Regulated Medical Waste Articles and Resources

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.

by Wanda Lingnerpublished May 12, 2021

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.

by Lindsey Murrile-Hawkinspublished December 2, 2020

Regulated Medical Waste Management in Surgery Centers

Last updated on January 27, 2021

All surgery centers must comply with state and federal regulations governing the handling and disposal of regulated medical wastes (RMW), including discarded sharps and pharmaceutical waste. Even small waste generators like cosmetic surgery providers and oral surgery centers are covered. They must ensure that all staffers understand how to correctly identify, segregate, package, and store medical waste.

by Wanda Lingnerpublished October 7, 2020

Why You Need to Train Employees on Proper Disposal of Medical Waste

Every medical office is under pressure to increase productivity and control costs. However, you can never be too busy to make sure your staff is trained on the proper handling and disposal of medical waste.

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by Lindsey Murrile-Hawkinspublished July 15, 2020

Regulated Medical Waste in the Tattoo Industry

Did you know that regulated medical waste is not solely found in the healthcare setting? Tattoo studios, MedSpas, and other practices that perform body modification procedures produce medical waste. Improper disposal of sharps, such as a tattoo needle, cross-contamination of blood-soaked items, or the improper reuse of a dirty sharp, can lead to exposure of bloodborne pathogens.

by Kathryn Kane-Neilsonpublished June 17, 2020

Who is Maintaining Your Medical Waste?

Last updated on May 7, 2021

This is an update of the article originally published on August 6, 2014. Regulations change frequently. That’s why Sharps Compliance monitors updates and communicates any changes to its customers.

“I don’t have time to close up and label the medical waste box – so the medical waste transport driver does it.”

This statement is often uttered by busy employees responsible for managing their facility’s medical waste. However, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and other regulatory bodies place the onus of responsibility for preparing and packaging medical waste on the generator of the waste, not the transporter.