by Wanda Lingnerpublished

How the DOT Regulates Medical Waste Shipments

When a healthcare facility generates regulated medical waste (RMW) or hazardous waste (HW), it has cradle-to-grave responsibility for that waste. That includes the safe containment, packaging, transportation, and tracking of wastes that leave the facility for treatment. The federal Department of Transportation (DOT) issues regulations governing this process for waste transported over the road, across waterways, or in the air. Waste generators must ensure that employees are correctly trained to segregate wastes, package and label them properly, and follow documentation guidelines.

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by Kathryn Kane-Neilsonpublished

Dentists Play an Important Role in Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Many people suffer from dental fear or anxiety. The journal of the American Dental Association noted that dentists view effective pain management as “the Holy Grail for achieving patient satisfaction” because fear can cause people to delay needed treatment, resulting in more pain! Concerns about pain management may lead to the use of stronger painkillers and prescribing more pills than necessary to ease short-term discomfort. In 2016, JAMA Network Open reported that 22.3% of US dental prescriptions were for opioids that carried a “high potential for abuse.”

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by Joe Jordanpublished

Hazardous Waste Management for Veterinary Practices

In 2019, Americans spent $95.7 billion on pet care – 30% of that total was for veterinary care and services. In 2018, a New York Times article reported that pet owners “spend $9,000 to more than $13,000 for medical treatments over their pets’ lifetimes.” Animals are living longer because they benefit from better nutrition and better healthcare, but a longer lifespan makes them more susceptible to age-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer.

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by Chandra Lippittpublished

DOT Hazard Classes Explained

The DOT separates hazardous materials into nine different categories or “hazard classes.” They are defined by specific hazardous properties and have distinct regulatory requirements for packaging, markings, and labels. Keep reading for a general summary of those properties.
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