Category Archives: Biohazard Waste Disposal

Biohazard Waste Disposal

Hazardous Waste VS. Bio Hazardous Waste

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Medical Waste Disposal, Proper Waste Disposal

Know the difference.

Yes. The two terms sound similar. However, hazardous waste is very different from bio-hazardous waste. Therefore, hazardous waste disposal would be different than bio-hazardous waste disposal. Though they  both can be produced in a health care environment, bio hazardous waste is what is typically generated in a health care setting, in the majority of circumstances. Bio-hazardous waste includes used syringes, razors, lancets and other devices that come in contact with bodily fluids. Both human and animal fluids.

Hazardous waste on the other hand, refers specifically to waste that waste deemed hazardous by the RCRA ACT. A waste would be deemed hazardous based on its level of re-activity. Some are considered hazardous since they are flammable, others because they are are corrosive toxic or poisonous. These substances need to be handled, stored and disposed of in a very specific way. While there are numerous and effective requirements for the disposal of bio-hazardous waste, hazardous waste requirements and regulations are more stringent. This is certainly due to the stronger danger posed by the mistreatment of hazardous wastes.  The disposal for hazardous waste is monitored and regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic Substance Control and other Federal, state and local bodies.

There is a lot of information out there about the proper disposal and treatment of bio-hazardous waste, medical waste, hazardous waste and other wastes. Treating waste correctly is very important for our way of living and also reflective of our general social attitudes.

– Remember, MedWaste Management provides great bio-hazardous and hazardous waste disposal along with other great services and products.

Call us today to start service! We are always happy to speak! (866) 254-5105

Our Services:

Medical Waste Disposal Services.

Bio-Hazardous Waste Disposal Services.

Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Services.

Resources:

Medical Waste Regulations In California.

Home Generated Sharps Waste Collection Points.

 

 

Reducing the Impact of Hospital Medical Waste – One Red Bag at a Time

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Healthcare Industry, Medical Waste Disposal

A study published this last June has shed light on an alarming statistic for hospitals. If the healthcare system of the United States were a country, it would rank 13th in the world for hazardous greenhouse gas emissions. Published in PLOS ONE, the study unveils the environmental and health impact of our country’s health care industry.

Previously, investigators had only looked at the amounts of energy used by medical facilities in the United States, estimating that they were contributing 8% of the country’s greenhouse gases. This number changes dramatically when you begin to factor in other variables, such as medical waste disposal inside of hospital.

While hospitals are meant to secure the health and safety of the population, the methods are at the same time having a negative effect on public health. Due to the sheer number of harmful materials being produced during the course of health care in the United States, it is estimated that the pollutants generated are responsible for 470,000 DALYs annually. DALY – disability adjusted life years – is the measurement of years lost due to health issues, disabilities and premature death.

That number is comparable to the number of lives lost each year due to preventable medical errors as reported by the Institute of Medicine in 1999. That report sparked outrage, and major reform for patient safety in health care facilities. As this is of similar magnitude, it is important that health care providers take note of it now, and begin initiating practices that help to reduce their carbon footprint.

Medical Waste Disposal and the Environment

The way in which you are disposing of your hospital’s medical waste can make a drastic impact on your contribution to greenhouse gases. The production and then destruction of disposable products, such as red bags, emit dangerous gases into the breathing air. To reduce this, some hospitals have resorted to reusable containers where ever possible, especially in the transport of medical waste from its origination site to the storage area.

These containers follow all of the same guidelines outlined by the federal and state government, yet because they are being cleaned and reused continually, their use is reducing greenhouse gases. Just replacing the red bags in certain areas will make a big difference. Consider the tens of thousands you might use each year, and then multiply that number by the number of hospitals around the country. Once you begin to look at those numbers on a nationwide, or even statewide, scale you can see how the methods you use for medical waste disposal are a huge contributor to greenhouse gases.

