Are They Experienced With Biomedical Waste Management?
This may seem like an obvious point, but you may be surprised to know how many providers don’t actually know what they are doing, don’t follow regulations are generally apathetic to or ignorant of safety procedures.
Your provider needs to be on top of the game. The consequences of noncompliance are high and you can not afford to take chances on a less experienced company. It is worth a little extra effort to thoroughly vet your provider before signing an agreement.
Do they Provide Online Compliance and Safety Training?
Secure Med offers online First Healthcare Compliance training including blood borne pathogen standards, fire safety, human resources and fraud/waste/abuse. The program also offers modules that satisfy the federal training requirements for OSHA, HIPAA, DOT packaging and shipping requirements for regulated medical waste. First Healthcare Compliance training is available 24/7, so your staff can choose the most convenient training times.
The First Healthcare Compliance Solution saves you time and money while helping you comply with every federal regulations including HIPAA/HITECH, OSHA, the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark, all in one place.
Are They Compliant With all State and Federal Medical Waste Disposal Regulations?
It is very important to find a medical waste company that is properly insured and permitted to handle your biomedical waste management. Verify that the following before hiring a provider:
- Drivers should be properly trained. And licensed
- Ensure that all work is documented with the proper paperwork including a bill of lading, accompanying medical waste shipments.
- Verify that organization is compliant and thoroughly versed in both state and federal regulations and that they keep up to date.
Are They Properly Insured To Handle Medical Waste?
A violation can cost even a small practice a fortune. Fines can come from OSHA, the EPA, or other national or local government bodies. Here are some examples of common disposal violations.
- Disposing of sharps in non-compliant containers. Non-compliant containers include milk containers, water bottles, glass containers, or soda cans.
- Placing sharps in the regular trash. This practice exposes employees and members of the public to needle sticks and introduces biohazards into landfills.
- Incorrectly labeling containers. Sharps must be clearly labeled as biohazardous sharps in bright red, puncture proof containers.
- Putting sharps in the wrong container. Sharps should never be disposed of in recycling bins or other medical waste disposal containers
- Improper labeling of storage areas – Multiple kinds of waste may be stored in the same room, but signs on the doors must signify every type of waste inside.
Always ask if your prospective provider is properly insured for your protection. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you could be liable for failures of your biomedical waste management provider.
Are They Available When You Need Them?
There is no shortage of fly-by-night companies in the world. Amazingly, there is also a staggering number of organizations that have still not figured out the value of good customer service. The very minimum level of customer service would be to at least do what you contracted to do. Great customer service means doing more than you are contractually obligated to do.
After your biomedical waste management company has picked up from your location, could you reach them if you needed them? Would they respond quickly to your call? Do they know their business? Are the answers they provide authoritative and expert?
The very best medical waste companies are accessible when you need them. They are professional in all they do. They are willing and able to help you call.
Your Biomedical Waste Management Professionals
Secure Med LLC is professional medical waste management provider in North and Central Alabama. We have decades of experience, and we’re licensed and permitted to transport medical waste, and we work hard to make our services convenient, efficient, and affordable.
Call us today for a free consultation!
