Most Common Medical Waste Violations
We all know how simple it is to cut shortcuts, but with medical waste, you just cannot. Taking shortcuts with medical waste can hurt patients, healthcare workers, the environment, and your cash. Are you guilty of breaching medical waste regulations?
Failure to comply with state and federal laws for healthcare waste management, hazardous waste disposal, or even healthcare waste segregation can cost you tens of thousands of dollars per violation, per day, and land you on the EPA's "naughty list" for years to come, which means more frequent and intense scrutiny. Which are the most frequent medical waste violations? This is a basic question that everyone in healthcare should feel comfortable answering. Trihaz Solutions understands these fundamentals, and with proper planning, staff training, and enforcement, you won't have to worry about such breaches.
The usual suspects: the most common medical waste violations.
Improper healthcare waste segregation can lead to significant costs. Do you dispose of biohazard trash properly? Are you separate chemo and anatomical waste? Do you see why that's important? There is a significant distinction between biohazard trash and unregulated or noninfectious garbage generated by any healthcare facility, regardless of size.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has very stringent guidelines for the handling and disposal of medical waste. Negligence of the regulations might lead to potential safety hazards for both employees and the public. Needlestick injuries are among the most common, both within and outside of healthcare facilities. Biohazard waste, such as that tainted with blood or other bodily fluids, poses significant health dangers to both healthcare personnel and the general public, particularly when biohazard materials wind up in landfills.
How many federal and state government entities have a say in healthcare waste management, waste segregation, and hazardous waste disposal? Look at this:
Regarding healthcare waste, each of these organizations works to safeguard the public as well as healthcare professionals. OSHA's focus is on worker safety. They quickly provide healthcare facilities with resources for training in this area in collaboration with the EPA. In addition to improving worker and patient safety, these training requirements lower the chance of infection, contamination, or the spread of pollutants.
The Harshness of Penalties and Fines
Your budget will be severely damaged by improper disposal of medical waste. Due to labeling issues, one facility was recently penalized $70,000 per day. Do you think this is a fabrication? Visit the EPA website to review the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act's (RCRA) criminal sections. For instance, it can cost up to $50,000 per day to store, process, or dispose of medical waste without a permit—and that's only for one infraction (regulation 40 C.F.R. 260–265). Hazardous waste transportation without a manifest also costs $50,000 per day, and "subsequent corrections" will result in double penalties.
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