Speak with MedWaste Management pros about actions you can take to reduce the amount of products being used to remove medical waste from your facility. Together, our mission can be to protect the inhabitants of the entire planet, not just the patients inside of our facility.

Illegal Dumping of Medical Waste is an Expensive Gamble

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Medical Waste Disposal, Public Safety, Regulatory Compliance

This past June, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection let it be known that violations with medical waste disposal for hospitals will be treated harshly. They fined both the UPMC and the Allegheny Health Network after an investigation found both were illegally disposing of their medical waste.

The investigation began almost 3 years ago when a local waste management company discovered untreated medical waste was mixed in with municipal garbage at a state landfill. Initially, it was believed that all had come from UPMC, but a further probe revealed that 2 hospitals in the Allegheny Health Network were also responsible. Both of the health systems were fined, yet the investigation continued around the state to ensure that no other medical facilities were also guilty of the practice.

Biological waste disposal violations were subsequently found in 12 hospitals operated by UPMC, which was then hit with a $451,000 fine. It was found that they were dumping large quantities of contaminated needles, wound dressings containing blood, and other bodily fluids right at the landfill. Two hospitals in the Allegheny Health Network – West Penn and Forbes – are guilty of similar practices, and were fined a total of $86,900 by the state.

According to a representative from the state’s environmental protection agency, the biggest concern was that none of the waste had been sterilized prior to shipment and dumping. This practice puts the local water supply at risk of contamination as the medical waste begins to break down and decompose on its own. The presence of contaminated needles was also noted, as these are an immediate health risk for any individual who comes into contact with them.

A spokesperson from the Allegheny Health Network admits a breakdown in their normally strict policies of medical waste disposal. Once the breakdown was discovered, they immediately took steps to reeducate staff members involved in the path of medical waste inside of the hospitals. They also opted to begin using a professional medical waste disposal company that could ensure that all medical waste was properly sterilized before it was left at any landfill.

What Led to These Violations

During the inspections following the initial discovery of untreated medical waste in a landfill, investigators found a number of violations inside of area hospitals. Noted was improper labeling, storage, and the handling of untreated medical waste before it even left the facility. This is why it is extremely important to implement a strategy that starts at the very collection of medical waste from where it is being generated.

To avoid this happening to your medical facility, it is imperative that you work with a reliable medical waste management service provider. Not only do we treat medical waste, be assist in educating your employees, providing you with the proper materials for collection, and structuring a plan for its safe removal from your hospital. This is your best defense against having to pay almost half a million dollars in penalties.

Biological Waste Disposal for When It’s a Messy Job

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Medical Waste Disposal

Biological waste disposal for clinics is typically structured for easy collection at the generation site and transport to a holding area. Yet not every situation is simple. Spills and accidents inside of a clinic can cause biological waste to enter common areas, and require quick action to remove before anyone is infected.

Safety precautions and procedures need to be in place inside of your clinic to help contend with a biological waste spill. Taking steps now to prepare for such an incident will help to ensure that the effects are not catastrophic.

Hazardous bloodborne pathogens could be present in even the smallest trace of blood or other bodily fluids. All staff members must be provided with clear direction on how to approach these situations and fix them, in a way that takes their own health and safety into consideration.

Steps to Follow When Facing a Biological Waste Spill in a Clinic

  • Secure the area and prohibit any patients or other unauthorized personnel to gain access
  • Use gloves and other protective gear to avoid direct contact with the biological waste
  • Clean spills using disposable towels only after ensuring that there are no broken glass fragments
  • If the spill contains pieces or broken glass or other objects that can pierce the skin, these should be cleaned using a disposable brush and pan or other device that can be subjected to sterilization afterwards
  • Assume that all substances are biohazardous waste and dispose of them accordingly in bags labeled as such
  • Wash hands using a sterilizing soap and warm water
  • Log the incident and the type of biological waste involved
  • Ensure that the waste is retrieved by your medical waste disposal company as soon as possible

When faced with cleaning up a blood spill or other biological waste, commercial cleaning products and regular trash bags are not sufficient. To protect the integrity of your clinic, you have to ensure that the entire area that was contaminated has been completely sterilized, and that the collected medical waste is contained safely.

