Generated by All in One SEO Pro v4.9.10, this is an llms-full.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Waste Medic Trusted Medical Waste Transportation, Treatment & Disposal ## Posts ### [What We Can Do about Pharmaceutical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/10/what-we-can-do-about-pharmaceutical-waste/) **Published:** June 10, 2023 **Author:** Waste Medic **Content:** 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 reasons. Manufacturers, wholesalers, and pharmacies carry extra drugs because of financial and patient health reasons. From a PR standpoint, whenever there’s a drug shortage, it’s headline news. Typically, when stock levels get within 3 to 12 months of expiration, the product can not longer be sold. Pharmacies can get a credit from their distributor for returning medicine they won’t dispense before it expires. Entities like nursing homes and assisted living facilities often have surplus medicine. Typically, prescriptions are dispensed in 30- or 90-day supplies. But patients may have a dosage change or move facilities, or they may pass away. Packaging can get damaged in transit or during the manufacturing process. The inner product itself may still be completely viable, but often these are destroyed. Clinical trials that test new drugs often use FDA-approved drugs in conjunction with the test drugs. At the end of those clinical trials, administrators have no option other than to destroy these FDA-approved drugs. #### Problems Inherent in Destroying Medicine Destroying all this medicine leads to two significant problems. One is environmental: Destroyed medicine can end up in the water and the air. Some studies have found that 41 million Americans have drinking water that contains pharmaceutical pollutants. And while medicine isn’t flushed directly into our water streams anymore or put into landfills, the current best standard for destruction is incineration, which isn’t great either. Incineration has been associated with higher incidences of cancer, respiratory symptoms, and congenital abnormalities. The other problem caused by choosing to destroy perfectly usable medicine is that patients whose medication costs are too high continue to go without. This burden on low-income households adds costs to the entire healthcare system. Prescription drug costs have been steadily increasing for decades. The current average is $3,000 per household per year. Lack of medication results in more deaths each year than opioid overdoses and car accidents combined. This isn’t only extremely detrimental to those individuals and their families; it also affects our entire healthcare system. Patients who skip medications cost the healthcare system $400 billion a year because of increased emergency room visits, doctor visits, and more expensive treatment for sicker patients. #### Rising Costs & Widening Inequities The rising cost of prescription drugs affects financial livelihood and contributes to widening inequities. A Kaiser Health News and NPR survey found that 41% of Americans have medical debt — that’s 100 million people. About 12% report debt of $10,000 or more. It’s the primary reason why people file for bankruptcy. Two-thirds of Americans who are in this situation end up putting off care for themselves or a family member. Another recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll showed that Black and Hispanic respondents reported substantially higher rates of having trouble affording prescription medicine. The poll showed that about 25% of white respondents couldn’t afford the cost of prescription drugs, whereas the numbers increased to 30% for Black respondents and 40% for Hispanic respondents. These populations of color can be disproportionately uninsured, under-insured, and/or low income. Not only do they face life-and-death consequences for not taking their medicine, but also they often face the largest barriers to access. #### Medicine Donation as a Solution Thankfully, a sensible solution exists. Drug-makers, wholesalers, pharmacies, nursing homes, and more can donate their unused medicine rather than destroying it — simple as that. Many companies are already doing this, but more still needs to be done. Surplus drug donation is currently legal in 40 states across the United States. Local and state legislatures are helping to eliminate legal barriers to assist the process and protect the environment. The companies that make a concerted effort to donate their unused supply may do it for smart business reasons. They can enjoy various kinds of savings, from decreased destruction costs to reductions in onerous staff time that might be needed to properly sort, record, and process the destruction of medicine. Many companies will also receive tax savings because pharmaceutical donations are incentivized, in contrast to destruction — with some stipulations. These companies gain intangible benefits, too, especially when they focus on community impact by providing medication to patients who would otherwise go without. Drug donation program studies have reduced inpatient stays by 200 days per 1,000 patients. Ninety percent of patients in a different study showed that, by accessing a drug donation program, they experienced improved health, a better understanding of their prescriptions, and more agency over their healthcare. A third benefit is a reduction in the organization’s environmental impact, which is good for everyone. The ability to connect surplus medicine, whether it’s from a nursing home, a manufacturer, or a pharmacy, to patients in need is an opportunity to change folks’ lives, improve their health, and create a more equitable healthcare system. ##### About George Wang George Wang is co-founder of SIRUM, where he leads SIRUM’s work to save medicine. While at SIRUM, George has forged strong medicine donor partnerships with major manufacturer, pharmacy, and nursing home corporations. George has provided input on a dozen state medicine donation laws and policies, has helped get the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to encourage facilities to work with SIRUM, and works as a liaison to the National Conference of State Legislatures to provide updates on drug donation programs. Before co-founding SIRUM, George worked in academic research and experimental design, during which time he co-authored nine peer-reviewed publications and discovered and named a gene for neural plasticity (GRLD-1). He graduated with a PhD from Stanford University in biology and Phi Beta Kappa from The Ohio State University. *This pharmaceutical industry article is adapted from the GLG Teleconference “Inflation Reduction Act: Implications for Pharmaceutical Industry, PBMs, and Payers.” If you would like access to this event or would like to speak with pharma industry experts like George Wang or any of our approximately 1 million industry experts, contact us.* --- This content, [What We Can Do about Pharmaceutical Waste](https://glginsights.com/articles/what-we-can-do-about-wasted-pharmaceuticals/), was originally shared by [GLG](https://glginsights.com/) in May 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [OSHA Compliance in the Workplace](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/10/osha-compliance-in-the-workplace/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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 tracks most closely with quality assurance components. OSHA is specific to workers, and workplace safety and health. The same systems used to ensure product/service quality compliance can also be applied to OSHA compliance management. #### Insurance Protection Most larger brokerage firms and carriers provide loss mitigation, risk management or risk assessment services. The basis for this work, particularly that performed by or for an insurer, is largely accountable to underwriting. The hazards and risks identified confer a value on the probability of potential losses. Audit reports may identify certain deficiencies, but they may not always refer to the applicable OSHA standard, or what is involved with OSHA compliance. They rarely provide what the potential cost or risks of non-compliance are, except as it may impact premium or potential renewability of a policy. But it behooves operators to know how the violation could have resulted in, but for luck, significant injury or asset impairment, or repeated multiple citations for the same infraction, as well as levels of seriousness, and the fine schedule. #### Consultants When selecting an internal or external resource to manage OSHA compliance, it is key to ensure that the representative has a strong command of the subject. A specialist is more suitable than a generalist. Specialists can conduct a comprehensive mock OSHA inspection, provide reviews, guidance, and training to prepare the entity for an inspection. This involves compliance programs, procedures, protocols, administrative engineering controls, and training documents. Standards can apply based on industry, type of work, job tasks, exposures to physical, chemical, biological, behavioral hazards, and circumstances not specified by a particular standard, but which present a hazard posing a reasonable risk of serious injury to be covered under the general duty clause. A consultant can teach the policyholder how best to handle an inspection under different scenarios. The next level of service would be the ability to negotiate citations and penalties, provide counsel on responses, coach clients through the contest, informal, and formal conferences process. There are strategies that can be effective to have violations reduced, dismissed, or at the very least, lowered to a “de minimis” status. Often this is relegated to a labor attorney. Meanwhile, it is best to have the experts evaluate and negotiate with the local agency that originated the violations from the onset before it develops into a legal issue. #### No One-Size-Fits-All Entities with multiple locations and operations are at greater risk. Citations and violations at one location or operation can be viewed as a previous violation even if it took place at another location or operation. This is considered a “Repeat” or even “Willful” citation because it is considered under “the same management. They are more unforgiving with hefty fines — the maximum penalty for such violations being $156,259 each. There is no such thing as a certified OSHA consultant, but there are the basic 10- and 30-hour OSHA courses for General Industry and Construction. For small- to medium-sized employers, defined as up to 250 employees, however, there is an under-utilized option — OSHA offers free on-site consultations. This consultation unit is separate from enforcement and there is no risk of tipping off an inspection. However, the employer must agree to mitigate any serious findings as a prerequisite. OSHA does not require a written Workplace Health and Safety Program, or Safety Committee. But these items are key in negotiating and fending off violations, citations and penalties. They are recognized as “good faith” efforts and considered as an offset. As one considers approaching OSHA, ensure that the OSHA 300 Logs, and the accompanying 300A Summaries for the past five years have been properly completed and updated. It is also key to have all OSHA compliance policies, documents and protocols that are applicable, and to ensure the mandatory training covers the appropriate personnel, with adequate content coverage and qualified trainers. Review the physical plant safety for ergonomics, trips/slips/falls prevention, fire, warehousing, machine guarding, and all manner of potential chemical, physical and other hazards. Contact a local OSHA consultant if the firm is a “small to medium sized employer.” If a larger company or management prefers not to deal with the agency, seek out a qualified safety consultant who specializes in OSHA compliance management. Schedule an audit and review the findings. Let these steps be part of the Safety Action Plan and prioritize accordingly. --- This content, [OSHA Compliance in the Workplace](https://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/mag-features/2023/05/08/718360.htm), was originally shared by [Insurance Journal](https://www.insurancejournal.com/) on May 8, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Rising Demand for Chemotherapy Containers: Ensuring Safe and Effective Treatment](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/10/rising-demand-for-chemotherapy-containers-ensuring-safe-and-effective-treatment/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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 specifically designed for the storage and administration of chemotherapy drugs. They should be made of materials that are compatible with the drugs and resistant to chemical interactions. Commonly used materials include polypropylene, polyethylene, and glass. The container design should incorporate features that prevent leakage, evaporation, and contamination. **Compatibility and Stability:** Chemotherapy drugs are often potent and can be affected by various factors such as light, temperature, and pH. It is important to select containers that maintain drug stability and prevent degradation during storage and transportation. Compatibility testing between the drug and the container should be conducted to ensure that there are no adverse interactions that could compromise drug efficacy or safety. **Proper Labeling and Identification:** Clear and accurate labeling of chemotherapy containers is crucial for proper identification and to prevent errors in drug administration. Containers should be labeled with information such as drug name, strength, concentration, lot number, and expiration date. Color-coded labels or other visual aids can help distinguish chemotherapy containers from other medications, reducing the risk of confusion. **Safety Features:** Chemotherapy containers should have safety features to minimize the risk of accidental exposure to healthcare providers and patients. For example, child-resistant closures can prevent unauthorized access to the drugs. Additionally, containers should be designed to prevent needle sticks or other injuries during drug preparation and administration. **Compliance with Regulatory Standards:** Chemotherapy containers should comply with applicable regulatory standards and guidelines, such as those set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and international organizations like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These standards ensure that containers meet specific quality, safety, and performance requirements. In summary, ensuring safe and effective treatment with chemotherapy containers requires attention to container design, compatibility and stability of drugs, proper labeling and identification, safety features, compliance with regulatory standards, proper handling and disposal, quality assurance, and effective communication and collaboration. These measures collectively contribute to enhancing patient care and minimizing risks associated with chemotherapy administration. --- This content, [Rising Demand for Chemotherapy Containers: Ensuring Safe and Effective Treatment](https://www.newstrail.com/rising-demand-for-chemotherapy-containers-ensuring-safe-and-effective-treatment/), was originally shared by [www.newstrail.com](https://www.newstrail.com/) on May 23, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. **Content:** #### Is Your Medical Waste Program Working as Well as You Think? Most healthcare organizations don’t think much about their [medical waste program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/spring-cleaning-in-healthcare-what-your-medical-waste-program-might-be-missing/) until something goes wrong. An inspection uncovers a compliance issue. Disposal costs begin climbing. Staff members have questions about waste segregation. Containers fill faster than expected. The strongest waste management programs aren’t built around reacting to problems. They’re built around regularly evaluating processes before challenges arise. Whether you’re managing a physician practice, surgery center, dental office, veterinary clinic, or [long-term care facility](https://wastemedic.com/2025/02/16/navigating-medical-waste-compliance-in-long-term-care-what-you-need-to-know/), these five questions can help determine whether your medical waste program is supporting your organization as effectively as it should. #### Are Employees Consistently Disposing of Waste Correctly? Every waste disposal decision starts with an employee. If staff members are uncertain about which waste belongs in regulated medical waste containers, pharmaceutical waste containers, or general trash, small mistakes can quickly become recurring problems. Regular education and consistent procedures help reduce confusion while supporting both compliance and workplace safety. #### Are We Paying to Dispose of Waste That Doesn’t Belong There? One of the most common opportunities for improvement involves waste segregation. Many facilities unknowingly place non-regulated waste into regulated medical waste containers. While this may seem like the safest approach, it often increases disposal costs without improving safety. Periodically reviewing waste streams can help identify opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining compliance. #### Have We Evaluated Our Waste Program Recently? Healthcare operations evolve over time. Patient volumes change. Services expand. Staffing changes occur. Regulations continue to develop. A waste management program that worked well several years ago may no longer be the best fit for today’s operations. Routine program evaluations help ensure waste procedures continue supporting your facility’s needs. #### Is Our Staff Receiving Ongoing Compliance Training? Medical waste compliance isn’t something employees learn once during onboarding. Refresher training helps reinforce proper waste segregation, sharps handling, pharmaceutical waste management, and documentation practices while keeping employees informed about evolving regulatory expectations. Organizations that prioritize education often experience greater consistency throughout their compliance programs. #### Does Our Medical Waste Partner Help Us Improve? A medical waste provider should do more than collect containers on a scheduled route. The right partner should also provide guidance that helps healthcare organizations strengthen compliance, identify opportunities for improvement, and simplify waste management processes. Services such as compliance training, waste assessments, and operational support can provide value well beyond waste collection. #### Asking Better Questions Leads to Better Outcomes Medical waste management doesn’t have to become a concern before it’s evaluated. By periodically reviewing procedures, training, waste segregation practices, and operational efficiency, healthcare organizations can identify opportunities to strengthen compliance while improving overall performance. At Waste Medic, we believe the best medical waste programs begin with thoughtful conversations. Through consultation, [compliance training](https://wastemedic.com/consultation-training/), waste assessments, and comprehensive disposal services, we help healthcare organizations build safer, more efficient waste management programs that support long-term success. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste **Tags:** healthcare waste management, medical waste assessment, healthcare waste segregation, OSHA medical waste requirements, medical waste compliance, regulated medical waste, healthcare compliance, medical waste management, Waste Medic, Medical waste disposal --- ### [Gratitude in Healthcare: Giving Thanks for Those Who Keep Our Communities Safe](https://wastemedic.com/2025/10/20/gratitude-in-healthcare-giving-thanks-for-those-who-keep-our-communities-safe/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** This Thanksgiving, Waste Medic gives thanks for the healthcare professionals and partners who make safety possible every day. Learn how gratitude and compliance go hand in hand. **Content:** As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s a time to pause and reflect on the people and partnerships that make healthcare work possible every day. While patients often see the dedication of nurses, physicians, and caregivers, there’s a quiet network of professionals behind the scenes who help protect public health in equally important ways. At Waste Medic, we’re thankful to play a small but vital role in that mission. By managing the safe and compliant disposal of medical waste, our work helps ensure that hospitals, clinics, dental offices, and long-term care facilities can focus on what matters most… caring for patients. #### Thankful for Healthcare Heroes and Support Teams Every syringe, lab sample, and piece of protective equipment tells a story of care, prevention, and healing. The people who handle those materials, from medical staff to custodial teams and environmental health professionals, deserve our gratitude. Their commitment keeps healthcare environments clean, safe, and ready for every patient who walks through the door. This season, we honor their work and the trust our clients place in us to help them maintain compliance, reduce risk, and protect the health of their staff and communities. #### Our Commitment to a Safer Tomorrow We’re grateful for every partner who shares our vision of a cleaner, safer future for healthcare. Whether we’re providing biohazardous waste disposal, sharps management, pharmaceutical destruction, or compliance consultation, Waste Medic is proud to stand alongside the organizations that make a difference every day. This Thanksgiving, we extend our appreciation to all healthcare professionals and environmental safety teams for the work you do year-round to protect others. Together, we make healthcare safer. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events **Tags:** Waste Medic, medical waste management, biohazard disposal, healthcare safety, Thanksgiving healthcare, compliance partner --- ### [The Link Between Infection Prevention and Proper Waste Segregation](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/07/the-link-between-infection-prevention-and-proper-waste-segregation/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Proper medical waste segregation is vital for infection prevention. Learn how correct handling and disposal practices reduce exposure risks and support compliance. **Content:** Infection prevention is at the core of every healthcare operation. While protocols such as hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and sterilization are well recognized, one critical practice is often overlooked: [proper segregation of medical waste](https://wastemedic.com/2025/01/24/proper-segregation-techniques-a-refresher-for-healthcare-facilities/). How waste is handled from the point of generation can significantly reduce the risk of infection transmission for healthcare workers, patients, and the surrounding community. #### Why Waste Segregation Matters for Infection Control Medical waste is not uniform. Each category, including sharps, biohazardous waste, pharmaceuticals, and [trace chemotherapy](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy/), carries unique handling, storage, and disposal requirements. When these materials are improperly sorted, the risk of cross-contamination increases, exposing staff and others to harmful pathogens. Segregation ensures that infectious waste is isolated from non-infectious waste and that materials such as sharps and pharmaceuticals are disposed of through the correct channels. This process protects human health and helps facilities maintain compliance with OSHA, EPA, and state regulations. #### Reducing Exposure Risks at the Source The most effective infection prevention strategies start at the point of waste generation. Designating clear collection areas, labeling containers correctly, and training staff on proper waste classification are essential steps. When staff understand the importance of separating infectious materials early, the chances of exposure and accidental contact decline significantly. Color-coded containers, such as red bags for biohazard waste and puncture-resistant sharps containers, are simple and effective tools that minimize confusion and promote safe practices throughout the facility. #### The Compliance Connection Beyond safety, proper segregation directly impacts regulatory compliance. Mixing infectious and non-infectious waste can lead to violations, fines, and higher disposal costs. Consistent adherence to segregation guidelines ensures that waste streams are handled according to federal, state, and local standards. This approach provides both protection and peace of mind for healthcare administrators. Partnering with a qualified medical waste management provider such as Waste Medic ensures every aspect of your waste program, from container placement to final disposal, aligns with infection prevention best practices and current regulations. #### Supporting Safer Healthcare Environments Infection prevention is not limited to clinical care. It extends to every process that supports patient safety, including waste management. By maintaining disciplined segregation practices, healthcare facilities create a safer environment for staff, patients, and the communities they serve. Waste Medic’s expertise in regulated medical waste management helps healthcare providers uphold the highest standards of infection control while simplifying compliance and reducing operational risks. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** infection prevention, waste segregation, biohazard waste compliance, medical waste management safety, infection control in healthcare --- ### [Why End-of-Year Waste Audits Are Critical for Compliance and Cost Efficiency](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/09/why-end-of-year-waste-audits-are-critical-for-compliance-and-cost-efficiency/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Conducting an end-of-year medical waste audit helps healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, reduce costs, and improve safety. Learn why annual waste reviews matter. **Content:** As the year comes to a close, healthcare facilities often focus on wrapping up budgets, updating training, and preparing for annual reporting. However, one essential process that is often overlooked is the [medical waste audit](https://wastemedic.com/2025/08/21/is-your-medical-waste-program-audit-ready-why-now-is-the-time-to-prepare/). Conducting a detailed review of your facility’s waste management program before the end of the year can reveal opportunities to strengthen compliance, improve safety, and reduce costs going into the new year. A well-executed waste audit helps facilities stay compliant with state and federal regulations while identifying inefficiencies in collection, segregation, and disposal practices. #### 1. Strengthen Regulatory Compliance and Reduce Risk Medical waste management regulations are complex and vary by state. From labeling requirements to transportation and treatment methods, healthcare facilities must adhere to strict standards set by the [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/), [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/), and the [Department of Transportation](https://www.transportation.gov/). End-of-year waste audits allow facilities to verify that all documentation, labeling, and storage practices meet current regulatory requirements. Identifying gaps early helps avoid costly citations or violations that may arise during inspections. Partnering with a trusted provider such as Waste Medic ensures every step of the waste disposal process aligns with compliance standards. #### 2. Identify Inefficiencies and Lower Operating Costs Over time, collection schedules, container sizes, or pickup frequencies may no longer match the facility’s actual waste output. A waste audit can uncover these inefficiencies and allow adjustments that reduce costs without compromising safety. For example, some facilities find that over-servicing or incorrect waste classification leads to unnecessary expenses. An audit provides the data needed to right-size services and ensure waste is being disposed of properly and cost-effectively. #### 3. Improve Segregation and Enhance Safety Proper waste segregation is essential for infection control and employee safety. During an audit, facilities can evaluate how well waste is being sorted at the point of generation and whether staff are following training protocols. This review can reveal areas where additional education or clearer labeling may be needed. Improving segregation not only enhances safety but also ensures that regulated waste streams are handled correctly, preventing potential contamination or exposure incidents. ### Key Benefits of Conducting a Waste Audit A comprehensive end-of-year review provides measurable benefits for any healthcare organization. - Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations - Identifies cost-saving opportunities - Supports infection prevention and safety goals - Enhances staff accountability and training effectiveness - Builds a stronger foundation for the upcoming year’s compliance plan ### Partnering with Waste Medic for Smarter Waste Management At Waste Medic, we help healthcare organizations conduct waste audits that simplify compliance and improve efficiency. Our team provides expert analysis of your current waste management program, identifies areas for improvement, and offers tailored solutions to optimize performance. A proactive audit today can prevent compliance issues tomorrow while saving your facility time, money, and unnecessary risk. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** healthcare waste management, infection prevention, waste segregation, medical waste audit, compliance review, cost savings, OSHA EPA medical waste regulations --- ### [A Closer Look at Sharps Safety This December](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/30/a-closer-look-at-sharps-safety-this-december/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** December is a high-risk month for sharps injuries due to heavier patient volumes, schedule changes, and increased workplace fatigue. This article explains why the season requires heightened awareness and how strengthening sharps safety practices supports compliance and protects healthcare workers. **Content:** #### A Closer Look at Sharps Safety This December Improper handling and disposal of [medical sharps](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) remains one of the most persistent safety challenges in healthcare settings. December is recognized as [International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/sharps-safety-guidelines), making it an ideal time to revisit sharps safety protocols. With rising patient volumes and shifting staffing patterns, this season often brings a higher risk of accidental needlestick injuries. Reinforcing safe practices helps protect healthcare workers, strengthens infection prevention efforts, and supports compliance with OSHA and state regulations. ### Why December Brings Elevated Sharps Injury Risks December presents operational challenges that increase the likelihood of sharps-related injuries. Respiratory illness surges create higher patient traffic, while holiday schedules lead to more temporary staff, new team members, and fluctuating workflows. These factors contribute to inconsistent disposal practices, container overfills, and reliance on unfamiliar procedures. Fatigue may also play a role, as healthcare teams balance holiday demands with increased clinical responsibilities. Together, these conditions highlight the need for renewed focus on sharps safety during this busy month. #### The Impact of Needlestick Injuries on Healthcare Workers A needlestick injury carries serious implications for healthcare professionals. Exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV poses physical risks, while the follow-up testing and monitoring process adds stress and complexity to an already demanding work environment. Healthcare leaders who prioritize training and reinforce disposal best practices can significantly reduce these risks and demonstrate a strong commitment to workplace safety. #### Sharps Safety Best Practices Every Facility Should Reinforce Effective sharps injury prevention relies on consistent procedures and reliable equipment. The following practices support safe handling and proper disposal: Ensuring sharps containers are placed at eye level and within arm’s reach, monitoring fill levels to prevent overfilling, confirming all containers meet puncture-resistant and leak-proof standards, training staff regularly on safe handling procedures, labeling and segregating sharps waste correctly to maintain compliance. These actions help minimize the potential for accidental exposure and create a safer environment for all staff members. #### Container Placement and Workflow Efficiency Sharps container placement is a critical factor in injury prevention. Containers located too far from the point of use may encourage unsafe habits, such as carrying uncapped sharps across treatment areas. Reviewing container placement in patient rooms, procedure areas, laboratories, and nursing stations helps ensure the layout supports safe disposal behaviors. Routine evaluations with clinical and environmental services teams can identify opportunities to improve placement and reduce risk. #### Operational Oversight and Regulatory Compliance Sharps disposal is closely regulated under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Facilities must ensure that containers are closable, puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and clearly labeled. Fill-line indicators should be respected, and overflowing containers must be replaced promptly. Regular staff training, audit documentation, and scheduled compliance assessments help maintain consistency. Confirming that procedures align with regulatory requirements strengthens both safety and organizational readiness. #### How Waste Medic Supports Sharps Injury Prevention Waste Medic provides healthcare facilities with dependable, compliant sharps disposal services built around risk reduction and operational consistency. Expert guidance, reliable pickup schedules, and access to compliant containers help organizations maintain safe environments for staff and patients. December is an ideal time to review container inventory, assess workflow placement, and schedule a compliance check to prepare for the upcoming year and ensure continued protection. #### Strengthening Safety Practices for the New Year International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that sharps safety requires year-round attention, especially during busy seasons. By reinforcing protocols, updating training, and partnering with a trusted medical waste provider, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce preventable injuries. Strengthening these practices in December sets the foundation for a safer and more compliant start to the new year. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** sharps safety, biohazard waste disposal, sharps injury prevention, healthcare safety, medical sharps disposal, needlestick injury risks, OSHA sharps compliance, sharps container management, sharps handling best practices --- ### [Reflecting on 2025: A Year of Progress in Healthcare Waste Management](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/30/reflecting-on-2025-a-year-of-progress-in-healthcare-waste-management/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** The final weeks of the year offer healthcare organizations a valuable opportunity to review medical waste practices, strengthen safety protocols, and prepare for evolving compliance standards. This article highlights 2025’s industry shifts and how Waste Medic continues to support safer, more reliable waste management across the Southeast. **Content:** #### A Year Marked by Growth, Regulatory Shifts, and Increased Awareness Healthcare facilities managed a wide range of challenges in 2025. Patient volumes fluctuated, supply chains shifted, and infection prevention remained a central priority. These pressures elevated the significance of how medical waste is stored, segregated, and transported. Waste Medic supported facilities across the Southeast region as they adapted to new requirements and worked to maintain consistent, compliant workflows. The end of the year is a natural point for facilities to examine what worked and what may need refinement. Many practices are now reviewing their medical waste plans, evaluating [container usage](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/07/the-link-between-infection-prevention-and-proper-waste-segregation/), and assessing storage conditions to confirm that their processes remain aligned with [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/) and state-level requirements. #### Strengthening Medical Waste Protocols Before 2026 Arrives This year also encouraged healthcare leaders to take a more strategic approach to waste management. Many facilities reduced unnecessary waste, improved container placement, and adopted more efficient internal workflows. Waste Medic helped organizations make these adjustments by offering right-sized containers, flexible routing options, and temperature monitoring solutions that protect waste stored in varying seasonal conditions. As the new year approaches, facilities are performing year end waste audits to identify gaps, review documentation, and ensure staff are fully updated on segregation guidelines. Waste Medic routinely participates in these assessments, helping teams identify practical improvements that support both safety and compliance. #### Recognizing the People Behind Safe Waste Practices Every regulated medical waste program relies on the frontline teams who manage [biohazardous materials](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/), sharps disposal, and daily cleanup activities. Their consistency directly influences the safety of patients and staff. Waste Medic recognizes the essential role these professionals play. Our services are designed to support their efforts with dependable pickups, compliant containers, and clear communication that ensures nothing is left to chance. This year demonstrated once again that when healthcare organizations and their waste management partners work together, risks decrease and operations become more predictable. Waste Medic remains committed to strengthening that partnership as 2026 approaches. #### Key Areas to Review During Year End Assessments A focused review helps confirm that processes remain efficient and compliant going into the new year. Facilities can benefit from evaluating the following areas: - Monthly waste volume reports - Pickup frequency - Segregation categories - Container placement and condition - Documentation readiness for regulatory inspections. These checkpoints provide a clearer understanding of how well current systems are performing and where minor adjustments could improve safety or workflow efficiency. Waste Medic’s team is available to assist organizations with route reviews, service updates, or staff training resources designed to strengthen compliance. #### Looking Ahead to a Safer, More Efficient 2026 As 2025 concludes, Waste Medic is grateful for the opportunity to support healthcare providers throughout Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and surrounding regions. Our mission remains the same: to protect healthcare workers, ensure compliance, and deliver reliable medical waste disposal services that promote a safer healthcare environment. The new year will bring new challenges, but also new opportunities to improve safety and efficiency. [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) looks forward to continuing its partnership with healthcare organizations committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and compliance in 2026. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, healthcare waste management, Waste Medic, OSHA compliance, healthcare safety, biohazard waste services, regulated medical waste solutions, end of year waste audit --- ### [Preparing for Winter Surges: Strengthening Medical Waste Management During Peak Illness Season](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/30/preparing-for-winter-surges-strengthening-medical-waste-management-during-peak-illness-season/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** As respiratory illnesses rise during winter, healthcare facilities experience increased medical waste and greater operational pressure. This article explains how to manage these seasonal challenges effectively and how Waste Medic supports safer, more efficient waste handling during high volume months. **Content:** #### Why Winter Creates Unique Medical Waste Challenges The winter months mark a predictable increase in medical waste due to heightened respiratory illness activity. Facilities see higher volumes of contaminated PPE, testing materials, sharps, and [biohazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/). This surge places added pressure on storage areas, pickup schedules, and segregation workflows. Waste Medic supports healthcare organizations during this time by offering flexible route adjustments, compliant containers, and guidance tailored to the seasonal demands of each facility. As patient visits rise, even small inefficiencies can affect safety and compliance. Overfilled containers, improper segregation, and [unmonitored storage conditions](https://wastemedic.com/consultation-training/temperature-monitoring/) become more common during colder months when operations are stretched thin. Waste Medic’s service teams regularly assist organizations in identifying and correcting these issues before they impact safety. #### The Role of Segregation and Storage in Infection Prevention Accurate segregation plays a critical role in protecting staff and preventing cross-contamination. When waste volumes rise quickly, staff may dispose of materials more hastily, leading to increased mixing of regulated and non-regulated waste. This not only risks spreading contaminants but also increases disposal costs. Waste Medic provides education and support to help teams maintain consistent segregation practices throughout winter, which strengthens both safety and compliance. Storage conditions also matter. Cold weather can influence the safety of accumulated waste, especially if storage areas lack consistent environmental controls. Waste Medic recommends reviewing storage capacity and monitoring solutions to confirm that waste is held in secure, compliant conditions until pickup. For facilities that store waste for extended periods, temperature monitoring becomes particularly valuable in winter. #### Optimizing Workflows to Reduce Seasonal Pressure Every facility’s winter workflow requires careful coordination to avoid unnecessary risk. Many organizations adjust provider schedules or patient routing during peak illness seasons, which in turn affects how and where waste is generated. Waste Medic works with facilities to review these operational changes and implement solutions that keep disposal simple and safe throughout busy periods. Winter also tends to highlight gaps that are less noticeable during slower months. [Overflowing sharps containers](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/30/a-closer-look-at-sharps-safety-this-december/), delayed pickups, or mislabeled bags can occur when workloads spike. Waste Medic’s teams help facilities address the root causes of these issues, whether through increasing container quantities, refining placement, or adjusting pickup frequency. Healthcare organizations can prepare for winter surges by reviewing several key areas: - Current pickup schedules and whether frequency is adequate - Container placement and sizing, segregation consistency - Storage conditions and available space - Documentation readiness for compliance inspections. These focus areas help ensure that facilities maintain safe, efficient waste handling routines throughout the peak illness season. #### Keeping Teams Prepared and Workflows Consistent Staff turnover, temporary staffing, and increased caseloads can make winter a challenging time to maintain consistent disposal habits. This is why refresher training becomes valuable as the season begins. Waste Medic supports healthcare teams by offering disposal guidance, answering compliance questions, and helping clarify any evolving regulatory expectations. Facilities that invest time in preparation early in the season experience fewer disruptions when volumes peak. A proactive approach helps reduce risks and ensures that staff feel confident in their daily waste handling responsibilities. #### How Waste Medic Supports Facilities Throughout Winter Waste Medic works closely with healthcare organizations to strengthen waste management processes during high volume months. Our service model focuses on dependable pickups, right-sized containers, flexible scheduling, and temperature monitoring when appropriate. These elements help protect staff, support compliance, and reduce stress during already demanding periods. Facilities that partner with Waste Medic benefit from predictable service, clear communication, and guidance that reflects real seasonal challenges. As winter illness activity increases, having a reliable medical waste provider becomes a critical part of maintaining safe clinical environments. #### A Safer, More Efficient Approach to the Winter Season Winter brings significant operational pressure, but it also presents an opportunity to strengthen medical waste systems and prepare for the unexpected. By reviewing workflows, adjusting schedules, and reinforcing segregation and storage practices, healthcare organizations can maintain high standards even during peak illness surges. [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) remains committed to supporting these efforts with solutions that protect workers and enhance operational resilience throughout the winter season. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Waste Medic, biohazard disposal, regulated medical waste, infection prevention, healthcare waste storage, waste segregation, winter medical waste management, medical waste pickup schedules --- ### [A Smarter Start to 2026: Simplifying Medical Waste Compliance in the New Year](https://wastemedic.com/2025/12/16/a-smarter-start-to-2026-simplifying-medical-waste-compliance-in-the-new-year/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** A new year offers healthcare facilities the opportunity to reset workflows, reduce risk, and simplify medical waste compliance. This article outlines practical steps for planning a safer, more efficient 2026 with support from Waste Medic. **Content:** #### Welcoming the New Year with a Focus on Safety and Simplicity As healthcare organizations welcome 2026, many are setting goals centered on efficiency, safety, and regulatory readiness. The start of the year is an ideal time to revisit [medical waste management](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/30/preparing-for-winter-surges-strengthening-medical-waste-management-during-peak-illness-season/) practices and ensure they align with current requirements and operational realities. Waste Medic works with healthcare facilities to [simplify compliance](https://wastemedic.com/consultation-training/) by providing clear guidance, dependable service, and solutions designed to support long-term safety rather than short-term fixes. A proactive approach early in the year reduces uncertainty and helps facilities avoid disruptions later. When waste workflows are clearly defined and consistently followed, teams spend less time reacting to compliance concerns and more time focused on patient care. #### Why Early Planning Makes Compliance Easier All Year Long Medical waste compliance does not become easier under pressure. Facilities that plan ahead are better positioned to manage changing patient volumes, staffing adjustments, and regulatory expectations. January offers a natural checkpoint to review waste segregation practices, container placement, storage conditions, and pickup schedules. Waste Medic supports this planning process by helping organizations evaluate their current programs and identify areas where minor adjustments can have a meaningful impact. Aligning these elements early in the year creates a foundation that supports compliance during busy seasons and unexpected surges. #### Building Consistent Waste Management Habits Across Teams Consistency is one of the most effective tools for reducing risk. When staff clearly understand disposal categories, container locations, and reporting procedures, errors become less frequent. Waste Medic reinforces these habits by providing compliant containers, clear labeling, and ongoing support that helps teams maintain proper practices over time. Facilities that prioritize consistency also benefit from stronger inspection readiness. Clear documentation and predictable workflows simplify internal audits and external reviews. #### Key Areas to Review at the Start of the Year A focused review in January can prevent issues later in the year. Healthcare facilities often benefit from evaluating the following areas: - Waste segregation accuracy - Container placement and sizing - Pickup frequency - Storage conditions including temperature considerations - Staff training and documentation readiness Addressing these areas early helps facilities identify inefficiencies before they escalate. Waste Medic works alongside healthcare teams to review these components and implement practical improvements that fit each organization’s needs. #### How Waste Medic Helps Make Compliance Predictable Waste Medic partners with healthcare organizations to deliver medical waste services that reduce complexity and support long-term compliance. Our approach includes dependable pickups, compliant containers, temperature monitoring solutions when appropriate, and expert guidance that reflects real-world healthcare operations. By focusing on consistency and communication, Waste Medic helps facilities move away from reactive compliance and toward predictable, manageable workflows. This approach allows organizations to plan confidently and adjust as needed throughout the year. #### Looking Ahead to a Safer and More Efficient 2026 The new year represents an opportunity to reset priorities and strengthen systems that protect healthcare workers and patients alike. With early planning, clear processes, and a trusted medical waste partner, compliance becomes easier to manage and less disruptive. Waste Medic looks forward to supporting healthcare organizations throughout 2026 with reliable services, practical guidance, and a shared commitment to safety. A strong start in January sets the tone for a year defined by preparedness, confidence, and compliance. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** healthcare waste management, OSHA compliance, medical waste compliance, Waste Medic compliance, biohazard waste services, regulated medical waste disposal, healthcare safety planning --- ### [A Smarter Start to 2026: Simplifying Medical Waste Compliance in the New Year](https://wastemedic.com/2026/01/07/a-smarter-start-to-2026-simplifying-medical-waste-compliance-in-the-new-year-2/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Starting the year with a medical waste audit helps healthcare facilities identify compliance gaps, improve efficiency, and prepare for busy seasons ahead. This article explains why January is the best time to review waste management practices and how Waste Medic supports the process. **Content:** #### January Creates Space for Clear, Proactive Review January offers something healthcare facilities rarely get during the rest of the year: breathing room. After the pace of the holidays, workflows stabilize, staffing normalizes, and leadership teams have the opportunity to look ahead rather than simply react. This makes January an ideal time to evaluate medical waste practices with clarity and intention. A [medical waste audit](https://wastemedic.com/2025/08/21/is-your-medical-waste-program-audit-ready-why-now-is-the-time-to-prepare/) conducted early in the year helps establish a baseline for compliance and operational efficiency. Instead of scrambling to address issues during peak patient volumes or in response to an inspection, facilities can identify gaps calmly and make informed adjustments that support safety and consistency throughout the year. #### The Risk of Delaying a Medical Waste Audit When audits are postponed, small issues tend to compound. Inconsistent segregation practices, containers placed for convenience rather than safety, outdated signage, or storage areas stretched beyond capacity can quietly become compliance risks. These issues are often only addressed when an inspection or incident forces action, which adds stress and disrupts daily operations. January audits shift compliance from reactive to preventive. Reviewing systems before problems surface allows facilities to address vulnerabilities methodically and on their own timeline, reducing the likelihood of costly corrections later in the year. #### What a Meaningful Medical Waste Audit Actually Covers A thorough medical waste audit goes beyond counting containers or confirming pickup schedules. It evaluates how waste moves through a facility and whether procedures align with real-world workflows. Effective audits examine whether staff clearly understand disposal categories, whether containers are located where waste is generated, and whether storage conditions remain appropriate as volumes fluctuate. Facilities typically focus on several core areas during an audit: - [Waste segregation](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/07/the-link-between-infection-prevention-and-proper-waste-segregation/) accuracy - [Sharps container placement](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) and fill levels - Pickup frequency and scheduling - Storage capacity and environmental conditions - Training records and documentation readiness Addressing these areas together provides a complete picture of compliance and helps ensure that safety protocols are practical, not just documented. #### How Early Audits Improve Safety and Daily Operations Conducting a medical waste audit in January allows improvements to be implemented gradually and thoughtfully. Container placement can be adjusted to better support staff workflows, training refreshers can be scheduled without urgency, and storage practices can be refined before volumes increase during flu season or summer months. Facilities that take this proactive approach often experience fewer disruptions, clearer staff accountability, and smoother inspections. When systems are reviewed early, compliance becomes part of daily operations rather than a separate, high-pressure task. #### Where Waste Medic Fits into the Audit Process A medical waste audit is most effective when facilities have access to experienced guidance. Waste Medic works alongside healthcare organizations to support audits with practical insight rooted in real facility operations. Rather than offering generic recommendations, we help identify realistic improvements that align with each organization’s size, services, and regulatory requirements. Our role is to help facilities translate audit findings into manageable action, whether that means adjusting service schedules, improving container strategy, strengthening documentation practices, or clarifying segregation workflows. The goal is not perfection, but predictability and consistency. #### Setting the Tone for a Compliant Year Ahead January sets the pace for the entire year. Facilities that begin with a medical waste audit gain a clearer understanding of where they stand and where small adjustments can reduce risk. With early planning and the right support, compliance becomes easier to maintain and far less disruptive. Starting the year with a structured audit helps healthcare organizations move forward with confidence, knowing their medical waste program is aligned, compliant, and prepared for the demands ahead. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** healthcare waste management, OSHA compliance, medical waste compliance, Waste Medic compliance, biohazard waste services, regulated medical waste disposal, healthcare safety planning --- ### [Medical Waste Segregation Refresher: Starting the Year the Right Way](https://wastemedic.com/2026/01/08/medical-waste-segregation-refresher-starting-the-year-the-right-way/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Medical waste segregation errors increase risk, drive up disposal costs, and create compliance concerns. This article explains why January is the right time to refresh segregation practices and how Waste Medic helps facilities maintain clarity and consistency year round. **Content:** #### Why Medical Waste Segregation Deserves a Fresh Look in January [Medical waste segregation](https://wastemedic.com/2025/01/24/proper-segregation-techniques-a-refresher-for-healthcare-facilities/) is one of the most important and most misunderstood components of healthcare compliance. Even experienced teams can develop habits that drift over time, especially after busy seasons or staffing changes. January provides a natural opportunity to reset expectations, reinforce clarity, and ensure that waste is being classified correctly across the facility. When segregation is done properly, it protects staff, supports infection prevention, and prevents unnecessary disposal costs. When it breaks down, facilities often see increased risk exposure and higher waste volumes than necessary. Starting the year with a clear refresher helps prevent those issues from becoming ingrained. #### The Hidden Risks of Improper Waste Segregation Improper segregation affects far more than compliance checklists. When regulated and non-regulated waste are mixed, staff face greater exposure risks and facilities often pay more for disposal than required. Sharps placed in incorrect containers, [pharmaceutical waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-waste/) discarded improperly, or general waste treated as biohazardous can all create avoidable operational and financial strain. These issues rarely stem from negligence. More often, they result from unclear signage, inconsistent container placement, or assumptions made during fast-paced clinical work. Addressing segregation early in the year helps eliminate confusion before workloads increase. #### Understanding What Goes Where and Why It Matters Effective segregation begins with clarity. Staff should understand which materials qualify as [regulated medical waste](http://biohazardous), which belong in sharps containers, and which can safely enter the general waste stream. This clarity supports safer handling and ensures that each waste type is managed according to regulatory requirements. Facilities benefit when segregation guidelines are consistent across departments and reinforced regularly. January is an ideal time to review whether current signage, container labeling, and disposal instructions still align with daily workflows and regulatory expectations. #### Common Segregation Challenges Found During Reviews When facilities review segregation practices, a few patterns frequently emerge: - Overclassification of general waste as biohazardous - Sharps containers used for non-sharps materials - Unclear disposal guidance for temporary or new staff - Inconsistent container placement between departments - Outdated signage or labeling. Identifying these issues early allows facilities to correct them calmly and methodically rather than under inspection pressure. #### How Better Segregation Improves Safety and Efficiency Clear segregation practices reduce handling risks and streamline waste workflows. Staff spend less time questioning where materials belong, containers fill at appropriate rates, and pickup schedules remain predictable. Over time, facilities often see reduced waste volumes and improved compliance confidence. When segregation aligns with real workflows, it becomes a natural part of daily operations rather than an extra step. This consistency is especially valuable during high-volume periods when staff attention is divided. #### How Waste Medic Supports Clear and Consistent Segregation Waste Medic works with healthcare facilities to strengthen segregation practices through practical guidance and reliable service. This includes helping evaluate container placement, confirming appropriate container types, and supporting education efforts that reinforce proper classification. Our approach focuses on clarity and consistency rather than complexity. By aligning segregation practices with how facilities actually operate, Waste Medic helps reduce confusion, improve safety, and support compliance throughout the year. #### Setting a Strong Foundation for the Year Ahead Medical waste segregation is not a one-time task. It requires ongoing attention and reinforcement, especially as teams and workloads change. By starting the year with a focused refresher, healthcare facilities can reduce risk, control costs, and create safer environments for staff and patients. With clear practices and the right waste management partner, segregation becomes easier to maintain and far less disruptive. January sets the tone, and a strong start helps carry good habits through the rest of the year. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Waste Medic, Medical waste segregation, sharps disposal, regulated medical waste, biohazard waste disposal, OSHA medical waste, healthcare waste compliance, waste classification --- ### [Preventing Sharps Injuries Before They Happen: Practical Steps for Healthcare Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/02/08/preventing-sharps-injuries-before-they-happen-practical-steps-for-healthcare-facilities/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Sharps injuries are largely preventable when healthcare facilities focus on workflow design, container placement, and consistent disposal practices. This article outlines practical steps to reduce needlestick injuries and strengthen sharps safety programs. **Content:** #### Why Sharps Injury Prevention Requires Ongoing Attention Sharps injuries remain one of the most common and concerning safety risks in healthcare environments. Even experienced professionals face exposure risks during busy shifts, staffing changes, or periods of fatigue. While disposal protocols are well established, injuries often occur not because staff are unaware of the rules, but because systems do not always support safe behavior in fast-paced settings. [Preventing sharps injuries](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/06/sharps-injuries-are-you-taking-your-risk-seriously/) requires more than reminders. It depends on thoughtful workflow design, reliable equipment, and consistent reinforcement. February is an especially important time to revisit sharps safety as winter workloads continue and operational pressure remains high. #### Understanding How Sharps Injuries Commonly Occur Many sharps injuries happen during routine tasks rather than high-risk procedures. Injuries often occur when sharps are carried across rooms, containers are overfilled, or disposal locations are inconvenient. In some cases, staff delay disposal because containers are not within reach or are already full. These situations create unnecessary risk. When sharps are not disposed of immediately and safely, exposure risk increases for clinicians, environmental services teams, and anyone handling waste downstream. Addressing these root causes is essential to reducing preventable injuries. #### The Role of Container Placement and Fill Management [Proper sharps container](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/30/a-closer-look-at-sharps-safety-this-december/) placement plays a critical role in injury prevention. Containers should be located at the point of use and positioned at an appropriate height to allow safe, one-handed disposal. When containers are difficult to access, staff may improvise, increasing the likelihood of injury. Fill levels are equally important. Overfilled containers are a common source of needlestick injuries, particularly during high-volume periods. Facilities that monitor fill levels consistently and replace containers promptly reduce exposure risk significantly. Waste Medic supports these efforts by providing compliant containers and dependable service schedules that help prevent overfilling. #### Training and Reinforcement Beyond Initial Orientation Sharps safety training is most effective when it is reinforced regularly. Temporary staffing, shift changes, and seasonal turnover can lead to inconsistent practices if refresher education is not prioritized. February offers an opportunity to reinforce expectations before complacency sets in. Facilities benefit from reviewing disposal procedures, reminding staff to never recap needles, and confirming that everyone understands proper container usage. Waste Medic works with healthcare organizations to support these reinforcement efforts through clear guidance and reliable disposal solutions that align with daily workflows. #### Common Sharps Safety Gaps Found During Reviews When facilities review sharps safety practices, several issues frequently emerge: - Containers placed away from points of use - Overfilled or damaged containers, improper disposal of non-sharps materials - Inconsistent practices between departments - Limited awareness of reporting procedures following an injury Identifying these gaps early allows facilities to correct them before injuries occur. Proactive reviews help shift sharps safety from a reactive response to a preventive strategy. #### How Waste Medic Helps Strengthen Sharps Safety Programs Waste Medic partners with healthcare facilities to reduce sharps-related risk through compliant containers, dependable pickup schedules, and practical guidance grounded in real clinical environments. Our team helps facilities assess container placement, evaluate service frequency, and support safe disposal habits that protect staff and patients alike. By focusing on consistency and accessibility, Waste Medic helps organizations create sharps safety programs that are easier to follow and easier to maintain, even during busy seasons. #### Creating a Culture of Prevention Sharps injury prevention works best when safety is built into daily routines rather than addressed only after incidents occur. Facilities that invest in proactive planning, clear workflows, and reliable waste management partnerships experience fewer injuries and greater confidence in their safety programs. February is an ideal time to reinforce these practices and ensure systems are supporting safe behavior. With the right approach and the right partner, sharps injuries can be significantly reduced before they happen. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Waste Medic, sharps safety, sharps injury prevention, needlestick injuries, healthcare worker safety, medical sharps disposal, OSHA sharps compliance, sharps container placement --- ### [Medical Waste Storage Mistakes That Increase Compliance Risk](https://wastemedic.com/2026/02/08/medical-waste-storage-mistakes-that-increase-compliance-risk/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Medical waste storage issues often go unnoticed until they become compliance problems. This article outlines common storage mistakes that increase risk and explains how healthcare facilities can strengthen storage practices before violations occur. **Content:** #### Why Medical Waste Storage Deserves More Attention Medical waste storage is often treated as a secondary concern, yet it plays a critical role in safety, compliance, and infection prevention. Even when waste is properly segregated and disposed of on schedule, storage conditions between generation and pickup can introduce risk. February is an ideal time to reassess storage practices, as winter operations continue and facilities begin to see where systems are strained. Storage-related issues tend to develop gradually. Space constraints, increased waste volume, and inconsistent oversight can quietly create conditions that attract regulatory scrutiny. Addressing these challenges early helps facilities avoid violations and maintain safer environments for staff and patients. #### Overfilled Storage Areas and Limited Capacity One of the most common storage mistakes is allowing waste to accumulate beyond designated capacity. During busy periods, storage rooms may become crowded, making it difficult to maintain proper separation between waste streams or allow safe access for staff. Overfilled areas increase the likelihood of spills, container damage, and improper handling. Facilities that regularly evaluate storage capacity are better positioned to adjust pickup schedules or container quantities before problems arise. Waste Medic works with healthcare organizations to assess storage needs and align service frequency with actual waste volume. #### Improper Segregation Within Storage Spaces Even when waste is correctly segregated at the point of generation, storage areas can become a source of compliance issues. Mixing [regulated medical waste](https://wastemedic.com/2026/01/08/medical-waste-segregation-refresher-starting-the-year-the-right-way/) with general waste or pharmaceuticals in shared spaces increases exposure risk and complicates inspections. Storage areas should clearly reflect segregation practices used throughout the facility. Clear labeling, designated zones, and consistent oversight help maintain compliance in storage environments. Reviewing storage layouts in February allows facilities to correct issues before inspection activity increases later in the year. #### Temperature and Environmental Control Concerns Environmental conditions play a significant role in medical waste storage compliance. Temperature fluctuations, particularly during winter months, can affect waste integrity and create odor or contamination concerns. Facilities that store waste for extended periods may face additional scrutiny if environmental controls are inconsistent. [Temperature monitoring](https://wastemedic.com/consultation-training/temperature-monitoring/) is an effective tool for maintaining compliance and demonstrating oversight. Waste Medic supports facilities with temperature monitoring solutions that help confirm waste is stored under appropriate conditions and reduce risk during inspections. #### Lack of Clear Oversight and Documentation Storage areas are often overlooked during routine compliance reviews. Without clear ownership and documentation, issues may go unnoticed until they escalate. Facilities benefit from assigning responsibility for regular storage checks and maintaining records that demonstrate compliance. January and February provide an ideal window to establish or reinforce oversight procedures. Waste Medic assists healthcare organizations by offering guidance on storage best practices and supporting documentation needs as part of a broader compliance strategy. #### How Waste Medic Helps Facilities Strengthen Storage Practices Waste Medic partners with healthcare organizations to reduce storage-related compliance risks through dependable service, compliant containers, and practical recommendations based on real facility operations. Our team helps evaluate storage capacity, adjust pickup schedules, and implement temperature monitoring when appropriate. By aligning storage practices with daily workflows and regulatory expectations, Waste Medic helps facilities move from reactive problem-solving to predictable compliance. #### Preventing Storage Issues Before They Become Violations Medical waste storage issues rarely appear overnight. They develop gradually as volumes change and systems stretch. February is an ideal time to identify and address these challenges before they lead to violations or safety incidents. With early review, clear procedures, and the right waste management partner, healthcare facilities can maintain compliant storage environments that support safety and operational efficiency throughout the year. [Contact us today](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) for a no-obligation consultation and quote. