If you work in the healthcare environment, you know that you must carefully dispose of hazardous waste. First, you must decide if the waste that you are managing is a hazardous waste (HW), and then you must make certain that you dispose of the HW properly. With so many types of hazardous waste, it can get confusing. This blog will discuss the types of listed hazardous wastes found in healthcare, with an emphasis on hazardous waste pharmaceuticals (HWP), the most common type managed in healthcare.
Category: Hazardous Waste
Hazardous Drugs vs Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals
NIOSH vs RCRA
Are you confused by the terms “hazardous drug” and “hazardous waste pharmaceutical” (HWP)? Well, you are not alone. At first glance, it would appear they are the same, but they are not. Knowing the difference can save your facility money and potential regulatory citations. So, let’s clear the confusion.
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How to Dispose of Chemotherapy Waste
Choosing the right containment, transport, and treatment for waste items contaminated with chemotherapy or antineoplastic agents can be confusing. Questions that come up include, “Is chemo managed as hazardous waste, or is it medical waste? Do I have to use a yellow container and chemo labeling or a black container and hazardous waste labeling?” To answer these questions, we must consider how this waste is classified, segregated, and ultimately regulated.
Non-Conforming Hazardous Waste
What exactly is a non-conforming hazardous waste (HW) stream at a permitted TSDF? Let’s take a look at the process of how a HW stream is managed at a TSDF.
Part 2: How New EPA Rule Will Affect Long-Term Care
In our last blog post, we discussed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Proposed Rule on the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals (HWP) This week’s post will examine how this regulation may affect long-term care facilities.
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