How Your Medical Waste Disposal Company Can Help

Of course in the heat of the moment you are not going to be able to call up your biological waste disposal service provider to clean up a spill, but they can assist you in enacting safe plans for when they do occur. The convenient placement of cleaning materials, waste bags and other tools will help to ensure that you are able to clean up a biological spill quickly and efficiently.

Don’t wait for the inevitable to happen before having a plan in place for dealing with it. Accidents occur when you least expect them, but when they involve biological waste, you don’t have the luxury of time. Talk with your service provider about proper training of your personnel and materials needed to ensure that even a large spill in your clinic will have no impact on the health of your patients and workers.

California’s Role in Shaping the Medical Waste Disposal Industry

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Medical Waste Disposal, Public Safety, Regulatory Compliance

When it comes to medical waste disposal rules and practices, no one is doing it better than the state of California. Since 1972, state lawmakers have been making a concerted effort to better regulate medical waste, providing federal regulators with an exemplary lead to follow.

The California Hazardous Waste Control Law – or HWCL – was enacted in 1972, four years before the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act – RCRA – was put into place by the federal government. Since that time, California has always been a few steps ahead of the feds, ensuring residents that they will not be affected by medical waste disposal hazards. Medical waste disposal for hospitals, clinics and any other type of healthcare facility is closely monitored at the state level, starting from the point at which it is generated all the way to the methods used for sterilization.

Not only was California first in recognizing the need for medical waste disposal regulation, they have enacted stricter regulations consistently over the last 5 decades:

  • As per the HWCL, the Department of Toxic Substances Control must grant permits to companies treating hazardous waste. The same was not initially set forth in the regulations given by the RCRA.
  • A list was made of hazardous wastes and a toxicity characteristic by the HWCL ten years before the RCRA put forth a similar list.
  • There is a sewer exclusion included for wastes as per the Clean Water Act, yet this exclusion is not recognized in the state of California.
  • California laws clearly define toxicity characteristics whereas the federal government makes no concessions, not even for copper, zinc or nickel. They also look at carcinogens, another point missed in federal regulations.
  • Under California law, more hazardous wastes are regulated that what is recognized by the federal government.

The stringent guidelines set forth by the California government may be good news for residents, yet it poses problems for healthcare facilities. Knowing the expectations of OSHA and the EPA is not enough. Health care providers must be up to speed on the myriad of rules given at the state level, on top of what can be expected form their federal counterparts.

In order to avoid systematic inspections and fines imposed by state regulators, the administrator of a dental office or health clinic in California needs to be fully aware of all of the rules being imposed. This makes biological waste disposal for dental offices a burdensome task that can consume your resources as you work to be compliant. Professional medical waste disposal companies are fully equipped to relieve you of the burden, making your facility safe for patients and your employees.

Don’t risk being subject to expensive fines due to accidental non-compliance with California laws. Use a locally based company that has been registered with the state in order to ensure that your medical waste disposal needs are being met, with regard for the laws enforced at every level.

199 Cases Where Toxic Agents Almost Slipped Through the Cracks

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Healthcare Industry, Medical Waste Disposal, Proper Waste Disposal, Public Safety, Regulatory Compliance

The Federal Select Agent Program conducted their first ever annual report, discovering 199 instances where lab technicians were inadvertently exposed to toxic or infectious substances last year. Luckily, all of these were near misses. Yet they do unearth a need for continued education and high standards when it comes to the handling and removal of samples from laboratories across the nation.