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, Medical Waste **Tags:** healthcare waste management, Waste Medic, medical waste storage, biohazard waste storage, regulated medical waste compliance, OSHA medical waste requirements, medical waste temperature control --- ### [What Healthcare Inspectors Look for During Medical Waste Compliance Reviews](https://wastemedic.com/2026/03/12/what-healthcare-inspectors-look-for-during-medical-waste-compliance-reviews/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Healthcare inspections often focus closely on medical waste handling and storage. Understanding what inspectors evaluate can help facilities strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and maintain safer environments for staff and patients. **Content:** #### How Healthcare Facilities Can Stay Inspection-Ready Healthcare facilities operate under strict regulations when it comes to handling and [disposing of medical waste](https://wastemedic.com/2025/10/10/the-scary-truth-about-improper-medical-waste-disposal/). While teams work hard to maintain safe environments, compliance reviews can sometimes uncover gaps that develop over time. Inspections are designed to ensure waste is managed in ways that protect healthcare workers, patients, and the public. Understanding what inspectors typically evaluate can help facilities stay prepared and avoid [unnecessary violations](https://wastemedic.com/2022/04/27/improper-disposal-of-hard-drives-can-lead-to-health-records-breaches/). A proactive approach allows organizations to address small issues before they become larger compliance concerns. Waste Medic works with healthcare facilities to strengthen waste management practices so inspections become routine checkpoints rather than stressful surprises. #### Waste Segregation and Proper Disposal Practices One of the first areas inspectors examine is whether waste is being properly segregated at the point of generation. Regulated medical waste, sharps, [pharmaceutical waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-waste/), and general waste must each follow specific disposal pathways. When these categories become mixed, both safety risks and compliance concerns increase. Inspectors often review waste containers in patient care areas to confirm that staff are using the correct containers for the materials being disposed of. Clear labeling, appropriate container types, and consistent segregation practices all demonstrate that a facility is managing waste responsibly. Facilities that reinforce segregation through clear signage, training, and accessible containers are more likely to maintain consistent compliance. #### Sharps Container Placement and Fill Levels [Sharps safety](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/30/a-closer-look-at-sharps-safety-this-december/) remains a critical component of medical waste inspections. Inspectors commonly check whether sharps containers are located at the point of use and whether they are maintained within safe fill limits. Overfilled containers increase the risk of needlestick injuries and are frequently cited during compliance reviews. Proper placement also matters. Containers should be positioned where staff can dispose of sharps immediately after use without needing to carry them across rooms or hallways. Waste Medic supports facilities with compliant sharps containers and dependable service schedules that help ensure containers are replaced before they become a risk. #### Storage Areas and Environmental Conditions Medical waste storage areas receive close attention during inspections. Regulators want to confirm that waste is stored safely between generation and pickup, with appropriate containment and environmental conditions. Inspectors may review whether storage areas are clearly designated, secure, and separated from general facility operations. Storage spaces should allow for safe handling and prevent exposure risks. Facilities that periodically evaluate storage capacity and layout are better positioned to maintain compliance. Waste Medic works with healthcare organizations to ensure waste collection schedules align with facility needs so storage areas remain organized and compliant. #### Container Labeling and Packaging Standards Proper labeling is another area inspectors commonly evaluate. Containers holding regulated medical waste must be clearly marked and meet packaging standards designed to prevent leaks, punctures, or exposure. Damaged containers, missing labels, or improper packaging can quickly lead to citations. Regularly reviewing container conditions and replacing damaged containers helps facilities maintain safe handling practices. Reliable waste management partners play an important role in ensuring compliant containers are consistently available. #### Documentation and Staff Training Records Beyond physical waste handling practices, inspectors often review documentation that demonstrates ongoing compliance. Facilities may be asked to provide records related to waste pickups, staff training, and incident reporting. Maintaining organized documentation shows that a facility takes compliance seriously and has processes in place to support safe waste handling. Training records also demonstrate that staff are regularly informed about proper procedures and safety expectations. Waste Medic helps facilities maintain consistent waste management practices that support both operational safety and documentation requirements. #### Building Confidence Before an Inspection Medical waste inspections are an important part of maintaining safe healthcare environments. When facilities understand what inspectors typically review, they can approach compliance with greater confidence. Regular internal reviews, clear procedures, and reliable waste management services all contribute to a stronger compliance posture. Waste Medic partners with healthcare organizations to simplify regulated medical waste management through dependable service, compliant containers, and practical guidance. By strengthening everyday waste handling practices, facilities can remain inspection-ready throughout the year. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** healthcare waste management, Waste Medic, regulated medical waste, medical waste compliance, biohazard waste management, healthcare inspections, sharps disposal compliance, OSHA medical waste regulations, medical waste storage requirements --- ### [Medical Waste Documentation: Why Recordkeeping Matters](https://wastemedic.com/2026/03/12/medical-waste-documentation-why-recordkeeping-matters/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Proper documentation plays a vital role in medical waste compliance. From manifests to training records, accurate recordkeeping helps healthcare facilities demonstrate accountability and maintain safe waste management practices. **Content:** #### Why Accurate Records are Essential for Medical Waste Compliance Healthcare facilities devote significant attention to the physical handling of medical waste, but documentation is just as important. Accurate records demonstrate that waste is being managed responsibly and in accordance with regulatory requirements. When inspections occur, documentation often becomes one of the first areas regulators review. Strong recordkeeping helps facilities track waste from generation through final disposal. It also confirms that staff are properly trained and that waste management procedures are consistently followed. Facilities that maintain clear, organized documentation are far better positioned to demonstrate compliance and avoid unnecessary complications during regulatory reviews. #### Why Documentation Is Essential for Compliance [Medical waste regulations](https://wastemedic.com/2026/03/12/what-healthcare-inspectors-look-for-during-medical-waste-compliance-reviews/) require healthcare organizations to maintain records that show how waste is handled, transported, and disposed of. These records help confirm that regulated materials are managed safely throughout their lifecycle. Inspectors rely on documentation to verify that a facility’s waste practices align with regulations. If records are incomplete or difficult to locate, inspectors may assume that procedures are not being followed consistently. Organized documentation provides reassurance that systems are in place and operating effectively. #### Waste Manifests and Transport Records One of the most important documents in medical waste management is the waste manifest. These records track waste shipments from the healthcare facility to the final treatment or disposal site. Manifests confirm that regulated medical waste has been properly transferred and handled by authorized transporters. Maintaining these records allows facilities to demonstrate accountability for waste even after it leaves the premises. Waste Medic supports this process by providing clear and reliable documentation that helps facilities maintain accurate records of every pickup and transport. #### Training Documentation and Staff Awareness Training records are another key component inspectors frequently review. Staff who generate or handle medical waste must understand proper segregation, disposal procedures, and safety protocols. Documenting training sessions shows that employees have been informed about these responsibilities. It also demonstrates that the facility is committed to maintaining a safe work environment. Regular refresher training and documented participation help reinforce compliance across departments. #### Incident Reports and Compliance Tracking Healthcare facilities should also maintain records of any incidents related to waste handling. This may include [needlestick injuries](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/30/a-closer-look-at-sharps-safety-this-december/), spills, or improper disposal events. Incident documentation helps facilities review what occurred and implement improvements to prevent similar situations in the future. Keeping track of corrective actions demonstrates that a facility actively monitors safety risks and takes appropriate steps to address them. #### Common Documentation Gaps Found During Reviews During compliance reviews, several documentation issues tend to appear repeatedly. These gaps are usually unintentional but can still raise concerns during inspections. Common documentation issues include: - Missing or incomplete waste manifests - Outdated training records - Inconsistent record storage across departments - Limited documentation of corrective actions - Difficulty locating historical records during inspections Regular internal reviews can help identify and correct these issues before inspections occur. #### How Waste Medic Supports Reliable Recordkeeping Reliable documentation becomes much easier when waste management systems are consistent and well organized. Waste Medic works with healthcare organizations to ensure that waste pickups, container use, and transport records are clearly documented and easy to maintain. Our goal is to support healthcare facilities with dependable service and clear records that simplify compliance responsibilities. When documentation is organized and accessible, inspections become far less disruptive and facilities can focus on their primary mission of patient care. #### Supporting Compliance Through Strong Documentation Medical waste documentation may not always receive the same attention as physical waste handling, but it plays an equally important role in compliance. Accurate records provide transparency, demonstrate accountability, and support safer healthcare environments. By maintaining organized documentation and partnering with experienced waste management providers like Waste Medic, healthcare facilities can strengthen compliance and approach inspections with greater confidence. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, Medical Waste **Tags:** Waste Medic, medical waste documentation, medical waste manifests, healthcare waste compliance, OSHA medical waste regulations, regulated medical waste records, biohazard waste documentation, medical waste recordkeeping --- ### [Spring Cleaning in Healthcare: What Your Medical Waste Program Might Be Missing](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/spring-cleaning-in-healthcare-what-your-medical-waste-program-might-be-missing/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Spring is the perfect time to take a closer look at your medical waste program. From sharps containers to staff training and storage conditions, small gaps can create big risks. **Content:** #### Spring Cleaning Goes Beyond Surfaces in Healthcare Facilities Spring cleaning is often associated with wiping down surfaces, organizing storage areas, and refreshing patient-facing spaces. But in healthcare environments, true “clean” goes deeper. It includes evaluating the systems and processes that protect staff, patients, and your facility from risk. [Medical waste management](https://wastemedic.com/2024/02/27/optimize-your-medical-waste-management-with-waste-medic/) is one of the most commonly overlooked areas during seasonal cleanups. Yet it plays a critical role in compliance, safety, and operational efficiency. #### Sharps Containers and Biohazard Waste: Small Oversights, Big Risks Over time, it becomes easy for routine processes to slip. [Sharps containers](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) may become overfilled, biohazard waste may be improperly segregated, and labeling practices may fall short of regulatory expectations. These aren’t just minor issues. Overfilled sharps containers increase the risk of needlestick injuries, while improper labeling can lead to compliance violations and potential fines. A spring review is an opportunity to correct these issues before they escalate. #### Staff Training Gaps Can Develop Without Notice Even well-run facilities experience turnover, role changes, and evolving responsibilities. Without consistent reinforcement, staff may unknowingly drift from proper medical waste handling procedures. Spring is an ideal time to revisit training protocols. Ensuring that all team members understand how to properly handle, segregate, and store medical waste reduces risk and reinforces a culture of safety. #### Storage Conditions Matter More Than You Think Medical waste storage areas are often out of sight, which can lead to out-of-mind management. However, environmental factors such as heat, humidity, and ventilation can directly impact safety and compliance. As temperatures begin to rise, especially in the Southeast, facilities should assess whether storage conditions remain appropriate. Improper storage can accelerate decomposition, create odors, and increase the risk of exposure. #### Documentation and Compliance Readiness Should Never Be Assumed One of the most common assumptions in healthcare facilities is that compliance is “handled.” But without regular review, documentation gaps can emerge. A spring cleaning checklist should include verifying manifests, pickup schedules, and regulatory documentation. Being audit-ready at all times protects your organization from unnecessary disruptions and penalties. #### A Smarter Approach to Medical Waste Starts with a Review Spring cleaning presents an opportunity to take a step back and evaluate whether your current medical waste program is truly supporting your facility’s needs. From container management and staff training to storage conditions and documentation, small improvements can have a meaningful impact on safety, compliance, and efficiency. Partnering with an experienced medical waste provider can help identify gaps, streamline processes, and ensure your program is built to support your team year-round. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, healthcare compliance, regulated medical waste, biohazard waste management, OSHA medical waste, healthcare waste storage, sharps container safety, medical waste training, infection control healthcare, medical waste audit checklist --- ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. **Content:** #### Why Medical Waste Segregation Matters More Than You Think [Medical waste segregation](https://wastemedic.com/2026/01/08/medical-waste-segregation-refresher-starting-the-year-the-right-way/) is often treated as a routine task within healthcare facilities. However, when not managed properly, it becomes a significant driver of unnecessary costs, compliance risks, and operational inefficiencies. The reality is simple. Not all waste generated in a healthcare setting is regulated medical waste. Yet many facilities unknowingly dispose of far more material as [biohazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/) than required. #### Treating All Waste as Hazardous Is Costing You Regulated medical waste requires specialized handling, transportation, and disposal. These services come at a significantly higher cost than standard waste removal. When general waste is improperly placed into red bags or biohazard containers, facilities end up paying premium disposal rates for materials that could have been handled through standard waste streams. Over time, this misclassification can quietly inflate operational budgets without being immediately noticed. #### Common Segregation Mistakes in Healthcare Settings Even well-managed facilities fall into patterns that lead to inefficient waste handling. One of the most common issues is the overuse of red bags for non-infectious waste. Items such as packaging, gloves without contamination, and other low-risk materials are frequently disposed of as regulated waste. [Pharmaceutical waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-waste/) is another area where misclassification occurs, particularly when staff are unsure of disposal requirements. These small inconsistencies, repeated daily, create measurable financial impact. #### Operational Inefficiencies Add Up Quickly Improper segregation does more than increase disposal costs. It also affects how often waste must be collected and processed. Overfilled biohazard containers and excessive regulated waste volumes can lead to increased pickup frequency, additional service charges, and strain on storage capacity. These inefficiencies create a ripple effect across operations, from staff workflow disruptions to storage limitations within the facility. #### Compliance and Environmental Impact Cannot Be Overlooked Beyond cost, improper segregation introduces compliance concerns. Regulatory agencies expect healthcare facilities to follow strict guidelines on how waste is categorized and handled. Failure to comply can result in fines, audit findings, and reputational damage. There is also an environmental component. Treating non-hazardous waste as regulated medical waste increases the volume of material subjected to energy-intensive disposal processes such as incineration. #### Improving Segregation Starts with Awareness and Training The most effective way to reduce waste-related costs is to ensure staff clearly understand what belongs in each waste stream. Consistent training, clear labeling, and accessible disposal guidelines can significantly improve accuracy at the point of disposal. Facilities that take a proactive approach to segregation often see immediate improvements in both cost control and operational efficiency. #### A Smarter Waste Strategy Supports Both Compliance and Cost Control Medical waste management should not be viewed as a fixed expense. With the right approach, it becomes an opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary spend. By evaluating current practices and identifying areas of overclassification, healthcare facilities can align their waste streams more accurately with regulatory requirements. Working with an experienced partner can help uncover these opportunities and implement practical solutions that support both compliance and financial performance. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste **Tags:** waste segregation training, reduce medical waste costs, healthcare operational efficiency, red bag waste cost, regulated medical waste cost, OSHA medical waste guidelines, medical waste compliance, biohazard waste disposal, Medical waste segregation, healthcare waste management --- ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. **Content:** #### How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance As temperatures rise across the Southeast each year, healthcare facilities face a seasonal operational challenge that often goes overlooked until problems arise: medical waste storage during extreme heat. From physician offices and dental clinics to surgery centers, veterinary practices, and long-term care facilities, warmer temperatures can create conditions that increase odor concerns, accelerate bacterial growth, strain storage protocols, and expose organizations to unnecessary compliance risks. While most healthcare organizations understand the importance of proper medical waste disposal, fewer fully evaluate how seasonal heat impacts the handling and storage process before waste leaves the facility. Summer is often when small gaps in waste management procedures become much more visible. #### Heat Changes the Risk Profile for Medical Waste Regulated medical waste is not static. Environmental conditions directly impact how waste behaves while awaiting pickup and disposal. Higher temperatures can accelerate decomposition in certain waste streams and intensify odors within storage areas. Facilities that may have experienced manageable conditions during cooler months can suddenly encounter unpleasant smells, pest concerns, leaking containers, or staff complaints once summer temperatures climb. This becomes particularly important for: - Biohazardous waste - Sharps containers - Pathological waste - Pharmaceutical waste - Temporary storage holding areas Facilities operating in states with prolonged heat and humidity should evaluate whether their current storage process is sufficient for summer conditions rather than assuming year-round consistency. #### Storage Areas Often Become the Weakest Link Many healthcare facilities focus heavily on treatment rooms, patient care areas, and clinical operations while waste storage locations receive less attention until inspections or issues occur. Summer heat tends to expose weaknesses in: - Outdoor storage enclosures - Overflow containment - Ventilation - Pickup scheduling frequency - Container placement - Staff handling procedures Storage rooms that maintain acceptable temperatures in March may become significantly hotter by June and July, especially in the Southeast. Facilities that generate higher waste volumes during seasonal population increases may also encounter capacity challenges more quickly than expected. This is especially true in areas experiencing summer tourism surges where urgent care clinics, surgical centers, and healthcare providers see increased patient volumes. #### Pharmaceutical Waste Requires Additional Attention emperature concerns are not limited to traditional biohazard waste. Improper pharmaceutical waste storage during summer conditions can create additional environmental and compliance concerns, particularly when facilities are managing expired medications, controlled substances, or partially used pharmaceutical products. Organizations should ensure pharmaceutical waste streams are: - Clearly segregated - Properly labeled - Stored according to applicable regulations - Removed on schedules that prevent unnecessary accumulation Facilities should also avoid relying on outdated disposal practices that may create environmental exposure risks. Healthcare organizations are increasingly expected to demonstrate responsible pharmaceutical waste handling as part of broader environmental and patient safety initiatives. #### Why Temperature Monitoring Is Becoming More Important As compliance expectations evolve, more healthcare organizations are taking proactive approaches to environmental monitoring within storage and operational areas. [Waste Medic Temperature Monitoring Solutions](https://wastemedic.com/consultation-training/temperature-monitoring/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) can help facilities better understand environmental conditions that may impact medical waste storage and compliance efforts during the hottest months of the year. #### Summer Is the Right Time to Reevaluate Waste Management Practices Healthcare organizations often review emergency preparedness plans ahead of hurricane season or severe weather events, but summer is also an ideal time to evaluate medical waste workflows and storage procedures. Questions facilities should consider include: - Are waste pickup schedules sufficient for warmer months? - Are storage areas properly ventilated? - Are sharps containers being replaced before becoming overfilled? - Is pharmaceutical waste properly separated and secured? - Could environmental monitoring improve visibility into storage conditions? Small operational improvements made before peak summer heat can help reduce disruptions, improve safety, and strengthen compliance readiness throughout the season. #### Medical Waste Management Requires More Than Routine Pickup Medical waste management is not simply about removing waste from a facility. It is about maintaining a safe, compliant, and efficient environment for staff, patients, and the surrounding community. As temperatures rise, healthcare organizations that take a proactive approach to waste storage and environmental monitoring are often better positioned to avoid operational headaches and compliance concerns later in the summer. Healthcare facilities across the Southeast continue to place greater emphasis on waste management strategies that support safety, accountability, and operational resilience year-round. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste **Tags:** healthcare facility safety, healthcare compliance, sharps disposal, healthcare waste disposal, medical waste management, Waste Medic, regulated medical waste, temperature monitoring medical waste, pharmaceutical waste storage, summer heat medical waste, medical waste storage, medical waste compliance, biohazard waste disposal --- ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. **Content:** #### The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities Long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and [assisted living communities](https://wastemedic.com/2023/02/21/understanding-frequency-of-medical-waste-pick-up-at-assisted-living-facilities/) manage a growing volume of medications every day. With aging populations and increasingly complex care needs, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a much larger operational and compliance concern than many organizations realize. From expired medications and partially used prescriptions to controlled substances and over-the-counter products, senior care facilities must navigate strict disposal requirements while protecting residents, staff, and the environment. Improper pharmaceutical waste handling can create unnecessary risks that extend far beyond the walls of a healthcare facility. #### Medication Volume Continues to Increase in Senior Care Residents in long-term care environments often require multiple medications as part of ongoing treatment plans. As prescription volume increases, so does the amount of pharmaceutical waste facilities must safely manage. This includes: - Expired medications - Unused prescriptions - Partially administered medications - Controlled substances - Hazardous pharmaceutical waste Without clear disposal processes, facilities can quickly encounter storage issues, documentation gaps, or regulatory concerns. #### Improper Disposal Creates Environmental Concerns Flushing medications or disposing of pharmaceutical waste improperly can contribute to environmental contamination and water quality concerns. Healthcare organizations across the country are under increasing pressure to strengthen environmental stewardship and ensure pharmaceutical waste is handled responsibly. Senior care facilities that implement structured disposal procedures are often better positioned to reduce compliance exposure while demonstrating a stronger commitment to resident safety and environmental responsibility. #### Compliance Expectations Continue to Evolve Regulations surrounding pharmaceutical waste management continue to evolve at both the federal and state levels. Facilities must remain aware of requirements involving: - Controlled substance disposal - Hazardous waste segregation - Documentation and chain of custody - Staff training - Secure storage procedures For many organizations, partnering with an experienced medical waste provider helps simplify these processes while improving consistency and accountability. Waste Medic helps healthcare organizations safely manage pharmaceutical waste streams while supporting compliant disposal practices. #### Strong Waste Management Supports Better Patient Care Pharmaceutical waste disposal may happen behind the scenes, but it plays an important role in maintaining safe and efficient healthcare environments. Senior care facilities that proactively review waste handling procedures can reduce operational risks, strengthen compliance efforts, and create safer environments for both residents and staff. As healthcare demands continue to grow, pharmaceutical waste management will remain an important part of responsible long-term care operations. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste **Tags:** senior living compliance, controlled substance disposal, Medical waste disposal, long-term care pharmaceutical waste, assisted living waste disposal, nursing home compliance, senior care medical waste, pharmaceutical waste disposal, regulated medical waste, Waste Medic, healthcare waste management --- ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. **Content:** #### Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? When healthcare organizations think about [medical waste management](https://wastemedic.com/2024/11/23/prioritize-compliance-in-2025-medical-waste-management-best-practices/), the focus is often on safety, compliance, and proper disposal. While those priorities are essential, there is another consideration that often goes overlooked: cost. Many healthcare facilities unknowingly dispose of large amounts of non-regulated waste as regulated medical waste. While this approach may seem like the safest option, it can create unnecessary expenses and operational inefficiencies that add up over time. The reality is that proper waste segregation is not simply a compliance exercise. It is an opportunity to improve operational performance, reduce costs, and strengthen environmental stewardship. #### Not Everything Belongs in a Red Bag One of the most common misconceptions in healthcare waste management is that if there is uncertainty about an item, it should automatically be placed in a regulated medical waste container. Over time, this “when in doubt, throw it out” approach can significantly increase disposal volumes and costs. Items frequently found in regulated medical waste containers [that may not belong](https://wastemedic.com/2016/05/18/medical-waste-put-red-bags/) there include: - Packaging materials - Paper products - Food waste - Administrative supplies - Non-contaminated personal protective equipment While [regulated medical waste](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/17/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/) requires specialized handling, transportation, and treatment, general waste does not. When non-regulated materials are mixed into biohazard waste streams, facilities often pay premium disposal costs unnecessarily. #### Small Classification Errors Create Big Financial Impacts The cost difference between regulated medical waste disposal and standard waste removal can be substantial. For facilities generating waste daily, even small classification errors can create thousands of dollars in avoidable disposal expenses over the course of a year. This is especially important for: - Physician offices - Surgery centers - Dental practices - Long-term care facilities - Veterinary clinics As healthcare organizations continue looking for ways to improve efficiency without compromising patient care, waste stream evaluation is becoming an increasingly valuable exercise. ## Compliance Is About Accuracy, Not Overclassification Many healthcare professionals assume overclassifying waste reduces compliance risks. In reality, compliance programs are designed around proper classification and handling, not simply placing everything into regulated waste containers. Effective waste management programs focus on: - Staff education - Clear container labeling - Consistent segregation practices - Routine process reviews - Ongoing compliance training Organizations that understand the differences between waste streams are often better positioned to maintain compliance while controlling costs. #### Staff Training Often Determines Success Even the best waste management program can struggle without proper staff education. Employees make disposal decisions dozens of times each day. Without consistent training, facilities often experience varying disposal practices between departments, shifts, and locations. Regular training helps ensure employees understand: - What qualifies as regulated medical waste - Proper container usage - Sharps disposal requirements - Pharmaceutical waste segregation - Documentation expectations When staff understand the reasoning behind waste segregation policies, compliance and consistency typically improve. #### Waste Segregation Supports Sustainability Goals Healthcare organizations are increasingly focused on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Reducing unnecessary regulated medical waste disposal not only lowers costs but can also help reduce the environmental impact associated with transportation, treatment, and disposal processes. Accurate waste classification supports both operational and environmental objectives while helping organizations demonstrate responsible resource management. #### A Waste Assessment Can Reveal Hidden Opportunities Many facilities are surprised to discover how much of their regulated waste volume could potentially be reduced through improved segregation practices. A waste assessment can help identify: - Common misclassification issues - Training opportunities - Process improvements - Potential cost savings - Compliance enhancements At Waste Medic, we work with healthcare organizations to evaluate waste management practices and provide guidance that supports safer, more efficient, and more compliant operations. #### Better Waste Segregation Benefits Everyone Medical waste management is about more than disposal. It is about ensuring the right waste goes into the right container every time. Facilities that prioritize accurate waste segregation often find they can improve compliance, reduce costs, strengthen sustainability efforts, and create a more consistent waste management program overall. Sometimes the most significant opportunities for improvement are not found in generating less waste. They are found in managing it more effectively. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste **Tags:** OSHA medical waste requirements, healthcare waste segregation, medical waste disposal costs, medical waste training, medical waste compliance, biohazard waste disposal, regulated medical waste, Medical waste segregation, Waste Medic, healthcare waste management --- ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare waste compliance. **Content:** #### **Why People Drive Compliance Success** When healthcare facilities evaluate their medical waste programs, attention often focuses on the visible elements of compliance. [Red bags](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/22/proper-techniques-for-tying-red-biohazard-bags-in-your-facility/), [sharps containers](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/), pharmaceutical waste containers, labels, and storage areas are all important pieces of the process. But despite having the proper containers in place, many facilities still experience compliance gaps, waste segregation issues, and safety concerns. Why? Because the most important compliance tool is not a container. It is the people using it. Successful medical waste management depends on employees making the right decisions every day, often dozens of times throughout a shift. #### Compliance Decisions Happen in Real Time Healthcare workers regularly encounter situations that require immediate decisions about waste disposal. - Should an item go into regulated medical waste or general trash? - Does this medication belong in pharmaceutical waste? - Is this sharps container ready for replacement? - Was the waste container properly labeled? These decisions rarely happen during audits or inspections. They happen during busy workdays when patient care is the primary focus. Without proper training, even well-intentioned employees can make mistakes that create compliance and safety concerns. #### Regulations Continue to Evolve Healthcare regulations are not static. Federal, state, and local requirements continue to evolve, particularly around pharmaceutical waste, sharps management, employee safety, and environmental stewardship. Many organizations assume a one-time onboarding session is enough to maintain compliance. In reality, ongoing education is often necessary to ensure employees understand current requirements and best practices. Regular training helps organizations stay aligned with evolving expectations while reinforcing procedures that may be forgotten over time. #### Inconsistent Training Creates Inconsistent Results One of the most common challenges healthcare organizations face is inconsistency. A facility may have excellent procedures documented on paper, yet employees across different shifts or departments may follow them differently. This can lead to: - Improper waste segregation - Overfilled sharps containers - Pharmaceutical waste handling errors - Documentation gaps - Increased exposure risks Consistency is often what separates highly effective compliance programs from those that struggle during inspections or internal reviews. #### Training Supports Both Safety and Compliance [Medical waste compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/03/12/what-healthcare-inspectors-look-for-during-medical-waste-compliance-reviews/) is not solely about satisfying regulatory requirements. Proper training also helps protect: - Employees - Patients - Visitors - Environmental resources When staff understand why procedures exist, they are often more likely to follow them consistently. Training creates awareness around exposure prevention, waste handling risks, and proper disposal techniques that support safer healthcare environments for everyone. #### Compliance Culture Starts with Education The strongest compliance programs are built on culture rather than enforcement alone. Organizations that prioritize ongoing education often develop teams that view waste management as a shared responsibility rather than simply another task on a checklist. This shift can improve accountability, encourage questions, and help identify potential issues before they become larger problems. In many cases, the difference between a compliant facility and a struggling one is not equipment. It is employee understanding. #### Training Is an Investment, Not an Expense Healthcare leaders are continually asked to do more with limited resources. As a result, training programs can sometimes be viewed as a cost rather than an operational advantage. However, the cost of inadequate training often exceeds the investment required to provide it. Improved training can help reduce: - Compliance violations - Workplace injuries - Waste misclassification - Operational inefficiencies - Inspection findings It can also help create a more confident workforce that understands how its actions contribute to overall facility safety and compliance. #### The Human Element of Medical Waste Management Every medical waste program ultimately depends on the decisions employees make throughout the day. Containers, policies, and procedures all play important roles, but none of them are effective without informed staff members who understand how to use them properly. At Waste Medic, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools healthcare organizations can use to strengthen compliance efforts and support safer operations. Through consultation and training services, we help healthcare facilities build practical waste management programs that support long-term success. Because in medical waste compliance, the most important tool has never been the container. It is the person standing in front of it. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste **Tags:** regulated medical waste, medical waste regulations, Waste Medic, healthcare waste management, biohazard waste disposal, healthcare employee training, sharps safety training, healthcare compliance training, medical waste training, OSHA medical waste requirements, medical waste compliance --- ### [Beyond the Bin: Why Documentation Is the Weakest Link in Many Medical Waste Programs](https://wastemedic.com/2025/09/08/beyond-the-bin-why-documentation-is-the-weakest-link-in-many-medical-waste-programs/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Medical waste compliance isn’t just about what goes into the bin. Without proper documentation, even well-handled waste can put your facility at risk. Discover why documentation matters and how to strengthen this overlooked piece of your compliance program. **Content:** When most people think about medical waste compliance, they picture sharps containers, [red bags](https://wastemedic.com/2023/11/27/understanding-red-trash-bags-a-guide-to-proper-disposal-of-medical-waste/), and secure storage areas. But compliance doesn’t stop at disposal bins. For many healthcare facilities, the biggest compliance risk isn’t how waste is handled, it’s how it’s documented. #### Why Documentation Matters Every stage of the medical waste journey must be recorded, from the moment waste is generated until its final disposal. This “paper trail” proves compliance during inspections and audits. Without it, even a facility with flawless segregation and storage practices can face fines, citations, or reputational damage. Documentation also provides protection in the event of an incident. If waste is mishandled during transport or if regulators investigate, detailed manifests and records are often the only way to demonstrate your facility did its part. #### Common Documentation Gaps On the surface, most facilities feel confident about their medical waste process. But when regulators arrive, it’s often the paperwork, not the bins, that tells a different story. Documentation errors are easy to overlook in busy healthcare settings, yet they are the most frequent cause of compliance issues. Some of the gaps we see most often include: - Incomplete or missing manifests - Records that don’t match actual waste volumes - Improper labeling or tracking of waste containers - Outdated staff training records - Inconsistent storage logs or temperature tracking What may seem like small clerical oversights day-to-day can quickly become major red flags during an audit or inspection. #### The Risk of Overlooking Paperwork Failing to maintain accurate documentation can result in regulatory penalties, but it also creates operational risks. Without accurate records, it’s difficult to identify inefficiencies, track waste generation trends, or demonstrate compliance to leadership and external stakeholders. Over time, this weakens your overall compliance posture and exposes your facility to unnecessary risk. #### How Waste Medic Strengthens the Chain of Compliance At Waste Medic, we help facilities go beyond the bin. Our services ensure that your medical waste is not only collected, stored, and disposed of properly but also documented every step of the way. We provide complete manifests, secure tracking, and compliance support so your facility is always audit-ready. With our guidance, you can close the gaps in your documentation process, reduce risk, and operate with confidence knowing that your compliance chain is complete. ### Take the Next Step Toward Compliance Confidence Don’t let paperwork be the weakest link in your medical waste program. [Contact Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) today for a no-obligation compliance review and discover how we can help you build a stronger, audit-ready program from start to finish. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** waste compliance review, medical waste tracking, medical waste disposal records, chain of custody medical waste, medical waste manifests, audit-ready medical waste, medical waste documentation, medical waste compliance, healthcare compliance, medical waste management --- ### [Medical Waste and Disaster Readiness: What Facilities Overlook in Their Emergency Plans](https://wastemedic.com/2025/09/09/medical-waste-and-disaster-readiness-what-facilities-overlook-in-their-emergency-plans/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Emergency plans protect patients and staff—but many overlook medical waste management. From storms to power outages, discover how to keep your waste program compliant and safe during a disaster. **Content:** #### Medical Waste and Disaster Readiness: What Facilities Overlook in Their Emergency Plans Disaster preparedness is a critical part of healthcare planning. Facilities regularly update policies for patient safety, staff communication, and continuity of care. But one area often overlooked in emergency plans is [medical waste management](https://wastemedic.com/services/). When storms, power outages, or natural disasters strike, medical waste doesn’t stop being generated. In fact, demand for care often increases. Without a clear plan for how to safely store, transport, and dispose of waste during an emergency, facilities can quickly face compliance risks, health hazards, and logistical challenges. #### The Hidden Risk of Waste During Disasters Emergencies create conditions where compliance standards are easily compromised. Power outages may affect refrigerated or temperature-controlled storage. Storm damage can make loading docks inaccessible. Transportation delays can leave waste sitting longer than regulations allow. For facilities already under pressure, these risks can multiply quickly, putting patients, staff, and the community at risk. #### What Most Emergency Plans Miss Even the most thorough disaster plans often miss key elements of waste management. Common oversights include: - No designated backup storage areas for medical waste - Lack of procedures for extended pickup delays - Incomplete chain-of-custody documentation during emergencies - Limited staff training on handling waste in disaster conditions These gaps can mean the difference between staying compliant and facing fines… or worse, creating unsafe conditions during a crisis. #### Building Resilience Into Waste Management Integrating waste management into your disaster planning isn’t just about compliance, it’s about safety and operational continuity. Facilities should regularly review storage capacity, identify alternate collection sites, and ensure staff know what to do if normal pickup is disrupted. #### How Waste Medic Helps Facilities Stay Ready At Waste Medic, we understand the unique challenges healthcare providers face when disaster strikes. Our team partners with facilities to build resilient waste management plans that include: secure backup storage strategies, guidance on documentation during emergencies, and responsive support to minimize risk when conditions disrupt normal schedules. #### Don’t Let Waste Be the Weak Link in Your Emergency Plan Disasters will always bring uncertainty, but your compliance doesn’t have to. [Contact Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) today for a no-obligation review of your emergency waste protocols, and ensure your facility is prepared to manage waste safely, even under the toughest conditions. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** medical waste compliance, medical waste disaster readiness, emergency medical waste plan, healthcare disaster planning, waste management emergency response, biohazard waste storage, disaster recovery healthcare, regulated medical waste emergencies, healthcare safety plans --- ### [Flu Season Readiness: How Proper Medical Waste Disposal Keeps Patients and Staff Safe](https://wastemedic.com/2025/10/09/flu-season-readiness-how-proper-medical-waste-disposal-keeps-patients-and-staff-safe/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Prepare your facility for flu season with proper medical waste disposal. Learn how safe handling of sharps and biohazardous waste protects patients and staff while maintaining compliance. **Content:** As flu season arrives, healthcare facilities across the country brace for an uptick in patients and an increase in infectious waste. From used tissues and swabs to sharps and contaminated PPE, the volume of medical waste rises significantly in clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities during this time of year. Proper [medical waste disposal](https://wastemedic.com/services/) isn’t just a compliance requirement; it’s a frontline defense against the spread of infection. #### Increased Waste Volumes Mean Higher Risk Every flu season, healthcare teams handle more biohazardous materials, including flu test kits, syringes, and personal protective equipment. When these items aren’t segregated and disposed of properly, they can pose serious risks to patients, staff, and the environment. Adhering to [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/) and [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/) waste handling standards is critical. Improper storage or overfilled containers can increase exposure to infectious agents and cause accidental needle sticks or cross-contamination especially in busy clinical environments. #### Sharps and Contaminated Materials Require Special Attention Used needles, lancets, and other sharps are among the most high-risk materials during flu season. These must be placed in clearly labeled, puncture-resistant sharps containers and disposed of through an approved medical waste disposal service. Contaminated PPE, swabs, and other items that contact body fluids should be separated into biohazard bags and kept in temperature-controlled environments until pickup. Waste Medic’s [temperature monitoring solutions](https://wastemedic.com/consultation-training/temperature-monitoring/) can help facilities maintain compliance with storage requirements, ensuring medical waste is kept in safe, consistent conditions before collection. #### Protecting Staff and Patients Through Compliance Compliance isn’t only about avoiding fines; it’s about protecting people. Healthcare workers are at heightened risk during flu season due to increased patient contact. By ensuring all waste is managed, transported, and treated according to federal and state regulations, facilities can reduce exposure incidents and maintain a safer environment for everyone. Regular staff training and consultation with a licensed waste management provider can strengthen infection control programs and reinforce safe handling procedures. #### Partnering for a Healthier Season Flu prevention doesn’t stop with vaccines and hand hygiene. Safe, compliant waste disposal is a vital part of infection prevention strategy. Waste Medic partners with healthcare facilities to manage biohazardous, sharps, and pharmaceutical waste year-round—helping protect patients, staff, and the community throughout flu season and beyond. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** biohazardous waste management, medical waste disposal compliance, flu season medical waste, infection prevention, sharps disposal, Waste Medic --- ### [The Scary Truth About Improper Medical Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2025/10/10/the-scary-truth-about-improper-medical-waste-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Improper medical waste disposal poses serious risks to health, safety, and compliance. Learn the real dangers and how Waste Medic helps facilities avoid them. **Content:** As October brings cooler weather and Halloween decorations, there’s something far scarier than ghosts and goblins haunting healthcare facilities: improper medical waste disposal. Behind the scenes, unsafe or noncompliant handling of [biohazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/) can have real-world consequences, including infection risks, environmental contamination, and steep regulatory penalties. #### When Medical Waste Isn’t Managed Correctly Every day, hospitals, clinics, and laboratories generate biohazardous waste such as sharps, contaminated PPE, and infectious materials. If this waste isn’t separated, stored, or transported according to strict federal and state regulations, it can expose workers, patients, and sanitation staff to harmful pathogens. Inadequate disposal can also allow untreated materials to enter municipal waste streams, threatening groundwater and the surrounding environment. The result? A chain reaction of health hazards that could have been prevented with proper management and oversight. #### The Hidden Costs of Noncompliance Improper disposal doesn’t just endanger health; it can be costly. The EPA, OSHA, and state health departments all enforce strict medical waste handling requirements. Fines for violations can reach thousands of dollars per incident, not to mention the reputational damage that comes from noncompliance. Working with a certified medical waste disposal partner ensures that waste is handled, transported, and treated safely and that your facility [maintains full compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2025/08/11/closing-the-gaps-compliance-from-waste-generation-to-final-disposal/) with evolving regulations. #### Safe Disposal Protects Everyone Proper medical waste management is about more than meeting standards. It’s about safeguarding the people who provide care, the patients they serve, and the community as a whole. Waste Medic provides comprehensive, compliant medical waste disposal solutions for healthcare facilities of all sizes. From sharps and biohazardous waste to [pharmaceuticals](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-waste/) and [trace chemotherapy](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy/), our services are designed to keep your organization safe, compliant, and protected from the “scary” consequences of improper disposal. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** healthcare waste management, biohazardous waste, Waste Medic, improper medical waste disposal, medical waste compliance, OSHA medical waste --- ### [Creating Room for Ageless Adventure: Supporting Safety During National Assisted Living Week 2025](https://wastemedic.com/2025/07/29/creating-room-for-ageless-adventure-supporting-safety-during-national-assisted-living-week-2025/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** This National Assisted Living Week, we celebrate the 2025 theme “Ageless Adventure” and honor the caregivers who create space for lifelong discovery—backed by Waste Medic’s safe, compliant waste services. **Content:** #### Celebrating the Spirit of Discovery at Every Age [National Assisted Living Week](https://nationaltoday.com/assisted-living-week/), held September 7–13, 2025, is a time to recognize the vibrant communities that help older adults live with dignity, purpose, and joy. This year’s theme, **Ageless Adventure**, honors the idea that the desire to learn, grow, and explore doesn’t fade with age. From trying something new to reminiscing on meaningful moments, every day is a chance to create another chapter in life’s journey. Assisted living communities play a central role in making these adventures possible. Through personalized care and a supportive environment, they help residents remain active, connected, and curious—at any stage of life. [![](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-NALW-Banner_1024-x-512.png "2025 NALW Banner_1024 x 512 - Waste Medic")](https://www.ahcancal.org/Education-Events/Pages/NALW.aspx)*The 2025 National Assisted Living Week theme Ageless Adventure celebrates the spirit of discovery purpose and connection that continues at every stage of life Waste Medic proudly supports the safety and well being of assisted living communities as they make these everyday adventures possible* #### The Role of Safety in Everyday Exploration At Waste Medic, we believe that every great adventure starts with a safe foundation. Behind the activities, meals, and moments that fill assisted living communities is a complex system that ensures the environment stays clean, compliant, and risk-free. One of the most overlooked—but critical—components of that system is proper medical waste disposal. Elderly care facilities generate a wide range of regulated waste: used sharps from routine injections, expired medications, contaminated dressings, and more. If not handled correctly, this waste can put residents and staff at risk—and interrupt the very experiences that National Assisted Living Week celebrates. #### Waste Medic: Your Partner in Safe, Compliant Care We’re proud to support assisted living facilities across Tennessee, Alabama, and the broader Southeast by offering tailored medical waste management solutions designed with the unique needs of long-term care in mind. Our goal is simple: give your team more time to focus on care and community, and less time worrying about regulations and pickup schedules. Whether it’s securely disposing of controlled medications, swapping out [sharps containers](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/), or responding quickly to last-minute pickups, our team is here to help. We offer: - Flexible pickup schedules to match your pace - Compliant disposal of sharps, pharmaceutical, and biohazardous waste - Staff training and support to reinforce safety protocols - Documentation and audit support to simplify inspections #### Let the Adventure Continue—We’ll Handle the Waste This National Assisted Living Week, let’s celebrate the courage, curiosity, and community that define aging well. Let’s thank the caregivers who go above and beyond to make every day meaningful. And let’s commit to giving them the tools and support they need to do it safely. At Waste Medic, we’re proud to be part of the support system that keeps assisted living communities running smoothly. Because when safety is handled with care, adventure has room to flourish. Want to learn how Waste Medic can support your community? [Contact us for a no-obligation quote](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) or a personalized walkthrough of our services for long-term care. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events **Tags:** assisted living week 2025, ageless adventure, senior care waste disposal, compliant sharps and pharmaceutical waste, medical waste assisted living, long-term care waste services --- ### [Heat and Hazard: Why Proper Medical Waste Storage Matters in Hot Weather](https://wastemedic.com/2025/08/04/heat-and-hazard-why-proper-medical-waste-storage-matters-in-hot-weather/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Extreme temperatures can compromise the safety of medical waste. Learn why proper storage is essential in hot weather and how Waste Medic’s temperature monitoring helps keep your facility compliant. **Content:** #### Southern Heat Makes Medical Waste More Dangerous For healthcare providers in the South, hot weather isn’t just a comfort issue—it’s a safety concern. During long stretches of high temperatures, medical waste can deteriorate quickly, putting patients, staff, and your facility’s compliance at risk. Biohazard bags, [sharps containers](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/), and pharmaceutical waste aren’t meant to sit in extreme heat, yet that’s exactly what happens in many facilities that don’t have [proper temperature-controlled storage](https://wastemedic.com/consultation-training/temperature-monitoring/). #### What Happens When Waste Gets Too Hot? When medical waste is exposed to elevated temperatures, several risks increase. Odors intensify. Bacteria multiply. Sealed containers can expand or rupture. Even something as simple as placing containers near windows or loading docks can accelerate degradation and raise your exposure to compliance issues. Sharps containers, for example, can become brittle in the heat, increasing the chances of puncture or spillage. Pharmaceuticals stored in warm areas may lose their chemical stability or release hazardous vapors. If you’re not accounting for these risks, you could be one HVAC malfunction away from a serious safety problem. #### Compliance Risks Climb with the Temperature Even the best-run facilities can experience compliance lapses if their waste storage areas aren’t prepared for the heat. Air conditioning outages, shipping delays, and overlooked back rooms without ventilation can all contribute to temperature spikes that affect waste safety. The result? Fines, citations, liability concerns, and potential disruptions to patient care. #### A Smarter Way to Monitor Storage Conditions Waste Medic offers a proactive solution: temperature monitoring designed specifically for healthcare facilities managing sensitive waste. Our systems track the conditions of your storage areas around the clock, providing real-time alerts and data to help you take corrective action before a problem escalates. This service gives you visibility and control, helping your team stay compliant while protecting everyone in your facility. #### Tips to Protect Your Facility During Peak Heat To help reduce risk during the hottest months, consider taking these simple precautions: - Store waste containers in temperature-controlled areas - Limit the time waste spends in open or non-ventilated spaces - Train staff to spot signs of compromised waste - Schedule more frequent pickups if storage volume is high - Ask about Waste Medic’s temperature monitoring solution for added protection #### Take the Heat Off Your Team Medical waste doesn’t wait—and neither does the Southern summer. If you’re unsure whether your current waste storage practices are keeping up with the weather, Waste Medic is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or request a [no-obligation quote](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/17/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/). We’ll assess your setup and help ensure your compliance plan is as strong as your patient care. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events **Tags:** sharps disposal, medical waste storage, temperature-sensitive waste, medical waste in hot weather, biohazard storage safety, waste compliance, healthcare waste storage, temperature monitoring for medical waste --- ### [Closing the Gaps: Compliance from Waste Generation to Final Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2025/08/11/closing-the-gaps-compliance-from-waste-generation-to-final-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Compliance in medical waste management depends on every step—from generation to disposal. Learn how to close gaps and keep your facility safe and compliant. **Content:** #### Compliance Is a Journey—Not a Single Step In healthcare, the responsibility for medical waste doesn’t end when it leaves the exam room. Every stage—from generation to final disposal—comes with strict regulations designed to protect patients, staff, the public, and the environment. The challenge for many facilities is ensuring compliance at each step without leaving gaps that could lead to violations, fines, or safety risks. #### Stage One: Waste Generation and Segregation Compliance begins the moment waste is created. Whether it’s sharps, [biohazardous material](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/), [pharmaceuticals](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-waste/), or [trace chemotherapy waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy/), proper segregation is the foundation of a compliant process. Using the correct containers and following color-coding guidelines reduces the risk of cross-contamination and ensures waste is handled according to regulations. #### Stage Two: Safe Storage Before Pickup Once collected, waste must be stored in a secure, designated area until it’s picked up. This includes maintaining proper labeling, keeping containers sealed, and ensuring storage areas are inaccessible to unauthorized personnel. Inadequate storage practices can lead to contamination, safety hazards, and compliance breaches long before transport even begins. #### Stage Three: Transportation and Documentation Compliance doesn’t stop at your facility’s door. The transport of regulated medical waste must meet DOT and state-specific guidelines, and every load must be properly documented with manifests or tracking systems. This paperwork is essential—not only for proving compliance during audits but also for maintaining full visibility over your waste stream. #### Stage Four: Final Disposal The final step is the safe, compliant destruction of waste at an approved treatment facility. Whether by autoclaving, incineration, or other approved methods, this stage must be documented and verifiable. Without proper proof of disposal, your compliance chain is incomplete. #### How Waste Medic Closes the Gaps At Waste Medic, we help healthcare providers stay compliant from start to finish. Our services cover every stage of the medical waste journey—ensuring proper segregation, secure storage, compliant transportation, complete documentation, and verifiable disposal. By managing the process end to end, we help you minimize risk, pass inspections, and focus on patient care. #### Strengthen Your Compliance Today Don’t let small gaps create big problems. [Contact Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/17/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/) today for a no-obligation compliance review and learn how we can streamline your waste management process—keeping your facility safe, efficient, and fully compliant. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, regulated medical waste, medical waste compliance, healthcare waste safety, waste management process, waste segregation, biohazard waste compliance, medical waste documentation --- ### [Is Your Medical Waste Program Audit-Ready? Why Now Is the Time to Prepare](https://wastemedic.com/2025/08/21/is-your-medical-waste-program-audit-ready-why-now-is-the-time-to-prepare/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Medical waste audits aren’t just about avoiding fines—they’re about protecting your facility, your staff, and your patients. As regulations continue to evolve, now is the time to make sure your program is audit-ready and running at full compliance. **Content:** In healthcare, compliance isn’t optional—it’s essential. Medical waste audits are designed to ensure facilities follow strict regulations that protect patients, staff, and the public. While many see audits as stressful events, they can also be opportunities to strengthen processes and reduce risks. The key is preparation, and the best time to get ready is now. #### Why Medical Waste Audits Matter [Medical waste handling](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/) is governed by federal, state, and local regulations. Audits verify that facilities are properly segregating, storing, transporting, and documenting their waste. Falling short can result in fines, citations, or even reputational damage. But when you’re prepared, audits become a chance to showcase your facility’s commitment to safety and compliance. #### Common Gaps That Lead to Audit Failures Even well-managed facilities can face challenges during audits. The most common issues include: - Inconsistent waste segregation or incorrect container use - Incomplete or missing manifests and documentation - Improperly labeled or stored waste containers - Lack of staff training or outdated policies Identifying and addressing these gaps ahead of time ensures your facility avoids costly mistakes. #### Why Now Is the Right Time to Prepare September is an ideal time to assess compliance. With the year’s busiest months approaching, ensuring your program is audit-ready now helps avoid last-minute scrambling. Planning early also positions your facility to adapt to upcoming compliance changes in 2025 and beyond. #### How Waste Medic Helps You Stay Audit-Ready At Waste Medic, we do more than pick up your waste. We provide guidance, documentation, training, and compliance support to help your facility close gaps before they turn into audit findings. Our end-to-end services ensure waste is properly handled from generation to final disposal—giving you confidence that your compliance program can stand up to any review. #### Be Ready Before You’re on the Audit Schedule Audits don’t have to be stressful when you’re prepared. [Contact Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) today for a no-obligation compliance review, and let us help you strengthen your waste management program before auditors arrive. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, healthcare waste management, regulatory compliance, medical waste audits, audit-ready compliance, biohazard waste, waste documentation, healthcare compliance review --- ### [The Hidden Risks of Improper Medical Waste Disposal: What Healthcare Facilities Need to Know](https://wastemedic.com/2025/06/23/the-hidden-risks-of-improper-medical-waste-disposal-what-healthcare-facilities-need-to-know/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Many healthcare providers underestimate the dangers of improper medical waste disposal. From infections to costly fines, the consequences can be severe. Here’s what your facility needs to know to reduce risks and stay compliant. **Content:** #### Understanding the Real Risks Behind Improper Medical Waste Disposal Medical waste isn’t ordinary trash—and treating it that way can have serious consequences. From sharps and [biohazardous materials](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/) to expired pharmaceuticals, every type of medical waste must be managed properly to protect public health, preserve the environment, and ensure compliance with strict regulations. Unfortunately, improper handling and disposal still occur far too often. Whether due to inadequate training, poor oversight, or lack of awareness, these mistakes can lead to serious risks for healthcare facilities, their staff, and the communities they serve. #### A Threat to Human Health & Safety Improperly discarded sharps, such as needles or scalpels, pose a direct risk to staff and waste handlers through accidental needle sticks and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Even trace amounts of contaminated materials can spread dangerous infections, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. In long-term care settings, outpatient clinics, and surgical centers, the volume and variety of medical waste generated each day create countless opportunities for exposure if protocols aren’t strictly followed. Protecting patients and staff requires diligence and the right disposal partner. #### Environmental Damage That Lasts When hazardous medical waste is not properly segregated, treated, and disposed of, it can contaminate the air, soil, and water supply. Pharmaceuticals flushed or tossed into general waste streams may enter local water systems, where they can disrupt aquatic life and contribute to antibiotic resistance—a growing public health concern. That’s why the [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](https://www.epa.gov/) has developed clear guidance on managing pharmaceutical hazardous waste. You can explore their recommendations [here](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/management-pharmaceutical-hazardous-waste). #### Financial & Legal Consequences for Healthcare Providers Compliance isn’t just good practice—it’s the law. Facilities that mishandle medical waste face fines, penalties, and even legal action from agencies like OSHA, the EPA, and the DEA. In addition to the reputational damage, noncompliance can result in costly operational disruptions. Partnering with a trusted, compliant waste management provider ensures your facility stays ahead of inspections and avoids unnecessary risk. #### How Waste Medic Helps You Stay Protected & Compliant At Waste Medic, we understand the complex regulations surrounding healthcare waste disposal—and we make it easier for your facility to stay in compliance. Our team delivers customized solutions based on your facility’s size, volume, and waste types. From proper segregation to secure transport and detailed documentation, every step is handled with care and precision. Our services also include: - On-time pickups by trained professionals - OSHA-compliant containers and signage - Staff training and compliance education - Transparent, flat-rate pricing with no surprises #### Ready to take the risk out of medical waste disposal? Let Waste Medic be your trusted partner in compliance, safety, and peace of mind. Whether you manage a clinic, dental office, nursing home, or surgical center, we’re here to help you simplify the process and protect what matters most. [Get in touch today](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) for a free consultation and see how easy proper disposal can be. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** hazardous waste disposal, medical waste risks, medical waste violations, improper medical waste disposal, healthcare compliance, pharmaceutical waste, OSHA compliance, Waste Medic, biohazardous waste, healthcare waste management --- ### [Heat and Hazard: Why Summer Requires Extra Care in Medical Waste Storage](https://wastemedic.com/2025/07/09/heat-and-hazard-why-summer-requires-extra-care-in-medical-waste-storage/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Summer heat can compromise the safe storage of medical waste. Learn how Waste Medic’s temperature monitoring and disposal services help facilities stay compliant and protected. **Content:** As temperatures soar during the summer months, so do the risks associated with storing medical waste. Biohazard bags left in sweltering utility rooms, pharmaceutical waste in poorly ventilated containers, and improperly sealed sharps bins can all become serious hazards under the wrong conditions. For healthcare facilities, summer heat isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s a compliance and safety concern. #### Why Temperature Matters in Medical Waste Management [Medical waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/) is sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Warm, humid environments can accelerate decomposition, increase odors, and heighten the risk of bacterial growth or leakage. For sharps containers and biohazard bags, this creates additional exposure risks to staff and patients. Additionally, pharmaceutical or pathological waste may degrade or react under high temperatures, further complicating safe disposal. These aren’t just theoretical risks—they can lead to citations, environmental violations, and preventable workplace injuries. #### Summer Storage Risks: What Facilities Should Watch For During summer, the most common waste-related concerns include: - Odor and leakage from overfilled or overheated containers - Increased microbial activity and potential contamination - Swelling or warping of plastic containers - Unsafe temporary storage in hot, enclosed spaces - Regulatory violations tied to improper containment or documentation Without proactive management, the effects of heat can escalate quickly—especially in facilities generating high volumes of regulated medical waste. #### How Waste Medic Helps You Stay Safe & Compliant At Waste Medic, we understand that hot weather brings added challenges to safe waste handling. That’s why we offer a [**temperature monitoring solution**](https://wastemedic.com/consultation-training/temperature-monitoring/) that helps your team monitor conditions where medical waste is stored—alerting you to risks before they become violations or hazards. Our consultative approach ensures you have everything you need to stay compliant and safe, including: - Properly labeled and ventilated containers - Scheduled pickups that prevent overflow and overheating - Expert guidance on safe storage protocols - Temperature monitoring technology to keep your facility in control With our support, your team can focus on patient care—not waste management worries. #### Don’t Let the Heat Compromise Your Safety Medical waste safety isn’t seasonal—but your strategy should be. With summer temperatures putting added strain on compliance and safety protocols, now is the time to reassess how your facility stores, monitors, and manages waste. If you’re unsure whether your storage practices meet regulatory expectations (or just want peace of mind), Waste Medic is here to help. