What You Should Know About Medical Waste Disposal Regulations

Hospitals in the United States produce over 5.9 million tons of medical waste every year. Add to that, the waste from other medical facilities – dental, veterinary, pharmacy, home care, doctors, etc. – and the amount of annual medical waste in this country is staggering!

Medical Waste Regulations Ensure Safety

Although the Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988 initially served to establish medical waste regulations, individual states now determine their own regulations regarding how such items should be separated, packaged, labeled, transported, and stored.

In addition, federal agencies also maintain guidelines that must be met:

  • OSHA ensures employee safety
  • DOT ensures transportation safety
  • The DEA ensures the appropriate disposal of controlled substances
  • The EPA ensures the safety of treatment and disposal facilities
  • The CDC ensures regulated infection control

You want your employees, patients, environment and community to be safe… But when it comes to adhering to each of these various agencies’ standards, it can get very complicated, very quickly!

Get Help to Comply

Medical waste disposal companies play a key role in helping healthcare facilities safely abide by the various medical waste regulations and avoid the stiff fines and penalties associated with violations. These professionals are well-versed in the restrictions, expectations and standards that you must abide by.

To ensure the best approach to meeting your needs, your medical waste disposal company should periodically review your company’s specific medical waste removal situations and come up with an affordable solution to fit your budget.

Be Equipped to Succeed

Your medical waste disposal partner should also help ensure that you have the right equipment in place fully and safely meet your medical waste stream needs.

Because the disposal cost for this kind of waste can be as much as 2000% more than for regular trash, many medical waste disposal companies tack on extra ‘surprise’ charges. However, some companies, like SecureMed, instead choose to enact an, “everything’s included, no hidden fees” pricing policy – including supplies!

These supplies may include:

SecureMed also carries multiple sizes and brands of containers designed for the disposal of expired or unused, non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste, as well as containers for chemotherapy waste. Reusable medical containers are designed to provide safe transport of medical waste, and all containers meet all federal, state, and local regulations.

Contact SecureMed TODAY!

To receive your fast, free quote, connect with our Birmingham or Huntsville office. You may also send a note using our contact form or email us directly at [email protected].

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