The Federal Select Agent Program is responsible for overseeing dangerous substances that are studied inside of federal, state, private and academic labs. These substances include things like the bird flu, Ebola virus and even anthrax. New regulations were issued to the agency in 2014, resulting in an overall inspection of the handling of certain dangerous elements. It was during this inspection that agents found 199 cases where a lab worker was a breath away from becoming infected with a potentially deadly agent.

The safe handling of certain dangerous agents has been a focus ever since it was reported by the CDC that several labs had mishandled dangerous pathogens in the past, putting the entire surrounding population at serious risk of mass infection. As a result, the CDC, Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture are now working jointly on a task force that works solely to monitor these labs and their medical waste disposal procedures among other things.

In total, there were 12 potential losses uncovered, and a total of 233 potential releases of toxic agents. When investigated further, it was found that all of the potential losses could be traced to either a clerical error or of samples being destroyed in an autoclave by mistake. Medical waste disposal for laboratories has to include education on which types of agents are acceptable for that type of destruction. With some toxins, the autoclave will actually release harmful gases, putting the lab worker at risk of infection when the mechanism is opened.

As for the 233 potential releases of a toxic agent, there were 199 instances in which a lab technician may have been exposed by error. This included an instance where viable Anthrax had mistakenly left a military base and was sent to a number of outside laboratories both in the US and abroad. Luckily, none of these potential releases resulted in illness, death or the spread of infection to any surrounding area.

Medical waste disposal for laboratories is often of a much larger scope than in other types of facilities. Not for the amount of medical waste being generated, but for the types of agents and toxins it may have been exposed to. Laboratories that are operating as research agencies need to be acutely aware of the types of substances they are disposing of, and ensure that it is being segregated away from any typical medical waste and common garbage.

Do You Know Where Your Surgery Center’s Medical Waste Will Eventually End Up?

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Healthcare Industry, Medical Waste Disposal, Proper Waste Disposal, Regulatory Compliance

The journey of medical waste begins the moment it is removed from the human body. In a surgery center, it could be a small tumor that has been removed or tissue samples after a procedure. Here it is placed inside of a biological waste bag before being transported to a designated pick up area.

At the Pick Up Area for Medical Waste

The pick up area inside of your surgery center should be removed from patient rooms and surgical suites. There should be outside door access to reduce the risk of contamination from the materials being brought back inside the facility. It should also be locked, without access only permitted to authorized personnel. This would include drivers for the biological waste disposal company you work with.

Pick Up of Medical Waste

Licensed drivers in state approved vehicles will arrive at your facility for pick up. They will note the amount and types of medical waste reserved for destruction, and ask for signatures from authorized members of your staff. You will also be provided with documentation proving that they retrieved the medical waste from your surgery center.

If you are using reusable containers for medical waste, these may be switched out during this time. The drivers will take your full containers and provide you with sterilized new ones to use.

The medical waste retrieved from your surgery center will then be hauled to a special treatment facility. This facility should have special licensing from the state that allows them to dispose of medical waste from surgery centers.

Inside the Medical Waste Treatment Facility

Once the medical waste reaches a treatment facility, it is segregated by type, depending on the color of the bag or other container. The bags are left unopened, and either put into an autoclave until sanitary or incinerated. If autoclaved, the waste is then further broken down to reduce the amount of waste left over. This is typically done by shredding the materials. In most instances, materials that have been subjected to an autoclave can then be added to regular trash in an ordinary landfill.

Some plastics might even be recycled after having been sterilized inside of an autoclave. The material left over is then reused in a way that will decrease the impact your surgical center has on the environment.

Regulated Medical Waste Disposal Companies

While the licensing and regulation of medical waste disposal transporters and companies may vary slightly from state to state, all have to adhere to stringent guidelines set forth by OSHA, the EPA and various other governmental bodies. This is to ensure the safety of workers inside of your surgery center, as well as the general population and the environment.

Make sure that when you are looking at ways to better manage the biological waste inside of your surgery center, you are checking that these licensing requirements are being met. This will ensure that your facility is in compliance at all times with all laws and regulations.