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** medical waste storage, summer heat risk medical waste, biohazard waste summer, medical waste temperature monitoring, Waste Medic compliance, regulated medical waste safety --- ### [New Subpart P Rule: What the 2025 Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Regulations Mean for Your Facility](https://wastemedic.com/2025/07/15/new-subpart-p-rule-what-the-2025-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-regulations-mean-for-your-facility/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** The EPA’s Subpart P Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals regulations are going national. Learn what changes are coming in 2025—and how Waste Medic ensures your facility stays compliant. **Content:** The [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](https://www.epa.gov/) has finalized sweeping changes to how hazardous waste pharmaceuticals must be managed by healthcare facilities. As of early 2025, healthcare providers in many states will be required to comply with the EPA’s [40 CFR Part 266 Subpart P](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-I/part-266/subpart-P)—regulations designed to protect the environment, reduce risk of exposure, and simplify compliance. If your facility generates or handles hazardous waste pharmaceuticals, it’s critical to understand what the Subpart P rule means and how to stay compliant as state-level enforcement takes effect. #### Understanding Subpart P Subpart P was developed specifically for healthcare settings, offering tailored standards for the accumulation, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. This rule also includes a nationwide ban on the sewering (flushing or pouring down the drain) of any hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. While Subpart P was finalized in 2018, full implementation is now underway, and many states are adopting and enforcing the rule beginning in 2025. #### Key Changes Healthcare Facilities Need to Know **Sewer Ban** The sewering of all hazardous waste pharmaceuticals is now prohibited. This applies to hospitals, pharmacies, dental offices, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare providers—regardless of their generator status. **Simplified Generator Requirements** Under Subpart P, healthcare facilities that would otherwise be considered Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) due to acute hazardous waste pharmaceuticals can avoid full LQG regulations by operating under the new rule. **Extended Accumulation Time** Facilities can accumulate non-creditable hazardous waste pharmaceuticals on site for up to 365 days without needing a RCRA permit, as long as they comply with storage, labeling, and documentation requirements. **Redefined Empty Container Standards** The rule provides more clarity around when a container that held hazardous pharmaceuticals is considered “RCRA empty.” Many delivery devices like syringes, IV bags, and inhalers may now be disposed of as non-hazardous waste, depending on use. **Applies to Most Healthcare Generators** Subpart P is designed for healthcare facilities that generate hazardous pharmaceutical waste above the Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) threshold, as well as any reverse distributors handling potentially creditable pharmaceuticals. #### Compliance Considerations for 2025 As the compliance deadline approaches, facilities should be preparing by: - **Classifying all pharmaceutical waste** to distinguish between creditable and non-creditable hazardous waste - **Updating labeling and storage protocols** to meet Subpart P requirements - **Removing or sealing off drains** near waste accumulation areas to prevent accidental sewering - **Tracking accumulation dates** and ensuring proper disposal within the 365-day limit - **Filing EPA or state-level notifications** as required, depending on generator size and location You can find full EPA guidance [here](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/final-rule-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-and-amendment-p075). #### How Waste Medic Helps You Stay Ahead of the Changes Staying compliant with Subpart P doesn’t have to be a burden. Waste Medic partners with healthcare facilities to manage hazardous pharmaceutical waste safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with federal and state regulations. We provide: - Compliant pharmaceutical waste containers - Proper labeling and storage support - Reliable pickup schedules to avoid accumulation issues - Regulatory insight to guide your staff and reduce risk If you’re unsure whether your current practices meet Subpart P requirements—or want help preparing before your state begins enforcement—our team is here to assist. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Subpart P hazardous pharmaceuticals, sewer ban EPA, medical pharmaceutical waste regulation, 40 CFR 266 Subpart P compliance, healthcare waste management law --- ### [Medical Waste Color Coding in 2025: A Fresh Guide to Safe & Compliant Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2025/06/07/medical-waste-color-coding-in-2025-a-fresh-guide-to-safe-compliant-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Stay compliant and protect staff with this updated 2025 guide to medical waste color coding. Learn the latest standards for red, yellow, black, blue, and white containers. **Content:** Proper segregation of medical waste is crucial for safety, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency. As of 2025, color-coded waste containers remain the industry standard for identifying and managing different waste types in healthcare and laboratory settings. This guide provides an updated overview of current best practices, incorporating recent regulatory changes and practical applications. #### Red: Biohazardous Waste Red containers are designated for waste contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), including used gloves, gauze, and gowns soaked in blood, IV tubing, catheters, blood bags, and syringes without needles. These materials should be placed in leak-proof, puncture-resistant containers marked with the biohazard symbol. Proper disposal is essential to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens. For more on regulated medical waste, visit [CDC guidelines](https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/environmental-control/regulated-medical-waste.html). #### Yellow: Infectious and Pharmaceutical Waste Yellow containers are used for dressings, bandages, and swabs with body fluids, human anatomical waste and body parts, as well as expired medicines and chemotherapy drugs. These items often require incineration or specialized treatment methods to ensure safe disposal. #### Black: Hazardous Chemical Waste Black containers are reserved for hazardous chemical waste, including chemicals and solvents, cytotoxic drugs, chemotherapy agents, and hazardous pharmaceuticals. Proper labeling and disposal are critical to prevent environmental contamination. #### Blue: Non-Hazardous Pharmaceutical Waste Blue containers are intended for non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste, such as unused antibiotics, denatured drugs, and inhaler cartridges. These items can often be treated and disposed of through standard methods. #### White: Sharps Waste White, puncture-proof containers are used for sharps waste, including needles, syringes, scalpel blades, and broken glassware. These containers must be leak-proof and labeled with the biohazard symbol to ensure safe handling and disposal. #### Compliance and Best Practices Adhering to color-coded waste segregation helps facilities maintain compliance with OSHA and EPA regulations, protect healthcare workers and patients, reduce waste management costs, and minimize environmental impact. Regular staff training and audits are recommended to ensure ongoing compliance and safety. For further details, explore the [OSHA biohazard waste disposal guidelines](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2009-06-02). For more information on medical waste management and compliance training, visit [Waste Medic’s Compliance & Training Services](https://wastemedic.com/consultation-training/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, FAQs **Tags:** Medical waste segregation, OSHA compliance, pharmaceutical waste, biohazard waste disposal, hazardous waste, medical waste color coding, red bag waste, sharps container, 2025 guidelines --- ### [What Happens If You Throw Medical Waste in the Trash?](https://wastemedic.com/2025/06/10/what-happens-if-you-throw-medical-waste-in-the-trash/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Improper disposal of medical waste can lead to serious legal, environmental, and public health consequences. Here's why it matters—and what your facility can do to stay compliant. **Content:** #### Why Medical Waste Can’t Go in the Regular Trash At first glance, it might seem harmless to toss a used bandage or syringe into the trash—but when it comes to medical waste, even small missteps can have big consequences. Regulated medical waste (RMW) includes materials that are potentially infectious or [biohazardous](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/), and improper disposal can put waste handlers, the public, and the environment at risk. Disposing of these materials in regular trash bins not only violates federal and state regulations, but it also opens your facility to substantial fines, lawsuits, and public health liabilities. #### The Legal Risks of Improper Disposal Healthcare providers are required by law to follow strict protocols for handling and disposing of medical waste. Agencies like [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/), the EPA, and state health departments enforce these rules to protect people from exposure to infectious materials. Facilities found disposing of medical waste in the general trash stream can face: - Fines of thousands—or even tens of thousands—of dollars per violation - Increased scrutiny from regulators during inspections - Legal action in the event of harm to waste management workers or the public In many states, waste haulers are required to report suspected illegal disposal to authorities, triggering audits or surprise inspections that can expose compliance gaps. #### Public Health & Environmental Hazards Improperly disposed medical waste can include sharps, contaminated PPE, and biological fluids—all of which carry serious health risks. These items can puncture trash bags, exposing sanitation workers to diseases like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. In landfills, medical waste can leach hazardous substances into the soil and groundwater, creating long-term environmental damage that’s difficult and costly to reverse. #### Common Examples of Improper Disposal You might be surprised how often regulated waste accidentally ends up in general trash due to lack of training or oversight. Common examples include: - Tossing used gloves or gauze pads in office bins - Flushing pharmaceuticals down the toilet - Disposing of needles in desk-side containers - Failing to use red bags or sharps containers correctly If your staff isn’t trained—or if policies aren’t clearly enforced—your facility could be at risk without even realizing it. #### How to Avoid Fines & Stay Compliant The good news is that medical waste compliance doesn’t have to be difficult. Working with a certified medical waste disposal partner like Waste Medic gives your facility the support it needs to stay safe, legal, and efficient. Our team helps you: - Identify and properly segregate waste types - Train staff on disposal protocols - Provide compliant containers and signage - Ensure pickup, treatment, and documentation that meet all regulatory standards #### Protect Your Practice & the People Around You Throwing medical waste in the trash isn’t just a mistake—it’s a risk to your staff, your patients, your community, and your reputation. With the right partner, you can take the guesswork out of waste management and focus on what matters most: delivering safe, high-quality care. Need help with medical waste compliance? [Request a quote from Waste Medic today](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, FAQs **Tags:** medical waste violations, regulated waste, biohazard trash, medical waste in trash, red bag waste, OSHA medical waste, medical waste compliance, improper medical waste disposal, healthcare waste management, Medical waste disposal --- ### [Navigating Medical Waste Compliance in Long-Term Care: What You Need to Know](https://wastemedic.com/2025/02/16/navigating-medical-waste-compliance-in-long-term-care-what-you-need-to-know/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Long-term care facilities must comply with strict medical waste disposal regulations. Learn how to manage sharps, pharmaceuticals, and biohazardous waste to protect residents, staff, and avoid fines. **Content:** Long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living centers, play a crucial role in providing medical care to aging populations. However, with this responsibility comes the challenge of **[proper medical waste disposal ](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/ensuring-safety-the-crucial-role-of-waste-medic-in-proper-medical-waste-disposal/)**to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Mismanagement of biohazardous waste, sharps, and pharmaceuticals can lead to hefty fines, safety risks, and legal consequences. #### Understanding Medical Waste in Long-Term Care Unlike hospitals, long-term care facilities often have smaller medical waste streams, but the risks remain significant. The most common types of waste generated include: - **Sharps (needles, lancets, syringes)** used for insulin and other medications - **Pharmaceutical waste**, including expired or unused medications - **Biohazardous waste**, such as wound dressings, gloves, and PPE - **Controlled substances**, which require special handling and disposal methods Improper disposal of these materials can result in OSHA violations, state penalties, and environmental hazards. The **[Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)](https://www.cms.gov/)** mandates that facilities follow strict disposal guidelines, ensuring the safety of residents, staff, and the surrounding community. #### Common Compliance Challenges Many long-term care facilities struggle with regulatory compliance due to limited staff training, confusion over proper disposal methods, and evolving laws. Some of the most frequent compliance issues include: - **Improper sharps disposal**, leading to needlestick injuries among staff - **Mishandling of expired medications**, causing potential environmental contamination - **Failure to separate biohazardous waste**, increasing cross-contamination risks The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and **[Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)](https://www.dea.gov/)** require long-term care providers to adhere to specific regulations, including segregating pharmaceutical waste and ensuring proper destruction of controlled substances. #### Best Practices for Compliance & Safety To maintain compliance and reduce liability, long-term care facilities must implement structured waste management protocols. Steps to enhance compliance include: - **Regular staff training** to ensure proper waste handling procedures - **Clear waste segregation guidelines** to distinguish between sharps, biohazardous, and pharmaceutical waste - **Utilization of secure disposal containers** to prevent spills, contamination, and unauthorized access - **Partnering with a certified waste disposal provider** to ensure adherence to all federal and state regulations At **[Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/)**, we help long-term care facilities navigate the complexities of medical waste compliance, ensuring safe, cost-effective, and fully compliant disposal solutions. #### Protect Your Residents & Stay Compliant Long-term care providers cannot afford to overlook medical waste regulations. By implementing best practices and working with a trusted waste management partner, facilities can safeguard their residents and staff while avoiding unnecessary fines and liabilities. Let **Waste Medic** help your facility stay compliant and streamline your medical waste management process. Contact us today to learn more about our tailored solutions for long-term care facilities. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** OSHA healthcare compliance, EPA medical waste, assisted living compliance, pharmaceutical waste disposal, nursing home waste management, long-term care waste disposal, medical waste compliance, medical waste regulations, sharps disposal, biohazardous waste --- ### [Spring Cleaning for Healthcare Facilities: A Fresh Look at Compliance and Safety](https://wastemedic.com/2025/03/07/spring-cleaning-for-healthcare-facilities-a-fresh-look-at-compliance-and-safety/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Spring is the perfect time for healthcare facilities to reassess compliance. Ensure proper refrigeration monitoring and medical waste disposal with smart solutions. **Content:** Spring is a time for renewal, making it the perfect opportunity for healthcare facilities to reassess their compliance practices. Just as spring cleaning helps clear out clutter and refresh spaces, hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities should take a closer look at how they manage [medical refrigeration monitoring](https://wastemedic.com/2025/01/31/ensuring-compliance-safety-temperature-monitoring-for-medical-food-storage/) and medical waste disposal. Ensuring proper temperature control for vaccines, medications, and food storage while maintaining safe waste management practices is essential to protecting patients, staff, and operations. #### Why Spring is the Perfect Time to Reassess Compliance Healthcare facilities must meet strict regulatory standards for refrigeration monitoring and medical waste disposal. As policies evolve, compliance processes can become outdated or overlooked. A seasonal review can help facilities identify gaps, streamline procedures, and ensure they meet [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/), FDA, and state health requirements. Refrigeration monitoring plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of temperature-sensitive supplies. Without proper tracking, vaccines and medications can become ineffective, while improper food storage can lead to spoilage and health risks for patients and residents. Similarly, medical waste that is not properly handled can expose staff and patients to unnecessary risks and result in regulatory penalties. #### Spring Cleaning Checklist for Healthcare Compliance A facility-wide spring cleaning effort should include a compliance check of refrigeration and waste management protocols. Consider these key questions: - Are refrigeration units for medical supplies and food storage being actively monitored? - Do **real-time alerts** notify staff when temperatures exceed safe thresholds? - Are compliance reports automated to meet CDC and state health guidelines? - Can temperature data be easily accessed for audits and inspections? - Are medical waste disposal processes in line with current regulations? - Does your facility have a trusted partner for handling biohazardous, pharmaceutical, and sharps waste? ### **A Smarter Approach to Compliance** Spring cleaning isn’t just about refreshing physical spaces—it’s also about optimizing efficiency. Waste Medic offers medical refrigeration monitoring services, powered by Onformant, to help healthcare facilities stay ahead of compliance issues with automated tracking, real-time alerts, and long-term data storage. Whether it’s monitoring medical supplies, vaccines, lab samples, or food storage, this solution ensures regulatory compliance with minimal effort. Waste Medic also provides comprehensive medical waste management services to ensure biohazardous, sharps, and pharmaceutical waste is handled safely and in compliance with industry regulations. By combining temperature monitoring with proper waste disposal, facilities can create a safer, more efficient environment while reducing risks and operational burdens. #### Refresh Your Compliance Processes This Spring Spring is a time for new beginnings. Make sure your healthcare facility’s compliance practices are up to date and working as efficiently as possible. Waste Medic is here to help with smart solutions for refrigeration monitoring and medical waste disposal. **[Contact us today](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/)** to learn how we can help your facility refresh its compliance strategy. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, healthcare waste management, regulatory compliance, healthcare compliance, spring cleaning, refrigeration monitoring, medical supply safety, food storage monitoring, CDC guidelines, temperature monitoring, healthcare facilities --- ### [Safe, Simple, and Essential: Medical Waste Dispoal Solutions for Elderly Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2025/03/23/safe-simple-and-essential-medical-waste-dispoal-solutions-for-elderly-care-facilities/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Discover why proper disposal of medical, pharmaceutical, and sharps waste is essential in elderly care—and how Waste Medic helps long-term care facilities stay safe and compliant with ease. **Content:** #### A Critical Responsibility in Elderly Care Elderly care facilities carry a unique responsibility. Residents are often medically fragile, with chronic conditions that require daily attention, medication management, and specialized treatments. As a result, **[these facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2025/02/16/navigating-medical-waste-compliance-in-long-term-care-what-you-need-to-know/)** generate a wide range of medical waste—from used syringes and wound dressings to expired medications and controlled substances. The safe handling and disposal of this waste isn’t just about ticking a regulatory box. It’s about protecting vulnerable individuals, supporting frontline staff, and preserving the overall quality of care. #### Understanding the Risks of Improper Medical Waste Handling Improper medical waste disposal can have serious consequences. Needle sticks from improperly discarded sharps, cross-contamination from infectious waste, and unsafe storage of expired medications can all put residents and staff at risk. Beyond health concerns, there’s also the legal and environmental impact to consider. Facilities that fail to follow disposal regulations may face hefty fines, damaged reputations, or even temporary closure. When you consider the stakes, the need for a reliable medical waste partner becomes clear. #### Pharmaceutical Waste: A Growing Concern in Senior Living One of the biggest challenges in elderly care is the safe management of pharmaceutical waste. These facilities routinely deal with medications that are highly regulated—such as narcotics, chemotherapy agents, and antibiotics. Improper disposal can lead to drug diversion, environmental contamination, and significant liability. In many cases, these drugs can’t simply be tossed in the trash or flushed. They require special handling and secure destruction in compliance with DEA and EPA guidelines. Unfortunately, many care providers aren’t aware of the nuances—or simply don’t have the time or infrastructure to manage it correctly on their own. #### Sharps Waste & Staff Safety Daily injections, blood sugar testing, and other routine procedures in long-term care settings contribute to a high volume of sharps waste. Without proper disposal systems in place, this can lead to accidental injuries and exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV. A secure and clearly labeled sharps disposal program reduces these risks dramatically. When paired with staff training and timely pickups, it also helps create a safer, more organized care environment. #### Waste Medic Simplifies Waste Management At Waste Medic, we understand the daily demands of operating a long-term care facility. That’s why we provide comprehensive medical waste solutions that are designed to reduce risk, simplify operations, and support compliance every step of the way. Our services include secure sharps containers, pharmaceutical waste collection and destruction, and **[biohazardous waste management](https://wastemedic.com/2024/11/30/prepare-for-2025-how-to-build-a-biohazardous-waste-management-plan/)** tailored to your specific needs. We offer flexible pickup schedules, clear documentation for regulatory audits, and ongoing customer support to make the process seamless for your staff. We also provide education and training to ensure everyone on your team understands the best practices for handling medical waste safely and effectively. It’s not just about removing waste—it’s about helping you build a safer environment for everyone in your care. #### A Trusted Partner in Patient-Centered Care Caring for seniors is a mission that demands attention to every detail, including how waste is handled behind the scenes. Waste Medic is proud to be a trusted partner to elderly care facilities across the region. Our specialized waste services are built around your priorities—resident safety, operational efficiency, and regulatory peace of mind. You don’t need to be an expert in medical waste regulations. That’s our job. And we’re here to help you focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality, compassionate care. Let’s make medical waste management the easiest part of your day. **[Contact Waste Medic today](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/)** to request a no-obligation quote or to learn more about our customized services for long-term care facilities. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, Medical Waste **Tags:** biohazardous waste, long-term care facility safety, sharps waste handling, pharmaceutical waste in nursing homes, elderly care medical waste disposal, OSHA healthcare compliance, EPA medical waste, assisted living compliance, pharmaceutical waste disposal, nursing home waste management, long-term care waste disposal, medical waste compliance, Waste Medic services, medical waste regulations, sharps disposal --- ### [Safe & Compliant Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal: What You Need to Know](https://wastemedic.com/2025/03/23/safe-compliant-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-what-you-need-to-know/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Learn how to properly dispose of pharmaceutical waste in healthcare settings. Waste Medic explains the importance of safe, compliant medication disposal and how we support facilities in staying compliant. **Content:** #### **What Is Pharmaceutical Waste & Why Does It Matter?** Pharmaceutical waste refers to medications and drug-related products that are no longer usable and need to be discarded safely. This includes expired drugs, unused medications, partially used vials, IV solutions, and even PPE contaminated with pharmaceuticals. These materials may seem harmless, but if not managed properly, they pose a serious threat to human health, water systems, and the environment. In healthcare settings, pharmaceutical waste can quickly accumulate—and if it’s not sorted and handled correctly, the consequences can include regulatory violations, fines, environmental contamination, and increased risk of drug diversion. That’s why every healthcare facility, from hospitals to long-term care homes, needs a reliable, compliant pharmaceutical waste disposal program in place. #### **Types of Pharmaceutical Waste You May Be Generating** It’s not always obvious which items qualify as pharmaceutical waste. At Waste Medic, we help facilities identify and manage the following common categories: - Expired or unused prescription and over-the-counter medications - Contaminated or partially used drug vials, IV bags, and syringes - Bulk or trace chemotherapy drugs - PPE or other items contaminated with medication residues - Controlled substances that require DEA-compliant destruction Whether you’re dealing with non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste or RCRA-regulated hazardous materials, it’s important to sort waste correctly and dispose of it through approved channels. #### **Understanding the Regulatory Requirements** Pharmaceutical waste disposal is governed by a combination of federal and state regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) outline rules for handling hazardous waste, while the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has strict protocols for destroying controlled substances to prevent misuse and diversion. In addition, many states have their own pharmaceutical waste laws that require additional steps. Failing to meet these requirements can result in significant penalties or facility citations. [Learn more about how Waste Medic ensures regulatory compliance](https://wastemedic.com/training-certification/). #### **How Waste Medic Supports Safe Medication Disposal** At Waste Medic, we understand that managing pharmaceutical waste is more than just removing boxes. It’s about ensuring your entire waste disposal process—from segregation to destruction—is fully compliant, efficient, and tailored to your operations. Our services include: - Expert categorization of pharmaceutical waste (hazardous and non-hazardous) - DEA-compliant controlled substance disposal with proper documentation - EPA-aligned solutions for RCRA pharmaceutical waste - On-site staff training for proper segregation and safety protocols - Manifesting and reporting to support compliance audits - Flexible pickup scheduling based on your needs and waste volume We design custom pharmaceutical waste programs for each facility we serve, ensuring a cost-effective and compliant solution that meets regulatory standards and reduces risk. [Explore our full range of services](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/17/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/). #### **Who We Serve** Waste Medic works with a wide range of healthcare providers throughout the Southeast and beyond. Our clients include: - Hospitals and emergency care centers - [Long-term care and assisted living facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2025/02/16/navigating-medical-waste-compliance-in-long-term-care-what-you-need-to-know/) - Ambulatory surgical centers - Pharmacies and specialty clinics - Research labs and veterinary practices If you’re generating pharmaceutical waste, we can help you handle it—safely, legally, and responsibly. #### **Partner with Waste Medic for Reliable Compliance** The landscape of pharmaceutical waste disposal is complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. With Waste Medic as your trusted partner, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing your medications are disposed of securely and in full compliance with all applicable laws. We’re committed to making pharmaceutical waste disposal as easy and risk-free as possible for your facility. [Contact us today for a no-obligation quote](https://wastemedic.com/contact/). Ready to get started? Let’s build a safer, cleaner healthcare environment—together. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** medical waste compliance, pharmaceutical waste disposal, medication waste, hazardous pharmaceutical waste, healthcare waste services, non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste, RCRA waste, DEA compliance --- ### [We're Hiring: Account Executive (Greater Nashville Area)](https://wastemedic.com/2025/03/26/were-hiring-account-executive-greater-nashville-area/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Join Waste Medic as an Account Executive in the Greater Nashville Area. Help expand medical and commercial waste services across Tennessee while growing your sales career. Apply today! **Content:** If you’re a sales professional who loves building relationships, thrives on challenge, and wants to make a meaningful difference in your community—this is your chance. Waste Medic is actively hiring a new Account Executive to join our growing team in the Greater Nashville Area. As a trusted provider of specialized medical and commercial waste management services, Waste Medic supports hospitals, long-term care facilities, medical practices, and commercial organizations across the Southeast. With a strong presence in Tennessee, we’re excited to expand our impact—and we’re looking for someone local to help lead the way in Nashville and the surrounding region. #### Be a Leader in Nashville’s Healthcare & Facilities Market Nashville isn’t just Music City—it’s a hub for healthcare, innovation, and growth. The city is home to some of the largest hospital networks, specialty practices, and long-term care centers in the country. As our new [**Account Executive**](https://wastemedic.com/contact/resume-submission/), you’ll have the opportunity to tap into one of the region’s most dynamic markets. You’ll be responsible for: - Identifying and securing new business across hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, and other healthcare facilities - Building lasting relationships with decision-makers in Nashville’s growing medical and facilities landscape - Creating strategic plans to meet goals and expand Waste Medic’s footprint in the Southeast - Partnering with our operations team to ensure seamless service implementation #### Why Nashville Needs Waste Medic Medical and commercial waste isn’t just a logistics challenge—it’s a safety and compliance issue. Waste Medic ensures that organizations across Tennessee have a reliable partner to handle these needs with care, compliance, and professionalism. Our solutions keep communities safe, protect the environment, and support healthcare professionals in doing what they do best: caring for others. We’re proud to already serve clients across the Southeast, and we’re investing even more in our Nashville-area presence. This role is your chance to be part of something meaningful and expand a respected brand in your own backyard. #### What We’re Looking For We want to hear from you if you: - Have 2+ years of sales experience, especially in healthcare or facilities - Are based in the **Greater Nashville Area** - Are confident, motivated, and passionate about helping clients solve real problems - Have strong communication and relationship-building skills - Know the importance of regulatory standards and compliance in healthcare (or are eager to learn) Experience with CRM tools like Pipedrive and familiarity with medical sales is a plus. #### What We Offer At Waste Medic, we believe in rewarding great work. That’s why this role comes with a competitive base salary, plus commission and performance incentives that reflect your results. You’ll have the opportunity to build and grow your own client base in a high-growth market, backed by a supportive and inclusive team that truly values your contributions. Beyond compensation, this position offers the chance to make a real impact—helping clients implement safe, sustainable waste solutions while growing your own sales career in one of the Southeast’s most dynamic regions. #### Apply Today If you’re ready to take the next step in your sales career and excited about growing a business that matters in the Nashville are**,** [**click here to apply**](https://wastemedic.com/contact/resume-submission/) and upload your resume and cover letter. We can’t wait to learn more about you. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events **Tags:** business development, medical industry careers, territory manager, sales position, job opening, field sales, client acquisition, healthcare industry, Southeast sales, environmental services, B2B sales, now hiring, Tennessee careers, commercial waste services, healthcare sales, Nashville job, account executive, sales job, medical waste management, Waste Medic --- ### [Supporting Safer Care: Medical Waste Disposal Solutions for Healthcare Organizations Across the Southeast](https://wastemedic.com/2025/04/09/supporting-safer-care-medical-waste-disposal-solutions-for-healthcare-organizations-across-the-southeast/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Serving healthcare providers across the Southeast, Waste Medic offers flexible, compliant medical waste and sharps disposal solutions for long-term care, elderly care, oncology, and more. **Content:** #### Trusted Medical Waste Management for Every Healthcare Setting At Waste Medic, we understand that proper medical waste disposal is critical to protecting patients, staff, and the environment. That’s why we offer full-service, compliant solutions for facilities of all types and sizes—from long-term care centers and nursing homes to oncology practices and outpatient clinics. Operating across the Southeast, our team is committed to providing dependable service, flexible scheduling, and solutions tailored to your facility’s unique needs. #### Protecting Long-Term and Elderly Care Environments In long-term care and senior living facilities, patient safety and infection control are top priorities. These environments often generate a steady stream of regulated medical waste and sharps, and the need for discreet, timely pickups is essential. Waste Medic supports these facilities with: - Reliable, scheduled pickups that don’t disrupt care routines - OSHA-compliant containers and staff training support - Documentation and guidance to meet local, state, and federal regulations We’re here to ensure waste is managed safely—so your team can focus on providing quality care. #### Specialized Disposal for Oncology and Trace Chemotherapy Waste Oncology and infusion centers handle highly sensitive waste materials that require strict disposal protocols. [Trace chemotherapy waste](https://wastemedic.com/2024/08/22/understanding-the-different-types-of-medical-waste-their-disposal-needs/)—including gloves, gowns, IV tubing, and empty drug vials—must be collected, stored, and processed with precision to protect everyone involved. Waste Medic’s expertise includes: - Proper classification and containment of trace chemo waste - Compliance with all applicable DOT and EPA standards - Dedicated support to simplify hazardous waste audits Let us handle the complexities of chemo-related disposal, so you can stay focused on your patients and their treatment journey. #### Flexible Service. Reliable Results. No matter the size or specialty of your organization, Waste Medic offers: - Custom waste management plans - Flexible pick-up frequencies - Local support teams that respond quickly - A full range of disposal services, including regulated medical waste, sharps, pharmaceutical waste, and trace chemotherapy Whether you’re a small practice or a multi-site healthcare provider, we have the experience and infrastructure to support you. #### Partner with Waste Medic for Safer, Smarter Waste Disposal Our mission is simple: help healthcare providers across the Southeast dispose of medical waste safely, efficiently, and responsibly. With Waste Medic, you’ll gain a trusted partner committed to compliance, safety, and service. Ready to simplify your medical waste management? **[Contact Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/17/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/)** today to request a quote or build a service plan tailored to your needs. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, sharps disposal, trace chemotherapy waste, healthcare compliance, regulated medical waste, oncology waste, long-term care medical waste, elderly care waste management, southeast medical waste, flexible pickup medical waste --- ### [Safe, Compliant Disposal of Chemotherapy Waste and Needles in Oncology Practices](https://wastemedic.com/2025/04/15/safe-compliant-disposal-of-chemotherapy-waste-and-needles-in-oncology-practices/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Proper disposal of trace chemotherapy waste and needles is critical to protect staff, patients, and your facility. Learn how Waste Medic supports oncology providers across the Southeast with safe, compliant, and personalized waste solutions. **Content:** #### Safe, Compliant Disposal of Chemotherapy Waste and Needles in Oncology Practices When it comes to oncology care, safety and precision matter—not just in treatment but in every aspect of practice operations. That includes what happens after a patient’s infusion ends. Trace chemotherapy waste and used needles require specialized handling to meet strict regulatory standards and to protect everyone in your facility from exposure risks. If your team is managing chemotherapy waste alongside general medical waste, you could be putting your staff, patients, and compliance status at risk. That’s where Waste Medic comes in. #### Understanding the Risks of Trace Chemotherapy Waste **[Trace chemotherapy waste](https://wastemedic.com/2022/07/17/pharmaceutical-trace-chemotherapy-other-medical-waste-transportation-services-in-nashville/)** includes any items that may contain residual amounts of chemotherapy drugs—items like empty IV bags, vials, syringes, tubing, gloves, gowns, and contaminated PPE. These materials, even when “empty,” are considered hazardous by the EPA and require disposal as RCRA empty and hazardous waste. Used needles and sharps used to administer chemotherapy agents pose an additional layer of risk due to the potential for needlestick injuries and exposure to cytotoxic drugs. These items must be disposed of in puncture-resistant, leak-proof containers that are clearly labeled and handled separately from regular sharps or biohazard waste. You can learn more about [trace chemotherapy disposal requirements here](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/). #### What’s at Stake: Compliance, Safety, and Peace of Mind Improper disposal of chemotherapy-related waste can lead to significant consequences: - OSHA violations and fines - Environmental contamination - Risk of staff exposure to hazardous drugs - Reputational damage to your practice The good news? With the right partner, staying compliant doesn’t have to be complicated. #### Waste Medic: A Trusted Partner for Oncology Waste Solutions At Waste Medic, we specialize in helping oncology practices, cancer centers, infusion clinics, and hospitals across the Southeast handle trace chemotherapy waste and related sharps disposal safely and efficiently. We offer: - Chemotherapy-approved sharps containers and disposal programs - Collection and transport services aligned with federal and state regulations - Clear documentation and manifesting for audit-readiness - Flexible pickup schedules based on your facility’s volume - A knowledgeable, local team that treats your practice like a partner—not a number #### Supporting Your Team So You Can Focus on Patient Care You’ve got enough to manage without worrying about waste compliance. Let Waste Medic help you protect your staff and patients with professional, personalized disposal services you can trust. **Request a no-obligation quote** today to learn how we can support your oncology team. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Waste Medic, needle disposal, southeast medical waste, chemotherapy waste disposal, trace chemo waste, oncology medical waste, chemotherapy sharps, oncology compliance, medical waste partner, oncology waste solutions --- ### [How to Choose a Medical Waste Disposal Partner: 5 Critical Questions Every Facility Should Ask](https://wastemedic.com/2025/05/04/how-to-choose-a-medical-waste-disposal-partner-5-critical-questions-every-facility-should-ask/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Choosing the right medical waste disposal provider is critical to maintaining compliance and safety. Learn the five questions every healthcare facility should ask before signing a contract. **Content:** #### **Make an Informed Choice: What to Ask Before Choosing a Service Provider** Whether you operate a busy dental clinic, a long-term care facility, or an outpatient surgical center, selecting the right medical waste disposal partner is one of the most important operational decisions you’ll make. A dependable provider not only ensures your facility remains compliant with federal and state regulations—they also help protect your staff, your patients, and your bottom line. But with so many waste disposal companies in the market, how do you know which one is right for you? Here are five essential questions to ask when evaluating a medical waste disposal provider: #### 1. Are you licensed and insured to operate in my state? Not every medical waste company is authorized to operate in every region. Each state has its own set of rules and licensing requirements for the handling, transport, and disposal of regulated medical waste. If your provider isn’t properly licensed and insured in your state, your facility could be at risk for fines, citations, or worse. At Waste Medic, we are fully licensed and insured to serve healthcare providers across Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and surrounding areas. Our team maintains all required permits and certifications—giving you peace of mind that your waste is being handled legally and responsibly. [Learn more about our service areas →](https://wastemedic.com/) #### 2. Do you offer flexible and customized pickup schedules? Your facility’s waste volume and disposal needs are unique—and they can change over time. A reliable waste management partner won’t box you into a rigid pickup schedule that doesn’t make sense for your operation. Instead, they’ll take the time to understand your workflow and tailor a solution that fits. Whether you need daily pickups, weekly service, or something in between, Waste Medic offers customized pickup schedules to align with your facility’s pace. We know flexibility is key to maintaining smooth operations, especially in high-pressure environments like hospitals and urgent care centers. Get a custom quote from Waste Medic → #### 3. How do you ensure compliance with state and federal regulations? Keeping up with medical waste regulations can be overwhelming. Between the [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](https://www.epa.gov/), [Department of Transportation (DOT)](https://www.transportation.gov/), and [Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)](https://www.osha.gov/), there are layers of requirements to meet—and falling short can carry serious consequences. That’s why it’s critical to choose a disposal partner who knows the rules inside and out. At Waste Medic, we prioritize compliance at every step. Our team follows all regulatory guidelines for handling, segregating, labeling, and transporting medical waste, and we provide complete documentation and manifests for your records. #### 4. What kind of training and support do you provide? Compliance doesn’t stop with your waste vendor—it also depends on how well your internal staff understands the process. Proper segregation of sharps, pharmaceutical waste, and biohazardous materials starts at the point of generation, which means training is critical. Look for a provider who offers more than just pickups. At Waste Medic, we help train your staff to handle waste properly and safely. We also provide ongoing support and compliance updates to help your facility stay prepared and protected year-round. #### **5. What happens if there’s an unexpected need or emergency?** n healthcare, things can change in an instant. You may have an unplanned increase in patient volume, an emergency cleanup need, or weather-related disruptions that impact your regular waste pickup. In these situations, your disposal partner needs to be more than just scheduled—they need to be responsive. Waste Medic is built for flexibility and urgency. Our local teams are available to respond quickly to unexpected service needs, with the ability to adjust pickups, accommodate emergency requests, and help you stay compliant even when things don’t go according to plan. With Waste Medic, you get a partner that’s proactive, not reactive—because continuity of care depends on it. ### Waste Medic: The Partner You Can Count On A dependable medical waste disposal partner does more than haul away your waste—they help you stay compliant, efficient, and confident in your operations. At Waste Medic, we combine regulatory expertise, flexible service, and local support to deliver a level of reliability you can trust. If you’re reevaluating your current provider or just exploring your options, [we’d love to help](https://wastemedic.com/contact/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, FAQs **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, medical waste management, regulated medical waste, biohazard waste disposal, healthcare waste partner, compliant waste services, Tennessee medical waste, Alabama waste disposal, medical waste pickup, healthcare facility compliance --- ### [National Safety Month: A Commitment to Safer Healthcare Environments](https://wastemedic.com/2025/05/26/national-safety-month-a-commitment-to-safer-healthcare-environments/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** June is National Safety Month, and Waste Medic is proud to support safety across healthcare facilities by reducing risk through compliant medical waste disposal. Learn how our work protects patients, staff, and the environment. **Content:** #### Why National Safety Month Matters in Healthcare Each June, the [National Safety Council (NSC)](https://www.nsc.org/) leads the charge in raising awareness about the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths in the workplace, at home, and throughout our communities. For healthcare facilities, this annual initiative is a timely reminder that patient and worker safety starts with proactive risk management—including how medical waste is handled and disposed of. #### Reducing Risk for Healthcare Workers Through Proper Waste Handling Healthcare professionals are exposed daily to sharp instruments, infectious materials, and hazardous pharmaceuticals. Improperly handled medical waste increases the chance of needle stick injuries, contamination, and even long-term health issues. [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) helps mitigate these risks through compliant waste pickup, secure transport, and clear protocols that ensure your facility stays safe and OSHA-compliant. Our trained specialists are always available to provide staff education and support customized to your operation. #### Safe Environments Lead to Better Patient Outcomes Safety doesn’t stop with the staff—patients rely on clean, compliant healthcare environments to recover and heal. When waste is stored too long or mishandled, it can become a source of infection or contamination. Waste Medic supports patient safety by ensuring timely pickup of all regulated medical waste, offering guidance on correct segregation practices, and helping facilities avoid common compliance errors that can put patients at risk. #### Protecting the Environment Through Responsible Waste Disposal The impact of unsafe disposal methods extends far beyond facility walls. Burning or improperly discarding medical waste can contaminate air, water, and soil—posing risks to entire communities. Waste Medic’s environmentally conscious disposal practices are designed to protect natural ecosystems while meeting the highest regulatory standards. By treating and disposing of waste responsibly, we help healthcare organizations maintain their sustainability commitments. #### Partnering with Waste Medic for a Culture of Safety National Safety Month is an opportunity for every organization to evaluate their safety practices and identify where improvements can be made. At Waste Medic, we’re proud to partner with medical facilities that prioritize safety year-round. From customized pickup schedules to ongoing compliance support, we are committed to helping you create a safer, healthier environment for everyone you serve. #### Ready to improve safety in your healthcare facility? [Contact us today](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) to learn more about our medical waste disposal services or [request a no-obligation quote](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) to get started. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, Waste Medic, infection control, OSHA compliance, regulated medical waste, healthcare safety, sharps waste, National Safety Month, environmental safety --- ### [Understanding the Types of Medical Waste: Proper Handling and Disposal Explained](https://wastemedic.com/2024/10/23/understanding-the-types-of-medical-waste-proper-handling-and-disposal-explained/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Learn about the different types of medical waste—biohazardous, pharmaceutical, sharps, and more. Discover why each requires specific handling and disposal methods to ensure safety and compliance. **Content:** Medical facilities produce a wide range of waste materials, each presenting its own risks and requiring specific regulatory procedures for disposal. The safe handling and [proper disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2024/09/the-importance-of-a-customized-medical-waste-disposal-plan-for-your-facility/) of these materials are critical to protecting healthcare workers, patients, and the environment. Without a clear understanding of each type of waste and its disposal requirements, healthcare facilities risk non-compliance and exposure to infectious agents. In this blog, we explore the primary types of medical waste and discuss why each one needs specific handling and disposal methods. #### Biohazardous Waste: Managing Infectious Risks [Biohazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/02/beyond-needles-syringes-top-10-biohazardous-waste-items-you-may-be-forgetting/), often called infectious waste, includes materials contaminated with blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious agents. Examples of biohazardous waste include blood-soaked bandages, laboratory cultures, and surgical gloves used in medical procedures. This type of waste poses a high risk of spreading infectious diseases if not handled properly. It must be placed in red biohazard bags or sealed containers to prevent exposure and ensure safe transportation. At [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/), biohazardous waste is managed following stringent regulatory guidelines to neutralize pathogens before final disposal. These measures are designed to protect public health and ensure the safe, compliant management of infectious materials. #### Pharmaceutical Waste: Protecting Health and the Environment Pharmaceutical waste includes expired, unused, or contaminated medications and vaccines. Hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies generate significant quantities of this type of waste, which can harm the environment if not disposed of correctly. Certain pharmaceuticals are classified as hazardous waste due to their toxicity, and improper disposal can lead to contamination of soil and water sources. To prevent environmental damage, pharmaceutical waste must be segregated and managed separately from other types of waste. Waste Medic provides specialized disposal programs that comply with federal and state regulations, ensuring that these substances are safely collected, transported, and disposed of without posing a threat to public health or the environment. #### Sharps Waste: Ensuring Safe Disposal of Needles and Scalpels [Sharps waste](https://wastemedic.com/2024/04/safeguarding-health-the-vital-role-of-proper-sharps-disposal-in-hospitals/) encompasses items such as needles, scalpels, and other tools capable of puncturing the skin. This type of waste is particularly common in healthcare settings but presents significant risks if not managed correctly. Improper disposal of sharps can lead to accidental needlesticks and the transmission of infections like hepatitis and HIV. Proper disposal involves placing sharps in puncture-resistant containers that are clearly marked and designed to prevent spills and injuries. Waste Medic’s sharps disposal services adhere to OSHA regulations, ensuring that all sharps are collected and disposed of safely. Our process protects healthcare workers and patients, minimizing the risks associated with sharps waste. #### Pathological Waste: Handling with Sensitivity and Compliance Pathological waste includes human tissues, organs, and other body parts removed during surgeries or autopsies. This category of waste requires careful handling due to its potential to carry infectious agents and its sensitive nature. Proper disposal involves secure and discreet containment to maintain respect for patients and prevent exposure. Waste Medic manages pathological waste through incineration or other approved methods, ensuring that it is destroyed completely in compliance with healthcare regulations. By following these practices, Waste Medic helps healthcare facilities manage this type of waste with the respect and care it demands. #### Trace Chemotherapy Waste: Safe Disposal of Hazardous Materials Chemotherapy treatments often leave behind trace amounts of toxic drugs in items like IV bags, vials, and protective equipment. Even small traces of chemotherapy drugs can be hazardous, requiring specialized disposal methods to prevent exposure and contamination. Improper disposal not only poses risks to healthcare workers but can also affect the environment. At Waste Medic, we follow EPA and OSHA regulations for the safe collection and disposal of chemotherapy waste. By managing these hazardous materials responsibly, we protect both healthcare staff and the broader environment from the harmful effects of toxic substances. #### Partnering with Waste Medic for Safe Medical Waste Management Each type of medical waste carries unique risks and requires specific disposal methods to ensure safety and compliance. By understanding and implementing the proper handling techniques, healthcare facilities can protect their staff, patients, and the environment. Waste Medic provides comprehensive medical waste management services tailored to meet these needs. Whether dealing with biohazardous materials, sharps, or pharmaceutical waste, our team follows best practices and regulatory guidelines to offer safe, reliable, and compliant disposal solutions. Contact us today to learn how we can help your facility manage its medical waste efficiently and safely. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, FAQs **Tags:** small business medical waste services, safe medical waste disposal services, on-demand medical waste removal, no contract medical waste disposal, medical waste pick-up, personalized medical waste solutions, sharps disposal services, local medical waste disposal, Southeastern U.S. medical waste, biohazard waste disposal, custom waste management solutions, flexible waste management, regulated medical waste, healthcare waste management, Medical waste disposal --- ### [Walmart to pay $7.5 million to resolve California hazardous waste charges](https://wastemedic.com/2024/10/23/walmart-to-pay-7-5-million-to-resolve-california-hazardous-waste-charges/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Walmart will pay $7.5 million to resolve charges that the largest U.S. retailer illegally disposed of hazardous and medical waste from its facilities into California municipal landfills. **Content:** By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -Walmart will pay $7.5 million to resolve charges that the largest U.S. retailer illegally disposed of hazardous and medical waste from its facilities into California municipal landfills. The settlement was announced on Tuesday by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, following more than 70 audits by authorities of waste that Walmart sent to the landfills between 2015 and 2021. Bonta said the audits found thousands of containers of toxic aerosols and liquid wastes including spray paints, rust removers, bleach, pesticides and medical waste such as over-the-counter drugs. He also said Walmart regularly failed to protect customers’ personal identifying information by disposing of customer records without first making the information impossible to read. Without admitting wrongdoing, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer agreed to pay a $4.3 million civil fine plus $3.2 million to cover legal costs. It also agreed to hire an independent auditor to conduct waste audits at its California facilities over the next four years, and to improve its current hazardous waste programs when necessary or to comply with changes in the law. Walmart said in a statement it was pleased that the settlement recognized how it shared California’s goal of protecting the environment and residents’ health and safety. The settlement resolves a lawsuit that California filed in February 2022, and requires court approval. Walmart has 309 stores, including Sam’s Clubs, in the state, according to its website. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Stephen Coates) *This post, [Walmart to pay $7.5 million to resolve California hazardous waste charges](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/walmart-pay-7-5-million-195847652.html), originally appeared on [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/walmart-pay-7-5-million-195847652.html) on October 22, 2024.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [Prioritize Compliance in 2025: Medical Waste Management Best Practices](https://wastemedic.com/2024/11/23/prioritize-compliance-in-2025-medical-waste-management-best-practices/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Ensure your healthcare facility is ready for 2025 with compliant medical waste management practices. Learn how to manage biohazardous, pharmaceutical, and sharps waste safely, protect public health, and avoid penalties with expert guidance from Waste Medic. **Content:** As the new year approaches, healthcare facilities and organizations must prepare for 2025 with a renewed focus on compliance in [medical waste management](https://wastemedic.com/2024/10/understanding-the-types-of-medical-waste-proper-handling-and-disposal-explained/) and disposal. Properly handling medical waste isn’t just about adhering to regulations—it’s about protecting your patients, staff, and the environment. With evolving standards and increasing scrutiny, prioritizing compliance ensures operational continuity and avoids unnecessary penalties. #### Planning Ahead: Why Compliance Matters in Medical Waste Management Healthcare organizations face strict regulations from federal agencies like OSHA and the EPA, as well as state-specific laws governing medical waste. Non-compliance can lead to significant fines, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. By incorporating waste management planning into your 2025 strategy, you can mitigate risks while demonstrating a commitment to safety and environmental responsibility. Compliance is critical for three main reasons. First, proper segregation and disposal of infectious or biohazardous waste reduce contamination risks, protecting public health. Second, aligning practices with [EPA guidelines](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/epa-issues-hazardous-medical-waste-disposal-guide/) ensures minimal environmental impact, demonstrating your role as a responsible healthcare provider. Lastly, adhering to ever-evolving regulations helps you avoid costly penalties and keeps your operations running smoothly. #### Strategies to Strengthen Compliance in 2025 Start by reviewing and updating your waste management protocols. Assess your current practices to ensure they align with the latest federal, state, and local guidelines. Address any gaps by developing actionable steps and communicating these updates to your team. Training is another essential component. Regular education for your staff ensures everyone is equipped to follow proper waste segregation, storage, and disposal practices. Certification for handling specialized waste streams like sharps or pharmaceutical waste can further improve compliance efforts. Evaluate your service providers to ensure they meet high standards for waste disposal. Partnering with a licensed medical waste disposal provider not only guarantees proper handling but also keeps you informed of regulatory changes that could affect your organization. Finally, establish or enhance documentation and tracking systems. Keeping thorough records of all waste disposal processes is vital for compliance audits and demonstrating adherence to regulations. Utilizing digital tools to track and manage waste metrics can make this process more efficient, allowing you to focus on patient care. #### Partnering with Experts for Seamless Compliance When it comes to medical waste management, working with experts can simplify the complexities of compliance. Waste Medic specializes in providing tailored solutions for healthcare facilities, dental practices, and laboratories. We help organizations stay compliant while focusing on their core mission of delivering quality care. Whether you’re handling [biohazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/), sharps, or pharmaceuticals, our team ensures safe and responsible disposal that aligns with current regulations. Let us take the guesswork out of compliance for 2025. Ready to get started? [Request a no-obligation quote](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, FAQs **Tags:** sharps disposal services, OSHA medical waste guidelines, healthcare waste regulations, sharps waste disposal, medical waste management 2025, biohazardous waste disposal, medical waste compliance, safe medical waste disposal services, on-demand medical waste removal, no contract medical waste disposal, medical waste pick-up, personalized medical waste solutions, local medical waste disposal, Southeastern U.S. medical waste, small business medical waste services, biohazard waste disposal, custom waste management solutions, flexible waste management, regulated medical waste, Waste Medic, healthcare waste management, Medical waste disposal --- ### [Prepare for 2025: How to Build a Biohazardous Waste Management Plan](https://wastemedic.com/2024/11/30/prepare-for-2025-how-to-build-a-biohazardous-waste-management-plan/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Learn how to prepare your facility for 2025 with a comprehensive waste management plan. Discover the benefits of planning ahead and how Waste Medic can help ensure compliance and efficiency. **Content:** As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, proper planning for waste management has become increasingly critical. With [2025 just around the corner](https://wastemedic.com/2024/11/prioritize-compliance-in-2025-medical-waste-management-best-practices/), it’s the perfect time to evaluate your current processes, ensure compliance, and establish a comprehensive strategy for the upcoming year. At [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/), we understand the complexities of medical waste disposal and are here to support your facility with tailored solutions, compliance expertise, and ongoing assistance. ### Why Planning Ahead is Essential Planning for medical waste management is not just about meeting compliance requirements—it’s about creating a safer, more efficient environment for your staff and patients. A well-thought-out plan can help mitigate risks, optimize operations, and position your facility for success in the coming year. Studies show that healthcare facilities in the U.S. generate over [two million tons of medical waste annually](https://washingtondc.jhu.edu/news/how-the-health-care-system-can-help-reduce-climate-change/). Without proper handling, this waste poses significant risks to both people and the environment. Additionally, regulatory violations related to medical waste disposal can result in costly penalties, tarnished reputations, and potential harm to staff and patients. ### The Benefits of a Strategic Waste Management Plan Developing a waste management plan for 2025 offers several benefits: - **Improved Safety:** Proactive planning helps minimize exposure to hazardous waste, protecting staff and patients from harm. - **Regulatory Compliance:** Staying ahead of evolving regulations ensures your facility remains compliant and avoids fines. - **Operational Efficiency:** By streamlining workflows and identifying areas for improvement, a well-structured plan reduces disruptions and enhances day-to-day operations. ### How Waste Medic Can Support Your Goals At Waste Medic, we believe in building partnerships with healthcare facilities to simplify medical waste management. Our services are designed to address the unique needs of your organization, ensuring compliance and operational success. #### Tailored Waste Management Solutions No two facilities are the same, which is why we offer customized waste management plans. Our solutions are developed to align with your facility’s specific requirements, helping you achieve efficiency and compliance effortlessly. #### Expert Guidance for Compliance Navigating the complexities of medical waste regulations can be challenging. Waste Medic provides expert advice to help you stay informed about current rules and maintain confidence in your waste management practices. #### Ongoing Support for Long-Term Success Medical waste management is a continuous process, not a one-time task. Our team offers ongoing support, from staff training to compliance audits, ensuring your facility consistently meets industry standards and remains prepared for future challenges. ### Start Planning for 2025 Today As the year draws to a close, now is the time to assess your current processes and create a strategic waste management plan. Evaluate your workflows, prioritize staff training, and consider potential growth in waste volume to ensure your facility is ready for a compliant and efficient 2025. Waste Medic is here to support you at every step. With our expertise, tailored solutions, and ongoing assistance, we’ll help you build a comprehensive [waste management strategy](https://wastemedic.com/services/) that safeguards your facility, staff, and patients. