observance of the Operating/Safety Manual or failure to comply with the
intended purpose of the device releases the METEKA company from any
indemnity or warranty claim and from any liability for loss or damage to the
device, to persons or to the environment as well as consequential loss or damage
resulting therefrom.

The practice-proven METEKA Hygiene and Infection Prevention System offers a

complete solution, beginning at the collection point of infectious health care
waste up to the disposal of disinfected waste, for protecting patients, healthcare
personnel and disposal staff from injuries and infections.

The METEKA Hygiene and Infection Prevention System was adapted from medical and
hygienic experts particularly to the specific needs of medical institutions. Last but not
least the METEKA Hygiene and Infection Prevention System is a major contribution to
achieve a safe and sound environment both inside as well as outside the hospital area.

Gives germs no chance:

The METEKA Hygiene and Infection Prevention
System!

For further information please have a look at our homepage: www.meteka.com.

Sources:
• WHO: Safe Management of wastes from health-care activities, Geneva 1999
• C.H. Collins and D.A. Kennedy: Occupational Blood-borne Infections – Risk and Management, Oxon
1997
• Megha Kela et al: Managing Hospital Waste – A guide for health care facilities, New Delhi 1998

Copyright METEKA SAM MB U 5 E F11

Version 01/11 13/13