by Wanda Voigt, RN, BSNpublished

How the DOT Regulates Medical Waste Shipments

Last updated on August 12, 2021

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 Wanda Voigt, RN, BSNpublished

How Partnerships Are Helping Communities Fight the Opioid Epidemic

Last updated on May 2, 2022

Across the country, state governments, hospitals, and other authorized collectors are working with industry partners to raise awareness about safe prescription drug disposal and offer convenient disposal options. Sharps Compliance has been a leader in the effort to help communities offer more opportunities for safe and secure prescription drug disposal since 2014.
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by Wanda Voigt, RN, BSNpublished

Disposal of Controlled and Non-Controlled Medications in Long-Term Care Communities

Last updated on June 14, 2021

This is an update of the article originally published on October 9, 2014. Regulations change frequently. That’s why Sharps Compliance monitors updates and communicates any changes to its customers.

On September 9, 2014, the Drug Enforcement Agency published the Disposal of Controlled Substances Final Rule, which went into effect on October 9, 2014. This new rule allowed registered collectors to place DEA-compliant drug collection receptacles in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) for the collection and disposal of ultimate-user controlled substances (Schedules II-V).

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by Wanda Voigt, RN, BSNpublished

Opioid Painkillers After Oral Surgery May Put Teens at Risk for Later Opioid Abuse

Last updated on May 2, 2022

Most parents worry about their teens getting access to drugs at school or in social settings – not at the dentist. However, the American Dental Association and private insurers have expressed concerns about the widespread practice of prescribing opioid painkillers to teens after oral surgeries. The patients who filled those opioid prescriptions were nearly three times as likely to use opioids in the year after the prescription.

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