Anyone who generates infectious waste must now comply with infectious waste regulations, which vary throughout the nation and are changing rapidly. The orthopaedic nurse in the office setting must keep informed of these changes, and may also be the key to complete and correct compliance with the rules and regulations. Following a proper infectious waste protocol in the office requires an understanding of the infectious waste rules and guidelines as they apply in your state. Before choices can be made on how to comply with the guidelines, you need to assess your practice and the kinds of waste it generates.