The Importance of Biological Waste Disposal for Doctor’s Offices

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Healthcare Industry, Hygiene And Infection Control, Medical Waste Disposal, Proper Waste Disposal, Regulatory Compliance

You are likely already familiar with the terminology biological waste, and those bright red bags that yell out “handle with caution”. But do you know exactly what is supposed to go inside (and not), and what happens to it once it leaves your office? There are risks associated with the handling of biological waste in doctor’s offices, and severe consequences if not completed correctly.

Biological – or biohazardous – waste is defined as being any waste that contains potentially infectious agents. These are found in any area where human blood and tissues are exposed, such as in your doctor’s office. Some common examples include:

  • Bodily Fluids – This includes amniotic fluid, semen, saliva, pleural fluid and vaginal secretions.
  • Microbiological Waste – Usually the byproducts of laboratory testing, such as live viruses, blood samples, specimen cultures and the devices used to transfer them.
  • Blood Products – Blood, plasma and any other tissues or fluids containing blood residue.
  • Pathological Waste – Pathological waste refers to any organic object that is identifiable as being human in source, such as body parts, tissues and organs.
  • Sharps Waste – Items, such as needles, that not only potentially contain harmful pathogens from biological waste but that also have the potential to pierce skin and transfer those pathogens into the blood stream of another individual.

In 1988, the US Congress enacted the Medical Waste Tracking act, which allowed them to study the methods of medical waste disposal for doctor’s offices and begin regulating it. As a result, all medical waste must now be collected by a company with a specific license for handling hazardous products. They are then held responsible for rendering it harmless by using one of the following methods:

  • Incineration: The EPA estimates that up to 90% of all biohazardous waste is being incinerated. This must be done by a licensed contractor, either on or off of the site where medical waste is collected. Incineration offers many benefits besides sterilizing, such as reducing the overall amount of waste and avoiding having to sterilize it before breaking it down.
  • Autoclaving: When medical waste from doctor’s offices is subject to an autoclave, this usually entails two steps. The first is the sterilization of the waste using intense steam, followed by shredding the materials. This usually allows for the waste to then be disposed of in a typical landfill.

As the administrator for a doctor’s office, you have the responsibility of ensuring that medical waste disposal is being conducted in a manner that reduces its risk to your patients, staff, and the environment. Your optimal choice in guaranteeing this is by working with a professional medical waste disposal company. Not only can a company like MedWaste Management sterilize and destroy medical waste generated inside of your doctor’s office, they can help you to put a system in place for its safe collection and storage.

Are You Up to Speed on Texas Medical Waste Disposal Regulations

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Medical Waste Disposal, Proper Waste Disposal, Regulatory Compliance

Medical waste disposal for clinics, and other health care facilities, in Texas has recently changed. The Texas legislature revised the rules during their 84th regular session, and made them effective as of this past May 26th. If you are not familiar with the changes, and make accommodations for them, you could be facing repercussions in the future.

In Texas, medical waste management includes its collection, handling, storage, transport and processing. The regulations in place are applied to any individual or entity that is involved in any aspect of controlling and managing medical waste. That term – medical waste – refers to treated and untreated waste from health care facilities that contains human and animal waste, bulk blood and bodily fluids, microbiological waste, pathological waste and contaminated sharps.

What Kind of Medical Waste Generator Are You?

In Texas, there are two types of medical waste generators that your facility can be classified as:

  • SQG – A small quantity generator (SQG) is one that produces less than 50 pounds of medical waste each month.
  • LQG – A large quantity generator (LQG) is producing 50 pounds or more of medical waste every month.

Neither of these types of medical waste generators is required to obtain a permit in order to store medical waste on site, so long as it consists only of waste that has been produced by that facility. Medical waste should be securely stored on site, and not interfere with overall objective of the health care facility.

Can You Transport Your Own Medical Waste to a Processing Facility?

