The United States produces over 3.5 million tons of medical waste each year, all of which needs to be safely processed. The best disposal method depends on the type of waste; some types can be disposed of alongside regular trash, but others are highly regulated and require specific disposal procedures. Let’s explore the role of medical waste disposal services below.
When it comes to regulated waste, the cost of improper disposal can be high. In fact, if healthcare facilities fail to safely dispose of sharps, they may receive a fine of up to $13,653 per violation. In the past, some businesses faced over $49 million in settlement and legal fees. In addition to sharps, other types of regulated medical waste include biohazardous/infectious waste, pathological waste, isolation waste, cultures and laboratory waste and contaminated animal waste.
Healthcare facilities should send hazardous materials to a waste-to-energy facility for safe disposal. These facilities are designed to process hazardous waste, and do so in two ways: steam autoclave and incineration.
Steam autoclave is the best option for sharps, biohazards and regulated medical waste. This process involves moisture, heat and pressure. It can treat up to 3,000 pounds of waste per cycle.
Incineration (the controlled burning of waste) is the second option. Incineration is best suited for pharmaceutical waste, trace chemotherapy waste, pathology, hazardous drug disposal and chemical waste.
Certain materials are required for medical waste. Healthcare facilities will need proper disposal bins: red bags and containers for infectious waste and yellow bags for pathological and anatomical waste. Safety equipment, such as puncture-resistant sharps containers, personal protective equipment, spill cleanup kits for emergencies and hand hygiene stations are also important.
Not only is there a massive amount of medical waste being produced each day, but the type of waste varies in its properties and disposal methods. Businesses need to clearly label and document waste, store it in the proper bins and safely dispose of it through the appropriate means.
