Articles by Waste Medic

Preventing Needlestick & Sharps Injuries in the Healthcare Industry

July 29, 2023

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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Medical Waste Company Sues Sanford Health over Human Torso Found in Plastic Container

June 29, 2023

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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Examining the Impact of Medical Waste Management Policies

June 29, 2023

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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Why Is OSHA Still Pushing Emergency COVID Standards?

June 28, 2023

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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OSHA Wants Input on Protecting Health Care Workplace Violence

June 28, 2023

OSHA is requesting feedback as it considers developing a standard aimed at preventing workplace violence in the health care and social assistance industries. The agency is accepting until July 3 comments regarding a Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act panel report on the potential standard, as well as other documents related to options OSHA is considering. The panel met multiple times from March 1 to May 1, discussing control measures and hazard assessments related to […]

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Pill Bottle Recycling Program Targets Pharmaceutical Plastic Waste

June 28, 2023

A new pill bottle recycling program aims to eliminate plastic waste generated by the pharmaceutical industry by offering customers a solution for disposing of empty pill bottles. The nationwide pill bottle recycling program comes from Cabinet Health and enables anyone in the United States to request a recycling bag with a prepaid shipping label to send their empty, plastic pill bottles for recycling or upcycling. The program comes at a time when numerous industries are […]

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Rising Demand for Chemotherapy Containers: Ensuring Safe and Effective Treatment

June 10, 2023

The rising demand for chemotherapy containers reflects the increasing prevalence of cancer and the growing need for safe and effective treatment options. Chemotherapy is a crucial component of cancer therapy, and the containers used to store and administer chemotherapy drugs play a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of the treatment. Here are some key considerations to ensure safe and effective treatment with chemotherapy containers: Container Design and Materials: Chemotherapy containers should be […]

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OSHA Compliance in the Workplace

June 10, 2023

Workplace health and safety are top of mind for employers, especially after a recent incident at a Mars factory, where workers fell into a vat of chocolate. To prevent such accidents, it’s important for businesses to incorporate Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance into the DNA of company operations and management — and to work with brokers, insurers and consultants to handle complex situations. OSHA compliance is a critical organizational element and its management […]

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What We Can Do about Pharmaceutical Waste

June 10, 2023

The medicine is still perfectly good. Millions of uninsured or underinsured people need the drugs. Yet the pharmaceutical industry incinerates billions of dollars’ worth of unopened, unused, and unexpired drugs each year in America. This pharmaceutical waste leads to both economic and environmental challenges. The good news is the problems companies create when they destroy unused medicine aren’t difficult to solve. Pharmaceutical Waste Why is there so much waste in the system? There are several […]

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When Safety Precautions are Faithfully Followed, Sharps Injuries are Lower

May 5, 2023

Arlington, VA — Hospital units that consistently follow standard safety precautions experience nearly 40% fewer needlesticks and other sharps injuries than other units, a new study has found. According to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, around 385,000 sharps injuries – involving syringe needles, scalpel blades and other sharp objects that come into contact with body fluids – occur annually among the 5.6 million health care workers in the United States. Researchers […]

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