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** FAQs, Medical Waste **Tags:** medical waste management 2025, Southeastern U.S. medical waste, local medical waste disposal, sharps disposal services, personalized medical waste solutions, medical waste pick-up, no contract medical waste disposal, on-demand medical waste removal, safe medical waste disposal services, medical waste compliance, biohazardous waste disposal, small business medical waste services, sharps waste disposal, healthcare waste regulations, OSHA medical waste guidelines, compliance, waste disposal planning, strategic waste management, 2025 compliance, staff training, operational efficiency, Medical waste disposal, healthcare waste management, Waste Medic, medical waste management, healthcare waste, regulated medical waste, flexible waste management, custom waste management solutions, biohazard waste disposal --- ### [Sharps Safety Matters: Protecting Healthcare Workers This December](https://wastemedic.com/2024/12/19/sharps-safety-matters-protecting-healthcare-workers-this-december/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Learn how to protect healthcare workers during International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month. Explore the risks of sharps injuries, prevention strategies, and the importance of proper medical waste management. **Content:** December is recognized as [**International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month**](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/sharps-safety-guidelines), a critical time to focus on the risks of sharps-related injuries and the steps needed to protect healthcare workers. Injuries from needlesticks and other sharp medical instruments not only cause physical harm but also carry the risk of transmitting infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. This month offers an opportunity to raise awareness, implement safer practices, and highlight how proper medical waste disposal contributes to reducing these risks. ### The Hidden Risks of Sharps Injuries Sharps injuries are a common occupational hazard in healthcare, with more than 385,000 incidents reported each year in the United States, **[according to the CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/nora/councils/hcsa/stopsticks/sharpsinjuries.html)**. These injuries often occur during routine procedures, such as injections, blood draws, and waste disposal. Healthcare workers face not only the immediate pain of injury but also the emotional stress and potential long-term consequences of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Employers also bear the responsibility for managing the legal and financial implications of such incidents, making prevention a shared priority. ### Effective Strategies to Reduce Sharps Injuries Prevention starts with a commitment to safety and awareness. The [**National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)**](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/index.html) promotes initiatives like the Stop Sticks Campaign, which emphasizes education, technology, and reporting to reduce incidents. Using safety-engineered devices, such as retractable needles, can significantly lower the likelihood of injury. Proper handling and immediate disposal of sharps in puncture-resistant containers are equally critical. Regular staff training ensures that healthcare workers are equipped to follow best practices and respond appropriately if an injury occurs. A culture that encourages reporting allows facilities to address risks proactively and improve safety measures over time. ### The Role of Medical Waste Management in Sharps Safety Proper medical waste disposal is an essential element of sharps injury prevention. Facilities that prioritize compliance with OSHA regulations and partner with professional waste management providers can create a safer work environment. At [**Waste Medic**](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/), we specialize in sharps waste management, offering services such as supplying OSHA-compliant sharps containers, timely removal of hazardous waste, and staff training on proper disposal methods. These services ensure that sharps are handled responsibly, reducing risks for healthcare workers and the broader community. ### Taking Action This December International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month is an ideal time to reassess your facility’s safety protocols and medical waste management practices. By adopting safer devices, providing consistent training, and working with trusted partners like Waste Medic, healthcare facilities can reduce sharps-related injuries and protect their teams. Promoting sharps safety not only protects healthcare workers but also builds a culture of care and responsibility within the workplace. Together, we can create safer environments for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, sharps safety, OSHA compliance, sharps injury prevention, needlestick injuries, healthcare worker safety, sharps waste management, sharps containers, infection prevention --- ### [Managing Medical Waste Disposal During the Holidays: Overcoming Staffing Challenges](https://wastemedic.com/2024/12/19/managing-medical-waste-disposal-during-the-holidays-overcoming-staffing-challenges/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Discover how to manage medical waste disposal during the holidays despite staffing challenges. Learn key strategies to maintain safety and compliance during the busy season. **Content:** The holiday season brings unique challenges for healthcare facilities, including increased patient volume, reduced staffing, and holiday closures. While patient care remains the priority, it’s essential not to overlook one critical aspect of operations: [**proper medical waste disposal**](https://wastemedic.com/2024/11/prioritize-compliance-in-2025-medical-waste-management-best-practices/). Staffing changes during the holidays can increase the risk of errors in handling and disposing of medical waste, leading to workplace hazards, environmental harm, and compliance risks. Here’s how healthcare facilities can maintain safety and efficiency during this busy time. ### **The Impact of Holiday Staffing on Medical Waste Disposal** During the holidays, healthcare facilities often face reduced staff availability, reliance on temporary workers, and shifting schedules. These changes can lead to delays in waste removal, resulting in overflowing containers or improperly stored waste, which pose significant safety hazards. Temporary staff or employees covering extra shifts may not be fully trained on proper waste disposal protocols, increasing the likelihood of errors. Additionally, inconsistent disposal practices can create compliance issues, putting facilities at risk of violating OSHA or state regulations. ### **Strategies for Managing Medical Waste During Staffing Changes** To ensure safe and compliant medical waste disposal during the holidays, healthcare facilities should focus on the following key strategies: **Review and reinforce training**: Provide refresher training on proper disposal practices, particularly for temporary staff. Emphasize the importance of using designated containers for sharps, pharmaceuticals, and biohazardous waste. **Partner with a trusted medical waste provider**: Work with a provider like Waste Medic to schedule timely pickups and ensure waste doesn’t accumulate during holiday closures. **Streamline processes with clear signage**: Use clear and visible signs near disposal areas to remind staff of proper procedures, reducing the chance of errors. **Prepare for holiday surges**: Anticipate higher patient volume and adjust waste management schedules to accommodate increased waste generation. ### **Start the New Year with Improved Safety Practices** As the holiday season winds down, it’s an ideal time to review your facility’s medical waste management protocols. Conduct **[an audit to identify gaps](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/has-the-time-come-for-a-medical-waste-audit-at-your-organization/)**, update staff training programs, and establish goals for compliance and sustainability in the new year. By prioritizing medical waste disposal during the holidays, healthcare facilities can protect staff, patients, and the environment while staying compliant with regulations. At Waste Medic, we’re here to help you maintain safe and efficient operations year-round, even during the busiest times. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Waste Medic, sharps disposal, OSHA compliance, sustainable waste disposal, holiday medical waste disposal, staffing challenges, healthcare safety, biohazard waste management, healthcare waste safety, medical waste services --- ### [Proper Segregation Techniques: A Refresher for Healthcare Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2025/01/24/proper-segregation-techniques-a-refresher-for-healthcare-facilities/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Learn proper medical waste segregation techniques with this refresher for healthcare facilities. Discover best practices for biohazardous, sharps, and pharmaceutical waste to ensure safety, compliance, and environmental protection. **Content:** **Why Proper Waste Segregation Matters** Medical waste segregation is one of the most critical components of healthcare facility management. Proper segregation ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, minimizes environmental impact, and protects staff, patients, and the community from potential harm. This refresher will revisit best practices and provide actionable tips to improve segregation techniques for biohazardous, sharps, and pharmaceutical waste. **Understanding Waste Categories** Healthcare facilities generate a variety of waste types, each requiring unique handling and disposal methods. Misclassifying waste can lead to fines, increased disposal costs, or even safety hazards. Here’s a quick breakdown of common waste categories: - [**Biohazardous Waste**](https://wastemedic.com/2024/05/mastering-medical-waste-segregation-a-comprehensive-guide/): Includes items contaminated with blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials. - [**Sharps Waste**](https://wastemedic.com/2024/04/safeguarding-health-the-vital-role-of-proper-sharps-disposal-in-hospitals/): Covers items such as needles, syringes, and lancets, which pose puncture or laceration risks. - [**Pharmaceutical Waste**](https://wastemedic.com/2022/07/pharmaceutical-trace-chemotherapy-other-medical-waste-transportation-services-in-nashville/): Encompasses expired, unused, or contaminated medications that require safe disposal to avoid environmental contamination. **Best Practices for Segregating Biohazardous Waste** Biohazardous waste should be placed in red biohazard bags clearly marked with the universal biohazard symbol. Bags must be leak-proof, securely tied, and disposed of in designated containers. Always ensure staff is trained on recognizing and properly handling biohazardous materials to maintain compliance. **Proper Handling of Sharps Waste** Sharps waste requires extra care to avoid injuries and contamination. Use puncture-resistant sharps containers that are color-coded (typically red) and labeled for sharps disposal. Place containers at the point of care to encourage immediate and safe disposal. Never overfill sharps containers—replace them when they are three-quarters full. **Managing Pharmaceutical Waste Safely** Segregation of pharmaceutical waste starts with identifying whether a medication is hazardous or non-hazardous. Use blue or black containers (based on facility guidelines) for pharmaceutical waste. Controlled substances should be segregated and handled according to DEA regulations. Educate staff on identifying hazardous medications to prevent improper disposal. **Training & Compliance: The Foundation of Success** Consistent training and clear communication are essential for effective waste segregation. Healthcare facilities should regularly train staff on the latest regulatory updates and provide easy-to-follow guidelines for segregating waste. Implementing routine audits can also ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement. *Proper segregation techniques are more than just a compliance requirement—they are a commitment to protecting people and the environment. By following these best practices for biohazardous, sharps, and pharmaceutical waste, healthcare facilities can reduce risks, cut costs, and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** healthcare waste management, biohazardous waste, Medical waste segregation, pharmaceutical waste, medical waste compliance, healthcare safety, proper waste disposal, sharps waste, waste segregation best practices, waste disposal tips --- ### [Ensuring Compliance & Safety: Temperature Monitoring for Medical & Food Storage](https://wastemedic.com/2025/01/31/ensuring-compliance-safety-temperature-monitoring-for-medical-food-storage/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Waste Medic now offers Medical Refrigeration Monitoring Services to help healthcare facilities protect critical supplies, simplify compliance, and prevent product loss with advanced wireless solutions. **Content:** At Waste Medic, we’ve built a reputation as a trusted partner for medical waste disposal services, helping healthcare providers and organizations safely and responsibly manage **[biohazardous](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/)**, pharmaceutical, sharps, and trace chemotherapy waste. Now, we’re taking our commitment to supporting healthcare operations a step further with our medical refrigeration monitoring services, designed to protect your supplies, enhance compliance, and simplify operations. We understand that your organization faces challenges in safeguarding critical medical products like vaccines, medications, and laboratory samples. But temperature monitoring doesn’t stop with medical supplies. Hospitals and long-term care facilities are also required to track and document the temperature of walk-in coolers and refrigerators that store food for patients and residents. With our monitoring solutions, you can ensure food safety compliance, prevent spoilage, and protect the health of those under your care. **[Powered by Onformant](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WM-Onformant_Medical-Refrigeration.pdf)**, our real-time temperature monitoring system helps facilities maintain proper storage conditions for both medical supplies and food, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. ### Why Choose Waste Medic for Refrigeration Monitoring? #### **Safeguard Your Valuable Supplies and Food Storage** Our monitoring system goes beyond traditional air temperature measurements, focusing on simulated medical supply temperatures for maximum precision. With **[NIST-certified, calibrated, and traceable sensors](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WM-Onformant_Wireless-Monitoring.pdf)**, you’ll ensure accuracy in protecting your inventory. This same technology also applies to food storage, ensuring perishable items remain at safe temperatures to **[prevent spoilage and foodborne illness](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WM-Onformant_Prevent-Product-Loss.pdf)**. #### **Proactive Alerts to Prevent Product Loss** When temperature thresholds are exceeded, you’ll receive instant text and email notifications. These real-time alerts allow you to act quickly to prevent costly product loss, whether it’s vaccines, medications, or perishable food supplies for patients and residents. #### **Effortless Compliance and Reporting** Meeting regulatory requirements is critical but often time-consuming. Our service automates compliance with CDC digital monitoring guidelines and supports programs like the Vaccines for Children program. For food storage applications, it helps facilities comply with health and safety regulations, ensuring proper cold chain management for perishable goods. Weekly automated email reports and lifetime certification tracking provide peace of mind. #### **Data at Your Fingertips** Easily access and analyze historical temperature data through a user-friendly dashboard. Searchable, exportable, and long-term storage ensures you have the data you need for audits, compliance checks, or operational reviews. Whether tracking medical supplies or food storage, you’ll always have reliable temperature data when you need it. #### **Seamless Installation and Lifetime Support** The system is wireless, battery-powered, and designed for quick installation. With no calibration fees, lifetime warranties on sensors, and certifications managed every five years, it’s a hands-off solution. Whether used for medical refrigeration or food storage monitoring, the system ensures accuracy and reliability without added operational burden. ### **Who Can Benefit?** This service is ideal for a variety of healthcare and medical facilities, including health departments, medical clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, senior care homes, veterinarians, animal hospitals, and blood and plasma centers. It is also beneficial for long-term care and assisted living facilities, which must closely monitor food storage temperatures to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Any facility responsible for maintaining the proper storage of medical supplies or perishable food items can benefit from this monitoring system, helping to reduce risk, prevent loss, and simplify compliance. ### **A Trusted Partner in Healthcare Operations** For years, Waste Medic has been a reliable partner in helping healthcare facilities manage their medical waste safely and responsibly. Our full suite of services includes the disposal of biohazardous waste, sharps, pharmaceuticals, and trace chemotherapy materials. Now, with the addition of medical refrigeration monitoring, we’re proud to expand our support for healthcare providers in managing their operations efficiently and effectively. ### **Protect Your Supplies and Streamline Compliance** Waste Medic is here to help you safeguard your most critical medical supplies with minimal effort. Contact us today to learn more about our medical refrigeration monitoring services and how they can benefit your facility. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Waste Medic services, Medical refrigeration monitoring, temperature monitoring for healthcare, NIST-certified sensors, CDC compliance, medical supply protection, Onformant monitoring, vaccine storage, healthcare inventory management --- ### [The Hidden Costs of Improper Medical Waste Disposal: Compliance Risks, Fines, and Patient Safety](https://wastemedic.com/2025/02/16/the-hidden-costs-of-improper-medical-waste-disposal-compliance-risks-fines-and-patient-safety/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Avoid costly fines and compliance risks—learn how improper medical waste disposal can impact your facility and patient safety. Discover best practices to stay compliant with OSHA and EPA regulations. **Content:** Medical waste disposal is more than just a regulatory requirement—it’s a critical component of public health and environmental safety. Healthcare providers, hospitals, and medical offices that fail to follow proper waste disposal protocols can face severe financial penalties, legal consequences, and risks to patient and staff safety. Understanding the Financial & Legal ConsequencesRegulatory agencies such as the [**Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)**](https://www.epa.gov/) and [**Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)**](https://www.osha.gov/) impose strict guidelines for handling biohazardous waste. Noncompliance can result in fines ranging from $7,000 to $70,000 per violation, depending on the severity of the infraction. Additionally, violations under the [**Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)**](https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-resource-conservation-and-recovery-act) can lead to civil penalties of up to $50,000 per day. In 2023, multiple healthcare facilities across the U.S. faced six-figure fines due to improper medical waste disposal. Common violations included: - **Improper disposal of sharps**, leading to accidental needle sticks and disease transmission risks - **Mishandling of pharmaceutical waste**, resulting in groundwater contamination - **Failure to segregate biohazardous waste**, increasing exposure risks for staff and patients #### The Impact on Patient Safety Beyond financial consequences, improper medical waste management poses significant risks to patient and community health. [Bloodborne pathogens](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/bloodborne-pathogens-training-why-its-important/), hazardous chemicals, and infectious materials can spread if waste is not disposed of correctly. According to the [**World Health Organization (WHO)**](https://www.who.int/), nearly 16 billion injections are administered globally each year, but not all needles and syringes are disposed of safely. Facilities that fail to properly manage medical waste may see an increase in: - **Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)** due to contaminated surfaces and materials - **Occupational exposure incidents** among healthcare workers - **Public health concerns**, including the potential for disease outbreaks #### How to Ensure Compliance & Mitigate Risk To avoid fines and protect staff and patients, healthcare organizations should implement comprehensive waste management protocols. Partnering with a trusted medical waste disposal provider, like **[Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/)**, ensures regulatory compliance, minimizes liability, and promotes a safe healthcare environment. Key steps to safeguard your facility: 1. **Train Staff Regularly** – Ensure all employees are educated on the latest disposal regulations. 2. **Separate Waste Properly** – Use **color-coded containers** to distinguish between general waste, biohazardous waste, and pharmaceuticals. 3. **Stay Updated on Regulations** – Keep track of evolving compliance requirements from OSHA, EPA, and state agencies. 4. **Work with a Certified Waste Management Provider** – A specialized partner can help you streamline waste disposal, reduce risk, and stay compliant. #### Protect Your Facility with Waste Medic Don’t let improper medical waste disposal put your facility at risk. At **[Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/)**, we provide safe, compliant, and cost-effective waste management solutions for healthcare providers nationwide. Our team ensures your facility stays ahead of regulatory changes while maintaining the highest safety standards. **[Contact us today](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/)** to learn how we can help your facility stay compliant and avoid unnecessary fines. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, healthcare waste management, sharps disposal, EPA regulations, healthcare compliance, improper medical waste, OSHA medical waste, biohazard waste fines, patient safety risks, hazardous waste --- ### [Understanding the Different Types of Medical Waste & Their Disposal Needs](https://wastemedic.com/2024/08/22/understanding-the-different-types-of-medical-waste-their-disposal-needs/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Learn about the various types of medical waste, including biohazardous, sharps, pharmaceutical, and trace chemotherapy waste, and discover the essential disposal methods needed to ensure safety and compliance. **Content:** [Medical waste management](https://wastemedic.com/2024/05/mastering-medical-waste-segregation-a-comprehensive-guide/) is a critical aspect of healthcare operations, requiring careful attention to detail and strict adherence to regulations. The diversity of waste generated in healthcare settings necessitates a thorough understanding of the different types of medical waste and the specific disposal protocols required to ensure safety, prevent contamination, and maintain compliance with regulations. #### Biohazardous Waste [Biohazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/), often referred to as infectious waste, includes any material that poses a threat to human health due to potential exposure to pathogens. This category includes items such as blood-soaked bandages, contaminated gloves, and other materials that have come into contact with bodily fluids. Proper disposal of biohazardous waste is crucial to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Typically, this waste must be placed in labeled, leak-proof containers and treated through methods such as autoclaving or incineration to neutralize any hazardous components. #### Sharps Waste Sharps waste includes needles, syringes, scalpels, and other items that can puncture or cut the skin. Due to the risk of injury and potential exposure to infectious agents, sharps require special handling. They must be disposed of in puncture-resistant, labeled containers specifically designed for [sharps disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2024/03/the-top-5-reasons-proper-sharps-disposal-is-vital-for-medical-organizations/). These containers are then processed through incineration or other approved methods to ensure the waste is rendered safe. Sharps disposal is particularly important in preventing needlestick injuries, which can have serious health implications for healthcare workers and waste handlers. #### Pharmaceutical Waste Pharmaceutical waste includes expired, unused, or contaminated medications that must be disposed of properly to avoid environmental contamination and public health risks. Incorrect disposal of pharmaceuticals can lead to the contamination of water supplies, posing significant health risks. Pharmaceutical waste must be segregated from other types of medical waste and disposed of through methods that prevent leaching of chemicals into the environment, such as incineration or chemical neutralization. Healthcare facilities must adhere to stringent regulations to ensure that pharmaceutical waste is managed in a way that protects both human health and the environment. #### Trace Chemotherapy Waste Trace chemotherapy waste includes items that have been contaminated with chemotherapeutic agents, such as gloves, gowns, IV tubing, and empty drug vials. Due to the highly toxic nature of these agents, even trace amounts can pose serious health risks. This type of waste must be handled with extreme care, often requiring disposal in specialized containers and treatment through high-temperature incineration to ensure complete destruction of hazardous residues. Proper management of trace chemotherapy waste is essential to protect healthcare workers and the environment from the dangers of toxic chemical exposure. #### Manage Waste Safely & Effectively with Waste Medic Understanding the different types of medical waste and their disposal needs is crucial for healthcare facilities to maintain compliance with regulations, protect public health, and minimize environmental impact. By adhering to proper disposal protocols, healthcare providers can ensure that their waste is managed safely and effectively, contributing to a safer healthcare environment for all. Waste Medic provides compliant transportation, treatment and disposal of regulated medical waste in accordance with all laws and regulations at competitive and fair pricing. Our specialists evaluate your current service and identify measures to control your medical waste disposal cost. Contact us for a consultation and [no-obligation quote](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, biohazardous waste, medical waste management, sharps disposal, pharmaceutical waste, trace chemotherapy waste, healthcare compliance --- ### [The Rising Costs of Non-Compliance: Why Proper Medical Waste Disposal is Essential](https://wastemedic.com/2024/08/22/the-rising-costs-of-non-compliance-why-proper-medical-waste-disposal-is-essential/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Discover the financial and legal risks of non-compliance with medical waste disposal regulations and learn how proper waste management can protect your healthcare facility from costly penalties. **Content:** The disposal of [medical waste](https://wastemedic.com/2024/08/understanding-the-different-types-of-medical-waste-their-disposal-needs/) is not just a matter of routine; it is a critical compliance issue that carries significant financial and legal implications. As regulations surrounding medical waste become increasingly stringent, the costs of non-compliance have risen dramatically. Healthcare facilities that fail to adhere to proper disposal protocols not only risk hefty fines but also face potential legal action, damage to their reputation, and increased operational costs. #### The Financial Impact of Non-Compliance Non-compliance with [medical waste disposal regulations](https://wastemedic.com/2023/04/6-things-to-know-about-medical-waste-regulations-risks/) can result in substantial financial penalties. Fines for improper disposal practices can range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of the violation and the potential harm caused. In addition to fines, healthcare facilities may incur additional costs related to corrective actions, legal fees, and increased insurance premiums. The financial burden of non-compliance can be crippling, particularly for smaller healthcare providers who may already be operating on tight budgets. #### Legal Risks & Liability Beyond financial penalties, non-compliance with medical waste disposal regulations exposes healthcare facilities to significant legal risks. Regulatory bodies, such as the [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](https://www.epa.gov/) and the [Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)](https://www.osha.gov/), enforce strict guidelines for the handling and disposal of medical waste. Violations of these regulations can result in legal action, including lawsuits and criminal charges, particularly if improper disposal practices lead to environmental contamination or harm to public health. Healthcare providers must be vigilant in their waste management practices to avoid legal liability and ensure they are operating within the bounds of the law. #### Reputational Damage The consequences of non-compliance extend beyond financial and legal ramifications. Healthcare facilities found to be in violation of medical waste disposal regulations may suffer irreparable damage to their reputation. In an industry where trust and safety are paramount, public knowledge of non-compliance can lead to a loss of patient confidence, reduced patient volumes, and damage to relationships with regulatory bodies and business partners. Protecting the reputation of a healthcare facility is as important as maintaining compliance, as the two are inextricably linked. #### Prioritizing Compliance and Safety To avoid the rising costs of non-compliance, healthcare facilities must prioritize proper medical waste disposal as a core component of their operations. This involves implementing robust waste management protocols, ensuring staff are adequately trained, and regularly reviewing and updating practices to align with the latest regulations. Partnering with a reliable medical waste disposal service, like [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/), can help healthcare providers navigate the complexities of compliance, reduce the risk of non-compliance, and protect their financial and legal standing. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, medical waste management, healthcare compliance, non-compliance, healthcare regulations, financial penalties, legal risks --- ### [The Hidden Risks of Improper Medical Waste Disposal: Why Compliance Matters More Than Ever](https://wastemedic.com/2024/09/10/the-hidden-risks-of-improper-medical-waste-disposal-why-compliance-matters-more-than-ever/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Discover the environmental, legal, and health risks of improper medical waste disposal and learn how Waste Medic helps healthcare facilities stay compliant. Request a no-obligation quote today. **Content:** When it comes to running a healthcare facility, proper medical waste disposal is not just about following regulations—it’s about protecting your staff, patients, and the environment. The risks associated with i[mproper waste disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2024/04/improper-disposal-of-medical-waste-costs-health-systems-the-environment-2/) go beyond legal consequences; they can lead to severe health hazards and environmental damage. In this post, we’ll explore the hidden dangers of improper medical waste handling and why compliance should be your top priority. ### Environmental Hazards: The Long-Term Damage Improper medical waste disposal has a profound impact on the environment. Infectious waste, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals can contaminate water supplies, harm wildlife, and cause air pollution if not handled correctly. When medical waste isn’t properly incinerated or treated, harmful chemicals and pathogens can seep into groundwater, affecting drinking water supplies. Likewise, improperly discarded waste degrades soil quality, affecting plant life and agricultural output in surrounding areas. Additionally, open burning of medical waste, [especially sharps](https://wastemedic.com/2024/03/the-top-5-reasons-proper-sharps-disposal-is-vital-for-medical-organizations/) and pharmaceuticals, can release toxic pollutants into the air, contributing to respiratory issues in nearby communities. [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) uses eco-friendly disposal methods that meet regulatory standards to prevent these long-term environmental impacts. ### Legal Consequences: Avoiding Costly Fines and Penalties Regulatory bodies like the [Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)](https://www.osha.gov/) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have strict guidelines for medical waste disposal. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and legal action. Failing to properly manage medical waste can lead to fines ranging from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of the violation. Moreover, if improper waste disposal leads to public health issues or environmental damage, your facility could face lawsuits, further damaging your financial stability and reputation. With Waste Medic, you can rest easy knowing your facility stays compliant with all local, state, and federal regulations, protecting your bottom line from costly penalties. ### Health Risks: Protecting Your Patients and Staff Improper disposal of medical waste poses serious health risks, especially to healthcare workers, patients, and waste management staff. Exposure to [bloodborne pathogens](https://wastemedic.com/2024/02/back-to-basics-hiv-hepatitis-b-and-c-and-bloodborne-pathogens/), bacteria, and viruses from improperly disposed waste can lead to the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and tuberculosis. Furthermore, improper sharps disposal increases the risk of needlestick injuries, which can lead to the transmission of infectious diseases among healthcare staff. The improper disposal of hazardous chemicals can result in toxic exposure, causing burns, respiratory issues, or other long-term health problems. By partnering with Waste Medic, you ensure that all waste is disposed of safely, minimizing health risks to your staff and patients. ### Financial Consequences: The Hidden Costs of Non-Compliance Cutting corners with medical waste disposal may seem like a cost-saving measure at first, but it often leads to significant financial losses in the long run. Treating infections or injuries resulting from improper waste disposal adds to healthcare costs. The expenses related to training staff, purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE), and correcting compliance violations also accumulate. Additionally, a single incident of improper waste management can damage your facility’s reputation, causing patients to lose trust and seek care elsewhere. At Waste Medic, we offer transparent, affordable medical waste disposal services that help you avoid financial losses. Plus, we provide free, no-obligation quotes to help you budget effectively. ### Ensuring Your Facility’s Future: Why Waste Medic is the Right Choice At Waste Medic, we understand the importance of proper medical waste disposal for healthcare facilities. We provide complete compliance with OSHA, EPA, and other regulatory bodies to ensure your facility stays safe and compliant. Our team specializes in the safe and secure disposal of all types of medical waste, including biohazardous waste, sharps, and pharmaceuticals, using eco-friendly methods that help minimize environmental impact. We offer affordable services tailored to your facility’s needs, making medical waste disposal stress-free and cost-effective. Protect your staff, patients, and facility by partnering with Waste Medic. Contact us today for a no-obligation quote, and let us take the hassle out of medical waste disposal. ### Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore Proper Medical Waste Disposal Don’t let improper medical waste disposal put your facility at risk. The potential hazards—environmental, legal, health-related, and financial—are too significant to ignore. Waste Medic provides the compliant, reliable solutions you need to safely manage your medical waste. Contact us now for a free, [no-obligation quote](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) and safeguard your facility’s future. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, improper medical waste disposal, healthcare waste, biohazard disposal, compliance risks, medical waste regulations, healthcare facility safety, Waste Medic services, no-obligation quote --- ### [The Importance of a Customized Medical Waste Disposal Plan for Your Facility](https://wastemedic.com/2024/09/26/the-importance-of-a-customized-medical-waste-disposal-plan-for-your-facility/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** At Waste Medic, we understand that healthcare environments are anything but predictable. That’s why we offer personalized waste management solutions, designed to adapt to your facility's changing demands. **Content:** In the fast-paced world of healthcare, flexibility and reliability are key, especially when it comes to regulated medical waste disposal. [Medical waste](https://wastemedic.com/2024/05/mastering-medical-waste-segregation-a-comprehensive-guide/) must be managed according to strict regulations, and every facility—whether a small clinic or a large hospital—needs a plan that fits its unique needs. At [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/), we understand that healthcare environments are anything but predictable. That’s why we offer personalized waste management solutions, designed to adapt to your facility’s changing demands. Our approach is simple: we work with you, not around you, to ensure your medical waste is handled efficiently, safely, and without locking you into long-term contracts. ### Why is a Medical Waste Disposal Plan Essential? Properly managing regulated medical waste is more than just compliance—it’s about safety and accountability. Waste like sharps, biohazard materials, and [pharmaceuticals](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/what-we-can-do-about-pharmaceutical-waste/) can pose serious risks if not properly disposed of. A trusted waste disposal plan keeps your facility compliant with regulations while protecting both staff and patients from potential harm. In addition to ensuring legal compliance, a well-executed disposal plan minimizes disruptions. With a reliable partner, you can avoid fines, delays, or unintentional contamination that could arise from improper waste management. ### Adapting to Your Needs with Flexibility We know that healthcare doesn’t always follow a schedule. That’s why Waste Medic offers more than just routine pick-ups. Need a last-minute collection? We’ve got you covered. We understand things happen—schedules change, and your needs may shift week to week. Instead of rigid service models, we provide the flexibility to accommodate urgent requests, giving you peace of mind no matter the situation. When you work with Waste Medic, you don’t just get a service—you get a team. You’ll know your drivers, and if you ever need to talk to someone, we’re just a phone call away. This level of personal service is something larger providers often can’t match. ### Your Local Partner in Medical Waste Management As a small business rooted in the Southeastern United States, Waste Medic is proud to be more than just a vendor—we’re your local partner. We don’t rely on one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we customize our services to meet the specific needs of your facility, ensuring that you receive the right solution at the right time, without long-term commitments. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, FAQs **Tags:** small business medical waste services, safe medical waste disposal services, on-demand medical waste removal, no contract medical waste disposal, medical waste pick-up, personalized medical waste solutions, sharps disposal services, local medical waste disposal, Southeastern U.S. medical waste, biohazard waste disposal, custom waste management solutions, flexible waste management, regulated medical waste, healthcare waste management, Medical waste disposal --- ### [Celebrating Independence Day with Waste Medic: Honoring Our Nation’s Heritage](https://wastemedic.com/2024/06/24/celebrating-independence-day-with-waste-medic-honoring-our-nations-heritage/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Celebrate Independence Day with Waste Medic as we honor our nation's heritage. Learn about our commitment to community service and our brief office closure on July 4th. Wishing you a safe and joyous 4th of July! **Content:** As we approach the 4th of July, [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) is proud to join the nation in celebrating Independence Day. This special day commemorates the birth of American freedom and the courage of those who fought for our liberty. It’s a time for family gatherings, fireworks, and reflecting on the values that make our country great. At Waste Medic, we are deeply committed to serving our community and upholding the values of integrity, dedication, and service. Just as our founding fathers envisioned a nation built on freedom and opportunity, we strive to create a company built on trust and excellence. Our mission is to provide reliable and efficient [waste management solutions](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/medical-waste-disposal-understanding-our-diverse-solutions/), ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone. Even as we celebrate, our commitment to our clients remains unwavering. While our office will be closed on Thursday, July 4th, to allow our team to spend time with their loved ones, we have made arrangements to ensure that all client needs are met promptly upon our return on Friday, July 5th. If you have any urgent concerns during this time, please feel free to [reach out](https://wastemedic.com/contact/), and we will respond as soon as possible. Independence Day is a reminder of the importance of community and the impact we can make together. Waste Medic is dedicated to providing top-notch waste management services, and we are constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve our offerings. We appreciate the trust you place in us and look forward to continuing to serve you. From all of us at Waste Medic, we wish you a safe, joyous, and memorable Independence Day. Let’s celebrate the freedoms we cherish and the opportunities that lie ahead. Happy 4th of July! ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events **Tags:** Waste Medic, Independence Day, 4th of July, office closure, community service, waste management, environmental health, American freedom, client commitment, innovation, trust and excellence, holiday announcement, celebrating freedom, customer service, sustainability --- ### [Mastering Dental Sharps Waste Management: A Comprehensive Guide to Safety, Compliance, and Sustainability](https://wastemedic.com/2024/08/10/mastering-dental-sharps-waste-management-a-comprehensive-guide-to-safety-compliance-and-sustainability/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Discover how dental practices can manage sharps waste safely and sustainably. Learn about the lifecycle, regulatory compliance, and innovative technologies that ensure proper disposal while protecting public health and the environment. **Content:** #### The Importance of Dental Sharps Waste Management In today’s dental practices, managing sharps waste is not just a regulatory necessity; it’s a crucial responsibility for safeguarding public health and protecting the environment. Items such as [needles](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/), syringes, and scalpel blades, if not properly handled, can pose significant risks, including injury, infection, and environmental contamination. Proper management of [dental sharps waste](https://wastemedic.com/2024/08/mastering-dental-sharps-waste-management-a-comprehensive-guide-to-safety-compliance-and-sustainability/) ensures the safety of both healthcare professionals and the broader community. #### Understanding Dental Sharps Waste and Its Risks Dental sharps waste includes any items in a dental setting that could puncture or cut the skin, such as needles, broken glass, or contaminated plastic. The primary risk associated with these items is the potential transmission of bloodborne pathogens, which can endanger both dental staff and waste handlers. Every piece of sharp waste carries the dual threat of physical injury and infection, underscoring the critical need for effective management strategies. #### Lifecycle of Dental Sharps Waste Understanding the lifecycle of dental sharps waste helps in identifying key points where safety measures can be implemented. Sharps waste is generated during both routine and specialized dental procedures. Once generated, these items should be placed directly into designated containers using tools that prevent direct contact. These containers must be puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and clearly labeled. Secure storage is essential to prevent unauthorized access and accidental exposure. Certified medical waste handlers are responsible for transporting sharps to treatment facilities, where they are typically autoclaved or incinerated. By meticulously managing each stage of this lifecycle, dental practices can significantly reduce the risks associated with sharps waste. #### Navigating Regulatory Compliance and Industry Standards In the United States and abroad, dental sharps waste disposal is regulated by agencies like [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/), with stringent guidelines designed to protect healthcare workers and the public. Compliance with these regulations is non-negotiable, as non-compliance can result in severe penalties. Proper classification and segregation of sharps waste at the point of generation, the use of approved, puncture-resistant containment systems, regular staff training on the latest safety protocols, and documented procedures for waste handling and disposal are essential to ensure accountability. Beyond mere compliance, dental practices can enhance safety and efficiency by adopting best practices like ‘no-touch’ disposal systems and performing regular audits of waste management protocols. #### Embracing Innovative Waste Management Technologies Technological advancements have revolutionized the way dental practices manage sharps waste, offering solutions that enhance both safety and sustainability. Modern autoclaves efficiently sterilize sharps waste on-site, reducing contamination risks and minimizing the carbon footprint associated with transporting waste. For smaller practices, mail-back disposal programs allow sharps waste to be sent to central processing facilities, ensuring compliance and reducing the need for on-site storage. Digital tracking systems provide a digital trail for sharps waste from creation to disposal, enhancing traceability, compliance, and safety. Additionally, new containers made from bio-based plastics offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics, reducing long-term environmental impact. #### Leading the Way in Sustainable Dental Waste Management Managing dental sharps waste is more than a regulatory requirement; it’s an opportunity for dental practices to demonstrate leadership in public health and environmental stewardship. By integrating advanced technologies, adhering to best practices, and fostering a culture of sustainability, dental professionals can protect both their patients and the planet. As the industry evolves, [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/) is here to support dental practices in meeting today’s waste management standards and preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. Through continuous education, investment in new technologies, and an unwavering commitment to safety, your practice can lead the charge in sustainable, responsible dental care. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste **Tags:** waste management strategies, sustainable dentistry, dental clinic safety, eco-friendly dental practices, waste disposal challenges, dental industry innovations, dental instruments, sharps safety, environmental sustainability, dental practice, infection control, dental waste disposal, sustainable management, dental sharps waste, healthcare waste management, Medical waste disposal --- ### [Sharps Safety: A Critical Focus During the Back-to-School Season](https://wastemedic.com/2024/08/10/sharps-safety-a-critical-focus-during-the-back-to-school-season/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Promote sharps safety during the back-to-school season. Learn how schools can ensure proper disposal of needles and syringes to protect students and staff. **Content:** As students gear up for the new school year, the focus is often on fresh supplies and new beginnings. However, one critical aspect that requires attention, particularly for those involved in school health, is the safe disposal of sharps. Whether used by school nurses or students managing chronic conditions, sharps, such as needles, syringes, and lancets, must be handled with utmost care to prevent serious health risks. #### Understanding the Risks: Why Sharps Safety Matters Sharps are essential for managing various medical conditions, but they also carry significant risks if not disposed of correctly. Accidental needle sticks can lead to the transmission of infectious diseases, posing a threat to both students and staff. As the back-to-school season brings increased activity, it’s crucial to reinforce sharps safety protocols to protect everyone in the school community. #### Promoting Sharps Safety in Schools Creating a safe environment begins with education. School staff, including teachers, nurses, and janitorial personnel, must be well-trained in proper sharps disposal procedures. Regular training sessions can help keep safety top of mind, ensuring that everyone is equipped to handle sharps responsibly. In addition, schools should ensure that sharps disposal containers are strategically placed in areas where they are most needed, such as in the nurse’s office. These containers should be puncture-resistant, clearly labeled, and easily accessible, yet secure enough to prevent misuse. Students who use sharps regularly should also be educated on the importance of proper disposal. Empowering them with the knowledge and tools they need to manage their condition safely at school can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. #### Waste Medic: Your Partner in Sharps Disposal At Waste Medic, we specialize in providing comprehensive sharps disposal solutions tailored to the unique needs of educational institutions. We understand the challenges that schools face, especially during the busy back-to-school season, and we are here to help. Our services are designed to ensure that sharps are disposed of safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of needle sticks and promoting a healthier school environment. #### A Safe School Year Starts with Sharps Safety As the new school year begins, let’s make safety a priority alongside learning. By implementing and reinforcing strong sharps safety practices, schools can create an environment where students and staff can focus on education without the added worry of health risks. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Waste Medic, sharps safety, back-to-school, needle disposal, school health, medical waste, sharps disposal, school safety, proper sharps handling, school nurse safety --- ### [Ensuring Compliance and Safety: The Critical Importance of Proper Medical Waste Disposal in 2024](https://wastemedic.com/2024/08/11/ensuring-compliance-and-safety-the-critical-importance-of-proper-medical-waste-disposal-in-2024/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Discover why proper medical waste disposal is critical in 2024. Learn about the regulatory landscape, environmental responsibilities, and how Waste Medic ensures compliance and safety for healthcare facilities. **Content:** As we navigate through 2024, the importance of proper medical waste disposal has never been more evident. With the healthcare industry continually evolving and regulations tightening, ensuring that medical waste is handled and disposed of correctly is critical to safeguarding public health, the environment, and the reputation of healthcare facilities. #### The Growing Challenge of Medical Waste The volume of medical waste generated worldwide has been steadily increasing, driven by advancements in medical technology, an aging population, and the ongoing need for healthcare services. This includes a broad spectrum of waste types, from [sharps](https://wastemedic.com/2024/03/the-top-5-reasons-proper-sharps-disposal-is-vital-for-medical-organizations/) and infectious materials to [pharmaceutical byproducts](https://wastemedic.com/2018/07/proactive-ways-to-prevent-improper-pharmaceutical-disposal/) and chemical waste. Each category presents unique disposal challenges, and improper handling can lead to serious consequences, including the spread of infections, environmental contamination, and hefty fines for non-compliance. #### Regulatory Landscape in 2024 In 2024, the regulatory landscape surrounding medical waste disposal has become more stringent than ever. Governments and health organizations globally are implementing stricter guidelines to ensure that medical waste is managed safely and efficiently. In the United States, regulations enforced by agencies such as the [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](https://www.epa.gov/) and the [Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)](https://www.osha.gov/) are continuously updated to address emerging risks. Healthcare facilities are required to comply with these regulations, which mandate proper segregation, treatment, and disposal of medical waste. Failure to adhere to these guidelines can result in significant penalties, legal action, and damage to a facility’s reputation. In this environment, staying informed and compliant is not just a matter of regulatory obligation but a critical component of operational excellence. #### Environmental Responsibility Beyond compliance, proper medical waste disposal is a cornerstone of environmental responsibility. Incorrect disposal methods can lead to contamination of water sources, soil, and air, posing long-term environmental risks. As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, from climate change to pollution, healthcare facilities have a vital role to play in reducing their environmental footprint. By implementing sustainable waste management practices, such as the use of eco-friendly disposal methods and reducing the volume of waste generated, healthcare providers can contribute to a healthier planet. Waste Medic’s commitment to environmentally responsible waste disposal ensures that healthcare facilities not only comply with regulations but also support broader environmental goals. #### Protecting Public Health At its core, proper medical waste disposal is about protecting public health. Medical waste, particularly sharps and infectious materials, can pose a serious risk to healthcare workers, patients, and the general public if not handled correctly. Accidental exposure to hazardous waste can lead to the transmission of diseases, making safe disposal practices essential in any healthcare setting. In 2024, with the continued global concern over infectious diseases, including emerging pathogens, the focus on safety and hygiene in medical waste disposal is paramount. Healthcare facilities must prioritize the training of staff in proper waste handling procedures, ensuring that everyone involved is aware of the risks and the steps necessary to mitigate them. #### Partnering for Success in 2024 & Beyond At Waste Medic, we understand the complexities of medical waste disposal and the importance of compliance in today’s regulatory environment. Our services are designed to help healthcare facilities navigate the challenges of 2024 with confidence, providing reliable, compliant, and environmentally responsible waste disposal solutions. We work closely with our clients to ensure that they are up to date with the latest regulations and that their waste management practices are both efficient and sustainable. Whether it’s the disposal of sharps, pharmaceuticals, or other hazardous materials, [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) is committed to protecting public health and the environment while ensuring that your facility remains in full compliance with all regulatory requirements. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, Waste Medic, medical waste management, sharps disposal, 2024 healthcare regulations, environmental responsibility, OSHA compliance, EPA regulations, public health safety, sustainable waste disposal --- ### [Navigating Change: What Stericycle Clients Need to Know Amid Waste Management's Acquisition](https://wastemedic.com/2024/06/21/navigating-change-what-stericycle-clients-need-to-know-amid-waste-managements-acquisition/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Discover the implications of Stericycle's acquisition by Waste Management and why Waste Medic stands out as your local, reliable, and cost-effective provider for medical waste management solutions in the Southeast. Explore our transparent pricing and responsive customer service tailored to meet your facility's unique needs. **Content:** In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare waste management, the recent acquisition of Stericycle by Waste Management in a monumental $7.2 billion transaction has sparked discussions and concerns among healthcare facilities nationwide. As Stericycle clients anticipate potential changes, including increased costs and contractual complexities, it’s crucial to consider alternative providers who prioritize reliability, transparency, and local support. ### Understanding the Impact of the Acquisition Stericycle has long been a dominant force in medical waste management, known for its extensive network and comprehensive services. However, acquisitions of this magnitude often lead to shifts in pricing structures, service levels, and contractual terms, which can pose challenges for healthcare providers already navigating a complex regulatory environment. ### Why Choose Waste Medic? At Waste Medic, we understand the challenges facing healthcare facilities today. Founded on principles of transparency and customer-centric service, we have rapidly grown to become a trusted partner for over 2,000 healthcare facilities across the Southeast. Our commitment to fair pricing, simplicity, and responsiveness sets us apart in an industry often plagued by opaque contracts and unexpected costs. #### Key Benefits of Choosing Waste Medic **Local Expertise:** Headquartered in Nashville, Waste Medic offers localized expertise and personalized service tailored to the unique needs of healthcare facilities in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. **Transparent Pricing:** We believe in straightforward pricing that eliminates surprises. Our clients appreciate our commitment to fair, competitive rates without hidden fees or unnecessary charges. **Responsive Customer Service:** When you partner with Waste Medic, you gain access to a team dedicated to responsive, friendly customer service. We prioritize clear communication and quick resolutions to ensure your waste management needs are met with efficiency and professionalism. **Comprehensive Services:** From medical waste disposal to pharmaceutical and chemotherapy waste management, Waste Medic offers a full suite of services designed to uphold the highest standards of compliance, safety, and environmental responsibility. ### Our Commitment to You As the healthcare industry faces unprecedented challenges, Waste Medic remains steadfast in our mission to provide reliable and cost-effective waste management solutions. Whether you’re re-evaluating your current provider or seeking a seamless transition amid industry changes, we invite you to discover the Waste Medic difference. Contact us today to learn how we can support your facility with tailored waste management solutions that prioritize your operational needs and budgetary concerns. Amidst the uncertainties brought by Stericycle’s acquisition by Waste Management, Waste Medic emerges as a beacon of stability and reliability in medical waste management. Our local presence, transparent pricing, and dedication to exceptional customer service make us the ideal partner for healthcare facilities seeking consistency and cost-effectiveness. Trust Waste Medic to safeguard your facility’s waste management needs with integrity and expertise. *[Reach out to Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) today and experience the peace of mind that comes from partnering with a trusted leader in healthcare waste management. Together, we can navigate change and ensure a seamless transition for your medical waste disposal needs.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events **Tags:** Waste Medic, Stericycle acquisition, Waste Management acquisition, medical waste management, healthcare waste disposal, reliable waste management solutions --- ### [7 cancer leaders on their goals for 2024](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/21/7-cancer-leaders-on-their-goals-for-2024/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A new year means new goals and strategies for cancer centers across the nation. Here, seven leaders share with *Becker’s* their top priorities for cancer care in 2024: *Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.* **Ken Chaij. Executive Director of Oncology Service Line at Kettering (Ohio) Health:** Our overall goal is always to become a regional destination center. Within that, we are also focusing on our clinical core to become more efficient with our clinical services while maintaining a high level of quality. Part of improving efficiency is picking the right software to reduce frustration and clicks. We’re also looking at what we can do in the area of research. There are more and more things being found out at the molecular level. The studies are just multiplying and we’re trying to see what is most effective, cost effective and useful for our patients. We don’t want to put patients in financial distress but want to help them have an amazing quality of life for as long as possible. So it’s a balancing act we’re feeling our way through in 2024. Lastly, we’re looking both inside and outside our system walls to find the partners. **Monique Gary, DO. Breast Surgical Oncologist and Medical Director, Cancer Program and Director, Breast Program at Grand View Health (Sellersville, Pa.):** We’re working on better tools to assess how people are doing across all these areas of wellness, whether it’s psychosocial or food insecurities or nutritional concerns. With these tools, we hope to assess and try to standardize implementation of personalized support for our patients, so they feel heard and supported throughout their treatment journey. **Maria Gonzalez. Executive Director of Stanford Cancer Destination Service Line (Palo Alto, Calif.)**: Stanford Medicine is currently defining a long-term vision for the cancer enterprise to broaden its impact, and which will build upon its established excellence in adult and pediatric cancer care, cancer research, and cancer training. Called “Reimaging Cancer Innovation and Care,” its overall aim is to address unmet needs in the cancer field and improve patient outcomes by leveraging the unique strengths of the Stanford ecosystem. Stanford Medicine is developing a new cancer campus with a dedicated cancer inpatient hospital, outpatient clinics, basic science and translational laboratories, clinical research, and other services. In the meantime, we are investing significant resources to completely refurbish our 300 Pasteur Drive hospital to be our cancer inpatient hospital until the new campus is developed. We are also continuing to expand care models, access to clinical trials and strategic partnerships. **Peter Pisters, MD. President of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston):** As we look ahead, we will remain focused on implementing our institutional strategy, which was designed to maximize our impact on humanity to finally end cancer. Guided by that strategy and by the input from our workforce, we aim to focus on enhancing and sustaining initiatives in key areas, such as optimizing the patient experience, building on employee wellness efforts, and transforming our nursing program to enhance nursing careers and care delivery. We also plan to embrace new technologies and opportunities to continue driving breakthroughs across the cancer spectrum. As a leader in cancer care, research prevention and education, we have a responsibility to harness tools like artificial intelligence to fuel new insights and cutting-edge discoveries faster than ever before. Our recently launched Institute for Data Science in Oncology integrates the tremendous power of data science with our unparalleled clinical and scientific expertise to transform the future of cancer in ways only possible at MD Anderson. **Dino Prato, NMD. Founder and CEO of Envita Medical Centers (Scottsdale, Ariz.):** We have seen many patients suffer due to financial constraints in seeking the most appropriate care as well as the lack of awareness about the available treatment options, despite having health insurance coverage. Health insurance programs with high premiums or deductibles do not necessarily open doorways for you to access the latest treatment options or receive outcome-driven care. My primary goal for 2024 is to reverse that trend and liberate Americans from the myriad of health insurance restrictions, allowing them to get coverage for a wider range of treatment options, which are designed to save and extend life spans, improve quality of life, as well as save precious time and money. We are working towards replacing the broken healthcare system to put value-driven precision care at the core of the payer system. We are launching Envita Health: an innovative health insurance program, which is the first integrative precision medicine network in the United States, covering not only the latest in conventional medicine but also alternative and functional medicine. Unlike standard health insurance programs, which are designed by financial institutions, Envita Health is designed by doctors themselves with a focus on delivering outcome-driven care. We have designed Envita Health to work toward eliminating waste, fraud and abusive expenditure in every aspect of healthcare. To accomplish this goal, Envita Health provides access to Centers of Excellence (COE) for specialized care, concierge care navigation for guiding you to the best treatment options, custom-developed wellness plans based on advanced AI data, and an expansive pharmacy program for discount-priced medications and custom compounded pharmaceuticals. **William Tse, MD. Division Director Of Hematology And Oncology at MetroHealth (Cleveland):** The strategic theme for our cancer care will be called “putting patients first.” We will achieve this by focusing on equity and addressing disparity in access to innovative care. We emphasize innovative care, clinical trials in treatment outcomes, and collaborating with community organizations, policymakers and healthcare providers to create inclusive strategies. By reducing social barriers, we are making all services accessible to cancer patients regardless of their background and socioeconomic status so that no one is left behind. The second focus will be to lead using our expertise and research partnerships with other elite institutes. We will be more focused on integrating cutting-edge treatment, personalized medicine and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure excellent treatment outcomes. We will also provide a broader spectrum of patient-supportive programs, including food security and social events that prioritize early detection. **Marcel van den Brink, MD, PhD. President of City of Hope Los Angeles and National Medical Center:** City of Hope’s overarching goal is to be able to help more patients, families and communities receive best-in-class cancer care. Given City of Hope’s recent expansion across the country as well as our growth plans in California, we are on track to make significant progress on this goal in 2024 by focusing on key elements, such as further integrating our cancer centers in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix. We’re now all on one electronic medical record platform, so we’re working on further integrating our clinical care models and clinical trials as well as developing initiatives to develop best-in-class biobanking of biospecimens for research. In Los Angeles, we plan to complete the construction of our brand-new outpatient center in 2024. As health care advances, more of our cancer care — even complex, innovative care like CAR-T cell therapy — can be done in an outpatient setting. This eight-story, 350,000-square-foot facility is part of a $1 billion investment in our comprehensive cancer center campus and will double the number of exam rooms and infusion capacity in the outpatient setting. *This post, [7 cancer leaders on their goals for 2024](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/oncology/7-cancer-leaders-on-their-goals-for-2024.html), was first published by [Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/oncology/7-cancer-leaders-on-their-goals-for-2024.html) on December 13, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Medical Waste Company Sues Sanford Health over Human Torso Found in Plastic Container](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/29/medical-waste-company-sues-sanford-health-over-human-torso-found-in-plastic-container/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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 had an HES employee sign for the remains when a Monarch employee should have done so. Monarch never deals with human bodies, its CEO David Cardenas told local news station [*KFYRTV*](https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/06/26/human-torso-concealed-plastic-container-sanford-health-sued-inappropriate-handling-medical-waste/)*.* “Typically, recognizable body parts that big, like a torso with things cut off, that goes to proper treatment for a crematorium, not through a shredder,” Mr. Cardenas told the news station. “And especially when it’s done under cover of us not knowing. It’s just disturbing.” Monarch’s staff discovered the body earlier this year when investigating a “rotten and putrid smell,” according to local radio station *WDAY.* It has not been determined who the body belongs to or how it ended up in the conditions it was found in. Monarch alleges the torso was placed there intentionally by Sanford and HES in an effort to get out of a 10-year lease agreement and a 10-year disposal agreement that began in 2020. They engaged in “surreptitious activities early in the morning, before Monarch staff arrived, designed to falsely show that Monarch has mismanaged the medical waste at the treatment facility,” the lawsuit says. Specifically, Monarch alleges an HES employee was caught on surveillance cameras entering the facility and staging photographs “intended to create the appearance that MWT’s facility was disorganized and out of compliance with applicable agreements and state laws.” Sanford Health refutes these allegations. “We deny any wrongdoing, will vigorously defend against Monarch’s claims, and will file our own claims against Monarch for its demonstrated failure to provide waste disposal services it was contractually obligated to provide,” a Sanford Health representative told *Becker’s* June 27. “We look forward to the details relating to this matter coming to light during the course of this litigation.” --- This content, [Medical Waste Company Sues Sanford Health over Human Torso Found in Plastic Container](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/news-and-analysis/medical-waste-company-sues-sanford-health-over-human-torso-found-in-plastic-container.html), was originally shared by [Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/) on June 27, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Back to Basics: HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and Bloodborne Pathogens](https://wastemedic.com/2024/02/27/back-to-basics-hiv-hepatitis-b-and-c-and-bloodborne-pathogens/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know…* Bloodborne pathogens (BBPs), the infectious microorganisms in human blood and other bodily fluids known as “other potentially infectious materials,” can cause diseases that include hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Of course, healthcare workers face the greatest risks from BBPs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 5.6 million workers in the healthcare industry and related occupations are at risk of occupational exposure to BBPs. But, did you know that the accommodation industry is the second most frequently cited industry under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) BBP standard? “Safer needles” with sharps protection are essential not only in hospitals and physicians’ offices but also in retail pharmacies offering vaccination services. BBP hazards can also show up in unexpected places like the tagging guns used to attach price tags to clothing. