Why Your Medical Waste Disposal Company Choice Matters
Before you hire a medical waste disposal company, consider the repercussions of making a poor choice.
The state of Virginia recently imposed a fine of $33,000 on St. Francis Medical Center for improper handling of medical waste when it was determined that some of their employees had been tossing pharmaceutical trash into standard waste bins. Even more lofty is the $49 million settlement reached between California and Kaiser Permanente for similar infractions.
Mishandling your hazardous and non-hazardous medical waste can lead to massive fines and license seizures. Furthermore, it doesn’t take a grand display of disregard for the laws for repercussions to occur. Simple employee mistakes and mishandling of waste disposal can quickly land you in hot water.
If your facility can’t afford to pay thousands, possibly millions in fines, choose your medical waste disposal partner wisely. Let’s take a look at the five common mistakes to avoid when choosing your medical waste disposal provider.
Mistake #1: Ignoring Compliance and Certifications
When selecting a medical waste disposal partner, confirm that your choice is well-versed in all regulations and laws related to medical waste storage and disposal. They must stay abreast of current and upcoming regulations from:
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- State Departments (California Medical Waste Management)
- Local Health Departments
A solid medical waste management organization can walk you through all the requirements for storing and disposing your hazardous and biohazardous waste, helping you avoid fines and penalties.
Mistake #2: Not Considering Service Reliability
A major factor in choosing your medical waste disposal servicer is reliability. Sure, reliability leads to a more convenient working relationship, but when it comes to medical waste, it’s a matter of health and safety.
By procuring reliable medical waste services to pick up and transport your medical waste on a predictable schedule, your facility won’t have to store the overflow of hazardous and biohazardous waste that will inevitably pile up. Waste overflow is a health hazard to your employees, visitors to your facility, and the general public. Furthermore, if your waste disposal storage area becomes full, you may be forced to store your waste in an unsecured area, further risking public health.
Always choose a medical waste disposal service with a reputation for reliability. If your current provider is unreliable, it’s time to start looking for a new one.
Mistake #3 Overlooking the Reputation of a Medical Waste Disposal Company
Reading customer reviews and feedback is a fantastic way to get a clear picture of an organization’s operations. Do they provide reliable service? How do they handle challenging situations? In what areas do they excel? What are their downfalls? Always consider customer reviews when selecting a new medical waste disposal company.
Are you not sure how to evaluate the reviews? Check out our article on How to Evaluate Medical Waste Disposal Companies.
Mistake #4: Focusing Solely on Cost
Cost-effective disposal solutions are essential for facilities working with tight budgets. Yet, while cost is a major consideration when purchasing medical waste management services, it should never be the leading factor. Instead, consider the company’s abilities, reputation, and services first. Are they qualified to meet your needs? If so, their cost may be related to the extra time, effort, and resources they’ll devote to those provisions.
Instead of focusing on the numbers, consider the company’s cost transparency. Are they upfront about the fees associated with their services? Is it easy to understand the value you’ll receive? These are great indicators that you’re working with an honest and valuable organization.
At MedWaste Management, all costs are published openly on our pricing page.
Mistake #5: Not Clarifying Contract Terms and Service Agreements
Before agreeing to hire a medical waste disposal provider, ask about contracts and service agreements. A reputable waste disposal provider will supply you with a service agreement without requiring you to sign a contract.
Look for service agreements that outline:
- Scope of service
- Liabilities
- Total charges
- Frequency of pickup
- Contact information
Avoid contracts that:
- Are lengthy and confusing
- Impose fees if you are unhappy and choose to cancel services
- Allow increasing rates with little notice
At MedWaste Management, we prefer relationships over contracts. Instead of a contract, we’ll provide you with a service agreement outlining our commitments to you.
When choosing a medical waste disposal provider, avoid these pitfalls, and you’ll enjoy long-lasting, reliable, compliant service.
We are MedWaste Management – California’s medical waste disposal experts!
Established in 2008, MedWaste Management fills a need for compliant and safe medical waste disposal in the healthcare industry and the general public alike. We publish this blog to share valuable and practical information to help you stay safe, informed, and healthy!
Call us with any questions or to start service at (866) 254-5105. We are always happy to help!
Check out our services and other great resources in the links below.
Medical Waste Disposal Services
Learn How To Properly Manage & Dispose of Household Medical Waste
Tammy McKinney, RN, is a healthcare writer and seasoned registered nurse. With experience in acute care, long-term care, rehabilitation, drug & alcohol, and hospice & palliative care, she combines her medical understanding with her love for writing to educate and inform the public on various health-related topics. You can view a snippet of her portfolio here or contact her directly on LinkedIn!