Regardless of the type of medical waste generator your Texas clinic is, you will need to have it removed safely from your facility. If you are an SQG, you can do this yourself without the need of any special permit or registration. An LQG however you will need to obtain a special registration, and submit an annual summary of the medical waste disposal transport.

Both types of medical waste generators do need to maintain records of each shipment of medical waste leaving the facility in the form of a manifest. The information contained in these manifests must be in accordance with state laws, providing an extensive record of the type and amount of medical waste leaving your facility. Most health care providers find it simpler to use separate companies, like MedWaste Management for this purpose.

Not only does working with a third party take the burden of transporting medical waste off of your shoulders, it ensures that you are in full compliance with the myriad of regulations handed down by the Texas legislature. Medical waste disposals for hospitals is an enormous responsibility, and with these new rules, it has become even more difficult for Texas health care providers to keep up and stay compliant on their own.

Autoclave in Reverse for Medical Waste Disposal

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Medical Waste Disposal

The autoclave sterilizer was first conceived of over a 100 years ago as a method of cleaning surgical instruments for use. The process is still in use today, yet now can also be applied to medical waste in order to ensure that it is being disposed of safely.

The advantages of sterile surgery were realized in the mid 1800’s. As a result, physicians began to use open flaming as a way of sterilizing surgical equipment. In 1879, Charles Cumberland invented a more effective method that incorporated steam, calling it an autoclave sterilizer. Its benefits were quickly realized, and the simple machine became an essential component in every doctor’s office and clinic.

What makes the autoclave so effective is its ability to sterilize just about anything, regardless of its state. This includes solids, liquids, hollows and medical tools of any shape or size. The most basic autoclave is similar to a pressure cooker, while larger facilities have adapted the concept to meet needs of a much larger scope. Regardless of the size, they all use steam as an agent to kill germs, spores, bacteria, and other blood borne pathogens that are resistant to boiling water and detergents.

Your doctor’s office likely has autoclaves that can fit on top of a tabletop. These devices usually resemble a microwave oven and are used to sterilize equipment that is used on multiple patients. These are designed to meet basic needs, while larger autoclaves are used inside of hospitals to sterilize the multitude of medical and surgical equipment being used daily.

Medical Waste Disposal and Autoclave

When compared with incineration, autoclaving is a more environmentally friendly approach to medical waste disposal. These machines are able to sterilize medical waste so that it no longer poses a threat to the general population or the environment. Since these machines are able to sterilize materials in almost any state, they have proven to be very effective at removing all traces of infectious pathogens from medical waste.

Once medical waste has been sterilized inside of an autoclave it is usually subjected to a compaction process, such as shredding, making it unrecognizable and not reusable. This process reduces its volume significantly, allowing it to be disposed of in a traditional manner. It is important that waste be segregated at the site initially in order to avoid certain materials from being classified safe for an autoclave. About 10% of medical waste is deemed inappropriate for an autoclave as the process could release certain harmful chemicals that will then enter the general atmosphere after the machine is opened.

Despite this small risk, autoclave is the preferred method of treating the majority of medical waste from hospitals and other health care facilities. Ask a representative from MedWaste Management if this is a feasible option for the medical waste being generated inside of your institution.

OSHA Weighs in on Blood Collection Tubes and Recycling

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Healthcare Industry, Medical Waste Disposal, Proper Waste Disposal, Public Safety, Regulatory Compliance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) oversees practices and policies that could be hazardous to the physical well-being of workers in any field. With health care workers, one of their primary concerns is with the safe handling of sharps. Needle pricks may be small cuts to the skin, but the potential to introduce disease into a worker makes them a high risk to work with.

Not only has OSHA addressed the risk potential of sharps by demanding the use of special containers for their collection, they have furthered their cause by making recommendations for the use of tube holders. These devices are typically attached to the needle in order to facilitate the collection of blood when it is being drawn. In the past, some hospitals and other medical labs have attempted to reuse these tube holders to cut costs, yet to do so is putting the health of workers at risk.