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently released an analysis showing that 84 percent of sharps injuries occur among healthcare workers. Healthcare workers had an injury rate of 16.7 per 10,000 full-time employees (FTE)—a rate more than 6 times the rate for all workers of 2.7 per 10,000 FTE. NIOSH emphasized the need for standardized education on preventing sharps injuries for all workers who are at risk. Workplace violence may be healthcare workers’ scariest occupational hazard, especially in acute psychiatric care and addiction treatment facilities, where patients sometimes grab, kick, punch, push, and trip workers. However, the risks of contracting hepatitis or HIV from BBPs are also real. For example, OSHA cited a psychiatric treatment hospital in Colorado for failing to protect employees from workplace violence but also cited the facility for repeat violations of the BBP standard. The hospital failed to annually review and update its exposure control plan and consider adopting commercially available safer devices, as well as failed to locate sharps disposal containers near sites where lancets, syringes, and other devices are used in patient care. While NIOSH researchers acknowledged that sharps injuries are a concern specific to healthcare workers, they found that sharps injuries also occur among workers in other industries. NIOSH researchers found that after health care, sharps injuries occur most often in four other industries: - Justice, public order, and safety; - Traveler accommodation; - Colleges, universities, and professional schools, such as junior colleges; *and* - Pharmacies and drug stores. Following recent OSHA inspection and citations, drug store chain Rite Aid agreed to implement a program to protect employees against BBP hazards, including front-end customer service staff, at approximately 370 New Jersey and New York stores to settle the agency’s citations. The agency cited the pharmacy chain after a retail employee at a Rite Aid location in Niagara Falls was instructed to clean up spilled blood in February 2022 following a customer injury. During its investigation, OSHA learned the employee hadn’t been offered a hepatitis B vaccine before or after the incident and that Rite Aid lacked an appropriate exposure control plan. Under a [stipulated settlement](https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/2023/08/OSHA-RSOL20231727_Rite%20Aid%20settlement%20stip%2022-0509.pdf) between OSHA and Rite Aid, the drug store chain agreed to several worker protections, including the following: - Develop and implement an exposure control plan with safety precautions for retail employees who may be required to clean up or otherwise handle blood or other potentially infectious materials. - Offer a hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost to all retail employees who may be required to clean up or otherwise handle or be exposed to blood or potentially infectious materials. - Have store managers and third-party consultants monitor stores for compliance with the agreement’s requirements and report back to OSHA about compliance. OSHA’s BBP standard was the fourth most frequently cited standard in pharmacies and drug stores in fiscal year (FY) 2022. While ambulatory healthcare services, nursing and residential care facilities, and hospitals are the standard’s top, third, and fourth most cited industries, the second most cited industry is accommodation. ### OSHA’s BBP standard The BBP standard’s requirements include exposure control plans, training, hepatitis B vaccination in the event of exposure, and other safeguards like engineering controls to prevent needlesticks and other sharps injuries. The standard protects workers who can reasonably be anticipated to come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials as part of their job duties. In 1986, unions representing healthcare employees petitioned OSHA to develop an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect employees from occupational exposure to bloodborne diseases. The agency published a proposed rule in 1989, issuing a final rule in 1991 that established the BBP standard. In 2000, Congress passed the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, directing OSHA to revise the standard to include several new provisions that included: - Definitions of engineering controls; - Exposure control plan requirements to incorporate technology to eliminate or reduce exposure to BBPs; - Requirements that employers annually document consideration of exposure control plans and implementation of safer medical devices; - Requirements that employers solicit input from nonmanagerial employees responsible for direct patient care in the identification, evaluation, and selection of engineering and work practice controls and document employee input in the exposure control plan; *and* - A requirement to maintain a log of percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps. Since the agency’s 2001 revisions, the BBP standard has required the use of engineering controls such as safer needle devices with sharps injury prevention, work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE), if necessary, to prevent exposures to needlesticks and BBPs. According to OSHA, best practices for preventing sharps and needlestick injuries include: - Planning safe handling and disposal before beginning any procedure. - Using safe and effective needle alternatives when available. - Using needles with engineered sharps injury protection (SESIPs). - Always activating the device’s safety features. - Not passing used sharps between workers. - Not breaking, recapping, or shearing contaminated needles. - Immediately disposing of contaminated needles in properly secured, puncture-resistant, closable, leakproof, labeled sharps containers. Research shows that as many as one-third of all sharps injuries occur during disposal. - Completing BBP training. Work practices in the standard include housekeeping requirements to decontaminate equipment and surfaces that have come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Labeled sharps containers must be closed before removal or replacement to prevent any spillage or protrusion. If leaks or spillage is possible, sharps containers must be placed inside a second container to prevent any leakage. Regulated waste must be placed in containers that are: - Closable; - Constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids during handling, shipping, storage, or transport; - Labeled or color-coded in accordance with requirements of the standard; *and* - Closed before removal to prevent spillage or protrusion of contents during handling, shipping, storage, or transport. Contaminated laundry must be placed in color-coded, labeled bags. The CDC has [infection control guidelines](https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/environmental/background/laundry.html) for laundering clothing, fabrics, and textiles. ### OSHA enforcement After OSHA revised the standard in 2001 to incorporate changes mandated by the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, the agency updated its [BBP enforcement policy](https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/enforcement/directives/CPL_02-02-069.pdf) (CPL 02-02-069). Inspections for BBP compliance include a review of exposure control plans and employee interviews to assess compliance with the standard. During an opening conference or early in the inspection of a healthcare facility, an agency compliance safety and health officer (CSHO) will meet with the facility administrator, as well as the directors for employee education and training, employee occupational health, housekeeping, and infection control. The CSHO will review the facility’s sharps injury log and any reports of exposure incidents. Where healthcare facilities have more than one employer, OSHA’s [multiemployer citation policy](https://www.osha.gov/enforcement/directives/cpl-02-00-124) (CPL 02-00-124) applies. OSHA’s BBP standard is one of three standards the agency enforces for cabin crew members on aircraft in operation, along with the hazard communication and occupational noise exposure standards. In 1975, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reiterated its responsibility for safety on all civil aircraft operations, including the health and safety of flight crew members. But, in a 2014 memorandum of understanding (MOU), the FAA accepted OSHA’s enforcement of the BBP, hazard communication, and noise standards. ### Shared tagging guns The BBP standard applies in any industry where occupational exposures to blood and other potentially infectious materials can be reasonably anticipated, and that includes garment workers who may be stuck by [tag attachment guns](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1994-08-12) shared among workers. A needlestick with a contaminated needle can occur when a worker accidentally punctures their skin with the needle of a tagging gun and another worker using the same gun, with the same needle, sustains the same kind of injury. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) reminded [garment production and processing facilities](https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/BBP_TaggingGuns.html) where tagging guns are regularly used that employers must follow the state’s BBP standard. Cal/OSHA stated that applicability of the standard in retail clothing stores depends on individual circumstances in the workplace. The agency suggested that one way to control exposures is by assigning employees their own tagging guns and implementing and enforcing a policy forbidding employees from using any tagging gun other than the one assigned to them. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) also [suggested](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/HESIS/CDPH%20Document%20Library/TagGuns.pdf) assigning individual tagging guns to workers that are labeled with each worker’s name. Other precautions the CDPH suggested employers take include the following: - Providing a locker or another secure space for workers to store their tagging guns when not using them, - Providing an appropriate biohazard waste container for disposal of used needles, - Instructing workers to report needlestick injuries to their supervisor, - Providing worker training in the safe use of tagging guns, - Providing worker training about BBPs, - Becoming familiar with the Cal/OSHA BBP standard, *and* - Having an injury and illness prevention program (IIPP). There are two categories of workplaces covered by California’s BBP standard, according to Cal/OSHA: facilities and operations such as hospitals and other healthcare facilities that involve occupational exposure by virtue of the intrinsic nature of work performed and workplaces where activities or tasks put workers in contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. These include laundry facilities and lodging establishments. However, California’s BBP standard also applies across industries whenever an employee is designated to render first aid. Federal and state BBP regulations apply whenever there’s a reasonable expectation that workers will come into contact with blood or other materials (bodily fluids) that pose an infection risk. Are your workers at risk? Are you prepared to comply with the BBP standard? This post, [Back to Basics: HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and Bloodborne Pathogens](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2023/10/back-to-basics-hiv-hepatitis-b-and-c-and-bloodborne-pathogens/), was first published by [EHS Daily Advisor](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/) in October 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [5 HIPAA & HITECH breaches that cost businesses millions](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/01/5-hipaa-hitech-breaches-cost-businesses-millions/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [5 HIPAA & HITECH breaches that cost businesses millions](http://gazette.com/5-hipaa-hitech-breaches-that-cost-businesses-millions/article/1604150), first appeared on [http://gazette.com/](http://gazette.com/5-hipaa-hitech-breaches-that-cost-businesses-millions/article/1604150). --- May 30, 2017 Updated: May 30, 2017 at 1:45 pm You’ve probably read and heard *a lot* about just [how costly](https://www.frontierit.com/blog/3-reasons-why-data-disaster-recovery-planning-is-a-must-for-healthcare-providers) HIPAA and [HITECH](https://www.frontierit.com/blog/not-just-hipaa-what-small-businesses-need-to-know-about-hitech-compliance) violations can be. Think a monster fine couldn’t happen to your business, or that these huge fines aren’t doled out regularly? Think again. Here are five jaw-dropping electronic protected healthcare information (ePHI) breaches that cost businesses millions — some of the largest on record — according to the information technology experts at Frontier IT in Colorado Springs. **Advocate Health Care ***$5.55 million*** This is the largest single-entity HIPAA fine on record, according to [Becker’s Health IT & CIO Review](http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/advocate-to-pay-largest-hipaa-settlement-to-date.html). What happened? Three events: a burglary that resulted in four stolen laptops, a data breach and an additional burglary that resulted in an additional stolen laptop. According to [Becker’s](http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/advocate-to-pay-largest-hipaa-settlement-to-date.html), the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) “concluded that Advocate failed to assess the risks of its ePHI, restrict physical access to its IT systems, receive written record that its associates would protect Advocate’s ePHI and guard an unencrypted laptop while it was in an unlocked car overnight.” In sum, the ePHI of 4 million individuals was potentially compromised, including credit card numbers and clinical information. (There is no evidence that the data was misused, according to Advocate.) **New York Presbyterian-Hospital & Columbia University** ***$4.8 million*** This fine isn’t much less than Advocate’s, but the breach affected far fewer patients — only 6,800, actually. What happened? The data of said patients (including vitals, medications and lab results) became available via Google and other search engines, [according to Health Data Management](https://www.healthdatamanagement.com/list/12-largest-fines-levied-for-hipaa-violations#slide-3). (Neither agency admitted liability or wrongdoing.) **Cignet** ***$4.3 million*** Forty-one patients. That’s a relatively small number, but the price each paid when this set of Christian-based health clinics refused to hand over medical records was potentially devastating. Cignet also failed to cooperate with a subsequent investigation and didn’t produce the records, “even after a federal subpoena was issued,” according to The Washington Post. Eventually Cignet coughed up the records, The Post reported. What caused the delay? We’re not sure, but one can imagine how hard it would be to respond to a medical records request if ePHI had been taken hostage by [ransomware](https://www.frontierit.com/blog/easy-prey-5-startling-ransomware-stats-for-small-biz-owners) or deleted by an employee looking for revenge. This drives home the importance of medical providers utilizing a HIPAA- and HITECH-compliant, cloud-based backup solution like [Datto Backupify](https://www.frontierit.com/cloud-services/datto-backupify). **Feintstein Institute for Medical Research** ***$3.9 million*** The 2012 theft of a Feinstein Institute for Medical Research employee’s laptop from a car resulted in the exposure of ePHI for as many as 13,000 people — including their lab results, diagnoses and medications — [according to Health IT Security](http://healthitsecurity.com/news/research-institute-agrees-to-pay-3.9m-in-hipaa-settlement). OCR’s investigation found that the organization’s “security management process was limited in scope, incomplete, and insufficient to address potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI held by the entity,” [according to business law firm Dykema](http://www.dykema.com/resources-alerts-three-recent-ocr-actions-demonstrate-that-hipaa-enforcement-is-alive-and-well_03-24-2016.html). The firm agreed to a corrective action plan that included “conducting a robust [security risk analysis](https://www.frontierit.com/managed-services/consulting),” according to the law firm. **Children’s Medical Center of Dallas** ***$3.5 million*** The center, part of the seventh largest children’s healthcare provider in the U.S., reported two data breaches to OCR, including the loss of a non-encrypted smartphone that contained the ePHI of nearly 4,000 patients at an international airport, and the theft of an unencrypted laptop containing the ePHI of nearly 2,500 patients several years later, [according to Careers Info Security](http://www.careersinfosecurity.com/32-million-hipaa-fine-analysis-a-9665). OCR alleged that the medical center failed to encrypt ePHI as far back as 2007, the website reported. There are some things you just can’t prevent, try as you might: natural disasters, employees going rogue, robberies. But there *are* steps you can take to protect your clients’ ePHI — steps your business is required by law to take. Not all businesses heed this warning. Many of those that don’t end up on a list like this. We know: *Not a fun thought.* What to do? Contact a solid, experienced MSP, or managed service provider, that works with small businesses to provide managed IT services in an a la carte fashion, the experts at Frontier IT recommend. Many MSPs offer services like [disaster recovery/backup](https://www.frontierit.com/managed-services/disaster-recovery-backups), [help desk support](https://www.frontierit.com/managed-services/help-desk-support), [server/network monitoring](https://www.frontierit.com/managed-services/server-network-monitoring) and [HITECH-compliance consulting](https://www.frontierit.com/blog/not-just-hipaa-what-small-businesses-need-to-know-about-hitech-compliance) at prices small- and mid-sized businesses can afford. Frontier IT specializes in helping medical businesses of all types — private practices, dentist offices, therapist offices, veterinarians and more — meet and maintain HIPAA and HITECH compliance, and keep secure the priceless ePHI they’re responsible for. What’s more, they also specialize in working with small businesses. If you’d like to chat about a potential partnership, [drop them a line](https://www.frontierit.com/contact-us) today. ***[Read the original article on Frontier IT’s blog.](https://www.frontierit.com/blog/5-hipaa-hitech-breaches-that-cost-businesses-millions)*** --- This post, [5 HIPAA & HITECH breaches that cost businesses millions](http://gazette.com/5-hipaa-hitech-breaches-that-cost-businesses-millions/article/1604150), first appeared on [http://gazette.com/](http://gazette.com/5-hipaa-hitech-breaches-that-cost-businesses-millions/article/1604150). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Hospitals Fail at HIPAA Compliance RE Medical Records Requests](https://wastemedic.com/2018/10/15/hospitals-fail-at-hipaa-compliance-re-medical-records-requests/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Hospitals Fail at HIPAA Compliance Re Medical Records Requests](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/hospitals-fail-at-hipaa-compliance-re-medical-records-requests), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/hospitals-fail-at-hipaa-compliance-re-medical-records-requests). --- #### Many hospitals failed at HIPAA compliance in response to simulated patients’ requests for medical records, according to a Yale study. October 09, 2018 – Many hospitals failed at HIPAA compliance in response to simulated patients’ requests for medical records, according to a study by Yale researchers [published](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2705850) in the JAMA Network Open. The researchers surveyed 83 top-ranked US hospitals with independent medical records request processes and medical records departments reachable by telephone. According to HIPAA, patient requests for medical record must be fulfilled within 30 days of receipt in the format requested by the patient if the records are readily producible in that format. OCR guidance says that hospitals can charge a cost-based fee to provide those records. The researchers conducted scripted interviews with medical records departments in a simulated patient experience and also collected medical records release authorization forms. There was wide variation in the information provided on the authorization forms and from the telephone calls in terms of what data could be requested, release formats, costs, and processing times. On the authorization forms, only 44 hospitals (53%) provided patients the option to acquire the entire medical record. On telephone calls, all 83 hospitals stated that they were able to release entire medical records to patients. There were discrepancies in information given in telephone calls versus authorization forms among the formats hospitals said that they could use to release information: 69 versus 40 for pick up in person, 20 versus 14 for fax, 39 versus 27 for email, 55 versus 35 for CD, and 21 versus 33 for online patient portals. These results demonstrated noncompliance with HIPAA in refusing to provide records in the format requested by the patient, the study noted. There were 48 hospitals that had costs of release above the federal recommendation of $6.50 for electronically maintained records. In one case, a hospital charged $541.50 for a 200-page medical record. At least seven of the hospitals were noncompliant with state requirements for processing times. “Discrepancies in information provided to patients regarding medical records request processes and noncompliance with regulations appear to indicate the need for stricter enforcement of policies relating to patients’ access to their protected health information,” the researchers concluded. The study is timely because the Trump administration [has launched](https://ehrintelligence.com/news/myhealthedata-initiative-to-improve-ehr-patient-data-access) the MyHealthEData initiative, which is designed to improve EHR patient data access and use. MyHealthEData is intended to break down the barriers that prevent patients from having electronic access and control over their own health records from the device or application of their choice. In 2017, President Donald Trump issued an executive order in which he directed government agencies to “improve access to and the quality of information that Americans need to make informed healthcare decisions, including data about healthcare prices and outcomes, while minimizing reporting burdens on affected plans, providers, or payers.” The order was part of a broader effort to increase market competition in the healthcare market. “The MyHealthEData initiative will work to make clear that patients deserve to not only electronically receive a copy of their entire health record, but also be able to share their data with whomever they want, making the patient the center of the healthcare system. Patients can use their information to actively seek out providers and services that meet their unique healthcare needs, have a better understanding of their overall health, prevent disease, and make more informed decisions about their care,” explained a March 2018 CMS [press release](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-myhealthedata-initiative-put-patients-center-us-healthcare-system). While the goals of MyHealthEData are lofty, the results of this Yale study call into question the ability of private healthcare organizations to fulfill the Trump administration’s initiative, never mind comply with existing HIPAA patient access requirements. --- This post, [Hospitals Fail at HIPAA Compliance Re Medical Records Requests](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/hospitals-fail-at-hipaa-compliance-re-medical-records-requests), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/hospitals-fail-at-hipaa-compliance-re-medical-records-requests). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Safety first: Protecting health care workers and patients](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/02/safety-first-protecting-health-care-workers-and-patients/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Safety first: Protecting health care workers and patients](https://www.devex.com/news/safety-first-protecting-health-care-workers-and-patients-94581), first appeared on [https://www.devex.com](https://www.devex.com/news/safety-first-protecting-health-care-workers-and-patients-94581). --- Needlestick injuries, or NSIs, among health care workers remain a global burden. Accurate data is difficult to ascertain as injuries often go unreported even to this date. The World Health Organization estimated that among the 35 million health care workers worldwide, about 3 million receive percutaneous exposures to bloodborne pathogens each year; 2 million of those to hepatitis B, 0.9 million to hepatitis C, and 170,000 to HIV. More than 90% of these infections occur in low- and middle-income countries. In other words, an estimated 40% of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections, and 2.5% of HIV infections in health care workers are attributable to occupational sharps exposures. Unsafe injections and reuse of syringes is also a concern in the spread of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C among the general population. WHO estimated that in 2010, up to 1.7 million people were infected with hepatitis B, up to 315,000 with hepatitis C virus, and as many as 33,800 with HIV through an unsafe injection. ### Challenges with NSIs “Bloodborne disease can be transmitted through unsafe sharps handling processes, and for many of these diseases, we do not have the benefit of a vaccine,” said Dr. Amber Mitchell, president and executive director of the International Safety Center, an organization that advocates for safer health care workplaces through research, surveillance, and advocacy. The majority of NSIs [occur](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5721280/) in LMICs, many of which do not have adequate protections in place for their health workforce — from the provision of sharps injury protection devices to adequate training. But as Ebola outbreaks in West Africa in recent years have proven, it is more important than ever to ensure health care worker safety in whatever environment they are working in. “We don’t want health care workers to be afraid of doing their job,” said Lisa Hedman, from WHO’s Department of Essential Medicines and Health Products. “We saw that with Ebola — that medical practitioners were afraid to work. I can see why.” For health care workers at high risk of an NSI, the potential emotional distress can have an impact on their daily work and personal lives. [According to a 2013 survey](https://academic.oup.com/occmed/article/63/4/260/1429559), exposure to an NSI could have a severe effect on the mental health of the health care worker, leading to acute anxiety. ### Obstacles in combating NSIs in LMICs Several countries, including the U.S., EU member states, and Canada have enacted legislation regarding NSIs and safety-engineered devices. This led to widespread reductions in NSIs. For example, in the U.S., federal legislation requiring the use of safety-engineered sharp devices, along with an array of other protective measures, has led, according to recent estimates, to a[ 43% drop](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5628664/) in hospitals for hypodermic NSIs. Meanwhile, in 2010, an EU directive was published that stipulated that, by 2013, member states were obliged to implement national legislation on the prevention of sharps injuries in hospitals and the health care sector. Prior to the directive, there were 1 million NSIs recorded across Europe every year. LMICs, however, are lagging behind. A major driver of NSIs in LMICs is a shortage of health care workers, a lack of training on safe injections, and poor supply chain management. NSIs have a huge impact on the health care delivery system, particularly in LMICs where the workforce is already stretched thin. “In highly overworked hospitals like AIIMS in Delhi \[one of India’s busiest hospitals\], patients come from all over the country and the patient-to-doctor ratio is just not up to the mark. Doctors and nurses are in a hurry,” said Dr. Sarman Singh, professor of clinical microbiology and molecular medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, who researches needlestick injuries. Most injuries happen in the patient rooms, according to the International Safety Center, where health care workers are often under stress to perform procedures quickly. This can lead to underreporting of injuries because there is more pressure to pay attention to the care of the patient rather than self-care of the health care worker. It is another reason why the true burden of NSIs may be much higher than estimated. The inappropriate and improper disposal of waste is also a big driver of sharps injuries. This not only puts health care workers at risk, but research shows environmental services, laundry, and housekeeping staff — who are responsible for maintaining health care environments — are at an unacceptably high risk of such injuries. However, NSIs for other professionals in the health care setting are also likely underreported and often it is impossible to identify the source patient, meaning that this group of professionals may have to endure longer post-exposure treatment. “Even in countries with sharps injury surveillance systems, underreporting is a barrier to accurately estimating risk,” said ISC’s Mitchell. “The stigma associated with a needlestick or sharps injury may cause incidents to go unreported. We need to work diligently to change this culture and encourage reporting so that we can best protect health care workers.” Even when countries have a reporting mechanism in place, there are other obstacles in getting health care workers to report injuries, either due to a lack of knowledge about the process, or fear. “What we’ve found in a number of settings is that if you get a needlestick injury, you’re assumed to have made a mistake and people don’t want to report it,” said WHO’s Hedman, noting that another challenge is that reports lead to testing for HIV and hepatitis. “People are afraid that if they get tested and they have contracted hepatitis or HIV, they will be blamed for it,” she said. “But if you don’t report, you don’t get post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP. It’s not a mistake, it’s an occupational risk.” PEP is treatment that can be used after possible exposure to a variety of bloodborne viruses such as hepatitis B and HIV. Timely access to PEP is an issue[ across LMICs](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4564419/). For example,[ a study](https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/44641) conducted in Kenya between 2011-2014 found that while the majority of health care facilities surveyed — 47 out of 53 — had a 24-hour occupational PEP service in place, only half of the health facilities had access to the same services. An official ministry of health PEP register was available in less than half of the facilities studied. But access to reporting mechanisms is not the only issue that may prevent treatment. Delays in reporting NSIs also mean that often health care workers miss out on potentially life-saving access to PEP, again driven by a lack of[ knowledge](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4564419/#CIT0022) and a failure to report exposure, as opposed to access challenges. In India for example, according to Singh, many doctors are neither aware of PEP, nor that it should be taken as early as possible to be successful. ### Solutions to address the issue of reuse and NSIs The world has made tremendous progress toward making injections safer. In the late 1980s — driven by widespread concern that conventional disposable syringes were being[ frequently reused](http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s15257e/s15257e.pdf) in LMICs — the first auto-disabled, or AD, syringes were designed for immunizations. AD syringes have an internal locking mechanism that prevents the syringe from being reused once the injection is delivered. AD syringes prevent the reuse and resale of syringes and in doing so, minimize the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens. In 2019, WHO and [UNICEF](https://www.devex.com/organizations/united-nations-children-s-fund-unicef-20131) issued a joint policy statement urging all countries to evaluate the feasibility of adopting injection devices with sharps injury protection, or SIP technologies, for vaccines. For syringes that have a broader use beyond immunization, WHO published policy guidelines in 2015 urging countries to transition to the exclusive use of safety-engineered syringes by 2020. WHO recommends the use of syringes with a SIP and syringes with a reuse prevention feature by health care workers delivering intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intradermal injectable medication. It also recommends the procurement of sufficient safety boxes to dispose of sharp waste safely; continuous training of health care workers on injection safety; and for manufacturers to begin or expand production of these syringes. WHO’s guidelines, however, do not address all sharps. They are limited to injections only and do not address high-risk infusion and blood-drawing practices. Getting LMICs to use smart syringes by 2020 is a challenge, partly because they cost more than conventional syringes. “Price is such a huge factor in medical procurement in low-income countries,” Hedman said. “But a device alone won’t solve the problem. One thing that has to happen is training and promotion, otherwise it won’t help.” In addition to training, Hedman added that the uptake of safety syringes would also require a fundamental change in mindset. “We’ve done training \[…\] and the first thing everyone would say would be: ‘Thanks for showing us these new devices, but we don’t like them because we can’t reuse them.’ A lot of hospitals and clinics in LMICs haven’t had any injection training for years. It shouldn’t be a special event like Christmas,” she said. Mitchell agreed: “Training is a critical element to sharps injury prevention, but that doesn’t mean individual clinician behavior should be the primary focus. We have to make sure there is an institutional focus on safety, including broader uptake of safer technologies.” While huge progress has been made in the development of safer devices, Mitchell said, there is only so far medical device innovation can go to preventing injuries and exposures. Health care workers frequently find themselves working in high-risk environments — where there is a high prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and co-infections with multiple potential bloodborne and infectious diseases. NSIs are therefore a major concern of mounting public health importance. Working together, the global health community can avoid the unnecessary transmission of disease through sharps. Technologies are available to prevent and reduce the issue of injection reuse and needlestick injuries, including systems for surveillance. But to truly help avert potential transmissions, appropriate guidelines need to be implemented along with a willingness to look beyond incremental cost — to safeguard the lives of health care workers and patients around the world. --- This post, [Safety first: Protecting health care workers and patients](https://www.devex.com/news/safety-first-protecting-health-care-workers-and-patients-94581), first appeared on [https://www.devex.com](https://www.devex.com/news/safety-first-protecting-health-care-workers-and-patients-94581). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [What hospitals can learn from research labs](https://wastemedic.com/2020/12/04/what-hospitals-can-learn-from-research-labs/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the resources and exposed the vulnerabilities of many hospitals as they confront the most serious global health crisis in over a century. Controlling the spread of this highly contagious virus while treating infected patients and protecting staff is fundamental to the mission of every healthcare facility. Yet infection control remains one of the most challenging aspects of hospital operations. Each year, healthcare-associated infections impact 1.7 million patients at U.S. acute care facilities, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and costing the healthcare system billions of dollars.1 As hospitals and health systems assess their existing infrastructure and plan for the future, they can learn valuable lessons from the infection control strategies implemented at high-containment research labs. These secure research environments are designed and built with the primary function of protecting individuals and communities from microorganisms, infectious agents and other toxins. ![Biosafety in Labs Chart](https://marvel-b1-cdn.bc0a.com/f00000000067087/www.mccarthy.com/sites/default/files/Biosafety3.jpg) *[Enlarge](https://www.mccarthy.com/sites/default/files/biosafety-chart-enlarged2.jpg)* [McCarthy recently conducted a study of healthcare providers, architects and engineers to learn about their response to COVID-19](https://www.mccarthy.com/insights/insiders-reveal-what-comes-next-healthcare-construction). We discovered that as many healthcare providers consider implementing enhanced infection control strategies, they are also assessing the construction implications for existing and new facilities. They know it is not practical — nor economically feasible — to implement all the intricate safety and security strategies of a high-containment lab. As a result, they are consulting proven BSL-4 builders for valuable guidance on the design and construction of future healthcare environments. Having built more than 25 percent of the nation’s BSL-4 labs in the last 20 years while earning a consistent ranking as one of America’s top healthcare builders, McCarthy is helping clients identify effective and value-driven infection control solutions for their facilities. Here are five core principles from high-containment labs that directly support the current infection control priorities of hospitals and other healthcare facilities: **1. Design and build flexible infrastructure for responding to future crises.** Hospitals of the future will be expected to quickly adapt to accommodate patient surges resulting from unforeseen events such as a pandemic or natural disaster. Public spaces may need to be converted into triage or patient care spaces during an emergency. For example, [at the new Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto](https://www.mccarthy.com/projects/stanford-hospital), Calif., the attached parking garage and interior public spaces were designed and built with the capability of transforming into triage spaces if necessary. Similarly, primary patient care spaces such as an ICU or surgical area may need to temporarily function as a negative pressure isolation room to contain airborne contaminants. Only 2 to 4 percent of all U.S. hospital rooms are currently equipped for negative pressure, as these spaces must be airtight and have a dedicated exhaust system and HEPA filters.3 A skilled builder can help you overcome the numerous design and construction challenges of creating these isolation spaces and the associated maintenance considerations. This includes the need to certify HEPA filters annually and replace them frequently to prevent buildup of dirt and contaminants. **2. Separate and safely manage waste streams.** U.S. hospitals produce more than 5 million tons of medical waste each year.4 About 15 percent of this waste is considered hazardous and must be handled and disposed of according to strict local laws and guidelines. In a BSL-4 lab, all waste — including filtered air, water, effluent and trash — must be decontaminated before it can leave the facility. By using the knowledge gained constructing BSL-4 facilities, the right partner can work with you to develop new infectious waste management practices separate from the existing hospital waste management system. This includes the establishment of a dedicated process to collect, capture, decontaminate and dispose of and/or incinerate all solid and liquid waste. It may also involve installation of an effluent decontamination system to neutralize all liquid waste materials before they are released into the environment. **3. Develop new strategies and protocols to protect healthcare workers.** In both lab and hospital environments, the greatest potential risk is not the building, mechanical systems or equipment. It is the people who inhabit the space. Anytime the human element is involved, it increases the risk of noncompliance with operational policies, procedures and protocols. And once there’s a breach in protocol, the probability of cross-contamination rises exponentially. While it’s impossible to eliminate all potential risks for hospital workers, BSL-4 builders know creating spaces and systems that reduce the likelihood of cross-contamination is possible. These strategies include establishing secure, restricted areas for gowning and accessing other PPE, investing in touchless sinks and lighting, and installing self-closing, lockable doors. ![cdc](https://marvel-b1-cdn.bc0a.com/f00000000067087/www.mccarthy.com/sites/default/files/cdc.jpg) *McCarthy is currently working with the Flad / Page partnership to design and construct the CDC’s new High Containment Continuity Laboratory in Atlanta. The building will be a Biosafety Level-4 (BSL-4) facility, a designation reserved for the highest level of biological safety, and it will accommodate approximately 80 laboratory researchers.* High-containment labs are also designed to accommodate employee movement and flow strategies. For example, many labs are designed with a two-person rule in mind; each researcher has a colleague present to assist if something goes wrong. High-containment areas also have built-in sightlines to maintain visual connectivity from outside. These same design principles can be implemented in new or existing hospitals to enhance infection control and reduce risk for staff and patients. **4. Rethink patient flows to stop disease at the door.** From check-in to follow-up, the entire healthcare experience must become more automated and efficient. Some hospitals are experimenting with telemedicine, remote triaging and a zero-contact intake process using robotics and geolocation to ensure admissions are made with as little contact with staff and other patients as possible.5 Others are considering the elimination of traditional emergency room waiting areas and designating separate entrances and waiting spaces for suspected infectious or high-risk patients. For example, McCarthy is researching alternatives like RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology for tracking people and materials as they enter and move throughout BSL-4 facilities. In hospitals, the same technology could track and alert patients and their families as they’re waiting, and as part of a comprehensive wayfinding system would be capable of efficiently directing them to the right location for treatment. **5. Reassure patients and visitors they’re in a safe environment.** In recent years, the healthcare industry has focused on hospitality and patient-centered design, which has resulted in many beautiful, state-of-the-art facilities. As hospitals consider how to adapt their buildings and spaces to address current realities and future code changes, they need to consider the optics of those decisions. Will patients and visitors notice the alterations, and if so, will the strategies instill confidence and peace of mind that they are in a secure, protected environment? This extends to everything from signage to physical barriers to visible ventilation systems. In the future, designers, builders and owners will need to expand their definition of patient-centered to ensure people using the system feel safe. Using BSL-4 construction principles to modify how future healthcare facilities are designed, built, operated and maintained can help control the spread of infectious disease and reduce the negative impact of future outbreaks. At the same time, these changes can enhance the overall perceptions and experiences of patients, staff and visitors even when there is no crisis. ### Building for the Future The COVID-19 pandemic has quickly transformed how healthcare providers must assess and address infection control within their facilities. Once a secondary consideration, infection control is now a top safety priority shaping the future of every healthcare facility in America. The good news is builders like McCarthy — with a long history of microbiological and biomedical laboratory and healthcare construction experience — are developing new, cost-efficient ways to apply Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) infection control standards and strategies to new and existing hospitals. In new facilities, we apply years of highly technical BSL-4 construction expertise to build extremely flexible and safe environments. In existing facilities, we integrate innovative BSL-4 infection control standards without disrupting the ongoing patient experience. We’ll continue to leverage our knowledge and expertise to help shape the most effective healthcare facilities that will continue to serve our communities. 1 [www.beckershospitalreview.com](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/how-hais-lead-to-direct-indirect-and-unintended-hospital-costs.html) 2 [www.labmanager.com](https://www.labmanager.com/lab-health-and-safety/biosafety-levels-1-2-3-4-19123) 3 [www.fastcompany.com](https://www.fastcompany.com/90491094/negative-pressure-rooms-save-lives-why-arent-there-more-of-them) 4 [www.practicegreenhealth.org](https://practicegreenhealth.org/topics/waste/waste-0) 5 www.wsj.com --- This post, [What hospitals can learn from research labs](https://www.bdcnetwork.com/what-hospitals-can-learn-research-labs), first appeared on [https://www.bdcnetwork.com](https://www.bdcnetwork.com/what-hospitals-can-learn-research-labs). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [We Could All Learn a Lot From ‘HIPAA 101’](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/03/we-could-all-learn-a-lot-from-hipaa-101/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, We Could All Learn a Lot From ‘HIPAA 101’, first appeared on https://www.workforce.com. --- ##### by [Andie Burjek](https://www.workforce.com/article-author/andie-burjek/) The Edelman Trust Barometer for 2019 revealed some interesting points about trust in health care. Lynn Hanessian, chief strategist at Edelman, shared some major takeaways for employers at the recent Midwest Business Group on Health annual conference in Chicago. She shared some interesting findings about what sources people trust for information. Key findings were that people trust their employer more than the government or media. Also, men have more trust in health care than women (not surprising, considering the constant attacks on women’s reproductive rights). Another interesting finding was that compared to last year, people trust hospitals and health clinics less in 2019 — a 7-point drop! Hanessian mentioned potential reasons for this including how vocal people have been about “surprise” hospital bills. She quoted an [NBC article](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/surprise-medical-bills-lead-liens-homes-crippling-debt-n984371) specifically on this point: “Surprise bills lead to liens on homes and crippling debt.” But I want to focus on a nugget Hanessian mentioned more casually. In the Q&A part of her session, Hanessian suggested an intriguing idea for employers. It sounded like a joke but actually could be a good idea. When asked about privacy concerns, she half-joked about offering “HIPAA 101 for your employees.” That’s a good idea! What do most people think of when they think of HIPAA — the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996? Probably privacy and the fact that when they go in a doctor’s office, no one can share your medical information or gossip about it with their friends. But privacy in health care is interesting to define. For example, people can share health data online now. That could mean a public Twitter post admitting they experience mental health problems and spreading awareness. Or it could mean sharing medical questions in a private Facebook group. Or it could mean griping about a negative hospital billing experience online and inadvertently sharing a piece of medical information in the process. In any case, information shared [digitally is not protected by HIPAA](https://www.workforce.com/2019/04/16/how-hipaa-compliant-are-digital-health-apps/). I’m curious how many patients know that. Further, per a Kaiser Health News story from May 21, even though privacy is what HIPAA is best known for, its principal purpose when created was to put an end to “job lock.” “That happened when people with pre-existing health conditions were afraid to leave one job with insurance for another job with insurance because the new insurance would not cover their condition, or would impose long waiting periods,” the article explained. All of this is to say that, there’s a lot more to HIPAA than many people know. It couldn’t hurt to offer some sort of education on what exactly HIPAA does and does not do. Especially for companies looking toward pushing health care literacy on employees. In fact, I suspect that even HR professionals could learn a thing or two about HIPAA they didn’t know before! --- This post, We Could All Learn a Lot From ‘HIPAA 101’, first appeared on https://www.workforce.com. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Nobody Predicted This](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/01/nobody-predicted-this/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** I don’t recall seeing the coronavirus listed in any predictions for garbage and recycling in 2020. Nor, I suspect, did any solid waste plans have contingencies for managing garbage and recycling in a pandemic. After all, we have so little experience in this area. As I write this, no one really knows when this will be over. We are trying to figure out how to react, what changes to make in our programs and what to anticipate two months down the road and probably longer. By no means do I have the answers. But I have some thoughts about the changes we are already seeing. This pandemic reminds us that garbage is a public health issue. We have been so successful in managing our waste safely that we forgot trash collection began in the 1880s as a way to prevent disease. We are not perfect in how we manage our garbage, but we have one of the best waste management systems in the world. It’s useful to remember this as we look at the serious threat of coronavirus to the public health and to the hundreds of thousands of workers who manage our waste and recyclables on a daily basis. The good news is that our industry responded swiftly. The National Waste & Recycling Association and the Solid Waste Association of North America quickly supplied information to waste and recycling collectors and processors on how to [safely manage their part of this crisis](https://www.waste360.com/medical-waste/nwra-publishes-covid-19-guidance-safe-handling-waste). The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries did equally stellar work on behalf of scrap recyclers and their workers. These associations had to move quickly. [The coronavirus pandemic](https://www.waste360.com/all-covid-19-news-related-industry) is forcing garbagemen and recyclers to [grapple with realities](https://www.waste360.com/business/stifels-hoffman-discusses-state-waste-recycling-amid-covid-19) that weren’t talked about two months ago. These range from the seemingly mundane decision to have transfer station attendants only take credit cards instead of cash to the more challenging task of figuring out how to maintain social distance inside the cab of a collection truck and on a recycling processing line. We are far from having all the answers on how to ensure our workers stay protected, but the industry is embracing this challenge. Coronavirus is having other impacts beyond worker safety. The material haulers collect for disposal and recycling will change. Emergency orders in many states and counties are limiting the number of businesses allowed to stay open. Closed stores don’t generate garbage, and closed restaurants don’t generate [food waste](https://www.waste360.com/food-waste/fighting-hunger-food-waste-amid-covid-19). Recyclables will also change. A recent analysis of what sells and what doesn’t in a pandemic showed to no surprise that grocery sales rise dramatically. In addition, online sales of all kinds of food products increased even more rapidly than in-store sales. Because emergency orders closed restaurants but allowed the sale of takeout food, I suspect that curbside recycling programs will see more corrugated boxes from online sales and more paperboard boxes from home meal delivery. [But commercial recycling will see a drop](https://www.waste360.com/commercial/covid-19-sparks-downturn-us-commercial-recycling) in clean corrugated boxes from all those closed nonessential businesses. Collapsing ad revenues will make newspapers even smaller. Food waste also can show puzzling trends during crises. Bill Rathje, the late garbologist whose landfill excavations showed what our garbage says about us, uncovered an odd anomaly about food waste during crises. He discovered that during a highly publicized beef shortage in the ‘70s, the rate of wasted beef was three times higher than in normal times. Rathje believed crisis buying caused this. In their rush to get food, people bought cuts of beef they were unfamiliar with and did not know how to cook or store the beef. I suspect we are likely to see the same reaction today. Concerns over virus transmission have led to some recycling programs being stopped. Drop-off centers have been hit more than curbside programs. In addition, eight of the 10 states with bottle deposits suspended enforcement of the takeback requirements. This will lead to a crimp in the supply of clean PET bottles, aluminum cans and glass bottles for recycling. Reusables may be getting the worst of the situation. Early on in this crisis, [coffee stores stopped selling drinks in reusable containers](https://www.waste360.com/plastics/covid-19s-impact-plastic-waste-reduction). I suspect this was due to fears over how well their customers had cleaned their reusable containers. They didn’t want the liability for someone else’s negligence. But that problem pales against the [plastic bag ban](https://www.waste360.com/legislation-regulation/ny-state-single-use-plastic-bag-ban-takes-effect) backlash. Some of the bans were delayed or suspended. In addition, the state of New Hampshire banned the use of reusable bags in grocery and other retail stores. That action was based on concerns that grocery store baggers could get infected by viruses on the reusable bag. I understand the concern over virus transmission. We don’t know exactly how the virus can be transmitted from surface contact or how long it lasts on a surface. That is a reason for caution whether the surface is a bag, a recycling bin, the handles of a garbage can or a grocery store purchase. But are reusable bags really hellholes of bacteria? I can’t help but wonder about the risk to the customer of picking up and putting their purchases in their shopping cart and then the risk to the bagger of placing them in a bag. Perhaps the solution is to let the shopper decide. You bring in a reusable bag, you assume the risk of placing your purchases inside the bag. That happens anyway at stores with automated checkout stations. And yet, once this crisis is over, we will have the opportunity to reconsider our current hysteria over single-use plastic packages and products. Some of you might remember my [June column](https://www.waste360.com/plastics/use-facts-not-emotion-when-debating-single-use-plastics), which discussed my bout with cellulitis. I was delighted by the single-use plastic packaging for the medical devices that delivered the antibiotic medicine. Single-use plastic products sped up my recovery. Single-use plastic packaging protects products, prevents food waste and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. And yes, they can be hard to recycle. We need to have a serious conversation about the value—and drawbacks—of single-use products and packaging instead of the hysteria that is so prevalent. We need to take a hard look at the cradle-to-grave greenhouse gas emissions of the different kinds of packages and decide whether lowering those emissions or raising the recycling rate is more important. Sometimes you can’t have it both ways. I do have a piece of good news for those of you who failed to act quickly when news of the pandemic began to spread. TissuePlus is a brand-new paper company in Bangor, Maine. The company converts rolls of paper into a variety of products including toilet paper. Relief is on the way. Finally, to those of you working on collection trucks and in processing centers, transfer stations and disposal facilities, thank you. You and your coworkers are helping keep America safe. *Chaz Miller is a longtime veteran of the waste and recycling industry. He can be reached at .* --- This post, [Nobody Predicted This](https://www.waste360.com/business/nobody-predicted), first appeared on [https://www.waste360.com](https://www.waste360.com/business/nobody-predicted). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [LabCorp’s Network Security Breach May Have Exposed PHI of Millions](https://wastemedic.com/2018/08/02/labcorps-network-security-breach-may-have-exposed-phi-of-millions/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [LabCorp’s Network Security Breach May Have Exposed PHI of Millions](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/labcorps-network-security-breach-may-have-exposed-phi-of-millions), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com/](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/labcorps-network-security-breach-may-have-exposed-phi-of-millions). --- After recently dodging a legal bullet over an alleged HIPAA violation, LabCorp is now facing a network security breach that forced the North Carolina-based laboratory diagnostics firm to shut down its IT network, possibly placing PHI of millions of people at risk. By [Fred Donovan](mailto:fdonovan@xtelligentmedia.com) July 17, 2018 – After recently [dodging a legal bullet](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-charging-labcorp-with-hipaa-violation) over an alleged HIPAA violation, LabCorp is now facing a network security breach that forced the North Carolina-based laboratory diagnostics firm to shut down its IT network, possibly placing PHI of millions of people at risk. In a July 16 [statement](https://www.databreaches.net/labcorp-hacked-investigation-under-way/), LabCorp said it detected suspicious activity during the weekend of July 14-15 on its IT network. It took systems offline, which affected test processing and customer access to tests results. LabCorp said it was working “to restore full system functionality as quickly as possible.” It said that testing operations had substantially resumed on July 16 and additional systems and functions would be restored over the next several days. #### Dig Deeper - [Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Charging LabCorp with HIPAA Violation](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-charging-labcorp-with-hipaa-violation) - [Healthcare Cybersecurity Efforts Improving, Still Need Work](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/healthcare-cybersecurity-efforts-improving-still-need-work) - [HIPAA Data Breaches: What Covered Entities Must Know](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/hipaa-data-breaches-what-covered-entities-must-know) “At this time, there is no evidence of unauthorized transfer or misuse of data. LabCorp has notified the relevant authorities of the suspicious activity and will cooperate in any investigation,” it said. The *Daily Mail* [reported](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5959021/LabCorp-blood-testing-labs-hacked-sparking-fears-exposing-MILLIONS-patients-records.html) that hackers tried to access medical records of millions of people, quoting a company insider. The insider said that it could be weeks before the company can determine the extent of the breach or whether patient data was compromised. “The only reason for a nationwide shutdown would be in a scenario where there was suspicion of a data intrusion. LabCorp was hacked and the suspicion is they were pulling data but the full extent of what was accessed if anything isn’t clear,” the insider was quoted as saying. “The company acted swiftly to stop the intrusion, but the fact is the private medical information of millions of patients may have been accessed,” the insider added. The *Wall Street Journal* reported that the attack affected tens of thousands of LabCorp workstations, servers and devices, and the disruption spread to Covance, citing people familiar with the situation. The breach began at genetic-testing business in LabCorp’s specialty diagnostics division, which was recently acquired by the medical testing firm.\* The breach follows a court battle over an alleged HIPAA violation that LabCorp ultimately won. Last month, a US District Court Judge dismissed a lawsuit by Hope Lee-Thomas accusing LabCorp of a HIPAA violation for not providing adequate privacy protections at its Providence Hospital computer intake station. In her lawsuit, Lee-Thomas charged that LabCorp failed to shield her PHI from public view at its computer intake station at Washington, DC-based Providence Hospital. The station was next to a Quest Diagnostics computer intake, and her information was visible to the person using the Quest station, she said in her compliant. LabCorp filed a motion to dismiss the case arguing that an individual cannot bring a lawsuit under HIPAA. The judge agreed. “While the \[HIPAA\] statute provides both civil and criminal penalties for improperly handled or disclosed information, the language of the statute specifically limits enforcement action to HHS and individual states’ attorneys general,” the judge noted. “Furthermore, courts in this and other circuits that have considered the question have reached a consensus that the statutory language of HIPAA grants no private right of action,” he wrote. The law firm of Thompson Hine [commented](http://www.thompsonhine.com/publications/de-facto-private-right-of-action-under-hipaa-is-ohio-next) in a blog post that “an individual whose PHI has been used or disclosed by a health care provider in violation of HIPAA may not bring a civil claim against the health care provider under HIPAA.” “Moreover, HIPAA specifically preempts any contrary provision of state law, meaning that a state law claim cannot be brought where a health care provider cannot comply with both the state and federal laws, or where the state law is an impediment to HIPAA’s objectives,” the law firm added. Some state court decisions have held that a HIPAA violation may form the basis for a state law negligence claim involving disclosure of PHI. The law firm cited a 2014 ruling by the Connecticut Supreme Court which held that breaches of PHI can expose healthcare providers to claims of negligence brought by individuals under state law. In [*Byrne v. Avery Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology*](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/doctors-can-sued-hipaa-negligence-says-conn-court), a healthcare provider in response to a subpoena provided the plaintiff’s medical records in a paternity action without notifying the plaintiff or objecting to the subpoena, as required by HIPAA. The court in that case ruled that the plaintiff’s claims were not preempted by HIPAA. *\*This story has been updated with information from the Wall Street Journal report.* --- This post, [LabCorp’s Network Security Breach May Have Exposed PHI of Millions](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/labcorps-network-security-breach-may-have-exposed-phi-of-millions), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com/](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/labcorps-network-security-breach-may-have-exposed-phi-of-millions). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Needlestick hazards and bloodborne pathogen standards accompany vaccine rollout](https://wastemedic.com/2021/02/27/needlestick-hazards-and-bloodborne-pathogen-standards-accompany-vaccine-rollout/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The ramping up of [vaccination for COVID-19](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/podcast/ehs-on-tap-covid-19-vaccine-ehs-role/) comes with rising concerns about bloodborne pathogen (BBP) exposure for vaccinators and the need for personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as steps to prevent needlestick injuries and other BBP program requirements. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that staff members at vaccination sites be provided with eye protection like goggles or face shields, gloves, and procedure face masks, but the federal PPE requirements for BBP exposures also include protective clothing like fluid-resistant gowns. The CDC does not recommend the use of N95 filtering facepiece respirators at vaccination sites. The first several months of the COVID-19 pandemic brought a renewed focus on the need to prevent or mitigate workplace infectious disease hazards. While there is no federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard for infectious diseases, the Obama administration OSHA initiated an infectious disease rulemaking it never completed. California has had an airborne transmissible disease (ATD) standard that only applies to correctional facilities and jails, healthcare and long-term care facilities, and public services like emergency medical service, fire, and law enforcement agencies. Virginia now has a [permanent infectious disease standard for COVID-19](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2021/02/virginia-adopts-a-permanent-covid-19-standard/). Oregon has an emergency temporary standard (ETS) and [recently proposed](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2021/02/oregon-proposes-permanent-covid-19-infectious-disease-standard/) a permanent standard that may take effect when its ETS expires. California and Michigan both have temporary COVID-19 standards. However, now that COVID-19 vaccines are available under a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization, there is a renewed focus on BBP exposures and needlestick injury prevention. November 2020 marked the 20th anniversary of the passage of the federal Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act (PL 106-430) into law. #### **Needlestick Injuries, BBP Regulations** An estimated 600,000 to 800,000 needlestick injures occur each year, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). OSHA’s BBP standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) covers exposures to pathogens that include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), found in blood and other bodily fluids. The BBP standard includes requirements to establish and implement an exposure control plan that must be updated annually; use universal protections; identify and use both engineering and work practice controls; provide PPE that includes gloves, fluid-resistant gowns, and eye protection; provide hepatitis B vaccination for exposed employees; provide information and training about BBPs and sharps safety; provide postexposure evaluation and follow-up care; and maintain a sharps injury log. Employers must clean, repair, and replace PPE as necessary. PPE must be provided, maintained, repaired, and replaced at no cost to the worker. The sharps injury logs required under OSHA’s BBP standard must at least include information about the date of the injury, the case report number, the type of device involved, the device brand name, the department or work area where the injury occurred, and a brief description of how the sharps injury occurred. However, a log also may include additional information like the occupation of the worker injured and the type of sharps injury protection feature on the device. BBP engineering controls include sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles, and safer medical devices, such as sharps with engineered sharps-injury protection. Work practices in BBP programs include reducing the possibility of exposure by changing the way a task like vaccine administration is performed, implementing appropriate practices for handling and disposing of contaminated sharps, handling site laundry, and cleaning contaminated surfaces and items. