Biomedical Waste
About 3 of every 64 questions on a Florida NHA Laws and Rules practice exam come from this topic.
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What to know
Chapter 64E-16, F.A.C., is the Department of Health's biomedical waste rule. Biomedical waste is solid or liquid waste that may present a threat of infection to humans, including blood, body fluids and discarded sharps. Absorbent materials saturated with blood count even after the blood dries. Urine, feces, saliva and vomitus are excluded unless visibly bloody, and an unidentified fluid is treated as a regulated body fluid. Each facility needs a written operating plan covering training, handling procedures, spill cleanup and emergencies. Staff are trained before they start handling the waste and again every year, and records are kept three years. Non-sharps waste is sealed in red bags at the point of origin, the room where it is generated, and needles go into sharps containers, never straight into corrugated boxes. Packages carry the biohazard symbol and an approved phrase, and bags sent off site carry the generator's name and address. Storage may not exceed 30 days. Storage areas must be restricted, and outdoor areas need a symbol at least six inches across. Generators use only registered transporters. Those producing under 25 pounds per 30 days are exempt from permits, and permits are not transferable.
Where it comes from
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 64E-16.002
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 64E-16.003
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 64E-16.004
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 64E-16.005
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 64E-16.006
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 64E-16.010, 64E-16.011
Try a practice question
Under Chapter 64E-16, what is the longest a nursing home may store biomedical waste at its own facility, where it was generated?
- A14 days
- B30 days
- C7 days
- D90 days
Show the answer
30 days. Storage of biomedical waste at the generating facility may not exceed 30 days. The same 30-day limit applies to storage away from the generating facility.
Fla. Admin. Code R. 64E-16.004(1)(a)
Ready for a full run? The Florida Nursing Home Administrator Laws and Rules Exam Practice Test is 64 questions in 120 minutes, scored at 75%. For the official exam's details, see Florida Nursing Home Administrator License Exam Requirements.