If not handled properly, items such as syringes, blood-contaminated medical devices, and laboratory specimens discharged from hospitals and clinics pose a risk of injuring waste collection workers and treatment facility staff and spreading infection. Documents from 1998 reflect a situation where the improper disposal of medical waste had become a problem in various regions, and there was a growing demand for the thorough implementation of a management system to monitor the flow of waste from generation to final disposal. Medical institutions are required to sort waste according to its infectious status and material composition, seal sharp objects such as hypodermic needles in sturdy, dedicated containers, and then hand them over to licensed operators. Currently, infectious waste is defined as waste that contains or is contaminated with pathogens capable of infecting humans, and is managed more strictly than ordinary waste. In Tokyo, even when disposal is outsourced, the responsibility of medical institutions does not cease; they are required to select appropriate contractors, draw up contracts, and verify the disposal route using management slips. Facilities must appoint a safety manager and take measures to prevent leaks, dispersal, and needle stick injuries at every stage—including storage, collection, transportation, incineration, melting, and sterilization. The issues that came to light in 1998 persist even today, following the establishment of the regulatory framework, as ongoing challenges in safety management that support healthcare behind the scenes.
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