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) [cautions](https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_get_blob.cfm?ID=12601) employers engaged in COVID-19 vaccination programs to ensure the safety of vaccinators and vaccine administrators in preventing needlesticks and blood exposures. The NIEHS recommends the implementation of engineering and administrative controls, including PPE such as face coverings, eye protection, and gloves. The FDA regulates surgical or “procedure” masks used as an infection source control and respirators used in healthcare facilities under its medical device authority. NIOSH evaluates and approves all respirators but not surgical masks or nonregulatory face coverings. Needlestick injuries most often occur, according to the NIEHS, in hospital settings when disposable syringes are used but also may occur in nursing homes and other workplace settings. There is little research into or knowledge of needlesticks during mass vaccination programs. Inexperienced vaccinators can have the highest rate of needlestick injuries. Factors involved in needlestick injuries often include: Distraction caused by noise and crowded spaces; Difficulty removing the cap of a needle or difficulty in recapping; Lack of an ideal vaccination site—mass vaccination sites have been set up by state and local health departments in arenas, parking lots, and stadiums; The patient receiving a vaccine jumps, jars, or moves; Inappropriate technique, such as pinching skin with opposite hand; Inappropriate needle size or type; Lack of an engineered sharps injury prevention feature on a syringe or needle; Improper disposal of syringes or placing a used syringe on a surface; Vaccinator fatigue after immunizing patients over several consecutive workdays. #### Requirements of OSHA BBP Standard OSHA recommends that all employers at COVID-19 vaccination sites with recognizable BBP hazards take steps to prevent needlesticks and BBP exposure, including PPE for protection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, human blood, and other potentially infectious material. The agency also recommends the use of sharps with engineered sharps injury protections or other safer needle devices such as retractable and self-sheathing needles. OSHA also recommends that vaccination site workers not recap, shear, or break contaminated needles or pass used sharps between workers. The agency recommends the use of sharps containers located nearby that are closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof, and biohazard-labeled and/or color-coded to allow for immediate disposal of used syringes and other sharps. OSHA also encourages workers at vaccination sites to report safety and health concerns, including concerns about needlestick injuries, to their immediate supervisors. Employers will need to assess the risk of blood exposures and needlesticks for frontline vaccinators at each vaccination location and document the exposures in their exposure control plans. They will need to perform a hazard assessment before a vaccination program is launched to determine exposure, evaluating both the work environment and work practices utilized at the vaccination sites. All vaccinators should be trained in the proper activation of the sharps-injury prevention features of syringes or needles before use. Employers must ensure that puncture-resistant sharps containers are located as close as possible to the point of sharps use and that all used syringe and needle devices can be properly disposed of. The sharps container should be labeled, color-coded, secured to prevent tipping over, and closed and replaced when three-fourths full. BBP planning for vaccination sites also must include site-specific procedures for accessing medical follow-up for vaccinators who experience a needlestick injury. Employers should arrange for postexposure care as soon as possible after a needlestick injury, ideally immediately following the incident. The CDC recommends that postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) should begin as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after the incident. #### PEP The costs involved in needlestick injuries, follow-up monitoring, and PEP for BBPs can be significant. Required follow-up includes medical assessment of the injury, source patient testing, counseling, administration of PEP (if necessary), and continued postexposure follow-up by the medical provider at specific intervals. The CDC and U.S. Public Health Service have employer guidance for testing and clinical management of occupational exposures to [HBV](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6210a1.htm), [HCV](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/rr/rr6906a1.htm), and [HIV](). The likelihood of BBP exposures can change as the groups eligible for vaccination expand. Researchers estimate that members of the Baby Boomer generation may be five times more likely to have hepatitis C infections. Organizations sponsoring vaccination should clearly state that any contractors or volunteers mobilized as vaccinators are included in their postexposure BBP protocols, including follow-up medical care. Needlestick injuries are considered work-related and typically are covered by state workers’ compensation laws. The CDC has a [workbook](https://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/pdf/sharpsworkbook_2008.pdf) for designing, implementing, and evaluating sharps injury prevention programs in healthcare settings. Steps in the CDC’s workbook include developing the organizational capacity for a sharps injury prevention program, assessing program operations, preparing a baseline profile of sharps injury and prevention activities, determining intervention priorities, developing and implementing action programs, and monitoring program performance. #### NIOSH ‘Stop Sticks’ Other resources include NIOSH’s [“Stop Sticks” Campaign](https://www.cdc.gov/nora/councils/hcsa/stopsticks/default.html) that offers information about the knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes of workers and the use of devices with sharps injury protection. The Stop Sticks campaign is updated and maintained by NIOSH’s National Occupational Research Agenda Healthcare and Social Assistance Sector Council and includes newsletters, posters, and videos for use in the workplace. Needlestick injuries have frequently occurred due to attempts to recap needles and failing to dispose of used needles into a puncture-resistant sharps container, according to NIOSH. The institute recommends that those who work with syringes and needles: Get a hepatitis B vaccination and participate in any training provided in infection prevention; Use devices with safety features provided by the employer; Plan for safe handling and disposal of needles before using them; Avoid recapping needles; Promptly dispose of used needles in an appropriate sharps disposal container; Report all needlestick and sharps-related injuries promptly to ensure that you receive appropriate follow-up care; Report any needlestick hazards you observe to your employer. There are no vaccines available to prevent hepatitis C or HIV infection. OSHA has a [model exposure control plan](https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_2-2_69_APPD.pdf) that can be used as a template for BBP compliance. The agency’s [Enforcement Procedures for the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens](https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/enforcement/directives/CPL_02-02-069.pdf) also are available on OSHA’s website. Enforcement procedures include instructions for compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) at multiemployer worksites. A CSHO will review the exposure control plan and sharps injury log during an inspection. If you have employees with recognized exposures to blood and other potentially infectious materials like bodily fluids, you need an exposure control program and must update it annually. You also need to maintain a sharps injury log in addition to your OSHA 300 log of occupational injuries and illnesses. You will need to supply them with PPE, including eye protection like goggles or face shields, gloves, and fluid-resistant gowns. You will need to provide sharps with engineered sharps injury protections and sharps disposal containers, as well as information and training about sharps injury prevention. --- This post was first shared on EHS Daily Advisor, [Needlestick Hazards and Bloodborne Pathogen Standards Accompany Vaccine Rollout](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2021/02/needlestick-hazards-and-bloodborne-pathogen-standards-accompany-covid-19-vaccine-rollout/), on February 17, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [8 Workplace Violence Prevention Strategies for Nurses](https://wastemedic.com/2019/07/21/8-workplace-violence-prevention-strategies-for-nurses/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** In many healthcare facilities, nurses are the employees with the most direct contact with patients. They are the ones holding a woman’s hand and providing emotional support during labor. They are the ones changing dressings and swapping out bedpans. They are the ones comforting family members during a loved one’s health battles. This also means they are often the target of patient violence. Healthcare employees, particularly [nurses](https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/tag/assaultsonnurses/), are at an increased risk for workplace violence. Since this issue isn’t going away, nurses must prepare themselves for the possibility of workplace violence through education and training. Here are 8 workplace violence prevention strategies for healthcare professionals: ##### 1. GET INVOLVED AT YOUR FACILITY According to OSHA, employee involvement is essential to the success of any workplace violence prevention programs. At a minimum, it is recommended that nurses do the following: become familiar with the organization’s workplace violence prevention program and policies, attend personal safety training programs offered by the organization, participate in safety, health and security committees, participate in employee complaint or suggestion procedures and report violent incidents promptly and accurately ##### 2. DRESS FOR SAFETY The way healthcare professionals dress can help improve their safety. NIOSH recommends: removing anything that could be used as a weapon or taken by someone, hair should be tied back so it cannot easily be pulled, avoiding wearing earrings or necklaces that could be pulled, wearing clothing that isn’t too loose or too tight (overly loose clothing could get caught on something and overly tight clothing can restrict movement) and use breakaway safety cords or lanyards for name tags, keys, etc. ##### 3. BE AWARE OF YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT As with any places we go, being cognizant of our surroundings can dramatically improve our safety. Being aware of both **static** (room configuration, doors, lighting, workstations) and **changing** (weather, noise levels, staffing levels) risks is key. Particularly, NIOSH urges healthcare professionals to be aware of the following: note exits and emergency phone numbers when changing work areas; confusion, background noises and crowding can increase stress levels; meal times, shift changes and patient transports are all times of increased disruptive behavior. The course also provides a checklist for identifying environmental risk factors for violence. ##### 4. BE AWARE OF PATIENT BEHAVIORS Since an estimated 80% of violence against nurses is committed by patients, being attuned to patient behavior that could be a precursor to violence is critical. Some possible verbal cues indicators of violence include speaking loudly or yelling, swearing and threatening tone of voice. ##### 5. BE ATTUNED TO YOUR OWN RESPONSES Being aware of our own feelings and responses to certain situations can affect the outcome. NIOSH says to pay attention to instincts. For instance, a “fight or flight” response could be an early warning sign of looming danger and an indicator to get help or to leave. An important aspect of violence prevention is being aware that the way we express ourselves can influence how people respond to us, as can our personal history. For example, a personal history of abuse might affect how one responds to a potentially threatening situation. NIOSH also recommends being aware of your body. Overtiredness can greatly affect response to a hostile situation. ##### 6. CHECK YOUR SOCIO-CULTURAL BIASES Another important aspect of self-awareness is recognizing how cultural background shapes the way we view the world. These views can affect how we respond to patients and co-workers, and in turn, affect how they respond to us. For instance, says NIOSH, misunderstandings stemming from language barriers can increase a patient’s anxiety to the point where physical attacks are their only way to communicate frustration or pain. ##### 7. USE VIOLENCE RISK ASSESSMENT TOOLS Healthcare organizations should have violence risk assessment tools that can be used to evaluate individuals for potential violence. These tools are a common frame of reference and understanding for healthcare providers and can minimize the likelihood of misinterpretation a person’s potential for violence. ##### 8. SAFETY IN NON-INSTITUTIONAL HEALTHCARE SETTINGS Healthcare organizations have a responsibility to establish protective policies for staff working outside of the facility, such as in-home care settings. NIOSH recommends the following safety checklist for non-institutional healthcare settings: review agency files to confirm a background check was done on a patient; check to see if a patient’s family member has a record of violence or arrest; if entering a situation already assessed over the phone as potentially dangerous, you should be accompanied by a team member who has training in de-escalation and crisis intervention; always have a cell phone; be sure someone knows where you are. --- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ([NIOSH](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/)), the federal agency responsible for conducting research to find effective ways to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses through training, has many prevention resources for all sorts of employees, including those in retail, construction and healthcare. One very helpful resource is [this completely free violence prevention course](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/violence/training_nurses.html) to help healthcare workers better understand the scope and nature of violence in the workplace. It includes definitions, statistics, risk factors, prevention strategies for organizations and prevention strategies for nurses. Perhaps most helpful within the course are scenario-based training exercises that include people acting out a hospital security incident. In one scenario, a [patient makes a sexual advance at a nurse](https://wwwn.cdc.gov/wpvhc/Course.aspx/Slide/Unit13_1). In another, a [home health nurse is threatened by a patient](https://wwwn.cdc.gov/wpvhc/Course.aspx/Slide/Unit11_1). In a third, a post-partum nurse is [assaulted by a patient’s family member](https://wwwn.cdc.gov/wpvhc/Course.aspx/Slide/Unit10_1). You can check out all of the case studies [here](https://wwwn.cdc.gov/wpvhc/Course.aspx/Slide/Unit9_1). Each example includes incident details, visuals, a video clip, appropriate responses and a quick quiz on your learnings. While the prevention strategies provided by NIOSH are directed towards nurses, all healthcare employees can benefit from them. View this article’s [slideshow](https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/hospital/workplace-violence-prevention-strategies-for-nurses/slideshow/0/) to see how you can protect yourself. --- This post, [The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends healthcare professionals following these eight practices to protect themselves](https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/hospital/workplace-violence-prevention-strategies-for-nurses/), first appeared on [https://www.campussafetymagazine.com](https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/hospital/workplace-violence-prevention-strategies-for-nurses/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Why Proper Disposal Of Sharps Is Really Important](https://wastemedic.com/2022/06/20/why-proper-disposal-of-sharps-is-really-important/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** When it comes to biomedical wastes, sharps are the most difficult when it comes to [proper disposal](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/). Whether the handling, dumping or cleaning, there is no waste harder to handle than the sharps. With ridiculously sharp edges that always pierce the handler in one way or the other, you end up having the hardest time dealing with them. ### Why is proper disposal important? With over 16 billion injections administered worldwide every single year, sharps are heavily used. Injections with contaminated needles and syringes in low – income and middle – income countries have reduced substantially in recent years, partly due to efforts to reduce the reuse of injection devices. Despite this progress, in 2010, unsafe injections were still responsible for as many as 33 800 new HIV infections, 1.7 million hepatitis B infections, and 315 000 hepatitis C infections*.* A patient who experiences a single needle stick injury from a needle used on an infected source patient has risks of 30%, 1.8%, and 0.3% respectively of becoming infected with HBV, HCV, and HIV. These add up to be quite hazardous over the long run. ### Who is the most at risk? Additional hazards occur from scavenging at waste disposal sites and during the handling and manual sorting of hazardous waste from health-care facilities. These practices are common in many regions of the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The waste handlers are at immediate risk of needle-stick injuries and exposure to toxic or infectious materials. This could lead to large outbreaks of the disease which can end up with a pandemic-like scenario. In the year 2015, a joint assessment by the [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-care-waste) (WHO) and the United Nations Child and Education Foundation ( UNICEF ) found that just over half (58 %) of sampled facilities from 24 countries had adequate systems in place for the safe disposal of health care waste. This leaves a major part of the world still lacking perfect medical systems. ### What are the types of sharp waste? The types of sharps that might come out of a hospital include hypothermic and blunted needles, disposable blades, broken and/or contaminated glass, microscope slides, ecrtain medical tubes, and some plastics. ### What are the main concerns with sharps disposal? Sharps are quite dangerous for a few reasons. These are: **They are sharp:** As the name implies, they are quite sharp and prone to cut skin. This makes them quite a hassle to handle without any protective equipment. This also makes them quite prone to cutting bags and other simple containers. So making sure you dispose of the sharps into an appropriate container as soon as possible will not just save you from a few cuts but also simplify the final disposal process. **They tend to carry pathogens:** Most sharps would have been administered to a sick patient or an infection. This makes them a source of infection. This would not be as much of a problem if not for the fact that they also cut skin. This makes the used sharp a dangerous tool to be left without proper disposal. When diseases like HIV can be transmitted by the re-use of a syringe, disposing of these as soon as possible is absolutely mandatory. **Government requirements:** The medical bodies of most governments across the globe require you to have some degree of sterilizing or even complete disposal of syringes and other sharps. So the final reason for proper disposal of your sharps would be to adhere to government regulations and your Hippocratic Oath. Disposing of tonnes upon tonnes of medical waste is not an easy process. With the involvement of machines, they minimize human contact and hence prevent and spread of infection and the maintenance of decorum. Wherever you are in America you can get the perfect sharp disposal service. Always remember that the right disposal can save more than one life. --- This post, Why Proper Disposal Of Sharps Is Really Important?, was shared by [Youth Incorporated](https://youthincmag.com/why-proper-disposal-of-sharps-is-really-important) on December 20, 2020. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Everything You Need to Know About Sharps Disposal: Best Practices & Solutions](https://wastemedic.com/2024/03/26/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sharps-disposal-best-practices-solutions/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Sharps waste, including needles, syringes, and lancets, poses significant risks to public health and the environment if not properly managed. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the importance of sharps disposal, regulatory guidelines, safe handling methods, professional disposal services, environmental impact, and community education initiatives. #### Understanding Sharps Waste Sharps waste encompasses a wide range of medical devices designed to puncture or lacerate the skin. This category includes needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharps items used in healthcare facilities, households, and other settings. Improper disposal of sharps waste can lead to needlestick injuries, transmission of infectious diseases, and environmental contamination. #### Regulatory Guidelines Federal and state regulations govern the proper disposal of sharps waste to protect public health and safety. Compliance with regulations such as OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard is essential to minimize risks and ensure safe handling and disposal practices. #### Safe Handling & Disposal Methods To safely handle and dispose of sharps waste, it’s crucial to follow recommended guidelines. Use puncture-resistant sharps containers with leak-proof seals to collect used sharps. When full, seal the containers properly and dispose of them according to local regulations or through Waste Medic’s professional disposal services. ### **Professional Sharps Disposal Services with Waste Medic** Waste Medic offers convenient, safe, and compliant solutions for managing sharps waste. Our services ensure regulatory compliance, reduce the risk of needlestick injuries, and provide peace of mind for healthcare facilities, businesses, and households. With Waste Medic, you can trust that your sharps waste is handled and disposed of responsibly. #### Environmental Impact & Sustainability Improper disposal of sharps waste can have significant environmental consequences, including pollution and contamination of soil and water sources. By adopting eco-friendly disposal methods and supporting sustainability initiatives, such as those offered by Waste Medic, we can minimize the environmental impact of sharps waste and protect our ecosystems. Proper sharps disposal is essential for protecting public health, preventing needlestick injuries, and preserving the environment. By adhering to regulatory guidelines, implementing safe handling practices, utilizing Waste Medic’s professional disposal services, and supporting community education efforts, we can collectively mitigate the risks associated with sharps waste and create safer, healthier communities for all. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Optimizing Medical Waste Compliance Training with Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/2024/03/26/optimizing-medical-waste-compliance-training-with-waste-medic/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** In the realm of healthcare, compliance training serves as a cornerstone for maintaining regulatory standards and ensuring patient safety. Waste Medic, a prominent figure in medical waste management solutions, offers a comprehensive approach to compliance training tailored to the unique needs of healthcare organizations. Here’s an in-depth look at Waste Medic’s strategy for enhancing medical compliance training: **Customized Training Modules** Waste Medic recognizes that one-size-fits-all approaches to compliance training fall short in addressing the diverse needs of healthcare facilities. To bridge this gap, Waste Medic provides customized training modules designed to address specific compliance challenges faced by each client. Through collaborative consultations, Waste Medic works closely with healthcare organizations to identify their unique compliance requirements and develop targeted training solutions. Whether it’s OSHA regulations, HIPAA guidelines, or state-specific mandates, Waste Medic ensures that its training modules cover all relevant aspects of medical waste management and regulatory compliance. ### Interactive Learning Experiences Passive learning methods are ineffective in engaging participants and facilitating meaningful knowledge retention. Waste Medic advocates for interactive learning experiences that actively involve participants in the learning process. By incorporating multimedia elements, real-life scenarios, and interactive exercises, Waste Medic’s training sessions stimulate critical thinking and encourage participants to apply compliance principles in practical contexts. Through immersive simulations, case studies, and gamified learning modules, Waste Medic fosters an environment where healthcare professionals can develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate compliance challenges effectively. **Continuous Education** & **Reinforcement** Compliance is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey that requires continuous education and reinforcement. Waste Medic emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning by providing regular updates, refresher courses, and ongoing support to its clients. By keeping healthcare professionals informed about the latest regulatory changes, industry trends, and best practices in medical waste management, Waste Medic ensures that compliance remains a top priority within healthcare organizations. Additionally, Waste Medic encourages a culture of accountability and responsibility, empowering staff members to take ownership of compliance initiatives and contribute to a culture of excellence in patient care. #### Integration of Technology Technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness and accessibility of compliance training initiatives. Waste Medic leverages innovative tools and platforms to deliver cutting-edge training solutions that meet the evolving needs of its clients. From user-friendly learning management systems to mobile applications, Waste Medic’s technological infrastructure enables seamless delivery of training content across different devices and platforms. By leveraging data analytics and tracking tools, Waste Medic can monitor training progress, identify learning gaps, and continuously optimize its training programs to better meet the needs of its clients. In conclusion, [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/)‘s approach to medical compliance training prioritizes customization, interactivity, continuous education, and technological innovation. By offering tailored training modules, interactive learning experiences, ongoing support, and cutting-edge technology, Waste Medic empowers healthcare organizations to navigate the complex landscape of regulatory compliance with confidence and competence. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [Scheduling & Preparing Medical Waste for Pickup & Transportation](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/26/scheduling-preparing-medical-waste-for-pickup-transportation/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Deciding how often your organization needs pickup services for your medical waste is critical for the healthy functioning of your organization. Although not as commonly thought of as doctors and nurses, operations management is just as vital in the healthcare industry. Waste Medic prides ourselves on exceptional customer services and helping our clients overcome the operational challenges regarding medical waste management, while ensuring compliance and fair, transparent and reliable pricing. ### Why Proper Medical Waste Disposal is Integral According to [the World Health Organization](http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/medicalwaste/020to030.pdf), being exposed to dangerous medical waste can cause a wide variety of illnesses and injuries (particularly when loose sharps are present), and injuries can impact a number of different individuals. Used sharps should be immediately placed in a sharps disposal container. These containers are made of puncture-resistant plastic with leak-resistant sides and bottom. They also have a tight fitting, puncture-resistant lid. Red bags are certainly strong, but they’re not designed to hold any sharps materials. Keep syringes, blades and other items out of red bags. Used needles and other sharps are dangerous to people and pets if not disposed of safely because they can injure people and spread infections that cause serious health conditions. The most common infections are Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Medical personnel are the first to be impacted by improperly disposed of medical waste. Patients and facility visitors are at risk of exposure, especially children, whose curiosity leads them to investigate unusual things in their path. Support services, such as cleaning personnel and laundry team members, are at risk when they accidentally come in contact unproperly disposed of medical waste in the performance of their duties. Additionally, medical waste that makes its way into city dumps poses a risk for the facility’s workers, scavengers, and wildlife. ### Who Regulates Medical Waste? Medical waste is primarily regulated by local state environmental and health departments. The EPA has not had authority since the Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988 expired in 1991. It is important to understand your state programs and guidance to ensure compliance. Other federal agencies have regulations regarding medical waste. These agencies include Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and potentially others. Medical waste regulations are complicated. Waste Medic provides the expertise and reliable response to an organization’s needs and will ensure the safety of staff, patients, the public, and the environment. ### Ensuring Compliance & Managing Waste Streams Organizations can work with their service provider to schedule regular pickups (weekly, biweekly, or monthly) of medical waste in coordination with your level of usage. Additionally, we are your on call partner for those times when your medical waste collection bins fill up quicker than usual. Waste Medic’s convenient, flexible options combined with our customer-first mentality are the core of our business. The type of medical practice you have will determine how often your medical waste needs to be picked up. Frequent collection keeps containers empty for continual use. If containers become too full, waste cannot be simply thrown in random disposal vessels. Medical personnel and patients rely on constant waste collection to keep a facility operating safely and efficiently. ### Preparing for Your Pickup Avoid any missteps in the medical waste disposal process by reviewing these guidelines for preparing your medical waste for pickup and transportation. Collect & Segregate Medical Waste Categorizing medical waste with the correct separation isolates each type so it can be managed in the proper way. There are five major categories: sharps, biohazardous waste, trace chemotherapy waste, RCRA hazardous waste, and pharmaceutical waste… and these should never be mixed. Use the Right Containers It’s critical to use the correct containers, both in terms of physical strength and appearance, for medical waste that will be transported effectively. Containers must be resilient and strong enough to resist breakage during the handling process. And containers should *never* be overfilled. Properly Fill & Tie Your Bags Overfilling containers creates a problem when tying off the bags. Ideally, fill the red bags only partially to the top. Red bags must be properly tied (using an overhand knot or a twist or zip tie) and placed into another container that is approved for medical waste. You should not be able to see the bag after the secondary container is closed. Label & Prepare Your Medical Waste for Transport Container labeling seems like a relatively easy task; however, label coding is a critical step in the medical waste disposal process. Containers must be labeled according to state regulations. Store Your Medical Waste for Pickup Once your medical waste has been properly segregated, it may need to be stored until pickup. A secure area that is inaccessible to the public and is separated from food consumption areas is ideal. (A refrigerator or freezer that can be used, if necessary.) Proper Documentation Remember, you are responsible for medical waste even after it leaves your facility. Any permits required for the transport and delivery of your medical waste should be kept on file and you should [know where your medical waste is going](https://blog.trihazsolutions.com/do-you-know-where-your-medical-waste-is-going). Be sure to receive a signed manifest document from your medical waste services provider before the waste leaves your facility. This is the most important part of the transportation process. Waste Medic makes this process simple by offering online access to manifests through [our online portal](https://wastemedic.com/training-certification/). ### A Reliable Healthcare Partnership Proper segregation, packaging, labeling, and storage of your medical waste will help ensure that it will be ready to go when your Waste Medic representative arrives. Are there any gaps in your medical waste disposal process? [Contact us for a consultation.](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [The Basics of Color-Coding Your Medical Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2022/04/25/the-basics-of-color-coding-your-medical-waste-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** One of the most critical aspects of healthcare is the management of the waste generated at the facilities. A variety of businesses generate medical waste including hospitals and veterinary clinics, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, tattoo and body piercing parlors. No matter what type of business you are in, understanding how to properly dispose of [medical waste](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/medical-waste) will not only help you keep your employees and the public safe, but it will also keep you in compliance with government and industry standards. Typically, staff is trained to use specialized waste containers to dispose of waste, as well as a means of removing it from the property. The containerization process should be simple, streamlined, and efficient to keep operations running smoothly and safely. For many organizations, medical waste disposal is not just a process, it is a strategy. Waste Medic provides education and experienced consultation, as well as comprehensive and agile solutions, tailored to suit large or small organizations with any number of unique needs. ### The Importance of Bin Consistency The identification and separation of healthcare waste streams can have significant implications for facilities of any size. Ensuring each waste type is disposed of in the proper container is critical to the safety of staff – both yours and ours! Some of the common (and costly) considerations of incorrectly disposed medical waste include: - Risk to staff and patients through exposure or unauthorized access to infectious wastes or controlled substances - Compliance breaches and risk of fines for the incorrect disposal and treatment of hazardous materials - Treatment complications imposing human and environmental risk from wrongly categorized hazardous wastes The colors associated to each type of waste are ideally kept constant… not just in an individual medical facility, but ideally across all medical facilities. US legislation places significant importance around the collection, disposal, and treatment of both medical waste and hazardous waste, due to the great risk to people and the environment. So much emphasis, that if any hazardous and non-hazardous material were ever mixed together, the full bulk of the waste would be classified as hazardous and would need to be disposed of in accordance to hazardous waste regulations, which can result in high-cost implications. ### Color Coding Medical Waste Color coding represents the very basic principle that medical waste doesn’t all go to the same place. Different kinds of waste require unique and specific handling methods. Medical waste container colors generally represent the following: - **Red:** These bins represent biohazardous material. This can include materials or instruments that involve body fluids like blood or deal with casings, tubing, or syringes that that has contained body fluids - **Yellow:** These bins represent radioactive materials and often have the sign for radioactivity on it. It often contains items used in chemo or radiotherapy, including gloves and gowns. - **Black:** These bins represent hazardous waste like chemicals, bad or dangerous medications, and chemo treatment. - **Blue:** These bins represent non-hazardous solid waste. This can include regular pills and medication and general pharmaceuticals. Additionally, color coding medical waste into specific bins is essentially segregation. Thanks to segregation, you can: - Reduce the quantity of biomedical waste that needs handling special treatment - Prevent the reuse of sharps or other types of waste for illegal purposes - Provide more opportunities for recycling medical waste after proper steam sterilization Feeling a bit intimidated on how to tackle [medical waste disposal](https://wastemedic.com/services/medical-waste-disposal/)? Color coding is just the first step. Reach out to the team at Waste Medic for a [friendly, no-risk consultation](https://wastemedic.com/contact-us/) on your organization’s waste stream and determine what’s next for confident safety and compliance. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Navigating Responsible Medical Waste Disposal: A Guide for Hospitals & Medical Offices](https://wastemedic.com/2024/05/23/navigating-responsible-medical-waste-disposal-a-guide-for-hospitals-medical-offices/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Discover best practices for responsible medical waste disposal in hospitals and medical offices. Learn how Waste Medic's tailored solutions ensure compliance, safety, and peace of mind for healthcare facilities. **Content:** In the realm of healthcare, ensuring the safe and responsible disposal of medical waste is not just a regulatory obligation – it’s a critical component of patient and staff safety. Hospitals and medical offices generate a myriad of waste materials, from used needles and contaminated supplies to biohazardous substances, all of which require meticulous handling and disposal to prevent risks of infection and environmental harm. Recognizing the critical role of responsible medical waste disposal, hospitals and medical offices prioritize compliance with regulations to safeguard public health and the environment: **Compliance with Regulations:** Regulatory bodies such as OSHA and the EPA mandate strict guidelines for the management and disposal of medical waste. Hospitals and medical offices must adhere to these regulations to avoid penalties and ensure the safety of their operations. **Protection of Public Health:** Improper disposal of medical waste can pose significant health risks to healthcare workers, patients, and the general public. By responsibly managing medical waste, healthcare facilities minimize the spread of infections and protect the well-being of their communities. **Environmental Stewardship:** Biohazardous waste, pharmaceuticals, and other medical materials can have harmful effects on the environment if not disposed of properly. Implementing environmentally responsible waste management practices helps mitigate these risks and promotes sustainability. ### Partner with Waste Medic Responsible medical waste disposal is an essential aspect of healthcare operations, ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and the environment. By partnering with Waste Medic, hospitals and medical offices can streamline their waste management processes, achieve regulatory compliance, and uphold the highest standards of safety and environmental stewardship. **Tailored Services:** Waste Medic understands that each healthcare facility has unique waste management needs. Our team works closely with hospitals and medical offices to develop customized solutions that address their specific requirements while ensuring compliance with regulations. **Expert Guidance:** With years of experience in the healthcare waste management industry, Waste Medic’s specialists provide expert guidance on best practices for waste segregation, handling, and disposal. We keep our clients informed and empowered to make responsible decisions regarding their waste management processes. **Comprehensive Support:** From biohazardous waste disposal to pharmaceutical waste management, Waste Medic offers a comprehensive suite of services to meet the diverse needs of healthcare facilities. Our reliable and efficient solutions give our clients peace of mind, knowing that their waste is being managed responsibly. **Commitment to Safety:** At Waste Medic, safety is our top priority. We employ stringent safety protocols and procedures to protect our clients, our employees, and the communities we serve. With our commitment to safety and compliance, healthcare facilities can trust Waste Medic to handle their waste with care and professionalism. *[Choose Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) for reliable and tailored waste management solutions that prioritize safety, compliance, and peace of mind.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, healthcare waste management, regulatory compliance, waste management solutions, biohazardous waste, Waste Medic --- ### [Mastering Medical Waste Segregation: A Comprehensive Guide](https://wastemedic.com/2024/05/25/mastering-medical-waste-segregation-a-comprehensive-guide/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Dive into the intricacies of medical waste segregation with our comprehensive guide. Learn about color-coded disposal systems and best practices for ensuring compliance and safety in healthcare facilities. Trust Waste Medic for expert guidance and solutions tailored to your waste management needs. **Content:** Effective medical waste segregation is a cornerstone of responsible waste management practices in healthcare facilities. Proper segregation not only ensures compliance with regulations but also minimizes the risks associated with handling hazardous materials. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the importance of medical waste segregation, the principles of color-coded disposal systems, and how Waste Medic can assist in implementing effective waste management strategies tailored to your facility’s needs. ### Understanding the Importance of Medical Waste Segregation Medical waste encompasses a diverse range of materials, including sharps, infectious waste, pharmaceuticals, and more. Segregating these materials at the point of generation is essential for preventing cross-contamination, reducing the volume of hazardous waste, and facilitating safe disposal processes. By categorizing waste according to its characteristics and potential risks, healthcare facilities can streamline disposal procedures and mitigate the hazards associated with improper waste management. ### Principles of Color-Coded Waste Disposal Color-coded disposal systems provide a visual aid for healthcare workers to easily identify and segregate different types of medical waste. Each color corresponds to a specific category of waste, such as red for infectious waste, yellow for chemotherapy waste, and blue for pharmaceutical waste. By adhering to color-coded guidelines, healthcare facilities can standardize waste segregation practices, minimize errors, and enhance safety and efficiency in waste management processes. Here are some best practices for proper segregation: #### Staff Training Proper waste segregation begins with comprehensive training for healthcare staff. Ensure that all employees are familiar with color-coded disposal systems, waste segregation guidelines, and the importance of accurate waste sorting. #### Clear Signage Display clear and prominently visible signage indicating the appropriate waste categories and corresponding color codes. This helps reinforce segregation practices and prevents confusion among staff members. #### Regular Audits Conduct regular audits of waste segregation practices to identify any areas for improvement or areas of [non-compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2024/03/simplifying-medical-waste-management-with-waste-medic-ensuring-compliance-reliability-and-cost-effectiveness/). Address any issues promptly and provide additional training or resources as needed to maintain adherence to best practices. #### Partnering with Waste Medic for Expert Guidance At Waste Medic, we understand the complexities of medical waste management and the importance of proper segregation. Our team of specialists offers expert guidance and tailored solutions to help healthcare facilities implement effective waste segregation practices. From staff training to customized disposal systems, Waste Medic is committed to ensuring compliance, safety, and efficiency in medical waste management. Mastering medical waste segregation is essential for promoting safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility in healthcare settings. By understanding the principles of color-coded disposal systems and implementing best practices for waste segregation, healthcare facilities can minimize risks, streamline disposal processes, and protect the health and well-being of staff and patients. Trust [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) as your partner in waste management, and together, we can ensure the proper handling and disposal of medical waste for a safer and healthier future. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance **Tags:** Medical waste disposal, healthcare waste management, regulatory compliance, waste management solutions, biohazardous waste, Waste Medic, Medical waste segregation, waste segregation guidelines, color-coded waste disposal --- ### [Police: Human remains found at Baltimore County recycling center likely ‘medical waste’](https://wastemedic.com/2024/05/25/police-human-remains-found-at-baltimore-county-recycling-center-likely-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Investigators suspect that human remains discovered at a Cockeysville recycling plant on Monday are likely medical waste, according to Baltimore County Police. The remains were found at the Baltimore County Refuse/Recycling Center, prompting a temporary closure. Authorities are awaiting autopsy results to confirm the nature of the remains and investigate their origin. Read more on The Baltimore Sun. **Content:** Investigators believe [human remains](https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/05/20/possible-human-remains-baltimore-county-recycling/) found at a Cockeysville recycling plant Monday are “medical waste,” Baltimore County Police said Friday. Officers arrived Monday morning at the Baltimore County Refuse/Recycling Center on Warren Road in response to the discovery of “possible human remains” inside the plant. Items from multiple jurisdictions are sorted at the facility, which closed early Monday after the discovery. County spokesperson Erica Palmisano said the facility re-opened Tuesday. “While the Baltimore County Police Department awaits autopsy results, investigators believe that this is an incident of improperly discarded medical waste,” the police department said in a news release Friday. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy. Earlier this week, police said detectives were investigating where the “possible remains” had come from and whether a crime had occurred. *This post, [Police: Human remains found at Baltimore County recycling center likely ‘medical waste’](https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/05/24/police-human-remains-baltimore-county-recycling-center-likely-medical-waste/) , originally appeared on [The Baltimore Sun](https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/05/24/police-human-remains-baltimore-county-recycling-center-likely-medical-waste/) on May 24, 2024.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [Keck Medicine of USC and USC’s health sciences schools make sustainability a priority](https://wastemedic.com/2024/05/25/keck-medicine-of-usc-and-uscs-health-sciences-schools-make-sustainability-a-priority/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** By upcycling ocean plastics, reducing harmful anesthesia gases and transforming medical supply chains, the USC health system and medical research schools hope to curb pollution. **Content:** Anyone who has spent time in a hospital or doctor’s office can see the enormous amount of waste generated in patient care. But at Keck Medicine of USC and within USC’s health sciences schools, there’s a robust movement to shrink health care’s carbon footprint. As part of USC President Carol Folt’s sustainability “moonshot,” USC’s Office of Health Affairs organized a recent panel discussion on the issue of medical waste. The office, led by Senior Vice President for Health Affairs Steve Shapiro, encompasses USC’s health system and the university’s five health sciences schools: the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, the USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, which includes the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy. “Keck Medicine and the health sciences schools stand at the forefront of climate action, driving change within our hospital, our schools, across our campuses and within our local communities,” said Michele Kipke, associate vice president for strategic health alliances, who helped organize the panel. “Through innovation, we’re paving the way toward a more sustainable future.” Anesthesiologist Arash Motamed, medical director of sustainability with Keck Medicine, detailed plans to continue reducing the use of [environmentally harmful anesthesia gases](https://today.usc.edu/greener-gases/) in surgery. Last year, Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital eliminated nitrous oxide and desflurane. Next up is cutting the use of two more anesthetics — sevoflurane and isoflurane — by 75%. The annual reduction in emissions would represent the equivalent of driving around Earth’s circumference more than six times, Motamed said. ### Sustainability in medicine: Working with industry partners Motamed also discussed negotiations with industry partners to customize medical supply kits and offer reusable supplies. Many medical supplies come in packs that include items that are unnecessary and go straight to landfills. Reusable laryngoscopes, a tool used to check a patient’s airway, will be rolled out soon. Other panelists described a wide array of sustainable initiatives: - [Clay Wang](https://claywanglab.com/) of USC Mann presented his work [upcycling plastic bags and bottles plucked from the ocean](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKdwqaKzjYA&t=3s) by composting them with a special fungi — transforming trash into pharmacologically active compounds. - [Camille Dieterle](https://chan.usc.edu/people/faculty/Camille_Dieterle) of USC Chan discussed her work in environmentally informed occupational therapy. This approach is based on research linking [personal and public health with ecological conditions](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14473828.2020.1717055). - [Sarah Hamm-Alvarez](https://today.usc.edu/profile/sarah-hamm-alvarez/), a professor of ophthalmology and pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences, spoke of recycling nitrile gloves as flooring materials. Such a project could remove from landfills tons of these gloves, which take hundreds of years to break down. For environmental health researcher [Max Aung,](https://keck.usc.edu/news/usc-faculty-member-max-aung-phd-shares-research-expertise-at-california-attorney-generals-press-conference/) the panel was a chance to meet new colleagues and kick off potential collaborations. Aung and fellow researcher [Lida Chatzi](https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/vaia-lida-chatzi/) won a [USC President’s Sustainability Initiative Award](https://keck.usc.edu/news/usc-researchers-assess-impact-of-pfas-in-drinking-water-systems-in-southern-california/) for their project assessing [community exposures to “forever chemicals”](https://keck.usc.edu/news/usc-researchers-assess-impact-of-pfas-in-drinking-water-systems-in-southern-california/) or PFAS (short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) via drinking water in Southern California. “I didn’t realize how much exciting sustainability stuff is going on across USC,” Aung said after the panel. “I think there’s a lot of potential for collaboration, for workshopping ideas together.” *This post, [Keck Medicine of USC and USC’s health sciences schools make sustainability a priority](https://today.usc.edu/keck-medicine-of-usc-and-uscs-health-sciences-schools-make-sustainability-a-priority/), originally appeared on the [University of Southern California](https://today.usc.edu/)‘s website on May 21, 2024.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [Safeguarding Health: The Vital Role of Proper Sharps Disposal in Hospitals](https://wastemedic.com/2024/04/21/safeguarding-health-the-vital-role-of-proper-sharps-disposal-in-hospitals/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Ensure the safety of your healthcare facility with Waste Medic's expert sharps disposal solutions. Partner with us for reliable, compliant, and tailored waste management services. Protect your staff and patients today. **Content:** In the dynamic environment of healthcare facilities, where the focus is on healing and care, proper waste management might not always be top of mind. However, when it comes to sharps disposal, meticulous attention is not just a best practice – it’s a critical necessity. Sharps, such as needles, syringes, and scalpels, pose serious health risks if not handled and [disposed of properly](https://wastemedic.com/2024/03/the-top-5-reasons-proper-sharps-disposal-is-vital-for-medical-organizations/). The consequences of mishandling these items can extend beyond the facility walls, affecting staff, patients, and the community at large. **Why Proper Sharps Disposal Matters:** 1. **Safety First:** Sharps injuries can lead to transmission of bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Healthcare workers are at constant risk of accidental needlesticks, highlighting the paramount importance of safe disposal practices. 2. **Preventing Infections:** Improperly discarded sharps can become breeding grounds for bacteria and pathogens, increasing the risk of infections among both staff and patients. Maintaining a clean and sterile environment is fundamental to patient care and infection prevention. 3. **Environmental Impact:** Sharps that are not disposed of correctly can find their way into the environment, posing hazards to sanitation workers, wildlife, and even the general public. Proper disposal ensures that these hazardous materials are contained and neutralized appropriately. Given the gravity of these concerns, healthcare organizations must partner with reliable waste management providers that specialize in sharps disposal. This is where Waste Medic steps in as a trusted ally in healthcare waste management. **How Waste Medic Supports Healthcare Organizations:** 1. **Expert Guidance:** Waste Medic’s team of specialists provides comprehensive guidance on proper sharps disposal protocols, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and minimizing risks to your staff and patients. 2. **Safe Handling:** With a commitment to safety at its core, Waste Medic employs rigorous procedures for the collection, transportation, and disposal of sharps waste. Our trained professionals handle sharps with the utmost care and precision, mitigating the risk of accidents or contamination. 3. **Customized Solutions:** Every healthcare facility has unique needs and challenges. Waste Medic works closely with your organization to develop tailored waste management solutions that prioritize safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. 4. **Reliable Service:** With Waste Medic, you can rely on timely and dependable service. Our own fleet of vehicles ensures prompt collection and disposal of sharps waste, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional patient care. In conclusion, proper sharps disposal is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s a fundamental aspect of healthcare safety and infection control. By partnering with Waste Medic, healthcare organizations can rest assured that their sharps waste is handled with precision, professionalism, and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding health. Choose [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/) for comprehensive sharps disposal solutions and uphold the highest standards of safety and care in your healthcare facility. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your organization’s waste management needs. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [Improper Disposal of Medical Waste Costs Health Systems & the Environment](https://wastemedic.com/2024/04/21/improper-disposal-of-medical-waste-costs-health-systems-the-environment-2/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** 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. **Content:** 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 equivalent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which spans twice the area of Texas. The COVID-19 pandemic exponentially increased the use of disposable medical supplies, with 3 million face masks used every minute globally, according to a 2020 estimate. Yet, awareness of the health sector’s environmental impact is low, especially when it comes to the proper disposal of medical waste. ## What waste goes where? About 85% of hospital garbage is general, nonhazardous waste that can be recycled or sent to a landfill without any special processing. This includes items like dressing sponges, diapers and incontinence pads, personal protective equipment, disposable drapes, IV bags, tubing, catheters, lab coats, and pads that won’t release liquid or semi-liquid blood. However, much of this general garbage is improperly discarded with hazardous waste and either incinerated or sanitized in an autoclave before heading to the landfill, according to Laurette Geldenhuys of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). Even among members of Geldenhuys’ regional CAPE committee, many didn’t know what truly belonged in hazardous waste bins. “There seems to be a lack of knowledge out there,” she said. ## Hidden costs of improper disposal Unnecessary extra processing of general waste is more costly for health systems and the environment, Geldenhuys said. However, tracking these costs is difficult since Canada doesn’t consistently collect or report data on medical waste. At the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, where Geldenhuys works as a nephropathologist, a large proportion of “special” hazardous waste is incinerated. “Apart from the fact that Nova Scotia Health pays for it… \[incinerating unnecessary items\] significantly adds to the greenhouse gas emissions of the organization,” she explained. So, “the less special waste one can create, the better.” Geldenhuys’ lab was able to reduce its special waste output by 75% within a month by conducting an audit, providing additional bins and bags for recycling and general garbage, and educating staff on what items go where. ## Operating rooms driving waste Operating rooms particularly present “tremendous” opportunities for waste reduction, said Syed Ali Akbar Abbass, an anesthesiologist and chief of environmental stewardship and sustainability at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto. On average, operating rooms drive up to 60% of a hospital’s supply costs and produce more than 30% of a facility’s total waste and more than 60% of its specially regulated medical waste. In a recent audit of disposal bins for “sharps” like needles, lancets and blades, Abbass found that up to 90% of the contents were inappropriate — including paper and plastic trash, metal instruments that weren’t sharp, and cutlery from the cafeteria. “It boggles my mind as to the amount of waste,” he said. For example, “needle drivers aren’t sharp, they aren’t scissors, and they can’t cut anybody — they’re used to hold things. But they’re thrown in the sharps container because of poor understanding of waste segregation.” Putting the wrong items in sharps containers constitutes a very expensive trip to the landfill, Abbass said. “It’s orders of magnitude more expensive \[than throwing trash in the garbage\] because it first gets sterilized by autoclave.” He estimates hospitals could see “upwards of $100 000 in cost savings just by doing appropriate segregation of waste.” ## Recycling initiatives taking off Meanwhile, many items could be diverted from landfills entirely. In 2018, Abbass initiated a reprocessing program for single-use medical devices used in St. Joseph’s operating rooms in partnership with the medical equipment company Stryker. Normally, these devices would have been thrown into the sharps container, autoclaved, and ended up in a landfill. But now, Stryker collects the items at no cost to the hospital and either refurbishes and resells them at a discount or recycles their raw materials. In 2020 alone, the program diverted nearly half a ton of single-use biomedical device waste from landfills and saved the hospital thousands of dollars in both sharps waste and device costs. St. Michael’s Hospital has since joined the program, and Abbass is searching for a metals recycler to reprocess other medical instruments. Abbass also led St. Joseph’s to become the first facility in North America to recycle medical PVC — a flexible plastic used for IV fluid bags and oxygen masks. The hospital partnered with Norwich Plastics in 2016 to launch the program and has since secured federal funding to support other hospitals joining the initiative. Now, about 20 hospitals in Ontario are recycling medical PVC. ## Beyond volunteer efforts Abbass is developing a staff education module on waste reduction but said organizations need a dedicated sustainability director or manager with an institutional mandate to drive these initiatives. It’s also important that sustainability efforts involve clinicians who may be able to spot waste overlooked by hospital administrators. For example, Abbass said, an administrator may not question if a vendor tells them that a plastic syringe with a needle should be discarded with sharps, but a clinician may push to discard the plastic part separately, knowing only the needle poses a hazard. Currently, many of the clinicians involved in sustainability initiatives are volunteers, limiting the time and resources they can dedicate to the work. Still, Abbass said, “I believe there’s a business case that a sustainability administrative position will pay for itself in the savings that position will provide.” The post, [Improper disposal of medical waste costs health systems and the environment](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10089631/), was originally posted on [cmajnews.com](http://cmajnews.com) on March 24, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Quest Diagnostics Settles Allegations of Improper Disposal of Medical Waste, Patient Info](https://wastemedic.com/2024/04/21/quest-diagnostics-settles-allegations-of-improper-disposal-of-medical-waste-patient-info/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** As part of the settlement, Quest Diagnostics will maintain an environmental compliance program, including hiring a third-party waste auditor, and will report on progress annually. **Content:** Quest Diagnostics [has reached a settlement](https://www.sjgov.org/department/da/news/press-release/2024/02/13/sjc-district-attorney's-office-takes-the-lead-in-filing-environmental-hazard-case-against-quest-diagnostics) after several California district attorneys filed a complaint against the diagnostics company for improper disposal of hazardous and medical waste and not properly protecting health information at its facilities statewide. Quest Diagnostics agreed to settle the allegations and pay nearly $5 million in penalties, costs and supplemental environmental projects, according to a Feb. 13 news release from the office of San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas, who led the investigation. District attorneys’ offices conducted over 30 inspections at Quest Diagnostics laboratories and patient service centers across California. They found hundreds of containers of chemicals, bleach, reagents, unredacted medical information, medical waste such as blood and urine, and hazardous waste such as batteries, solvents and flammable liquids in the garbage compactors and dumpsters. The disposals allegedly violated the Hazardous Waste Control Law, Medical Waste Management Act, Unfair Competition Law, and civil laws prohibiting the unauthorized disclosure of personal health information, according to the release. As part of the settlement, Quest Diagnostics will maintain an environmental compliance program, including hiring a third-party waste auditor, and will report on progress annually. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [The Top 5 Reasons Proper Sharps Disposal is Vital for Medical Organizations](https://wastemedic.com/2024/03/26/the-top-5-reasons-proper-sharps-disposal-is-vital-for-medical-organizations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** In the fast-paced environment of medical facilities, proper sharps disposal might not always be top of mind. However, overlooking this critical aspect of waste management can have far-reaching consequences. Let’s explore the top five reasons why proper sharps disposal is indispensable for medical organizations. #### 1. Prevention of Needlestick Injuries Needlestick injuries are a constant concern for healthcare workers. Proper [sharps disposal](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) significantly reduces the risk of these injuries, protecting the health and safety of medical personnel on the front lines of patient care. #### 2. Compliance with Regulatory Standards Regulatory agencies set strict guidelines for sharps disposal to safeguard both healthcare workers and the public. Adhering to these standards not only ensures legal compliance but also demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism. #### 3. Protection of Patient Safety Patients entrust medical organizations with their well-being, and proper sharps disposal is an integral part of ensuring their safety. By securely disposing of sharps waste, medical facilities minimize the risk of accidental needlestick injuries to patients, enhancing overall patient care and trust. #### 4. Environmental Responsibility Improperly disposed of sharps can pose environmental hazards, contaminating soil and water sources. Medical organizations play a crucial role in environmental stewardship by implementing proper sharps disposal practices, thereby minimizing their ecological footprint and contributing to a healthier planet. #### 5. Preservation of Reputation and Trust In today’s healthcare landscape, reputation is everything. Medical organizations that prioritize proper sharps disposal demonstrate their commitment to safety, quality care, and responsible waste management. By upholding these standards, they foster trust among patients, staff, and the community at large. Proper sharps disposal is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s a fundamental aspect of providing safe, high-quality healthcare. From preventing needlestick injuries to protecting patient safety and the environment, the importance of proper sharps disposal cannot be overstated. By prioritizing this essential practice, medical organizations uphold their commitment to excellence and ensure the well-being of all those they serve. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Simplifying Medical Waste Management with Waste Medic: Ensuring Compliance, Reliability, and Cost-effectiveness](https://wastemedic.com/2024/03/23/simplifying-medical-waste-management-with-waste-medic-ensuring-compliance-reliability-and-cost-effectiveness/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Navigating the complexities of medical waste management requires a trusted partner who can simplify the process while ensuring compliance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Waste Medic emerges as the solution for healthcare facilities and organizations seeking efficient waste disposal services. Explore how Waste Medic addresses key aspects of medical waste management with expertise and reliability. #### Compliance: Meeting Regulatory Standards with Precision Ensuring compliance with stringent regulations governing medical waste disposal is imperative for healthcare organizations. Waste Medic understands the intricate requirements set forth by regulatory agencies such as the [EPA](https://www.epa.gov/) and [OSHA](https://www.osha.com/). By partnering with Waste Medic, organizations can uphold compliance standards and mitigate legal and environmental risks associated with improper waste disposal practices. #### Reliability: Seamless Service Delivery for Peace of Mind Reliability is paramount in medical waste management, where any disruptions can pose significant challenges for healthcare facilities. Waste Medic offers dependable service delivery, encompassing both routine waste disposal and swift response to emergency situations. With Waste Medic, organizations can trust in consistent and timely waste management solutions, allowing them to focus on delivering quality healthcare services without interruptions. #### Cost-effectiveness: Optimizing Waste Management Efficiency Managing healthcare budgets effectively while maintaining quality waste management practices is crucial for organizations. Waste Medic prioritizes cost-effectiveness by offering tailored disposal plans and transparent pricing structures. By optimizing waste management efficiency, Waste Medic enables organizations to achieve significant cost savings without compromising compliance or service quality. Waste Medic emerges as a [trusted partner](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) in simplifying medical waste management, offering expertise, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. By addressing compliance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, Waste Medic enables healthcare facilities to navigate the complexities of waste disposal with ease. Explore how Waste Medic’s comprehensive solutions can streamline your medical waste management processes and ensure the safety of staff, patients, and the environment. See how they can simplify your medical waste management needs. [Request a quote today.](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [5 questions hospital CEOs want answered — and why](https://wastemedic.com/2022/10/10/5-questions-hospital-ceos-want-answered-and-why/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Hospital and health system CEOs have a lot of issues dominating their thoughts, including questions about workforce challenges in today’s economic environment. To gain more insight into executives’ top concerns, *Becker’s* asked hospital and health system CEOs to share the questions they need answered right now. Below are their responses, in listed alphabetical order of the respondents. **John Hennelly. President and CEO of Sonoma (Calif.) Valley Hospital** **Question:** How will hospitals keep up with rising costs while reimbursement constantly lags far behind? **Why this question is important:** 2022 has exasperated an already fragile financial system. For over 20 years, I have watched reimbursement fail to keep pace with rising costs. 2022 has seen oversized increases on the expense side with modest advances in reimbursement. Stop gap measures, while helpful, do not address the fundamental disequilibrium. Hospitals are now dependent upon philanthropy for much of our investment in growth. We need change…. **Question:** When will healthcare entities be competitively reimbursed for much less costly and less invasive preventative care? **Why this question is important:** Caregivers got into healthcare to heal and promote health. And yet we are directed, through reimbursement, to focus on the fire and ignore the smoke. Fires certainly must be put out (heart attacks, strokes, etc.), but if we oriented more toward the smoke, obesity, diet, smoking(!), lack of exercise, how many fires could be avoided? The infrastructure to provide acute care can’t go away, but the volume (and cost) could change dramatically if reimbursement supported more preventative activities. **Question:** Where will I find staff as my workforce ages? **Why this question is important:** Labor shortages are only getting worse. Our population is aging. The proportion of the population who consumes the most healthcare, seniors, has grown from 13 percent to 17 percent over the past 20 years. That’s a 30 percent increase. How do we find staff for nursing and technical areas as demand grows and the labor pool remains constantly deficient? **Arthur Sampson. Interim President and CEO of Lifespan (Providence, R.I.)** **Question:** In light of the persistent labor shortage across many industries, what are some alternative models for providing quality care that can be operationalized with existing staff? **Why this question is important:** Traditional recruitment and retention incentives have not been enough to fill the staff vacancies that grew exponentially during the COVID pandemic. Substantial hiring and referral bonuses, free on-the-job training programs, tuition remission, loan forgiveness have helped, but many healthcare human resource leaders will tell you that attrition is outpacing hiring. The solution that many hospitals implemented during the pandemic — to pause elective surgeries — is not a long-term sustainable model, nor is keeping hospital beds closed. There is an urgent need for immediate viable alternatives while we rebuild our workforce. **Mark Wallace. President and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital (Houston) **Question:** In the midst of the U.S. and global economies teetering on recession, combined with the highest inflation in decades, highly restrictive U.S. monetary policy, ongoing disruption from supply chain challenges, exceptionally low unemployment and a healthcare labor force that is exhausted from the pandemic, how do we further support our incredible workforce, while continuing to provide exceptional, platinum-level patient care to our patients and families with greater operational efficiency than ever before? **Why this question is important:** It is clear from our research that 2022 is turning out to be one of the most challenging operating environments for healthcare institutions in years. Margins for healthcare systems across the country are under pressure from rising costs resulting from persistently high inflation, ongoing supply chain disruptions, and a challenging labor market. We expect the macro environment will remain challenging, volatile and uncertain for the foreseeable future. As a result, it is imperative that we swiftly adapt to the current environment. We must continue to invest in our people, while constantly seeking opportunities to enhance [operational efficiency](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/scheduling-preparing-medical-waste-for-pickup-transportation/) as we deliver best in class, high quality care that our patients and their families expect from us. We must think differently and lead differently. --- This post, [5 questions hospital CEOs want answered — and why](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/5-questions-hospital-ceos-want-answered-and-whyoctober5.html?origin=BHRE&utm_source=BHRE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=9585F0200556J0V), was shared by [Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/5-questions-hospital-ceos-want-answered-and-whyoctober5.html?origin=BHRE&utm_source=BHRE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=9585F0200556J0V) and updated on October 10, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [Bain: 25% of Clinicians Want Out of Healthcare](https://wastemedic.com/2022/10/14/bain-25-of-clinicians-want-out-of-healthcare/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** One quarter of U.S. healthcare physicians, advanced practice providers and nurses are considering switching careers and one third are considering switching employers, according to newly released results from a survey conducted by [Bain & Company](https://www.bain.com/insights/a-treatment-for-americas-healthcare-worker-burnout/). Below are some key takeaways from the survey and brief, which was released Oct. 11 and can be found in full [here](https://www.bain.com/insights/a-treatment-for-americas-healthcare-worker-burnout/). 1\. Of the 25 percent of clinicians who are thinking about exiting healthcare entirely, 89 percent cite burnout as the main driver. 2\. Nearly 60 percent of physician, advanced practice provider and nurse respondents say their teams are not adequately staffed; 40 percent feel there is a lack of resources to operate at full potential. 3\. Physicians’ net promoter score dropped from 36 points in 2020 to 19 points today. 4\. Clinicians at physician-led practices gave a net promoter score of 40 points compared to the 6 points from clinicians at non-physician-led practices, such as those operated by hospitals, health systems, parent companies or private equity funds. 