The Essential Guide to Safely Managing Medical Waste. Medical waste is a reality for healthcare facilities and other businesses in the medical field. Disposing of such waste properly is not only important for the health of your employees, and for the environment, it is the law. The purpose of this guide is to provide an overview of medical waste, its different types, and the best practices for managing it safely and lawfully.
Medical waste is a broad term that covers any type of waste that is generated because of medical activities. This includes things like contaminated dressings, sharps, and other materials that are used in healthcare settings. It can also include things like personal protection equipment and carpules.
Medical waste can be dangerous, as it may contain pathogenic and infectious substances that can cause serious illnesses and infections. For this reason, it is important to know how to manage medical waste safely and in compliance with the law.
Medical waste is any type of waste that is generated as a result of certain activities usually related to medical but not always. Dental, and veterinary practices, laboratories, research facilities and even tattoo & body piercing shops all create medical waste.
This includes things like blood and other body fluids, used needles and syringes, cultures and stocks, and discarded sharps.
Although there is no universally accepted definition for medical waste, the definitions offered by most regulatory agencies are similar.
The following six medical wastes are commonly regulated by states:
Safely managing medical waste is an important part of any healthcare facility’s operations. There are several steps that should be taken to ensure that medical waste is managed in a safe and compliant manner.
Medical waste is regulated by both local and federal laws. Local laws may vary from state to state, while federal laws are the same across the country. It is important to understand the applicable regulations.
There are no federal regulations governing medical waste disposal, the disposal itself is governed at the state level. Federal regulations fall under DOT and OSHA for proper training, handling, storing, and the transporting of medical waste.
The responsibility for medical waste disposal lies with the healthcare facility or business that generates the waste. It is the responsibility of the facility or business to ensure that all medical waste is disposed of in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
It is also the responsibility of the healthcare facility or business to ensure that medical waste is collected, handled, stored, transported, and disposed of in a safe and compliant manner. This includes segregating, labeling, and containing medical waste in accordance with applicable regulations.
The state of Michigan has specific regulations governing the disposal of medical waste. These regulations are outlined in the Medical Waste Regulatory Program (MWRP) which administers and enforces Michigan’s Medical Waste Regulatory Act (MWRA).
The MWRA mandates how medical waste producing facilities must manage their medical waste from the point at which it is generated to its ultimate disposal point. Generators of medical waste are also required to register initially and every 3 years thereafter as producing facilities of medical waste under the MWRA.
There are several options available for the disposal of medical waste. These include:
There are several best practices that should be followed when disposing of medical waste. These include:
By following these best practices, healthcare facilities and businesses can ensure that medical waste is handled safely and in compliance with the law.
Remember, safe and compliant medical waste disposal is essential for the health of your employees and the environment. By following the best practices outlined in this guide, and hiring an experienced medical waste management company with their own treatment plant you can rest easy knowing your medical waste is being taken care of.
If you have any questions about medical waste, contact Bio-MED Today for all your medical waste disposal needs!