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.
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 Voigt, RN, BSNpublished November 10, 2021

Is Your PPE Regulated Medical Waste?

OSHA requires employers to “provide appropriate PPE for workers who could be exposed to blood or other infectious materials (such as internal bodily fluids).” Commonly used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers include gloves, gowns, goggles, masks, and face shields. While some of those items may be reusable, the majority are single-use items requiring disposal after use. Though OSHA defines what level of contamination requires disposal as regulated medical waste, state regulations may have more strict definitions of what PPE must be disposed of as regulated medical waste (RMW).
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by Wanda Voigt, RN, BSNpublished August 4, 2021

The Benefits of Sharps Mailback Systems: Safe, Affordable, & Regulatory Compliant

Used needles and other sharps can cause needlestick injuries and spread infections if they aren’t disposed of properly. As the opioid epidemic continues and the number of patients who self-inject medications increases, so does the need for secure disposal options in public spaces and for those who self-inject medications at home.

by Wanda Voigt, RN, BSNpublished May 12, 2021

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.

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 Voigt, RN, BSNpublished 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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