5\. The top three things clinicians care about most in their profession are compensation, quality of patient care and workload, according to the survey. Of those three, they are least satisfied with compensation (59 percent expressed satisfaction) and workload (60 percent). Eighty percent said they are satisfied with the quality of patient care. 6\. Burnout shows up throughout clinicians’ days, with 63 percent saying they feel worn out at the end of the workday, 51 percent saying they feel they don’t have time and energy for family and friends during leisure time, and 38 percent feeling exhausted in the morning at the thought of another workday. The Bain U.S. Frontline of Healthcare Survey was conducted in July 2022 with 573 U.S. clinicians. --- This post, [Bain: 25% of clinicians want out of healthcare](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/bain-25-of-clinicians-want-out-of-healthcare.html?origin=BHRE&utm_source=BHRE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=9585F0200556J0V), was shared by [Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/bain-25-of-clinicians-want-out-of-healthcare.html?origin=BHRE&utm_source=BHRE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=9585F0200556J0V) and updated on October 11, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Optimize your Medical Waste Disposal Stream in 2023](https://wastemedic.com/2022/10/30/optimize-your-medical-waste-disposal-stream-in-2023/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Waste Medic is a medical waste management company, headquartered in the heart of Nashville, TN. Since opening our doors in 2014 we have grown to service the demands of nearly 3,000 diverse healthcare facilities across the Mid-South. Waste Medic clients receive dedicated and friendly attention from our talented team of field specialists who operate our private fleet of trucks. ### Our Solutions for Medical Waste Disposal Our medical waste disposal solutions will help your organization safely and properly manage hazardous materials. First, we conduct an initial medical waste review and breakdown analysis to help your company reduce waste and minimize your costs. Once your unique needs are determined, our partners train your staff on waste stream segregation, procedures, and safety. Our solutions for medical waste disposal include customized plans for [biohazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/), [sharps waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/), [pharmaceutical waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/), and [trace chemotherapy waste.](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) Waste Medic understands the importance of medical waste removal and the important compliance regulations there are placed on the process. We understand the medical waste needs of your business and can offer medical waste consulting including organizational assessments and planning, cost reduction management, and contract negotiation or termination. For healthcare offices, urgent care clinics, dental offices, nursing home and many other medical businesses and organizations, Waste Medic offers training and certification services for [bloodborne pathogens](https://www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens), sharps safety, [OSHA](https://wastemedic.com/training-certification__trashed/osha-training/), HIPAA, and DoT Regulated Medical Waste (RMW). Additional solutions include digital invoice and manifest archive, cloud-based file storage and organization, and personalized ICD databases. We offer customizable safety plan creation and storage, as well as tailored MSDS/SDS creation and tracking. Waste Medic understands your needs when it comes to CFR access and planning and can with you on OSHA audit and corrective actions. ### Why Choose Waste Medic The amount of medical waste generated varies from organization to organization, but an annual plan for waste disposal is critical and can streamline operations. Waste Medic can help. Our expertise and reliable response to your consistent and emergency needs will ensure the safety of your staff, patients, the public, and the environment, while allowing you to focus on maintaining business operations. We understand the complex federal, state, and local guidelines. Count on the team at Waste Medic to manage your waste stream efficiently, effectively, and safely. [Request a quote today!](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [EPA Issues Hazardous Medical Waste Disposal Guide](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/03/epa-issues-hazardous-medical-waste-disposal-guide/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *The new EPA guide includes steps medical institutions can take to update their hazardous medical waste disposal plans.* The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published the 2022 edition of “[A 10-Step Blueprint for Managing Pharmaceutical Waste in U.S. Healthcare Facilities.](https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjEwMjAuNjU0MzcxMzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2hlcmNlbnRlci5vcmcvMTBfc3RlcF9ibHVlcHJpbnRfZ3VpZGVfZmluYWxfOS0yMi5wZGY_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.R8mzmmTf7QihVwHhcluNfui9BpkciSRnApy-xyP6Ie8%2Fs%2F2916785740%2Fbr%2F146301873160-l&data=05%7C01%7C%7C3214ae0dc4af4380dbcb08dab2cf9caa%7C60890d55a37e4f3e9e80e0eaead4b832%7C0%7C0%7C638018902201222201%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4munMyI6eUJ1082QVWElq6byecwKH%2B7DxPzZoZL8L%2BU%3D&reserved=0)” This guide helps healthcare facilities, including hospitals, surgery centers and urgent care facilities, understand applicable regulations so they can develop compliant, holistic and cost-effective pharmaceutical waste management programs. The guide’s goal is to help healthcare facilities understand EPA’s hazardous waste regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) as they apply to hazardous medical waste pharmaceuticals, but other regulations are also discussed. The document’s first section includes lists of hazardous waste, including ignitable and toxic materials. It also features a breakdown of P-listed and U-listed hazardous materials and information about the disposal of various types of empty pharmaceutical containers, including syringes, intravenous fluid bags, capsule containers and more. The document’s second section outlines steps institutions can follow to implement updated hazardous [medical waste disposal](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/), including guidelines for choosing vendors that can help implement new procedures and steps for implementing the plan in pharmacies, nursing units and areas patients can access. It also includes information on training and how to assign responsibility within an institution for various portions of the hazardous waste management plan. The EPA last updated the document in 2008. Since then, the [2019 Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Rule](https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjEwMjAuNjU0MzcxMzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5lcGEuZ292L2h3Z2VuZXJhdG9ycy9maW5hbC1ydWxlLW1hbmFnZW1lbnQtc3RhbmRhcmRzLWhhemFyZG91cy13YXN0ZS1waGFybWFjZXV0aWNhbHMtYW5kLWFtZW5kbWVudC1wMDc1P3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.E4umUxPWddj6AXRRslZs2I2kJUKi3UInU9av3vDqQ1Q%2Fs%2F2916785740%2Fbr%2F146301873160-l&data=05%7C01%7C%7C3214ae0dc4af4380dbcb08dab2cf9caa%7C60890d55a37e4f3e9e80e0eaead4b832%7C0%7C0%7C638018902201222201%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rCG4a7du4ATFHasgLJF9g93MVpsjK8Onmr4vZPPX6m8%3D&reserved=0) and other regulations have taken effect, rendering much of the 2008 version out of date. --- This post, [EPA Issues Hazardous Medical Waste Disposal Guide](https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/epa-medical-waste-hazardous-guide-disposal/), was shared by [Recycling Today](https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/epa-medical-waste-hazardous-guide-disposal/) on October 23, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [U.S. Hospitals Not Prepared To Deal With Ebola](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/16/u-s-hospitals-not-prepared-to-deal-with-ebola/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Hospitals are not fully prepared to handle waste from Ebola and other deadly viruses on-site, according to the Healthcare Coalition for Emergency Preparedness.* Hospitals in the U.S. have been instructed to ramp up their preparedness plans, but many of these facilities still aren’t able to sterilize medical waste from Ebola or other deadly diseases on site, according to the [Healthcare Coalition for Emergency Preparedness](https://healthcareprep.org/). Late last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) [Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)](https://aspr.hhs.gov/Pages/Home.aspx) awarded $21 million to 13 healthcare facilities to serve as leading providers of care within their regions to sustain and improve healthcare system preparedness for emerging special pathogens. “New or emerging special pathogens are a significant threat to the nation’s health, economy, and national security. Our responses to Ebola, COVID-19, and Monkeypox have highlighted a need to increase our readiness to respond to these threats,” said ASPR Assistant Secretary Dawn O’Connell. “We are taking this critical step to award new funding to our regional healthcare partners to strengthen the capabilities of their special pathogen programs and make our healthcare system better prepared to respond to these infectious diseases.” The awards will help integrate clinical and healthcare systems’ operational expertise into existing preparedness and response structures at the regional, state, jurisdiction, and local levels. These healthcare facilities will be better prepared for medical surge capacity and to respond to and treat infectious diseases caused by special pathogens during public health and medical emergencies. Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) are hospitals with enhanced capability and capacity to care for highly infectious diseases, such as Ebola or COVID-19, and serve as regional hubs for the National Special Pathogen System. These hospitals are continuously ready and available to care for a special pathogen patient medically evacuated from overseas or diagnosed within the U.Ss. ASPR selected three new healthcare facilities to serve as RESPTCs, providing $3 million each to Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; and Spectrum Health System, Grand Rapids, MI. #### Treating Medical Waste Waste On-Site Five of these 13 special pathogen centers are not prepared to treat such waste on-site, according to the Healthcare Coalition for Emergency Preparedness. Overall, most large hospitals lack on-site treatment capability, even after CDC Chief Dr. Frieden told Congress in 2015 that “Funding will go to hospitals to strengthen their waste management systems…Where we are supporting hospitals to deal with Ebola, we would want that done onsite.” *“New or emerging special pathogens are a significant threat to the nation’s health, economy, and national security. Our responses to Ebola, COVID-19, and Monkeypox have highlighted a need to increase our readiness to respond to these threats.” — ASPR Assistant Secretary Dawn O’Connell* One of the greatest challenges hospitals faced during the last Ebola outbreak was handling waste. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Ebola waste is classified as Category A, which is “an infectious substance in a form capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals when exposure to it occurs.” Recently, a hospital in the Pacific Northwest ran a table-top exercise to handle an Ebola patient. It found no local Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) transportation service provider to dispose of Category A waste, and the nearest available hauler was more than 1,000 miles away. It would have cost the facility nearly $100,000 per day to dispose of the Ebola waste from just one patient. “The federal government needs to ensure that Ebola/Special Pathogen Centers have the ability to safely treat such waste on-site to protect workers and communities from exposure to the virus and mitigate the enormous costs of sending the waste off-site for treatment,” said Darrell Henry, Senior Advisor to the Healthcare Coalition for Emergency Preparedness. “With reports of 140 people arriving in the United States from Uganda daily, we know that an outbreak in the U.S. is only a plane flight away. “Federal Agencies, including CDC, HHS, OSHA, and USDOT, suggest that Ebola/special pathogen waste be sterilized on-site at the hospital to minimize the public threat,” added Henry. “We also can’t overlook the need to deploy on-site sterilization technologies to Veterans Administration Medical Centers, which, per the VA’s own analysis, would save the federal government millions of dollars in every day operating costs.” As recently as 30 years ago, most hospitals had on-site technology (incineration) to destroy any contagious waste, but that was discontinued due to EPA regulations to reduce toxic emissions. Today, just 20% of hospitals have on-site technology, mostly large steam autoclaves. While most outsource the treatment of medical waste, nearly all of the top ranked medical institutions— including Hopkins, Stanford, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo, UCLA, and others — utilize on-site sterilization technology, according to the Coalition. --- This post, [U.S. Hospitals Not Prepared To Deal With Ebola](https://facilityexecutive.com/2022/11/hospitals-not-prepared-ebola-medical-waste/), was shared by [Facility Executive](https://facilityexecutive.com/2022/11/hospitals-not-prepared-ebola-medical-waste/) on November 8, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Addressing Safe Needle Disposal on Campus](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/16/addressing-safe-needle-disposal-on-campus/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Needle disposal boxes in bathrooms on college campuses provide a safe receptacle where students who take injectable medications can discard their used needles.* College students who use injectable medications while on campus often face a difficult conundrum: Do they toss their used needles in campus trash cans, posing a health risk to custodial staff, or carry them around campus until they can safely dispose of them, running the risk of accidently poking themselves or others in the process? Neither option is the correct way to dispose of needles and syringes; the Food and Drug Administration [recommends](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel/sharps-disposal-containers) storing used hypodermic needles in designated sharps containers—hard plastic boxes sold at pharmacies and medical supply stores. The impermeable containers, which must be [taken](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel/best-way-get-rid-used-needles-and-other-sharps) to designated sites for collection, help prevent accidental contact with used needles. But personal sharps containers are unaffordable for some students, while others—especially those who recently started taking injectable medications—may not even be aware of proper needle-disposal protocols. That’s why some colleges have installed containers on campus, primarily in bathrooms, to allow students to dispose of their needles safely and conveniently. Central College, a small private institution in Iowa, has had needle-disposal receptacles in high-traffic areas on campus for about six years. The locations include bathrooms in the student center, the dining center, a residence hall and [other locations](https://webapps.central.edu/policies/policy/674/) on campus. Administrators say it has proven to be an effective resource for students, and that the boxes usually get filled. “I have never had a student ask for another location,” said Melissa Sharkey, assistant dean of students. “We know they’re in the right places because they’re used. There are sharps in each container.” Although some schools installed sharps boxes specifically to address problems with dangerous or sloppy needle disposal, Sharkey said Central never faced such issues. Installing the receptacles “was the right thing to do for our students and our community to keep them safe,” she said. Some colleges and universities that don’t have disposal boxes in bathrooms offer the individual FDA-approved plastic boxes to students free of charge, usually through the health center or residence halls. Students without access to proper disposal receptacles often use hard plastic containers, such as empty laundry detergent bottles, as an alternative. Diabetic students who routinely inject insulin are perhaps most in need of a safe way to dispose of needles. People with Type 1 diabetes often inject insulin [at least twice daily](https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/insulin-other-injectables/insulin-routines) and may need four or more injections. That means most diabetic students taking full course loads will regularly need to inject insulin on campus. Molly Johannes, community engagement manager for [the Diabetes Link](https://thediabeteslink.org/), a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting young people with diabetes, noted that students can encounter uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situations when they don’t have access to or aren’t aware of safe ways to discard their needles. She recalled a story about a student who put her used needles in the garbage can in her dorm room, which resulted in her roommate getting injured by a needle when she took out the trash. ”If someone doesn’t have safe places to put their needles, that creates all sorts of risk,” Johannes said. ### Accidental Needle Pricks Kendra Bass, a senior with Type 1 diabetes at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, couldn’t figure out what to do with her used needles when she started taking class on campus full-time. Her university has needle boxes in many of the bathrooms in the newer buildings, but the building where most of her classes were held only had a few boxes—and some were broken. Initially, she resorted to tossing used needles in her backpack—and ended up getting pricked more than once when emptying her bag at the end of the day. Then she dedicated a single pocket in her backpack to the needles, hoping to avoid stabbing herself, but the needles ended up digging holes in the fabric. ”I did find it very annoying and frustrating to carry those throughout the day,” she said. These days, she uses DIY disposal containers—usually old peanut jars—to hold her needles but is hopeful that with the construction of new buildings on campus, public sharps boxes will become even more common at IUP. Transgender students who take injectable hormones also use the boxes to dispose of needles. Although they tend to take hormones far less frequently than diabetics take insulin—typically just a handful of times a month—it’s still helpful for them to have access to public needle-disposal containers. For one thing, it can help students keep their medical information private, which may not be an option if they request or buy a sharps box from the health center. “The resources that are easy to find are specifically needle exchanges,” said Steph DeNormand, trans health program manager for Fenway Health, a Massachusetts-based LGBTQ+ health-care organization. And those “seem to be more focused on folks who are injectable drug users,” which creates stigma around using them, said DeNormand, who uses they/them pronouns. Because of this and other privacy concerns, such as individuals not wanting to out themselves as transgender, “having publicly available access to medical waste disposal … would either help to mitigate or remove the issue of having to ask for a disposable bin,” they said. Bass concurs that disposal bins in bathrooms can help with privacy; though she doesn’t mind taking her insulin in public at IUP, a small institution where most students and employees know her, she can understand why some people might be more comfortable taking their medication and disposing of their needles in private. “When I was first diagnosed, I was very timid about giving myself insulin. I had to do it through a pen, and it was a very obvious procedure that I had to go through, and it was scary and I would get people looking at me and giving me weird looks,” said Bass, who also authored a [blog post](https://thediabeteslink.org/peer-perspectives/kendras-tips-for-safe-needle-disposal/) for the Diabetes Link about needle disposal. “Having them in the bathroom is extremely convenient and nice and also helps make everyone feel more comfortable.” Although needle-disposal boxes on college campuses are typically intended for students who need to inject medication, they have also been implemented in [cities](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2022/07/03/a-simple-solution-for-a-complex-problem-palmer-installs-alaskas-first-publicly-funded-used-needle-box/) [around](https://sf.curbed.com/2019/4/30/18524136/toilets-trash-needles-311-clean-streets-poop-sf) [the country](https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/10/19/cambridge-opens-public-showers) to encourage recreational drug users to dispose of needles properly rather than drop them in public spaces. The public disposal boxes are less [controversial](https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/6/22/17493030/needle-exchanges-ban-state-map) than free needle exchange programs, in which individuals can drop off used needles and get new ones, which opponents argue condones illegal drug use, increases crime and creates litter. “It has become a public hazard, and the fact of the matter is that we shouldn’t be creating more of a public hazard around addiction,” said West Virginia senator Eric Tarr, who sponsored a [bill](https://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Senator-looks-to-outlaw-needle-exchanges-in-WVa-566890211.html) that outlawed needle exchanges in 2021. “The effort was valiant and I understand that, but it’s a failed experiment and it needs to go away.” Johannes said it’s not difficult to convince college administrators to put needle-disposal containers on campus. In her experience, most university disability centers have been willing to help coordinate installation of the containers to support students who consider them an important disability accommodation. “We encourage all students with diabetes to advocate for their needs,” she said. “It goes towards building that safe relationship between the student and the rest of the school and the rest of the community.” --- This post, [Safely Disposing of Needles on Campus](https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2022/10/18/campus-needle-disposal-boxes-reduce-risk-students), was shared by [Insider Higher Ed](https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2022/10/18/campus-needle-disposal-boxes-reduce-risk-students) on October 18, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### ['Hire for Passion and Potential': Cedars-Sinai Supply Chain VP on Priorities, Challenges and Listening](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/21/hire-for-passion-and-potential-cedars-sinai-supply-chain-vp-on-priorities-challenges-and-listening/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** As a supply chain leader, Motz Feinberg isn’t just focused on getting product to the point of care. The vice president of supply chain at Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai Health System is also intent on guiding and leveraging other leaders’ understanding of supply chain operations. Many hospital leaders outside of supply chain developed a greater appreciation for the complexities of supply operations during the COVID-19 pandemic as they faced shortages of personal protective equipment and other critical supplies. As Mr. Feinberg put it, “The capabilities and skill sets inherent in a well-rounded supply chain organization \[…\] can add value through a myriad of vectors.” Mr. Feinberg has worked in supply chain roles for more than 25 years across multiple industries. Here, he answers Becker’s five supply leader questions. *Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.* **Question: What piqued your interest in healthcare supply chain?** **Motz Feinberg:** I spent most of my early career in industries outside of healthcare but had a lifelong connection to the impact health has on overall well-being. Supply chain has never been a focal function within care delivery and when the industry started to explore the value supply chain can bring, I could not resist applying my passion and skills to help where it matters most — supporting the direct care of our most important customers: our patients. **Q: What are a few of your top priorities for 2023?** **MF:** Continuing to deliver value through economic and operational challenges, while engaging a workforce that is depleted from the last three years our industry and country have endured, is our overall theme in supply chain. We are addressing these challenges by focusing on three key areas. First, ensuring patient care through a resiliency program across our health system and in collaboration with key suppliers. Second, delivering financial value through innovative decision support capabilities, clinical engagement through a new lens, and revised supplier partnerships. Third, building for the future, including a digital transformation, scaling technologies and services where possible, and fortifying our teams and leadership models. **Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment as vice president of supply chain?** **MF:** Three things: Seeing my team and colleagues grow in their understanding of supply chain overall and seeing the value it brings to healthcare; helping individuals develop and deliver beyond what they dreamed possible; and ensuring continued patient care through the most challenging times our industry and the supply chain profession has seen in decades. **Q: If you could pass along a piece of advice to other hospital supply chain leaders, what would it be?** **MF:** Engage fully, listen carefully and find any and all ways supply chain can become an asset to your internal customers. The capabilities and skill sets inherent in a well-rounded supply chain organization go well beyond getting a product to the point of care. We can add value through myriad vectors. **Q: What’s the best piece of leadership advice you ever received?** **MF:** Hire for passion and potential, help them onboard, then get out of the way. --- This post, [‘Hire for passion and potential’: Cedars-Sinai supply chain VP on priorities, challenges and listening](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/supply-chain/hire-for-passion-and-potential-cedar-sinai-supply-chain-vp-on-priorities-challenges-and-listening.html?origin=BHRE&utm_source=BHRE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=9585F0200556J0V), was shared by Becker’s Hospital Review on November 16, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Healthcare Leaders Share Thoughts on How Hospitals Can Invest in Workplace Safety](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/23/healthcare-leaders-workplace-safety/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *When it comes to workplace safety, hospitals, and health systems must be proactive, not reactive.* Most often, in the wake of tragedy, leaders get together to discuss what could have been done to prevent such a shocking incident, but what if that plan were already in place? Recently, HealthLeaders hosted [a Now Summit event](https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/events/virtuals?year_type=past) on the topic of workplace violence within the hospital and health system space. In the first of three sessions from the online discussion, healthcare leaders— [Dr. Peter Hahn](https://uofmhealthwest.org/about/get-to-know-us/leadership-team/peter-y-hahn-president-and-ceo/), president and CEO of Michigan Health-West, and [Elizabeth Seely](https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/about-us/our-people/elizabeth-seely), chief administration officer for the hospital division of Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center—discussed how their organizations work to prevent incidents of workplace violence. Incidents of workplace violence cost hospitals approximately $2.7 billion in 2016, according to [a study](https://ashpublications.org/ashclinicalnews/news/4208/Hazardous-to-Your-Health-Violence-in-the-Health) from the American Hospital Association. Additionally, 13% of employee sick time is the result of workplace violence, according to the [American Nurses Association](https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/state/workplace-violence2/). Workplace violence-related absenteeism can cost hospitals $53.7 million a year, according to the AHA report. Throughout the conversation, Seely and Hahn discussed the different safety measures hospitals and health systems are taking to keep their organizations safe and where the biggest investments in safety measures should be made. **HealthLeaders: What steps does your organization take to prevent workplace violence?** **Elizabeth Seely:** It’s helpful to recognize the prevalence of workplace violence and to start with a definition. Violence in the workplace really can range from something that is verbal, threatening, or non-verbal, it can be physical aggression, it could be intimidating or harassing behavior. It can be bullying, and it can be a physical assault. We tend to think about those things that are physically violent, but there is typically a pattern of progression, and any aspect of that continuum should be considered workplace violence. One of the things that we’ve done at Ohio State is made this a top priority of leadership. There’s been an investment of senior leadership time and attention. In establishing the organizational support, we put together a workplace safety steering committee. It is a group that I chair and that has leaders at the most senior levels of the organization, including our chief legal officer, our chief human resources officer, our communications leader, nursing, and physician leaders, as well as our security colleagues. That group really makes sure we are devoting organizational leadership time and attention to this topic. We also want to make sure we’re understanding what’s happening at the bedsides of our various clinical environments. We’ve also engaged a workplace safety work group that includes frontline individuals and management that interfaces with our steering committee so we’re able to hear what is happening and what are \[our employees’\] concerns. We’ve also done a campaign to make the public aware of what is not acceptable behavior in a healthcare setting. We also communicate to our staff that this is not part of the job and not something we expect them to tolerate. **Peter Hahn:** We are very similar \[in our approach\]. Violence in the healthcare space has been present for a long time but has certainly increased during the chaos of the pandemic. We think about \[workplace violence\] in three broad buckets—prevention, response, and learning. In terms of prevention, we’ve invested in extensive signage to send a message to our visitors and patients that this is a place of healing and there is zero tolerance for any type of aggression. Investing in prevention, we have very regular drills at all of our sites on how to respond to aggressive visitors or patients. We use Epic as our EHR and use that as a flagging system for patients or visitors who’ve had a history of any type of violence on the spectrum that Elizabeth spoke of. With the response, we have a mandatory eight-hour training for all of our patient-facing employees. It is pretty extensive and takes quite a bit of investment in terms of training the trainer and then all of the patient-facing employees. We use a badge communication system and that is part of the response that any nurse, technician, or physician can use to alert others in their department if they are facing a situation. And then there is an investment in security obviously and additional training for security in terms of de-escalation. There is a debate over whether invisible or visible security works best, but we’ve invested in a lot more visible security—especially on the hospital floors. And we do extensive debriefs even for the slightest violent situation, so that we are constantly learning. **HL: Where should hospitals focus their financial resources when it comes to preventing workplace violence?** **Hahn:** There are key areas, facilities would be an example for us. We installed card-key access points in the ICUs, the EDs, and different areas of the hospital where before—pre-pandemic—we had really advocated for free access. But we’ve installed more card access points throughout the hospital and clinics. There have been investments in technology. But our key investment is in personnel education. There is also the question of how you handle applications to co-worker behavior. I would say it is very similar training because whether you’re dealing with a patient, visitor, family member, or even a coworker, the techniques are the same in terms of recognition, prevention and response, and de-escalation. **HL: How should preventing workplace violence be integrated into a hospital and health system’s budget?** **Seely:** First and foremost, the obvious is the security department and making sure you have security resources and making sure that those are responsive. As organizations grow, recognize that new sites might require additional investment in security presence. We have some large ambulatory locations that we’ve built over the past five years and those are seeing a large volume of patients. So, we have security resources in the hospital and directed to some of our high-risk areas—the emergency department and our behavioral health setting. We’ve also recognized we have some very high-volume ambulatory settings, so we’ve invested in a security presence in those settings. The training of the officers and de-escalation that Dr. Hahn mentioned is very important. We’ve also integrated new technology into our processes. We were an early adopter of body-worn cameras for our security officers. Our officers are not armed but having the body-worn camera and letting folks know, ‘hey, I’m turning this on now,’ tends to help calm things down because people realize their behavior is being monitored. The other thing I would say, in terms of the budget, is to think about workplace safety not just from the aspect of your security team but what else can you do in the physical environment. If you’re undertaking a renovation project or building something new, think about workplace safety and how you design that space. Think about how people will enter and think about the physical barriers out front. We had an incident in Columbus—not at Ohio State—where an individual drove their vehicle into a free-standing emergency department, right through the front glass window into the lobby. That was a tragic incident and so having concrete barriers and those types of things looked at when you are budgeting for a new project or renovation \[is key\]. The other thing we’ve done that does require a budget investment is to invest in staff that can help assist the clinical teams who may not be as adept in addressing patients with challenging behavior. We have implemented a behavioral emergency response team made up of social workers and mental health clinicians who will provide consultative support to teams that are dealing with a patient that is challenging in a non-mental health setting. --- This post, [Healthcare Leaders Share Thoughts on How Hospitals Can Invest in Workplace Safety](https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/finance/healthcare-leaders-share-thoughts-how-hospitals-can-invest-workplace-safety), was shared by [HealthLeaders](https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/finance/healthcare-leaders-share-thoughts-how-hospitals-can-invest-workplace-safety) on November 15, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Providers Warned about Preparing for New HIPAA Regs](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/23/providers-warned-about-preparing-for-new-hipaa-regs/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Long-term care providers who have had their attention diverted by pandemic and other urgent matters need to start preparing for new HIPAA requirements as soon as possible, a pair of health-records experts stressed at the PointClickCare CONNECT@SUMMIT 2022. The complexity of demands on providers will ramp up considerably and there is little time to waste devising new plans and processes, noted Jayne Warwick, a one-time facility director of operations and currently the senior director of medical records compliance for PointClickCare. While she forecasts changes will be put in play in 2023, she said preparation will take time to be in compliance. “COVID has disrupted (providers) from really paying attention to things that aren’t imminent now. They paid attention to the CARES Act and the [Cures Act](https://www.mcknights.com/news/clinical-news/ltc-must-provide-full-access-to-patient-health-data-under-cures-act-final-rule/), but I’ve noticed that a lot of them have forgotten that this is coming,” Warwick told *McKnight’s Long-Term Care News* Thursday. The two biggest changes to the new health records privacy regulations will involve cutting the amount of time a provider has to present requested records from 30 days to 15, and allowing patients to visually inspect (and record) their records, Warwick explained. “These are big changes for a lot of organizations,” she said. “If you have a lot of medical records requests, how are you going to staff to make sure you’re getting them out in the right time frame? And with visual inspections, that’s going to be a resource-intensive process. (Providers) have to have good processes around them so it’s not disruptive to the facility.” The current laws allow for the visual inspection, but it cannot be recorded, or photographed, which means it can’t be directly shared, Warwick explained. The\\ addition of the photograph and video provisions will require policy updates and staff training, she noted. “The requirement allows the access, but it should still be controlled and reflected in policy so that an accounting of views and disclosures is maintained. This isn’t something that any staff member should allow any person who has an interest in the resident is allowed to do at any time,” Warwick said. “This is new and poses a new set of guidelines requiring staff training on how to address those requests. There needs to be guidelines on the execution of the visual inspection and there are still restrictions on the ‘who’ can see it that need to be adhered to. They can actually take a photo of the record so you may have to set up a Zoom session for it. The facility will need to accommodate them.” Other than the labor and planning needed to fulfill such requests, providers could face two major stumbling blocks under the new rules. The first deals with helping requestors understand that printed materials can be identical to on-screen representations, although they may present differently as hard copy. “It’s called export distortion and it’s a real issue. That will start questions. It will start a whole other thought process that we need to go through with, how do we align the two so that (patients) understand what they see in the \[software\] is the same as if we give a printout. It just looks different. “I think we’re going to have to do a lot more education with our residents and their families to make sure they understand they have a comprehensive picture for care,” Warwick said. #### Litigation Concerns The other big threat is the likelihood of more litigation filed against providers who aren’t careful enough. “It will mean that information is out there more and litigation is more possible,” said Warwick, who has assisted hundreds of providers with legal challenges. Cumulatively, she has saved the sector’s providers “hundreds of millions of dollars,” estimated PointClickCare CEO Dave Wessinger. “The lawyers I’m talking to, that’s their main concern — that information (will be) so accessible and it can be downloaded,” Warwick continued. “You’ll want to get things in writing so you know you’ve done an authorized distribution.” She forecast that the rules, which were first unveiled in 2020 in proposed rulemaking, will be enacted in 2023, which is quick, given HIPAA’s relative “glacial” pace. “I really believe they’re going to make these changes to HIPAA while they figure out how to align all the state and federal privacy laws that we have so we have just one overarching rule we can follow,” she said. “\[Providers\] will have to be prepared. A lot of these things – like visual inspection stuff you can’t just go like this and implement it,” she said, snapping her fingers. “You’re going to have to really think through that process. To me, that’s the biggest significant change coming, is those visual inspections, and how those facilities are going to resource and manage that. “They need to start thinking about the policy changes they need to make,” she reiterated. ”We don’t do it soon enough in long-term care. We’re very reactive, rather than proactive.” *Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify new provisions about copying or recording records seen during visual inspections.* --- This post, [Providers Warned about Preparing for New HIPAA Regs](https://www.mcknights.com/news/providers-warned-about-preparing-for-new-hipaa-regs/), was shared by [McKnights Long-Term Care News](https://www.mcknights.com/news/providers-warned-about-preparing-for-new-hipaa-regs/) on November 4, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Michael Dowling: 6 Ground Rules for Hospital Cost Cutting](https://wastemedic.com/2022/12/06/michael-dowling-6-ground-rules-for-hospital-cost-cutting/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A difficult year for hospital and health system finances brought with it renewed attention to expenditures. Scrutinizing costs is a job that should be done with the same amount of precision and care as your top surgeons in the OR, because one mistaken move can cause several complications and long-term damage. Any time I’m faced with the issue of reviewing cost reduction strategies, I like to keep a few principles in mind to guide my judgment and help see the big picture. **1. Be extremely careful about negatively impacting direct patient care at the bedside.** Although nothing should be completely off the table when scrutinizing costs, this area requires careful analysis. Snap, short-term decisions can cause serious long-term problems. It may be necessary to change the care model, but this cannot be done quickly and definitely not in the midst of a hectic annual budget development process. **2. Scrutinize overall management structures and efficiency processes.** Caution about direct patient care does not mean a hesitancy about analyzing operational processes. Do we have layers of management that previously made sense but not today? Are we imposing rules and metrics that are unproductive? Do we have bureaucracy “creep”? Do we have unnecessary redundancy? Are these opportunities for greater consolidations or in some cases more decentralization? Are we as integrated as we need to be? **3. Be careful to protect the organization’s social mission.** Managing an organization with a single primary goal, such as margin or profit, is relatively easy. Doing it in healthcare, with multiple obligations, is much more difficult. We invest in services and programs to improve the overall health of the community — efforts to solve food insecurity programs, to address substance abuse and mental health, support for students to pursue their educational goals, etc. All of these are expenditures, not revenue drivers. Some are partly reimbursed by the government, but never enough to cover the costs. These are endeavors we must not retreat from — it’s part of our core responsibility and must be protected even amid very difficult budget conditions. It’s important to accept the idea of a lower margin to protect our overall mission. Managing this balance is not easy, but it is an essential test of leadership. **4. Seize opportunities for long-term strategy.** In the process of developing the budget and reviewing expenditures, opportunities for future strategy and operational transformation automatically arise. Take advantage of them. Core issues that need to be further addressed arise, such as how to optimize the role of nurse practitioners; how to develop robust patient navigation systems; and how to improve the food service (food service at Northwell is now [overseen by Michelin-star chefs](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/patient-experience/michelin-star-food-for-the-same-price-as-frozen-meals-q-a-with-northwell-s-sven-gierlinger-and-chef-bruno-tison.html)); how to improve collaboration between various specialty care disciplines; and how to enhance customer service. Follow up on these issues helps in the development of future strategy. **5. Realize that you will never cut yourself to success.** The leader’s job is a mix of being diligent about expense management, process improvement and operational efficiency while simultaneously maximizing revenue. Where do I grow and what do I expand? How do I curtail market share loss in current business? How do I balance commercial business growth with growth in government business? What “new” business should I develop? Should I partner with new entrants in the marketplace? Improving efficiency and productivity is superlative but so is profitable revenue growth. It’s the only way to sustain a necessary margin and maintain a commitment to our social mission. **6. Remember your role as a leader in times of difficulty and constriction.** The goal of leadership is to manage a crisis with an attitude of calmness and optimism — with a can-do perspective. Continually conveying, either internally or externally, that you are in a crisis just compounds the issue. It can be demoralizing and frightening for staff. Balancing the reality of the circumstance with the optimism of what’s possible in the future sends a message of practicality and hope. It’s also important, of course, that expenditure constraints apply across the board and that the front-line don’t just perceive that all the pain is being carried by them. The role of leadership is to put people around you who look at everything creatively and do not put forward knee-jerk reactions. None of my people would run up to me and say, “We need to cut costs!” Instead, they’d approach me and say, “here are my ideas on how we can become more productive and more efficient.” We are now in a transitional period caused by the short and long-term effects of COVID-19 and the instability of the global political landscape. The world has changed which requires all organizations, healthcare included, to adapt and evolve. Standing still or wishing for the pre-COVID days is the greatest risk. How to convey this new reality and respond is now a test of leadership. It’s also a test of how to take advantage of all the opportunities before us. --- This post, [Michael Dowling: 6 Ground Rules for Cost Cutting](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/michael-dowling-6-ground-rules-for-cost-cutting.html?origin=BHRE&utm_source=BHRE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=9585F0200556J0V), was shared by [Becker’s Hospital CRO Report](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/michael-dowling-6-ground-rules-for-cost-cutting.html?origin=BHRE&utm_source=BHRE&utm_medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=9585F0200556J0V) on December 6, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [Biodegradable Medical Gowns May Add to Greenhouse Gas](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/04/biodegradable-medical-gowns-may-add-to-greenhouse-gas/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The use of disposable plasticized medical gowns – both conventional and biodegradable – has surged since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Landfills now brim with them. Because the biodegradable version decomposes faster than conventional gowns, popular wisdom held that it offers a greener option by less space use and chronic emissions in landfills. That wisdom may be wrong. Biodegradable medical gowns actually introduce harsh greenhouse gas discharge problems, according to new research published Dec. 20 in the [Journal of Cleaner Production](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652622047278). “There’s no magic bullet to this problem,” said [Fengqi You](https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/faculty-directory/fengqi-you), the Roxanne E. and Michael J. Zak Professor in Energy Systems Engineering, in the Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. “Plasticized conventional medical gowns take many years to break down and the biodegradable gowns degrade much faster, but they produce gas emissions faster like added methane and carbon dioxide than regular ones in a landfill,” said You, who is a senior faculty fellow in the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. “Maybe the conventional gowns is not so bad.” In this research led by Cornell doctoral student Xiang Zhao, biodegradable gown production poses an additional 11% higher ecotoxicity rate than conventional alternatives, according to the new paper. Adopting landfill gas capture and utilization processes in biodegradable gown sanitary landfills can reduce 9.79% of greenhouse emissions, life-cycle landfill use by nearly 49%, and save at least 10% fossil resources by employing onsite power co-generation, the researchers found. Conventional gowns are environmentally and socially sustainable because they can pose 14% less toxicity to humans, cause 10% fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and are nearly 10% less toxic to freshwater when compared to biodegradable gowns in landfills with extra gas emissions. Improving the gas capture efficiency above 85% can make biodegradable gowns more environmentally sustainable than conventional gowns. “It’s nice to break down the plastic into smaller things,” Zhao said. “But those small things eventually decompose into gas and if we don’t capture them, they become greenhouse gases that go into the air.” In addition to Zhao and You, the co-authors for “[How Sustainable are the Biodegradable Medical Gowns Via Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment?](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652622047278)” include Michael Saxon ’91 of the New York Embroidery Studio, who brought this problem to the Cornell team with the help from John P. Sinnott at the Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR). Funding for this research was provided by the CCMR with funding from the NSF and New York State Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation. --- This post, [Biodegradable Medical Gowns May Add to Greenhouse Gas](https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2022/12/biodegradable-medical-gowns-may-add-greenhouse-gas), was shared by the [Cornell Chronicle](https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2022/12/biodegradable-medical-gowns-may-add-greenhouse-gas) on December 15, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Answered: Who Regulates Medical Waste?](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/13/answered-who-regulates-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** #### Since the 1988 Medical Waste Tracking Act Expired in 1991 Medical waste is primarily regulated by state environmental and health departments. EPA has not had authority, specifically for medical waste, since the Medical Waste Tracking Act (MWTA) of 1988 expired in 1991. It is important to contact your state environmental program first when disposing of medical waste. Contact your [state environmental protection agency](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/links-hazardous-waste-programs-and-us-state-environmental-agencies) and your [state health agency](https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/health-and-environmental-agencies-us-states-and-territories) for more information regarding your state’s regulations on medical waste. Other federal agencies have regulations regarding medical waste. These agencies include Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and potentially others. #### History Concern for the potential health hazards of medical wastes grew in the 1980s after medical wastes were washing up on several east coast beaches. This prompted Congress to enact The MWTA of 1988. The MWTA was a two-year federal program in which EPA was required to promulgate regulations on management of medical waste. The Agency did so on March 24, 1989. The regulations for this two year program went into effect on June 24, 1989 in four states – New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island and Puerto Rico. The regulations expired on June 21, 1991. EPA concluded from the information gathered during this period that the disease-causing potential of medical waste is greatest at the point of generation and naturally tapers off after that point. Thus, risk to the general public of disease caused by exposure to medical waste is likely to be much lower than risk for the healthcare workers. After the MWTA expired in 1991, states largely took on the role of regulating medical waste under the guidance developed from the two year program. - [Model Guidelines for State Medical Waste Management](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/model-guidelines-state-medical-waste-management) Most states have since further developed their own programs resulting in each state program differing significantly from each other. #### Disposal of Medical Sharps Improper management of discarded needles and other sharps can pose a health risk to the public and waste workers. For example, discarded needles may expose waste workers to potential needle stick injuries and potential infection when containers break open inside garbage trucks or needles are mistakenly sent to recycling facilities. Janitors and housekeepers also risk injury if loose sharps poke through plastic garbage bags. Used needles can transmit serious diseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis. See the following documents for information on proper management of needles and sharps: - [Community Options for Safe Needle Disposal](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/community-options-safe-needle-disposal) - [Protect Yourself, Protect Others: Safe Options for Home Needle Disposal](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/protect-yourself-protect-others-safe-options-home-needle-disposal) - [Safe Needle Disposal – a project of NeedyMeds](https://safeneedledisposal.org/) – promotes public awareness and community solutions for safe disposal of needles, syringes, and other sharps. - [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Sharps Safety for Healthcare Settings](http://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/) #### Medical Waste Incineration More than 90 percent of potentially infectious medical waste was incinerated before 1997. In August of 1997, EPA promulgated regulations creating stringent emission standards for medical waste incinerators due to significant concerns over detrimental air quality affecting human health. EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards continues to review and revise the [Hospital Medical Infectious Waste Incinerator (HMIWI) ](https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/hospital-medical-and-infectious-waste-incinerators-hmiwi-new)standards as required most recently in May of 2013. #### Alternative Treatment & Disposal Technologies for Medical Waste Potential alternatives to incineration of medical waste include the following: - Thermal treatment, such as microwave technologies; - Steam sterilization, such as autoclaving; - Electropyrolysis; and - Chemical mechanical systems, among others. With EPA’s tighter HMIWI standards, the number of HMIWIs in the United States has declined since 1997. This has lead to an increase in the use of alternative technologies for treating medical waste. The alternative treatments are generally used to render the medical waste non-infectious then the waste can be disposed of as solid waste in landfills or incinerators. Many states have regulations requiring medical waste treatment technologies to be certified, licensed or regulated. [Check with your state](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/links-hazardous-waste-programs-and-us-state-environmental-agencies) for additional regulation regarding treatment of medical waste. EPA has jurisdiction over medical waste treatment technologies, which claim to reduce the infectiousness of the waste (i.e. that claim any antimicrobial activity) by using chemicals. This jurisdiction comes from the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Companies wishing to make such claims must register their product under FIFRA through EPA’s [Office of Prevention, Pesticide, and Toxic Substances (OPPTS), Antimicrobial Division](https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/pesticide-registration-manual-chapter-4-additional-considerations). --- This content, [Who Regulates Medical Waste?](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/medical-waste), was originally shared by [epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/medical-waste). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Medical Waste Disposal – The Definitive Guide](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/14/medical-waste-disposal-the-definitive-guide/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Medical waste and its [proper disposal](http://www.biomedicalwastesolutions.com/#request-quote) remain a major concern for America. Here are the primary reasons: - The safety of healthcare patients and personnel, as well as the legal obligation in handling the waste - Environmentalists are concerned with the impact of medical waste, whether it’s [wasting up on a beach in Jersey Shore](http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Jersey-Shore-Beaches-Medical-Waste-Needles-Test-Tubes-260001381.html) or being illegally dumped in landfill sites - Home producers of medical waste, such as needles and syringes that want to dispose of their tools properly ### What Is Medical Waste? According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the definition of medical waste is fairly broad “all waste materials generated at health care facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, dental practices, blood banks, and veterinary hospitals/clinics, as well as medical research facilities and laboratories.” It fails to include any organization that produces medical waste such as syringes or needles from their employees or customers, or the home producer for that matter. ### How Much Medical Waste Is Produced? In 2012, the United States [spent up to $2.5 billion](http://www.bccresearch.com/pressroom/env/arket-medical-waste-treatment-containment-management-disposal-reach-nearly-$3.2-billion-2017) for the proper disposal of medical waste. Moreover, with annual growth of 4.8%, by 2017 the annual market is expected to $3.2 billion. For instance, consider these medical waste statistics: - Just [hospitals in the U.S. produce more than 5.9 million tons](https://practicegreenhealth.org/topics/waste) of waste annually - Hospitals produce ***33 lbs.***of medical waste per day per staffed bed - Florida alone has approximately [38,000 facilities that generate](http://www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/environmental-health/biomedical-waste/index.html) biomedical waste In short, almost all healthcare activities related to humans produce medical waste. So, can you imagine the dangers of what would happen if it was ***disposed of improperly***? To read the full article, visit [www.biomedicalwastesolutions.com](http://www.biomedicalwastesolutions.com/medical-waste-disposal/). --- This content, [Medical Waste Disposal – The Definitive Guide](https://continuumsavings.com/medical-waste-disposal-the-definitive-guide/), was originally shared by [Continuum](https://continuumsavings.com/medical-waste-disposal-the-definitive-guide/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Sharps Safety Guidelines from Infection Control Today](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/14/sharps-safety-guidelines-from-infection-control-today/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *With the start of a new year, it is a great time remind to health care workers, waste management workers, laboratory staff, and others to practice sharps safety and follow safety protocols.* [According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), it is estimated that 600,000 to 800,000 needlestick injuries and other percutaneous injuries occur annually among health](https://www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens/evaluating-controlling-exposure#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20NIOSH%20Alert,annually%20among%20health%20care%20workers.) [care workers.](https://www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens/evaluating-controlling-exposure#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20NIOSH%20Alert,annually%20among%20health%20care%20workers.) Punctures and cuts can introduce bloodborne pathogens into the body, such as hepatitis B virus (HPV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Most sharps-related injuries can be prevented [and occur during or immediately after use](https://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/part1TEXTONLY.html#:~:text=NaSH%20data%20show%20that%20the,in%20transit%20to%20another%20location.). It is important to understand safe sharps waste disposal and that your organization effectively manages this type of waste. Health care workers should first understand which items can account for sharps injuries; it can include more than needles. Other sharps include syringes, lancets, auto-injectors, connection and infusion sets, wires, and scalpels. [All sharps are biohazardous waste generated during care, treatment, or services.](https://www.stericycle.com/en-us/resource-center/blog/sharps-needles-disposal-faqs#accordion-1) All these items should go in sharps containers which should be rigid, puncture-resistant, and leak-resistant. All sharps containers should have a tight-fitting puncture-proof lid, a clear label, and a sturdy upright design. Containers should also be marked with a line to indicate when the container is three-fourths full. Once the container reaches that point, do not place any more sharps in the container—this line is to prevent injuries. One of the leading causes of sharps injuries is overfilled containers. Never force items into the sharps container. If you have difficulties inserting a sharp into a receptacle, it may be too full; therefore, find another nearby container. Once three-fourths full, seal the sharps container and dispose of it per your biomedical waste regulations. During this year’s International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month, reflect on your organization’s sharp safety program. A comprehensive program can promote safe work practices and reduce the risk of injury. *Infection Control Today®* (*ICT®*) spoke to Jackie Noble, RN, BSN, an oncology nurse at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida, regarding sharp safety. She stated, “Sharp safety is important to me because it is a large safety risk for infection for my patients and myself. I have seen coworkers accidentally stick themselves after sticking a patient. In one instance, the patient was HIV-positive. This led to many blood tests and medications for the employee to help prevent the HIV infection in their bloodstream. If we aren’t practicing sharp safety properly, a quick incident like this can have lifelong effects for the employee. These safety measures are not only for the safety of infection prevention for the patient but important to prevent infection for us as healthcare providers.” Noble also told *ICT®*, “I rarely ever feel at risk for getting a needle stick injury because I always ensure that I follow all the precautions. Caps on needles are essential to keep on prior to inserting a needle. All needles now have a safety measure that can be activated after the needle has been used to prevent unwarranted sticks. Using precautions will provide reassurance that needle sticks are preventable. Always ask for help if you feel uneasy about a shot for a patient who may not be able to hold still! We have annual sharp safety modules that remind employees of the importance of sharp safety and ways we can prevent unwarranted sticks. We are taught not to recap needles, uncap the needle only right before we use it, utilize the safety measure immediately after use, and then throw the sharp into the sharps container as soon as possible. If there is any fear that a patient may not hold still, we always have multiple people help keep a patient distracted and still for the shot.” **Other Rules of Sharps and Sharps Container Use** 1. **Never reach inside these containers to retrieve items.** 2. **Sharps containers should only be reserved for items that could puncture the skin**, do not place other medical items and devices such as medications, batteries, tape, gauze, and gloves into these containers. Containers with Federal Drug Administration (FDA)-marked clearance are recommended. 3. **Follow manufacturers’ instructions for use (IFUs), and use engineering controls.** Many sharps now contain safety features engineered into them. Be sure to know how to use these features to prevent sharps injuries. Some of these features include retractable needles, needless systems, and sheaths/shields for needles. An essential part of an organization’s bloodborne pathogen protection program or sharps safety program can be selecting appropriate devices with safety features. 4. **Other recommendations for using sharps include never bending, breaking, or recapping needles or blades.** 5. **Always maintain visual contact with sharps during use.** 6. **Immediately placing needles and other sharps into a sharps disposable container** is instrumental when using sharps. Be aware of staff nearby to protect them from any sharps you are handling or disposing of. 7. **The location of a sharps container should be deliberate**, especially in procedure rooms. Sharps receptacles should be nearby and not be blocked by other furniture or equipment. The flow of a procedure, such as a central line insertion, should incorporate the location of the receptacle, and staff should be able to access it easily. Ensure that adequate sharps containers are located in your organization and that staff knows whom to contact if they need another container due to fullness or issues with the receptacle. 8. **Report any injuries with sharps.** If a sharps injury has occurred, it is essential to report it to your employer and file an injury report. Reporting is critical to receiving immediate post-exposure care and preventing future accidents. By reporting, you may be helping another employee from the same injury. Lastly, report to your supervisor if you find a needle or sharp left at the bedside or in the regular garbage. --- This content, Sharps Safety Guidelines, was originally shared by [Infection Control Today](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/sharps-safety-guidelines) on December 26, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [An Introduction to Bioplastics in Medical Applications](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/21/an-introduction-to-bioplastics-in-medical-applications/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *From medical blisters to body implants, bioplastics are extensively used in the healthcare sector. They have been considered as potential materials for tools and products used in medicine.* The market for medical plastics is expected to be worth nearly $80 billion in 2021 and account for about 2% of the 370,000 tonnes of polymers sold worldwide. Given the high risk involved with human life, the material choice for healthcare applications is a crucial factor. The introduction of new materials in this industry has been constrained and slowed by extensive research, tests, and trials, strict regulations, and other factors. **Introduction to bioplastics** Another dynamic shift in the plastics sector that has recently demonstrated significant growth through commercial acceptance, investments, manufacturing, and research & development is bioplastics. According to the European Bioplastics Association, bioplastics made up nearly 1% of the global polymer industry in 2021, and growth is anticipated to reach nearly an astounding 25% until 2026. Although consumer goods, flexible packaging, and rigid packaging currently account for 60% of bioplastics’ applications, the remaining 40% span a wide range of industries. **Bioplastics in medical industry** Bioplastic is only used in a narrow range of surgical and biodegradable materials with applications in body implants like bones, scaffolds, and breast implants in the medical industry. Their benefits include but are not limited to less invasive repair, improved physiological repair, gradual body dissolution, and biocompatibility. Currently, bioplastics like polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyglycolides (PGL) and their co-polymers have long been used commercially as bio-resorbable polymers for tissue engineering. Evonik, Corbion, DSM, and Ashland are a few well-known businesses with product offerings for these goods. According to industry estimates, bioplastics make up <3% of the medical polymers used in medical devices and <1% of the market for medical polymers as a whole. **Innovations and drivers for bioplastics in medical applications** 3D printing, which is expected to grow by about 24% from 2021-26, is a significant factor in the growth of bioplastics. It enables customisation with speed, accuracy, and quality, which is ideal for producing custom implants using bioplastics as the inks (resins). An interesting innovation has been brought forward by Dexlavo Inc., a medical aesthetics company in South Korea, which has created the world’s first “Collagenesis-Enabled Solubilised Active” from Polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polymer. This application is an anti-aging solution that is injected into the skin. **How can bioplastics help with medical waste?** Disposable, single-use plastics like gloves, face masks, hair caps, medical packaging, and other similar products that contribute to rising environmental concerns over healthcare waste without a recycling option represent a potential market for bioplastics in the medical industry. Utilising bioplastics can be advantageous because medical waste is collected and disposed of in an organised manner. *The degradability of bioplastics, however, is the main issue.* Ideally, materials would never degrade under normal environmental conditions. Therefore, a specialised industrial composite that would hasten the degradation caused by elements like temperature and humidity is needed. Additional energy, cost, and time added to the process defy the closed-loop concept. Another factor is that biofuel, which currently enjoys favourable government support, competes directly with the feedstock used to produce bioplastics. This problem has solutions, like blending or co-polymerising two bioplastics. To improve biodegradability and technical characteristics while lowering the cost of blends, industrial compostable bioplastics like PLA, Starch, and Cellulose are combined with domestic compostable bioplastics like Bio-PBS, PHA, and PCL. **Medical industry views on using bioplastics** Here are some observations on the factors and difficulties for the introduction of a biopolymer that came from discussions with industry experts to understand the medical biopolymers considered by their users, ranked in decreasing order of selection preference: 1\) Quality: The purity of the polymer, which must be >99.5% and designated as a medical grade, is the primary requirement. 2\) Biocompatibility: Degradation, compatibility with bodily fluids and substances, and biological safety of the substance 3\) Regulations: A new product application must undergo extensive validation and testing in the medical sector due to strict regulatory requirements. Their preference has been constrained by high price, extended development time, uncertainty regarding the outcomes, and regulations for biomaterials. 4\) Certifications: Bio-material users expect the material to be certified with a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), EU material compliance, and Biocompatibility certificate (USP Class VI / ISO 10993) and FDA, among others. 