While healthcare facilities (HCFs) save lives, they can also cause injuries and diseases.
That can happen if they incorrectly dispose of regulated waste (biohazardous waste). This type of waste can be infectious, toxic, and even radioactive. Even more concerning is that around 15% of healthcare waste is hazardous.
So, HCFs must follow strict rules on their correct management and disposal.
This guide discusses such laws and the strategies HCFs can use to manage waste, so read on.
Regulated Waste Management in Healthcare: A Quick History
Before 1991, one of the laws on healthcare waste was the 1988 Medical Waste Tracking Act (MWTA). The U.S. EPA enforced this regulation. It went into effect in four states (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island) and Puerto Rico.
Under the MWTA, HCFs must:
- Identify wastes for regulation
- List and track medical wastes
- Label, contain, and segregate wastes
- Keep waste-related records
- Set penalties for waste mismanagement
The MWTA expired in 1991. As a result, U.S. states developed state-specific medical waste disposal regulations. Some based theirs on the 1988 Act, while others created more comprehensive laws.
Today, state environmental protection and health agencies enforce such rules.
State Laws on Medical Waste
State laws vary, but most regulate medical waste packaging, storage, and transport. In most cases, they must comply with the state’s Motor Carrier Safety Act.
Some states also require medical waste treatment facilities to have permits. This law often applies to both on-site and off-site facilities.
Many states also follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. These include managing sharps (e.g., needles and scalpels with dried blood) and employee training.
Medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Methods
Before, most facilities burned or incinerated their medical waste. They still use this method today, but not as much as it emits many pollutants. Examples are particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), metals, acids, and pathogens.
Luckily, alternatives with lower emissions now exist.
Autoclaving
Autoclaving uses closed-chamber devices called autoclaves.
Autoclaves produce steam and pressure that can kill microorganisms on medical sharps. So, they allow HCFs to disinfect used needles before disposal. They can also sterilize medical tools and equipment.
Irradiation Treatment
Irradiation, or microwaving, uses gamma rays. Gamma rays can kill many types of bacteria and viruses.
Irradiation can disinfect solid and liquid waste, including sharps and bodily fluids. It can also sterilize medical tools like scalpels.
Chemical Disinfection
This method uses chemical solutions to treat solid and liquid waste. A good example is bleach.
Bleach can kill bacteria and viruses on solid surfaces. Likewise, it can inactivate microorganisms in fluids like blood and urine. Plus, it’s easy to use, so many HCFs rely on it to treat waste on-site.
Medical Waste Management Lowers Biohazard Risk
Regulated waste produced by the healthcare industry poses many injury and disease risks. Thus, HCFs must correctly identify, segregate, treat, and dispose of such waste. Doing so can help lower their odds of creating more biohazards.
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