Category: Medical Waste

Regulated Medical Waste Articles and Resources

Does thinking about all the types of regulated medical waste give you a headache? This collection of articles will ease the pain. We’ll answer common questions about medical waste and provide the background information you need to understand the requirements for safe handling, transportation, and disposal.

Tired of reading technical journals? Start with these three infographics instead. They’re informative, user-friendly guides that discuss the history of medical waste disposal in the United States, highlight 10 important facts about medical waste compliance, and discuss the dangers of improper disposal of medical and pharmaceutical wastes.

Yes, there’s a lot to learn about healthcare related wastes, and it’s all important! For example:

• Do you understand the difference between biohazardous waste and regulated medical waste? States use different definitions and classifications.
• What goes into that red biohazard bag – and what does not? Proper waste segregation saves money and helps you avoid regulatory fines and actions.
• What happens to regulated medical waste after it leaves your facility? You’re liable if your disposal company doesn’t follow proper regulations for medical waste transport and treatment. Make sure your regulated medical waste disposal provider offers these six essential services.
• How and why do state medical waste regulations differ? One of the most important requirements in some states is the need to register as a medical waste generator. Find out if your state is one of them.
• How do you offer safe needle disposal in public places? Your business could be liable if your employees or customers are injured by discarded syringes or sharps.
• Why do pharmaceuticals need to be incinerated? Download our white paper to learn it helps protect the community and environment.
• Who is managing your medical waste? Only properly trained persons at the generating facility should package, label, and sign the tracking form for the waste shipment.
• How can self-injectors safely dispose of needles and help prevent needlestick injuries? These injuries aren’t just dangerous; they’re expensive to treat.

All healthcare facilities have to deal with regulated medical waste disposal. For example:

• Dental offices: RMW produced in dental offices includes dental carpules and sharps, red bag wastes, and dental amalgams that contain toxic heavy metals.
• Medical spas (MedSpas): These facilities may be a hybrid of a spa and medical clinic, but the medspa industry must comply with medical waste disposal regulations. Almost all generate medical sharps waste, while some also generate pharmaceutical waste. Does your medspa staff understand the requirements?
• Veterinary hospitals: Yes, Fido and Fluffy get shots, have operations, and take medications just like we do. Veterinarians must protect their staff and communities and comply with regulations for safe disposal of pet needles, syringes, and medications.
• Retail pharmacies: More and more, people get routine vaccinations at their pharmacy instead of their doctor’s office. Pharmacies must implement safety programs to prevent needlestick injuries and safely dispose of sharps waste.

Medical waste and the accompanying government directives make working in this industry complicated and highly regulated. At Sharps Compliance, we try to lessen the stress by providing educational articles so you can better perform your job.