Have any idea on the color coding of trashcans used in the hospital pls...???

this sounds ridiculous but it really would be a big help if u enlighten me on this. i was told red trashcans are for items that are hazardous...wats yellow wats green whats orange whats black are for??

Have any idea on the color coding of trashcans used in the hospital pls...???
I have never seen a hospital with so many different colors of trash cans and have been a nurse for 25 years.





Red trash cans are used for objects that contain human wastes (thus could be infectous). Small red containers (large ones in the labs) are used for sharps like needles, razors, blades, etc. Red liners for linen containrs are used for linen that could be infectous so needs special handling.





Everything else has just been in other colored trash containers for normal disposal.





However, the colors you mentioned are used in the hospital for other purposes. When you here an overhead page for a "code", they will label it with a color to let the appropiate staff know what is going on, so the right people will respond to help. The codes are not yet standardized, so different states and country may have a slightly different list, but in my experience:


Red - there is a fire


Blue - someone needs resuscitation


Pink - a child is missing


Yellow - there is a disaster outside of the hospital that may effect paitent care inside (like a hurricane)


Orange - A hazardous material has spilled inside the hospital


Black - a bomb threat


Green - a security issue, like combative visitor
Reply:we have colored bags and cans....regular trash in clear bags, body fluids in red bags, chemotherapy in yellow bags, laundry in blue bags, our maxi-slide lift sheets go in a green can, paper/documents for shredding go in gray locked cans...