Blood Collection Needles and Tube Holders

A blood collection needle is able to screw onto a blood tube holder, and a blood tube is inserted into the holder to collect the blood. The needle has two ends, one which is inserted into the laboratory patient, and one at the back the transports the blood into the blood tube. Modern blood tube holders can be reused, but are not in most circumstances in order to minimize a worker’s exposure to blood. The process of removing the tube holder from the needle increases the possibility that the health care provider will be injured by a needle stick.

Proper medical waste disposal for laboratories does not allow for the removal of tube holders before placing the needle inside of the sharps collection bin. OSHA specifically recommends that needles be disposed of immediately after use, including any blood tube holder that is attached to it. Removing this holder places worker’s at too high of a risk for possible injury and exposure to harmful blood pathogens.

There are very limited circumstances for when a contaminated needle or other sharp is allowed to be manipulated after its use. To do so, you will have to show that the action is required in order to complete a specific medical or dental procedure. Trying to save money on your laboratory costs by reusing parts of contaminated needles and collection devices is in violation of the standards set forth by OSHA.

According to OSHA, the appropriate disposal of contaminated sharps includes:

  • The close availability of sharp containers that contain an opening large enough to pass the entire blood collection assembly, including the blood tube holder.
  • Having sharp containers made portable for those employees who move between various patient rooms.

If you have your own questions or concerns about medical waste disposal in your laboratory, and how to handle sharps, MedWaste Management can help. With our expert methods, you will have no problem in meeting the demands of OSHA when it comes to medical waste disposal inside of your laboratory.

Medical Waste Disposal for Surgery Centers is a Leading Method for Protecting Our Planet

Biohazard Waste Disposal, Healthcare Industry, Medical Waste Disposal

Medical waste disposal for surgery centers and large hospitals is arguably one of the most critical types of waste management in terms of protecting our environment. Administrators sometimes fail to realize that just a few small adjustments will significantly reduce the generated medical waste inside of a hospital, leading to a dramatic change in their impact on the environment.

Surgery Centers, and all health care related businesses, have different waste disposal requirements than other industry types. For example, the use of red bags is critical for identifying medical waste and ensuring that it is disposed of in accordance with local, state and federal law. Failure to do this will not only lead to fines, it could pose a public health hazard for an entire community.

There are a number of proven ways in which a hospital can save money with its medical and other waste disposal practices:

  • Switching from disposable to reusable sharps containers. The New York City Department of Sanitation estimates that a 1,000 bed hospital that makes this change would save up to $175,000 per year and 34,000 pounds of medical waste.
  • Using permanent waterproof mattresses when possible. The Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland Oregon switched out 95% of their disposable mattresses for permanent ones. The initial cost was large, but recouped in just one year. The savings in purchase costs are now $80,710 per year for this 341 bed facility, and they are contributing 16,350 pounds less of waste to the environment.
  • Replacing disposable diapers with cloth versions. Kaiser Permanente’s Northwest Region made a change from disposable to cloth diapers for newborns, resulting in a decrease in the amount of solid waste left in local landfills. Before implementing a change of this magnitude however, you need to address concerns related to infection control and infant skin care.

There is no real way of reducing medical waste generated by a hospital, short of cutting down on the patient load, but you can make a difference by switching the type. For example, you are always going to have to dispose of contaminated sharps, but switching to a type of container that can be sterilized and reused will help cut down on solid waste.

Effective medical waste disposal for hospitals not only addresses and removes these items from the facility, it looks for ways in which the hospital can save money and have a decreased impact on the environment. You can also try and use products that have been made using recycled materials to further help our planet. Even small hospitals can make a significant difference with simple changes in waste management and disposal.

Start by contacting MedWaste Management for more effective methods of medical waste disposal inside hospitals. Efficiency ensures that your management of medical waste is having a minimal financial and environmental impact.