Health care is a major polluter both in terms of emissions and contributions to landfills. The combined health sectors of the United States, Australia, England, and Canada emit an estimated 748 million metric tons of greenhouse gases each year, more than all but the six top polluting countries in the world. Meanwhile, a report on 110 Canadian hospitals published in 2019 found those institutions generated nearly 87 000 tons of waste annually — roughly the […]
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Healthcare organizations are recommended to develop a safety culture to promote both patient and occupational well-being. Safety culture is defined as the product of an individual and group values, perceptions, competencies, attitudes, and patterns of behavior that result in the commitment to, understanding, and proficiency of an organization’s health and safety management. Positive safety cultures are predicated on mutual trust and shared perceptions of the importance of safety as well as confidence in the efficacy […]
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The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) has received multiple reports of potential and actual needlestick injuries involving romosozumab-aqqg (Evenity), risking the transmission of blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or HIV to health care providers and patients. Romosozumab is indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in patients who are intolerant of or have failed other available osteoporosis therapies and for postmenopausal women at high risk for fracture. The […]
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Health care organizations and medical professionals have shown a strong interest in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Integrating sustainability into all aspects of a hospital’s mission takes focused commitment across the organization, as Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) leaders can attest. Two years ago, MGH launched its Center for the Environment and Health. The center integrates sustainability into MGH’s clinical, research and educational activities and is designed to improve the environmental health of the hospital and […]
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As we sail through the digital age, a new frontier has emerged in the realm of environmental protection—the online sphere. This vast interconnected landscape has become an essential catalyst in propelling discussions about various environmental issues, and medical waste management sits at the forefront of these conversations. Given the tremendous environmental repercussions associated with mishandling medical waste, it is imperative to address this issue head-on. In this article, we will explore the intricate dynamics of […]
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The study details why the University Medical Center Utrecht serves as a best practice example for hospital waste management and shares the knowledge the healthcare network has gained. The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) has released a case study that explains how the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht), a hospital located in the Netherlands, has overcome the recycling medical waste challenges that many members of the healthcare sector face due to a wide range […]
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In healthcare settings, the safety and well-being of healthcare workers are paramount. One overlooked area of concern is the occurrence of needlestick and sharps injuries. These incidents, often a consequence of mishandling medical waste, pose a significant health risk to healthcare professionals. This comprehensive guide aims to provide a thorough understanding of needlestick and sharps injuries, their implications, and practical steps for their prevention. Understanding Needlestick & Sharps Injuries A needlestick injury is a percutaneous […]
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A medical waste company has filed a lawsuit against Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health, alleging the system planted a human torso at the facility. The plaintiff, Monarch Waste Technologies, disposes of Sanford Health’s medical waste. It is suing Sanford and Healthcare Environmental Services, a company overseen by the health system, for inappropriate handling and delivery of regulated medical waste. The lawsuit alleges HES delivered a “human torso in a sealed plastic container” to Monarch, and […]
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As we sail through the digital age, a new frontier has emerged in the realm of environmental protection—the online sphere. This vast interconnected landscape has become an essential catalyst in propelling discussions about various environmental issues, and medical waste management sits at the forefront of these conversations. Given the tremendous environmental repercussions associated with mishandling medical waste, it is imperative to address this issue head-on. In this article, we will explore the intricate dynamics of […]
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The COVID public health emergency ended in May, yet OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard for healthcare facilities continues. Most people are pleased to see the COVID health emergency in the rearview mirror, including the administration that ended the public health emergency on May 11. However, there’s one agency that believes we’re still at the outset of the COVID pandemic. Back on June 21, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued […]
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