5\) Price and availability: Low-impact factors in medical applications, but the recent emergence of PLA for biomedical applications has increased cost-effectiveness and supply stability. **In a Nutshell** Bioplastics are a perfect match for medical plastics applications and have the potential to rise in price, despite the much-discussed fact that they are more expensive than conventional plastics, which have little impact on the medical sector. As medical needs rise in response to an ageing global population, bioresorbable polymers will continue to find new applications. The growth of new applications as the 3D printing and bioplastics industries mature would accelerate the demand. --- This content, [An Introduction to Bioplastics in Medical Applications](https://www.medicalplasticsnews.com/medical-plastics-industry-insights/medical-plastics-polymers-insights/an-introduction-to-bioplastics-in-medical-applications/), was originally shared by [Medical Plastics News](https://www.medicalplasticsnews.com/medical-plastics-industry-insights/medical-plastics-polymers-insights/an-introduction-to-bioplastics-in-medical-applications/) on January 13, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Addressing 3 Pandemic-Induced Integrity Challenges Related to Telehealth](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/30/addressing-3-pandemic-induced-integrity-challenges-related-to-telehealth/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Prior to the pandemic, claims fraud, waste and abuse (FWA) was a priority issue for health plans aiming to improve both care quality and the member experience. But, accelerated by the pandemic, health plans are now grappling with compounding operational challenges — from aberrant services related to COVID-19 diagnoses, to service shifts, to uncontrolled telehealth expansion and, of course, labor shortages. These converging challenges has brought a sense of urgency to the need for a new payment integrity (PI) architecture, including complete process re-engineering and AI, automation and analytics enablement. How can payers address these now-pressing PI needs while also planning for future financial prosperity to come? Here are three outcomes of the heightened PI pressures, along with guidance on how to solve for these challenges. #### **1. Pandemic-driven volume and resource fluctuations** On top of legacy waste and abuse issues affecting claims processes, the COVID-19 pandemic adds news challenges in excessive COVID-19 diagnosis, extended visit durations and increased visits for therapies and early refills and disbursement of excess prescribed quantities for pharmacy and durable medical equipment (DME). These added complications impact forecasting of utilization and payments accuracy. Projected return-to-normal volumes have been met with varying results across payers. Some payers have seen an increase in deferred care but often not at the anticipated levels, while other payers had higher than expected deferred care. Other plans are seeing continued declines in enrollment. The operational challenges associated with unpredictability of payments and bills have only been exacerbated by the labor shortage. On top of enrollment declines, many health plans struggle with remote work, resource reallocation to support critical COVID-19 initiatives and the resulting recruitment and retention of billing staff. All of these operational challenges often lead to increased billing inaccuracies and payment errors. In addition to agility and flexing to meet seasonal shifts, another challenge lies in leveraging data to identify the aberrant providers, erroneous claims and incorrect payments. Designing a program to accommodate these fluctuations and resource challenges requires an elevated people, process and technology approach. With the right payment integrity expertise, organizations can step up audit accuracy — with rules and query writing for a prepay focus. A proactive and preventative pre- to post-pay approach may exponentially drive down inaccuracies and overpayments for improved recoup for payers over time. Experts can provide top-notch analytics tools and techniques that are combined with automation, machine learning, custom configuration and manual review and intervention to analyze the claims data. The right experts deliver a brain-bot combination, bringing the human ingenuity via skilled, experienced payment integrity specialists. Finally, the right payment integrity expertise requires robust internal business analytics solutions that depend on knowledgeable resources across IT, PI and the SIU to maximize actionable findings. #### **2. Evolving regulatory landscape** The pandemic has brought swift changes in regulations and policies to ensure access to patient care. Health plans have been burdened with more and more administrative lift as well as increased regulations focused on greater transparency in billing processes — beyond the already tall order for modern-day member care and experience. Now these plans must keep in-step with federal government regulations while also enforcing individual state mandates regarding “non-essential” claims processes and review of COVID-19 related claims. Among the many pandemic payment fallouts, this scenario is played out daily: a patient with coronavirus symptoms undergoes not just the COVID-19 test but possibly other tests to rule out respiratory problems. Confusion around payment, services and improper coding are just a few of the factors that can then result in a surprise bill. This bill starts a long and expensive journey to correct coding and payment — at a significant loss to all parties: patient, provider and payer. This surprise bill is today a key focus of the No Surprises Act relating to how providers and payers will communicate with individuals on hospital billing of payers and will also make the reconciliation process more complicated. Ultimately, new government regulation, COVID-19 requirements, exceptions and payment-related complexities have only intensified payment integrity challenges. PI experts can provide the deep domain expertise and understanding of quickly-evolving rules and regulations, augmented by the requisite highly-trained claims and coding expertise. Payment integrity solution providers also have the stringent attention required to improve accuracy of information between provider and payer. This helps to ensure that there isn’t a post-pay audit issue associated with the par/nonpar provider in relation to new regulations around billing processes. #### **3. Rapid increase in telehealth services** Early in the pandemic, telehealth utilization surged as consumers and providers sought ways to safely access and deliver healthcare. At the core of COVID-19 disruption are emerging services and new medical coding and billing procedures — with telehealth at the top of the list. A significant number of health plans expanded coverage for telemedicine and telehealth services related to behavioral health, specialist visits and primary care, to allow people to receive care while remaining safe at home. Research showed that overall telehealth utilization for office visits and outpatient care was 78 times higher in April 2020 than just two months earlier, in February 2020. In addition to the patient/member-centric benefits of easier access to providers, telehealth also brings potential coding and payment aberrations. For example, the risk of coding e-visit or virtual check-in claims to higher-level telehealth visits, as well as up-coding of evaluation and management (E&M) services to a higher level of service than actually rendered. Research from Medical Billing Advocates of America found medical bills with errors are up 80% and we’re likely to see more of these grim statistics. Health plans are experiencing a clear need for highly trained coding resources that can meet CMS timelines and unforeseen resource demand. The right PI experts will bring right-shoring of cost-effective resources that are highly trained AHIMAs or AAPC-certified coders. These types of professionals can further scale and complete projects of varying sizes with the maximum level of accuracy following a proven quality assurance process. As expert problem solvers, payment integrity solution providers bring a strong grasp of the nuances of the COVID-19 impact, including the regulations and how they can affect business operations holistically. The global reach of some of these service providers allows for right-shoring models that ensure compliance standards are met while still providing cost and operational optimization, with the implementation of new tools, such as analytics, AI and automation. The healthcare industry presents a complex lifecycle of stakeholders with financial impacts and experience expectations — and payers must answer to all of them. With the right payment integrity approach and finely tuned focus, payers will find the exceptional service execution required to thrive in today’s environment. --- This content, [Addressing 3 Pandemic-Induced Integrity Challenges](https://www.healthcaredive.com/spons/addressing-3-pandemic-induced-payment-integrity-challenges/640583/), was originally shared by [Healthcare Dive](https://www.healthcaredive.com/) on January 30, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [The Top Items on 5 Chief Medical Officers' To-Do Lists](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/30/the-top-items-on-5-chief-medical-officers-to-do-lists/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Chief Medical Officers across the country know employee burnout, medication shortages and respiratory infections, among a wealth of other challenges, have created the not-so-perfect storm in hospitals. Richard Shannon, MD, chief quality officer at Duke Health in Raleigh, N.C., told *Becker’s* something has to give or clinicians will continue to react to overwhelming working conditions “with their feet,” referring to the several recent nurses’ strikes at New York hospitals. The main thing clinical leaders can do to help is to better understand the problems firsthand, Dr. Shannon said. He called on chief medical officers to “get out of their offices so they can see and understand the barriers to the work their people are facing. Zoom meetings and planning sessions are no substitute for a leader going to see the work in action.” Dr. Shannon said it is up to clinical leaders to make changes in their own hospitals to address serious systemic issues. Along those lines, *Becker’s* asked five chief medical officers to name the top items on their to-do lists: *\[ Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity. \]* **John Heaton, MD. President and Chief Medical Officer of LCMC Health (New Orleans):** Efficiency is at the top of my to-do list — making the most of the resources we have. This includes enabling doctors to work in a manner that makes better care possible by [reducing waste](https://wastemedic.com/2022/10/optimize-your-medical-waste-disposal-stream-in-2023/) and limiting burnout. On the patient flow side, helping the care team to expedite patient discharges and targeting the proper level of care is essential. Anything we can do to limit ER holds will materially improve the experience for patients and providers. Next, we must rethink our approach, and when needed, adjust processes. It’s critical that we don’t just do what we did before. In order to deliver the best service possible, we have to be more flexible and move patients through the system, from clinic visits to inpatient discharges to post-acute settings. Finally, collaboration is key. From day one of our partnership with Tulane University, we’ve been working to gain economies of scale and make the most of the assets we have. With this partnership we are growing capacity and capability, which will allow our system to accommodate more patients. This will ensure that we are increasing access and delivering the best quality of care to our patients at all times. **Sunil Madan, MD. Chief Medical Officer of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (Goddard, Md.):** We must address provider burnout caused by staffing challenges. But, also, to be able to recruit and retain the best providers, we must also remain steadfast in our efforts toward financial recovery after the pandemic. Our labor and supply chain expenses are significantly higher while revenue has been negatively impacted. We have to look for ways to deal with the financial and operational strains while continuing to provide high-quality care to the community we serve. **Connie Savor Price, MD. Chief Medical Officer of Denver Health:** With the current workforce shortages, “tripledemic” and everyday demands, the challenge of burnout in healthcare should be at the top of every hospital CMO’s to-do list right now. Many healthcare workers are leaving the profession, further compounding shortages. Those who remain are experiencing mental health impacts from the unrelenting pressures of their daily work. **Marilouise Venditti, MD. Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at AtlantiCare (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.):** We must provide physicians and other providers with meaningful continuing education to help them grow in their roles and responsibilities. We also have to encourage a multidisciplinary approach to care in which all members of the clinical and support teams focus on what care is most appropriate for individual patients. And, also, continually ask yourself: “What will our patients need next?” **Dave Williams, MD. Chief Clinical Officer and Senior Vice President of UnityPoint Health (Des Moines, Iowa):** With workplace violence incidents escalating and staffing shortages across the board in healthcare right now, prioritizing the well-being of our care teams is at the top of my to-do list. There’s no question our teams are resilient, but when you figure in three years battling a pandemic and a major increase in additional respiratory illnesses, it’s a lot. These are human beings first, and that kind of stress takes a toll on anyone. We need to re-engage our physicians, nurses and clinicians at all levels by tapping into why they chose to spend their lives in healthcare in the first place — a passion for caring for people. They deserve our immense gratitude and frequent reminders of the incredibly valuable role they play in people’s lives. --- This content, [The Top Items on 5 Chief Medical Officers’ To-Do Lists](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/the-top-items-on-5-chief-medical-officers-to-do-lists.html), was originally shared by [Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/) on January 18, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [What are Top Challenges of Regulated Medical Waste Management?](https://wastemedic.com/2023/02/04/what-are-top-challenges-of-regulated-medical-waste-management/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Medical waste management is a crucial aspect of healthcare that helps to ensure the safe disposal of potentially infectious or hazardous materials. It plays a vital role in protecting communities from the spread of diseases and reducing environmental impact, as well as minimizing the risk of cross-contamination and other health hazards associated with improper disposal. However, the management of medical waste comes with various challenges that can be difficult to overcome. Waste Medic is here to help you address these challenges, including: **Compliance with Regulations:** Regulated medical waste is highly regulated, requiring adherence to federal and state laws and regulations. Keeping up with these regulations can be a major challenge, because the regulations vary by country and region. In the United States, medical waste is regulated by both federal and state agencies. At the federal level, the [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](https://www.epa.gov/) establishes general regulations for the management of medical waste under the [Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)](https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-resource-conservation-and-recovery-act). At the state level, each state has its own specific regulations and requirements for medical waste management, which may be more stringent than federal regulations. You can find information on the regulations in your state by contacting the state’s environmental or health department. **Proper Handling and Disposal:** It is essential to train staff on the proper procedures for handling and disposing of regulated medical waste to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. **Cost:** The cost of generating, storing, transporting, and disposing of regulated medical waste can vary greatly depending on the type of waste, location, and facilities used. **Tracking and Record Keeping:** Generators of regulated medical waste must track and document the waste they generate and ensure it is disposed of in accordance with regulations. **Security:** Regulated medical waste must be stored securely to prevent unauthorized access and theft. At Waste Medic, we are dedicated to providing compliant, cost-effective transportation, treatment, and disposal of regulated medical waste. Our top priority is your satisfaction, and we offer a [no-obligation quote](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) to help you get started. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you address the challenges of regulated medical waste management. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Understanding Frequency of Medical Waste Pick Up at Assisted Living Facilities ](https://wastemedic.com/2023/02/21/understanding-frequency-of-medical-waste-pick-up-at-assisted-living-facilities/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The frequency of medical waste pickup within nursing homes and assisted living facilities can vary depending on the volume of waste generated and the [regulations of the local or state government](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/answered-who-regulates-medical-waste/). Generally, medical waste should be stored in a safe and secure location to prevent any risk of contamination or injury until it is properly disposed of. Individual assisted living facilities should have a policy in place for the disposal of medical waste and work with a reputable medical waste disposal company that can provide guidance on the appropriate frequency of pickup. In some states, regulations may require specific frequencies for medical waste pickups, such as once or twice a week, while in other areas, pickups may occur less frequently. ### Proper Medical Waste Disposal is Critical Proper disposal of medical waste is critical for patient safety in all healthcare facilities, including assisted living facilities. Medical waste can contain hazardous materials such as bodily fluids, infectious agents, and sharps, which can pose a risk of infection or injury if not disposed of properly. In addition to the risk of infection and injury, improper disposal of medical waste can also lead to environmental contamination. Medical waste that is not properly treated and disposed of can contaminate soil, water, and air, potentially leading to long-term negative impacts on the environment and public health. To prevent these risks, it is essential for assisted living facilities to have proper procedures in place for the handling, storage, and disposal of medical waste. This includes following all local, state, and federal regulations related to medical waste disposal, providing appropriate training for staff. Working with [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ensures compliance, as well as the safety of staff, patients, residents, and the surrounding community. **Tennessee Guidelines for Medical Waste at Assisted Living Facilities** Medical waste pickup requirements in Tennessee can vary based on the amount and type of medical waste produced by an assisted living facility. The state has established guidelines for the management of medical waste, including requirements for storage, handling, and disposal. According to the [Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation](https://www.tn.gov/environment.html), medical waste must be picked up and properly disposed of within 30 days of accumulation. However, this time frame can be reduced if the waste poses a risk of contamination, odor, or other hazards. **Waste Medic Can Help** Waste Medic is here to help Tennessee’s assisted living facilities. We can work with you to figure out how often we should come pick up your medical waste based on how much you generate and your unique needs. We want to make sure you’re following all the rules and regulations to keep everyone safe and healthy, including your staff, residents, and the community around you. Let’s work together to properly manage and dispose of your medical waste. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Beyond Needles & Syringes: Top 10 Biohazardous Waste Items You May Be Forgetting](https://wastemedic.com/2023/02/21/beyond-needles-syringes-top-10-biohazardous-waste-items-you-may-be-forgetting/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** [Biohazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/) refers to any material that contains biological agents that pose a threat to public health or the environment. This includes materials that are contaminated with blood, bodily fluids, tissues, and other potentially infectious materials. While many people are aware of the need to properly dispose of items like medical needles and syringes, there are a number of biohazardous waste items that are often overlooked. Here are the top 10 most overlooked biohazardous waste items that need proper disposal: **\#1 Gloves:** Gloves used in healthcare facilities, labs, and other settings are often contaminated with biological agents and need to be disposed of properly. Disposable gloves should be discarded in a designated biohazard waste bin after use. **\#2 Petri dishes:** Petri dishes used in research labs are often contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and other biological agents. They should be placed in a biohazard bag and disposed of as biohazardous waste. **\#3 [Pipette tips](https://blog.universalmedicalinc.com/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-pipette-tips-and-more/):** Pipette tips used in scientific research can be contaminated with hazardous biological agents and should be disposed of in a biohazard bag. **\#4 Specimen containers:** Specimen containers used in healthcare settings can be contaminated with blood, bodily fluids, and other biological materials. They should be properly sealed and disposed of as biohazardous waste. **\#5 Laboratory coats and gowns:** Laboratory coats and gowns can be contaminated with hazardous biological agents and should be disposed of in a designated biohazard waste bin. **\#6 Culture tubes:** Culture tubes used in scientific research can be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and other biological agents. They should be placed in a biohazard bag and disposed of as biohazardous waste. **\#7 Swabs:** Swabs used for medical testing and research can be contaminated with infectious agents and should be disposed of as biohazardous waste. **8. Sharps containers:** While many people are aware of the need to properly dispose of medical needles and syringes, sharps containers used in research labs and other settings can also be contaminated with biological agents and need to be disposed of properly. **\#9 Blood-soaked materials:** Any materials that are contaminated with blood, such as bandages, should be placed in a biohazard bag and disposed of properly. **\#10 Chemical waste:** While not necessarily biological in nature, chemicals used in research labs and healthcare settings can be hazardous and need to be disposed of properly. ### Proper Disposal is Critical It is essential to dispose of these materials in a manner that eliminates the risk of spreading infectious diseases. Improper disposal can lead to the contamination of surfaces and potentially spread infectious agents to individuals who come into contact with them. For example, improperly discarded gloves or laboratory coats can carry dangerous microorganisms and cause illness if someone touches them without proper protection. To ensure proper disposal of these materials, laboratories should have designated biohazard waste containers and follow specific disposal protocols. Proper disposal procedures include using puncture-resistant containers for sharp objects, labeling containers appropriately, and disposing of waste in a timely manner to prevent the buildup of potentially infectious materials. Furthermore, it is essential to consider the environmental impact of improper disposal of biological waste. Disposing of contaminated materials in regular trash bins or dumping them in the environment can lead to contamination of soil, water, and air, potentially harming wildlife and ecosystems. ### How Can Waste Medic Help At Waste Medic, we offer compliant transportation, treatment, and disposal services for regulated medical waste (RMW) while adhering to all relevant laws and regulations. Our pricing is competitive and fair. Our team of specialists assesses your current service to determine cost-effective measures for managing your medical waste disposal. Our clients are our top priority, and we value strong relationships with them. Waste Medic’s dedication to customer service, compliance, and safety ensures that our clients feel secure and protected. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [What is P-List Hazardous Waste & How to Manage It](https://wastemedic.com/2023/02/21/what-is-p-list-hazardous-waste-how-to-manage-it/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** P-list hazardous waste is considered acutely hazardous waste and must be managed carefully and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Here are some general steps for disposing of p-list hazardous waste: **Identify the waste:** Identify the waste as p-list hazardous waste using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Hazardous Waste Codes. These codes classify hazardous wastes according to the risks they pose to human health and the environment. **Segregate the waste:** Store the p-list hazardous waste separately from other hazardous wastes and non-hazardous wastes to prevent contamination. Use appropriate containers that are compatible with the waste. **Label the waste:** Label the p-list hazardous waste containers with the words “Hazardous Waste,” the EPA Hazardous Waste Code, and other required information such as the date of accumulation. **Transport the waste:** Arrange for transportation of the p-list hazardous waste by a licensed hazardous waste transporter. Ensure that the transporter is authorized to handle and transport the specific type of hazardous waste you are generating. **Dispose of the waste:** Dispose of the p-list hazardous waste at a permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility. These facilities are designed to safely manage hazardous waste and prevent harm to human health and the environment. It is important to note that specific disposal requirements may vary depending on the type of p-list hazardous waste and local, state, and federal regulations. The [experts at Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) have the experience and knowledge to help organizations of all sizes ensure proper disposal. ### Examples of P-List Hazardous Waste [P-list hazardous wastes](https://www.epa.gov/hw/defining-hazardous-waste-listed-characteristic-and-mixed-radiological-wastes) are acutely hazardous wastes that are considered extremely toxic and pose an immediate threat to human health and the environment. Here are some examples of p-list hazardous waste: P042 – Arsenic trioxide P010 – Benzidine P012 – Chloroform P078 – Nitroglycerin P032 – Methyl isocyanate P086 – Sodium azide P002 – Acetaldehyde P018 – Acrolein P014 – Carbon disulfide P045 – Cyanide salts These are just a few examples of p-list hazardous waste. It is important to note that the list of p-list hazardous wastes may change over time, and specific regulations may vary depending on the location and type of waste. ### How Waste Medic Can Help There are stringent regulations governing the collection and disposal of medical waste. Waste Medic has the expertise to help protect you from risk with comprehensive services for transportation and disposal, with no hidden costs and exceptional customer service. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Dose of Reality: Drug Take Back Day is April 22, 2023](https://wastemedic.com/2023/02/21/national-prescription-drug-take-back-day-is-april-22-2023/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Too often, unused and expired medications find their way into the wrong hands. That’s dangerous and often tragic. Bringing unused and expired medications to a Drug Take Back Day collection site protects you, your family, and your community. [National Prescription Take Back Day](http://takebackday.dea.gov/) is a bi-annual event that occurs in the United States to encourage people to safely dispose of their unused or expired prescription drugs. The event is typically held on a Saturday in April and October and is organized by the [Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)](https://www.dea.gov/) in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and pharmacies. DEA sponsors [collection sites](https://takebackday.dea.gov/) throughout the country where medications can be dropped off for proper disposal. During National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, people can bring their unused or expired prescription drugs to designated collection sites in their communities. These collection sites are staffed by law enforcement officials and volunteers who ensure that the collected drugs are disposed of safely and in an environmentally friendly way. The collected drugs are typically incinerated to prevent any potential harm to the environment or wildlife. ### Preparing for Take Back Day on April 22, 2023 If you are planning to participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 22, 2023, there are a few things you can do to prepare: **Identify the collection site:** You can find the collection site nearest to you by [visiting the DEA’s website](https://takebackday.dea.gov/), which provides a collection site locator tool. Make sure to check the opening and closing times of the collection site before you go. **Gather your unused or expired prescription drugs:** Look for any unused or expired prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet or other storage areas in your home. Make sure to collect all of the prescription drugs that you no longer need, including over-the-counter medications. Liquids must be in their original container. Pet medications are accepted. Vape pens are accepted with the batteries removed. Other e-cigarette devices are accepted with the batteries removed. These batteries are highly flammable. That’s why it is important that the batteries are removed before the pen or device is placed in a collection bin. **Remove personal information:** Before you take your prescription drugs to the collection site, remove any personal information from the medication labels or packaging to protect your privacy. **Transport the drugs safely:** Make sure to transport your prescription drugs safely to the collection site. You can do this by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and putting the bag in your car’s trunk. **Follow the instructions at the collection site:** When you arrive at the collection site, follow the instructions of the staff and volunteers. They will guide you on how to safely deposit your prescription drugs in the designated containers. Remember that National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an important event that helps keep our communities safe and healthy. By participating, you are helping to prevent drug abuse and ensuring the safe disposal of prescription drug ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [How Labeling Can Play a Role in Reducing Waste in the Medical Device Industry](https://wastemedic.com/2023/03/09/how-labeling-can-play-a-role-in-reducing-waste-in-the-medical-device-industry/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Like many other industries, the medical device industry has been undergoing changes recently in order to become more sustainable. Unfortunately, strict regulations mean that changes in this industry are quite slow when compared to others, but positive change is underway. There are various steps that can be taken to minimize the amount of waste produced through medical devices, as well as reduce the environmental damages that this waste causes and the one of the best ways to start is with better [medical labels](https://polyfuze.com/industries/medical/). **A brief overview of the medical device industry and its impact on the environment** The medical device industry is a critical component of modern healthcare; medical devices like catheters, needles, syringes, and so on are used for a wide range of medical procedures to treat a multitude of conditions and save patients’ lives. However, many of those same devices can’t simply be reused and are instead disposed of after just one use, creating huge amounts of waste, some of which can be contaminated, toxic, and highly dangerous to humans and wildlife. **The importance of reducing waste in the medical device industry** With so much [medical device waste](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7684014/) being produced every day in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare spaces around the world, it’s clear that something must be done. Medical device waste is causing unnecessary dangers and environmental damages that can be avoided. The importance of reducing waste in the medical device industry lies in its potential to reduce environmental impact, increase efficiency, and lower costs for healthcare providers and patients. By minimizing waste, medical device manufacturers can not only reduce their carbon footprint but also enhance their reputation as environmentally responsible companies, leading to increased customer loyalty and market share. Additionally, reducing waste can help lower manufacturing costs, resulting in more affordable medical devices for patients. **The role that labeling can play in reducing waste** Appropriate medical labeling is one of the simplest and most efficient solutions for reducing waste in the medical device industry. With correct labels affixed to every item, safe disposal becomes a lot easier for all. Labeling can help reduce waste in the medical device industry by promoting proper disposal and recycling of products. By providing clear and concise information about the product, its materials, and proper disposal methods, labeling can influence consumer behavior, encouraging them to dispose of the product responsibly. Furthermore, labeling can also encourage product reuse, extending the product’s lifespan and reducing waste. **Understanding the waste problem in the medical device industry** Statistics show that the healthcare industry produces a [colossal amount of waste](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-care-waste) each year, and a large part of that waste is made up of medical devices, which can be everything from examination gloves to syringes. Various factors contribute to the waste problem in the medical device industry, such as packaging materials, excess inventory, and product expiration. These waste materials can have a significant impact on the environment and human health, including pollution, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and the spread of disease. **Types of waste generated by the medical device industry** The medical device industry produces a wide range of different forms of waste: **Infectious Waste** – Infectious medical device waste is one of the most dangerous varieties. This includes items like bandages, gloves, masks, and other devices that are contaminated in some way with bodily floods and microbes. **Toxic and Chemical Waste** – Toxic and chemical waste products are also produced in conjunction with medical devices. This includes all of the chemicals, like solvents and disinfectants, used in healthcare settings. **Sharps Waste** – Sharps waste refers to the many items that are sharp or bladed, like pieces of glass, syringes, needles, and scalpels that have been used for different procedures and operations and have to be disposed of with great care. **Factors that contribute to waste in the medical device industry** A range of different factors make the waste problem worse in the medical device industry: **Regulation** – The world of medical devices is under strict [controls and forms of regulation](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/regulatory-controls/general-controls-medical-devices) that make it difficult to implement any kind of change, as every piece of waste needs to be disposed of in accordance with set guidelines. **Contamination** – Another issue with medical device waste is that the waste items themselves are often contaminated in some way, due to their exposure to bodily fluids, bacteria, viruses, and chemicals. **Lack of Disposal Methods** – While some medical waste can simply be disposed of like any other trash, a lot of it is hazardous and has to be disposed of in very specific ways, often using high-powered incinerators and other devices. **The impact of waste on the environment and human health** Medical device waste can be very dangerous and risky for both people and ecosystems. There are risks to healthcare workers themselves, cleaning and janitorial staff disposing of these items, people who live near healthcare facilities, and wildlife in areas where such items are disposed of. **The role of labeling in reducing waste** So, what can be done to reduce medical device waste? Well, proper medical labeling is a good way to get started. [Medical l](https://polyfuze.com/industries/medical/)[abels](https://polyfuze.com/industries/medical/) can provide important information about the proper disposal and recycling of products to minimize waste and promote sustainability. They can also help companies track and monitor waste reduction efforts and identify areas for improvement. Overall, effective labeling can play an important role in reducing waste and promoting a more sustainable future. **How labeling can help reduce waste through proper disposal and recycling** Labeling can help reduce waste in the medical device industry in various ways. Firstly, it can provide information about the product’s materials, making it easier for consumers to recycle or dispose of them properly. Secondly, labeling can also include information on proper disposal methods, making it easier for consumers to dispose of products responsibly. Finally, labeling can encourage product reuse by providing information about the product’s lifespan and potential for reuse. One of the many issues with medical device waste is that labels fade away and items end up being disposed of in the wrong ways or wrong places. By applying clearer, permanent labels to these devices, it’s much easier to dispose of them correctly or recycle them, if applicable. **The impact of labeling on consumer behavior and product reuse** Good quality labels encourage consumers to make use of products correctly, following the requisite instructions for use, disposal, reuse, and recycling. The same logic applies to medical device labels; better labels will ensure that these devices are used and reused safely and appropriately. **Best practices for labeling medical devices to encourage waste reduction** One of the problems with many labeling methods is that they simply aren’t strong or long-lasting enough to cope with the harsh conditions that medical devices are exposed to. Traditional adhesive labels, for instance, can fade or peel away. The answer is to make use of stronger and truly permanent labeling methods, with labels that actually bond with the material of the products themselves and won’t fade with time or wear down with exposure to chemicals and the elements. By implementing labeling strategies that are designed to promote environmentally-friendly practices, medical device manufacturers can reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainability. This may include labeling that encourages recycling, the use of recycled materials, and other strategies to minimize waste throughout the product lifecycle. Proper labeling can also ensure that medical devices are properly disposed of, further reducing the amount of waste generated in the industry. By prioritizing waste reduction through labeling, medical device companies can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and responsible environmental practices. Such labels also need to be clear and precise, with easy-to-read text and symbols that medical professionals can clearly understand, as well as comply with all necessary medical labeling guidelines. **Conclusion** As we can see, the waste problem associated with medical devices is a serious one, and steps need to be taken to cut down on this waste and make its disposal more efficient. Strong medical labels are a great starting point and can completely transform waste management for any medical device company or healthcare facility. --- This content, [How Labeling Can Play a Role in Reducing Waste in the Medical Device Industry](https://www.medicalplasticsnews.com/medical-plastics-industry-insights/medical-plastics-sustainability-insights/how-labelling-can-play-a-role-in-reducing-waste-in-the-medic/), was originally shared by [Medical Plastics News](https://www.medicalplasticsnews.com/medical-plastics-industry-insights/medical-plastics-sustainability-insights/how-labelling-can-play-a-role-in-reducing-waste-in-the-medic/) on February 28, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Environmental Sustainability Innovation: Leading Companies in Sharps Disposal Containers & Medical Devices](https://wastemedic.com/2023/03/09/environmental-sustainability-innovation-leading-companies-in-sharps-disposal-containers-medical-devices/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The medical devices industry continues to be a hotbed of innovation, with activity driven by increased need for homecare, preventative treatments, early diagnosis, reducing patient recovery times and improving outcomes, as well as a growing importance in technologies, such as machine learning, augmented reality, 5G and digitization. In the last three years alone, there have been over 450,000 patents filed and granted in the medical devices industry, according to GlobalData’s report on [Environment Sustainability in Medical Devices: Sharps disposal containers](https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/sharps-disposal-containers-environment-sustainability-in-medical-devices-innovation-and-trend-analysis/?utm_source=lgp1&utm_medium=23-92083&utm_campaign=thematic-report-hyperlink). However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity. Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have. **150+ innovations will shape the medical devices industry** According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the medical devices industry using innovation intensity models built on over 550,000 patents, there are 150+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry. Within the **emerging** innovation stage, 3D printed prosthesis and robotic 3D bio-printing are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Sharps disposal containers, therapy compliance monitoring systems, and driver health monitoring are some of the **accelerating** innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among **maturing** innovation areas are bio-compatible surgical adjuncts and bio-active prosthesis sealing, which are now well established in the industry. **Innovation S-curve for environmental sustainability in the medical devices industry** ![](https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/02/Environmental-Sustainability-in-Medical-S-curve-1-2-1024x576.png "- Waste Medic")**Sharps disposal containers is a key innovation area in environment sustainability** Sharps disposal containers are used to dispose of sharp and contaminated medical waste, such as needles, syringes, IV catheters, and disposable scalpels. The containers are leak-proof and puncture-resistant and are recommended to be used instead of regular plastic containers to avoid the risk of injury and infections. While these containers have been around for many years, new technological enhancements are improving the environmental impact of the waste associated with these essential containers. GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 20+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established medical devices companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of sharps disposal containers. **Key players in sharps disposal containers – a disruptive innovation in the medical devices** **industry**  ‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators. ‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’. [Becton](https://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/becton-dickinson-and-co?scalar=true&utm_source=lgp1&utm_medium=23-92083&utm_campaign=company-profile-hyperlink) Dickinson is one of the leading patent filers in the field of sharps disposal containers. Some other key patent filers in the field include [Viatris](https://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/mylan-nv?scalar=true&utm_source=lgp1&utm_medium=23-92083&utm_campaign=company-profile-hyperlink) and [Sanofi](https://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/sanofi?scalar=true&utm_source=lgp1&utm_medium=23-92083&utm_campaign=company-profile-hyperlink). In terms of application diversity, Carl Zeiss Stiftung leads the pack, followed by [Fresenius](https://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/fresenius-se-co-kgaa?scalar=true&utm_source=lgp1&utm_medium=23-92083&utm_campaign=company-profile-hyperlink) and Daikyo Seiko. By means of geographic reach, Sarstedt holds the top position, followed by [Viatris](https://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/mylan-nv?scalar=true&utm_source=lgp1&utm_medium=23-92083&utm_campaign=company-profile-hyperlink) and Owen Mumford in the second and third spots, respectively. Sharps disposal containers are used to safely dispose of medical wastes from hospitals to autoclaves or incinerators. With technological advancements, disposal containers can be designed to be processed and recycled easily, posing fewer negative environmental and health concerns. To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the medical devices industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on [Medical Devices](https://www.globaldata.com/store/?s=thematic%20research). --- This content, [Environmental Sustainability Innovation: Leading Companies in Sharps Disposal Containers](https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/data-insights/innovators-es-sharps-disposal-containers-medical-devices/), was originally shared by [Medical Device Network](https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/data-insights/innovators-es-sharps-disposal-containers-medical-devices/) on February 17, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [3 ESG Investment Models That Support The Bottom Line](https://wastemedic.com/2023/03/09/3-esg-investment-models-that-support-the-bottom-line/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Now more than ever, businesses are under a microscope for their environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts. Consumers and stakeholders expect the companies they support to not only have an ESG strategy but also to be accountable for the plans they have articulated. During uncertain economic times, it can be difficult to prioritize ESG initiatives when there is the urge to tighten budgets. But today, ESG efforts are more than just a “nice-to-have.” ESG can have a critical impact on an organization’s business strategy and development. Key company stakeholders, including board members, investors, employees and customers, all expect businesses to do more to address societal issues, with only [52%](https://www.edelman.com/sites/g/files/aatuss191/files/2022-01/Trust%2022_Top10.pdf "https://www.edelman.com/sites/g/files/aatuss191/files/2022-01/Trust%2022_Top10.pdf") in a recent study from Edelman indicating they believe business is currently doing enough to address climate change. There’s also an increasingly clear link between brand strength and a company’s sustainability practices, as more customers seek out brands and businesses that uphold good environmental and social practices. According to data from Bain & Company, the brands that scored highest on sustainability generated [five times](https://www.bain.com/insights/how-sustainable-brands-add-value-snap-chart/ "https://www.bain.com/insights/how-sustainable-brands-add-value-snap-chart/") the revenue growth of companies scoring lowest. ### ESG efforts also impact the employee experience. Today, [high ESG performance](https://www.mmc.com/insights/publications/2020/may/esg-as-a-workforce-strategy.html "https://www.mmc.com/insights/publications/2020/may/esg-as-a-workforce-strategy.html") is linked to improved employee satisfaction and attracting prospective employees, especially among younger generations who place a greater emphasis on environmental and social concerns. Even the [majority of consumers](https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/library/consumer-intelligence-series/consumer-and-employee-esg-expectations.html "https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/library/consumer-intelligence-series/consumer-and-employee-esg-expectations.html") say they are more likely to buy from a company that stands up for ESG efforts. There are a few steps an organization can take to make an impact while keeping its bottom line intact. Over the last few years, my organization, Stericycle, has embarked on its own ESG journey, which has helped us grow as a provider of waste disposal solutions spanning several industries and leaders in our own community. Here are three ESG investment models to consider leveraging that can result in tangible results for your organization as well as the communities in which you serve. ### 1. Upgrade your physical infrastructure. If your organization has been around for a few decades, chances are there are areas of your facility or facilities and operations that could use an upgrade. For example, offices can upgrade to LED lighting to use less energy. Driver routes can be re-evaluated to find efficiencies, which can reduce mileage and CO2 emissions from diesel-powered vehicles. Improvements to machinery and equipment also have the potential to help your facility use less energy over time and improve productivity. Additionally, any new facilities or offices in development should be evaluated for ways to optimize energy savings and operations. This past year, one of our latest equipment upgrades created a 40% reduction in overtime compared to 2021 and an approximate 20,000-mile-per-month long-haul optimization improvement. Strategic upgrades and improvements can use your current resources more efficiently and effectively, which can save on overhead and make long-term impacts on the environment. ### 2. Evaluate and leverage your partners and vendors. Part of your business strategy should be partnering and working with other organizations that have strategic ESG goals. When re-evaluating contracts, review your vendors’ ESG goals and efforts to ensure they are doing their part for the environment and social issues. Many organizations today are making a commitment to only work with partners that are making real efforts. Organizations with good ESG scores know that their entire supply chain is making strides to be more environmentally and socially considerate. Vendors and partners can also work together to help each other find efficiencies and/or improve operations. The right partnership can result in improving products and services or making your supply chain more efficient. For example, when my organization was developing new medical waste containers that would be stronger, nestable and stackable, we cultivated a partnership with the company Cupron to use their copper-based antimicrobial additive in order to help prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, mold and mildew on the containers. Overall, this partnership enabled a better solution for the storage, collection and transportation and more of these containers while improving customer and employee satisfaction in turn. ### 3. Be a steward of your community. Many organizations contribute to some form of philanthropy effort every year. Evaluate those efforts and determine whether and where adjustments could be made to pivot the focus to better realize your organization’s values and ESG goals. For example, if your organization values community health and well-being, find a local or national partner to restore or build a park within the community you serve. Some organizations also provide their employees with a certain number of paid volunteer hours per year, allowing them to go into their local communities and serve on behalf of your organization. Environmental justice should also be a priority for good organizational stewardship. Your organization exists within a community and, most likely, impacts that community in unseen or unexpected ways. Therefore, it’s important to understand the dynamics of the communities where you operate. To do this, you can form a task force that gets involved in and connects with the community to help inform business decisions, to try to avoid any undue environmental or societal burden and to better support the community. **We don’t know what the year ahead has in store for our organizations when it comes to advancements in ESG.** One thing we do know is that it’s never been more important to do our very best to protect our environment, our communities and our people. Large-scale ESG initiatives can be difficult to get off the ground, even in the most economically prosperous of times. But we can all make smaller strategic changes that, when combined, can have a real impact on our world and our bottom line. --- This content, [3 ESG Investment Models That Support The Bottom Line](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2023/03/08/3-esg-investment-models-that-support-the-bottom-line/?sh=6e61465518db), was originally shared by Forbes on March 8, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [The Ins and Outs of Red Trash Bags in Healthcare](https://wastemedic.com/2023/03/29/the-ins-and-outs-of-red-trash-bags-in-healthcare/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** It is important to properly understand what medical or biohazardous waste should be disposed of in red trash bags. These bags are specifically designed to contain solid or liquid items that are contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Medical waste can be defined in different ways, such as regulated, infective, infectious, or biohazardous waste. According to [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/), biohazardous waste includes liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials, contaminated items that may release blood or other potentially infectious materials, and sharps that are contaminated with blood and body fluids, among others. To assist in determining what should be discarded in the red trash bags, it is important to note what items should not be put in them. Sharps, such as needles and scalpel blades, should always be disposed of in sharps containers. In addition, food wrappers, beverage containers, paper, patient gowns, tongue depressors, and ear speculums should not be placed in the red bags unless they have been soiled with blood or bodily fluids, including fecal material. Items that should be placed in the red trash bags include vaginal speculums, swabs used for obtaining specimens of blood or body fluids, drapes or gauze used to soak up blood or body fluids, gloves contaminated with blood or body fluids, and expired drugs, vaccines, control solutions, and medications (excluding controlled prescription drugs). Other items that may be placed in the red bags include used urine specimen cups, paper towels used to absorb blood or body fluids, used urinary catheters and foley bags, and used pregnancy tests, urine dipsticks, and fecal occult blood tests. It is crucial to note that formaldehyde, acids, alcohol, waste oil, solvents, and reagents, as well as mercury, inhalers, aerosol cans, canisters, and batteries, should never be placed in the red trash bags. ### Managing Your Red Trash Bags Does your organization need help managing medical waste streams. [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/) can help. [Complete our no-obligation form](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) and a member of our team will reach out to you shortly with a customized quote. Our expertise and reliable response to your consistent and emergency needs will ensure the safety of your staff, patients, the public, and the environment, while allowing you to focus on maintaining business operations. Waste Medic offers our full suite of services in Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, and North Georgia, as well as consulting services throughout the United States. Want to talk with us right now? Give us a call at 877.906.5558. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [6 Things To Know About Medical Waste: Regulations & Risks](https://wastemedic.com/2023/04/11/6-things-to-know-about-medical-waste-regulations-risks/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Medical waste is a critically important, but often overlooked issue that impacts not just businesses and medical professionals, but society as a whole. As more and more of the world’s population demands access to better medical care, careful handling becomes an even larger concern. To ensure everyone remains safe during its disposal, you need to know as much as you can about it. Read on to find out the most important things! #### **Handling And Disposal** This is a critical responsibility for healthcare, pharma, and research organizations. The people working at [Sanpro medical waste disposal](https://sanprowaste.com/medical-waste-services/medical-waste-disposal/) service know how important it is to do this process right. It’s essential to abide by local regulations when disposing of medical waste to ensure people’s safety and environmental protection. Organizations must take the proper steps to identify each type of medical waste correctly and dispose of it safely. This is done either through incineration, autoclaving (steam sterilization), shredding/grinding with an enclosing device such as a Bio-Bag, or offsite transport for disposal by a licensed third-party collector or handler. #### **Types Of Medical Waste** Knowledge about the types of medical waste is essential for understanding how to handle this hazardous matter. Here are some that you should remember: infectious waste, non-infectious waste, sharps waste, hazardous waste, pharmaceutical waste, radioactive waste and pathological waste. Infectious waste includes contaminated items that could potentially transmit bacteria or viruses, like used dressings or fluid-saturated materials. Non-infectious waste includes items such as disposable gloves and plastic containers that have come in contact with patient material but are deemed disinfected. Lastly, hazardous medical waste involves hazardous chemicals and other unused medications that could put people at risk if not disposed of properly. Being educated on these different types of medical waste can help medical professionals, businesses, and communities safely handle it. #### **How It’s Regulated** Disposing of medical waste can be a tricky affair. After all, you are dealing with substances that could potentially be dangerous to humans and the environment if handled incorrectly. As such, it’s important to understand [how medical waste is regulated](https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/environmental/background/medical-waste.html) – both on the state and federal levels. Both parties require separate licenses or permits for handling such materials and general rules are also in place based on the material type, storage methods, collection frequency, and container type used for disposal. Knowing how to properly store and dispose of medical waste is essential for sticking within these regulations, so it pays to know your limits when dealing with hazardous materials. #### **Risks And Hazards** While medical waste is an important part of ensuring that our population is healthy, it must be handled with extreme care as it can have a terrible environmental effect if not managed correctly. Medical waste can contain hazardous products such as chemicals and drugs, which can seep into the environment if improperly disposed of. Education on personal safety when in contact with medical waste is essential to avoiding any sort of health-related risks from exposure. These hazards present themselves in the form of bacteria, viruses, and other toxins that could even prove fatal if proper precautions are not taken regarding the handling and disposal of medical waste. When dealing with this type of waste, it is vitally important for all necessary steps to be followed for proper disposal and protection of individuals who may come in contact with it. #### **Personal Responsibility** The responsibility of individuals and companies to properly manage medical waste is one of the key aspects of effective medical waste management. Everyone must do their part to ensure that healthcare facilities, laboratories, and other establishments are following the proper regulations regarding waste disposal and storage. This includes disposing of items such as sharps containers and single-use clothing or supplies in an appropriate fashion. Not only does this help reduce costs and ensure safety for both patients and staff, but it also eliminates the risk of improper processing by a third party which could cause far-reaching environmental damage. Everyone has a duty to take responsibility for their medical waste, no matter what the circumstances may be. #### **Importance Of Awareness** With the use of medical technology and healthcare procedures increasing, it is incredibly important to be aware of the risks posed by [medical waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/medical-waste-disposal-the-definitive-guide/). It can consist of anything from biological infectious waste to discarded materials such as bandages and needles. Without proper disposal, these materials pose a risk to both people and the environment. Raising awareness about how to dispose of these items in an appropriate way is a key step toward preventing the accumulation of hazardous materials. Informing sensitized individuals about [proper methods for handling](https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/healthcare-waste-what-do-it) and disposing of medical waste can help protect the community from the potential for health issues or environmental damage that may arise from its inappropriate disposal. With medical waste, the importance of awareness can never be overstated. Not only should you be aware of how it’s handled and disposed of, but also the different types of medical waste and the potential risks involved with mismanagement. Paying attention to authentic resources and regularly reviewing guidance from your healthcare providers is critical in ensuring that you handle and dispose of any medical waste correctly. Being knowledgeable about this could save your life or that of another — and that’s why taking personal responsibility when it comes to safety measures isn’t optional, but essential! --- This content, [Top 6 Things To Know About Medical Waste: Regulations, Risks, And Practices](https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/top-6-things-to-know-about-medical-waste-regulations-risks-and-practices/), was originally shared by [Harlem World Magazine](https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com) recently. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Improper Disposal of Medical Waste Costs Health Systems & the Environment](https://wastemedic.com/2023/04/11/improper-disposal-of-medical-waste-costs-health-systems-the-environment/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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 equivalent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which spans twice the area of Texas. The COVID-19 pandemic exponentially increased the use of disposable medical supplies, with 3 million face masks used every minute globally, according to a 2020 estimate. Yet, awareness of the health sector’s environmental impact is low, especially when it comes to the proper disposal of medical waste. ### What waste goes where? About 85% of hospital garbage is general, nonhazardous waste that can be recycled or sent to a landfill without any special processing. This includes items like dressing sponges, diapers and incontinence pads, personal protective equipment, disposable drapes, IV bags, tubing, catheters, lab coats, and pads that won’t release liquid or semi-liquid blood. However, much of this general garbage is improperly discarded with hazardous waste and either incinerated or sanitized in an autoclave before heading to the landfill, according to Laurette Geldenhuys of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). Even among members of Geldenhuys’ regional CAPE committee, many didn’t know what truly belonged in hazardous waste bins. “There seems to be a lack of knowledge out there,” she said. ### Hidden costs of improper disposal Unnecessary extra processing of general waste is more costly for health systems and the environment, Geldenhuys said. However, tracking these costs is difficult since Canada doesn’t consistently collect or report data on medical waste. At the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, where Geldenhuys works as a nephropathologist, a large proportion of “special” hazardous waste is incinerated. “Apart from the fact that Nova Scotia Health pays for it… \[incinerating unnecessary items\] significantly adds to the greenhouse gas emissions of the organization,” she explained. So, “the less special waste one can create, the better.” Geldenhuys’ lab was able to reduce its special waste output by 75% within a month by conducting an audit, providing additional bins and bags for recycling and general garbage, and educating staff on what items go where. ### Operating rooms driving waste Operating rooms particularly present “tremendous” opportunities for waste reduction, said Syed Ali Akbar Abbass, an anesthesiologist and chief of environmental stewardship and sustainability at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto. On average, operating rooms drive up to 60% of a hospital’s supply costs and produce more than 30% of a facility’s total waste and more than 60% of its specially regulated medical waste. In a recent audit of disposal bins for “sharps” like needles, lancets and blades, Abbass found that up to 90% of the contents were inappropriate — including paper and plastic trash, metal instruments that weren’t sharp, and cutlery from the cafeteria. “It boggles my mind as to the amount of waste,” he said. For example, “needle drivers aren’t sharp, they aren’t scissors, and they can’t cut anybody — they’re used to hold things. But they’re thrown in the sharps container because of poor understanding of waste segregation.” Putting the wrong items in sharps containers constitutes a very expensive trip to the landfill, Abbass said. “It’s orders of magnitude more expensive \[than throwing trash in the garbage\] because it first gets sterilized by autoclave.” He estimates hospitals could see “upwards of $100 000 in cost savings just by doing appropriate segregation of waste.” ### Recycling initiatives taking off Meanwhile, many items could be diverted from landfills entirely. In 2018, Abbass initiated a reprocessing program for single-use medical devices used in St. Joseph’s operating rooms in partnership with the medical equipment company Stryker. Normally, these devices would have been thrown into the sharps container, autoclaved, and ended up in a landfill. But now, Stryker collects the items at no cost to the hospital and either refurbishes and resells them at a discount or recycles their raw materials. In 2020 alone, the program diverted nearly half a ton of single-use biomedical device waste from landfills and saved the hospital thousands of dollars in both sharps waste and device costs. St. Michael’s Hospital has since joined the program, and Abbass is searching for a metals recycler to reprocess other medical instruments. Abbass also led St. Joseph’s to become the first facility in North America to recycle medical PVC — a flexible plastic used for IV fluid bags and oxygen masks. The hospital partnered with Norwich Plastics in 2016 to launch the program and has since secured federal funding to support other hospitals joining the initiative. Now, about 20 hospitals in Ontario are recycling medical PVC. ### Beyond volunteer efforts Abbass is developing a staff education module on waste reduction but said organizations need a dedicated sustainability director or manager with an institutional mandate to drive these initiatives. It’s also important that sustainability efforts involve clinicians who may be able to spot waste overlooked by hospital administrators. For example, Abbass said, an administrator may not question if a vendor tells them that a plastic syringe with a needle should be discarded with sharps, but a clinician may push to discard the plastic part separately, knowing only the needle poses a hazard. Currently, many of the clinicians involved in sustainability initiatives are volunteers, limiting the time and resources they can dedicate to the work. Still, Abbass said, “I believe there’s a business case that a sustainability administrative position will pay for itself in the savings that position will provide.” --- This content, [Improper disposal of medical waste costs health systems and the environment](https://www.cmaj.ca/content/195/14/E518), was originally shared by [Canadian Medical Journal Association (CMJA)](https://www.cmaj.ca/) on April 11, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Tampa General Embraces 'Fail Fast' Culture](https://wastemedic.com/2023/04/11/tampa-general-embraces-fail-fast-culture/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Healthcare is a highly regulated field, and for good reason. A small mistake could cost a life. But risk-averse tendencies extend far beyond clinical care to create a clunky, wasteful system. The pandemic helped healthcare providers see how nimble and innovative they could be while still providing high-quality care. Now, systems must keep up or disruption will come from the outside. “Innovation is obviously very important in our industry because if we don’t disrupt ourselves, somebody’s going to do it for us and we’re not going to like what they do,” said John Couris, president and CEO of Florida Health Sciences, which includes Tampa General Hospital. He spoke on an April 3 panel at the Becker’s 13th Annual Meeting in Chicago. “That is a reality the industry has to get very comfortable with. I’m not suggesting to you small, incremental disruptions. We have to start to think big. We have to be bold. We have to be willing to fail, and fail fast, and learn from that, pick ourselves back up and keep pushing forward.” Tampa General has spent time over the last several years bucking the status quo. The health system’s executives decided it can’t be all things to all people, and shied away from becoming a large system. “I’m a product of big systems,” Mr. Couris said. He spent time at Massachusetts General Hospital and BayCare before joining Tampa General. “I understand the importance and significance of being big, but sometimes in our industry when we get really big, we think we know everything and we think we’re experts at everything. The truth of the matter is, we’re not.” He said health systems should build relationships with entrepreneurs in venture capital and private equity, both within and outside of healthcare, and engage them in areas outside of the system’s expertise. Tampa General is seeking fewer partnerships but deeper relationships with those partners. The most valuable partners will drive real quality improvement and lower costs so health systems can pass the value along to patients, Mr. Couris said. Tampa General also intentionally built a culture of transformation to keep up with economic pressures and patient demands. “The first question you have to ask yourself is, do you have a culture that is ready to really embrace change and disruption. That’s critically important,” he said. Ten years ago while other systems were focused on branding around health and wellness, Mr. Couris said Tampa General leaned into being in the care coordination and sickness businesses, which informs the system’s strategy. “We have pivoted hard and focused almost exclusively on care coordination, and coordinating care in a frictionless environment,” Mr. Couris said. “Very much like you use your Apple phones. One of the reasons users love Apple is it’s safe, it’s intuitive, it’s frictionless, it’s integrated. These are the words the average consumer would never use to describe healthcare right now. We’ve got to think about this differently.” --- This content, [Tampa General Embraces ‘Fail Fast’ Culture](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/tampa-general-embraces-fail-fast-culture.html), was originally shared by [Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/) on April 7, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Cancer Survivor Reflects on the Downstream Costs of her Treatment](https://wastemedic.com/2023/04/11/cancer-survivor-reflects-on-the-downstream-costs-of-her-treatment/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Recently, I decided to throw away all my old cancer drugs, a small mountain of orange-and-white plastic bottles. Cancer no longer deserved a whole shelf. It had been three years since the diagnosis, a year and a half since my last chemo treatment, six months since I started sleeping again. I was a healthy person, not a patient. All I needed now was tamoxifen and a few vitamins. These drugs weren’t my life anymore. Why did I hang onto them for so long? The answer was, like chemo itself, a nasty cocktail: one part fear of recurrence and one part worry about where the drugs would end up. Fresh out of treatment, I was being practical. Maybe a quarter of these drugs were anticancer therapies I had abandoned because of the side effects, but the rest were all my aunties—the pills I took to address the side effects of the cancer drugs. Anti-diarrhea, anti-constipation, anti-heartburn, anti-nausea, anti-vertigo. Two needles filled with a liquid that forced me into menopause. All the pills that failed to quell the hot flashes, or at least allow me to sleep through them. Some of them might come in handy. Or not. As the shadow of recurrence receded, keeping them started to seem a tad implausible. Even though the cancer may lurk in my bones, where such vestiges are still my best and most morbid motivation for jogging. Also, the expiration dates were well in the past. \* The pills could tell the whole story of what I had undergone. I was angry at them. This was easier than getting mad at doctors who were just trying to heal me (but failed to warn me about the side effects) or the drug companies ​​that squeeze endless lists of “toxicities” into the tiniest of fine print, or the cold hand of fate that mutated my cells in all the wrong ways. I felt a strong urge to flush them all down the toilet. As everyone knows, flushing the toilet is an act of powerful magic that cleanses the soul. Things go away—they disappear from our lives, provided that they fit down the plumbing. But there is no *away*, as I knew from all the stories I had written on wastewater systems. Catharsis has consequences. A problem you disappear, even just your unused birth-control pills, becomes someone else’s. And that someone may well be a frog or a fish. \* Did it matter what I flushed now, though? I already had put so much dark matter down the drain. The safety protocol for chemo was that nurses didn’t touch me, for their safety, and neither should anyone else in the first day or two after infusions. The waste I produced at the hospital was closely regulated, but then I went home. Carboplatin, one of my first chemo drugs, has the essence of world-destroying Shiva, compared to the well-mannered targeted drugs I got later. It binds its platinum complex to cells’ DNA, preventing them from replicating. It made things taste cancer-weird and attacked my marrow, causing copious nosebleeds and reducing me to a shadow of myself. In a 2021 review article of the effects of anti-cancer drugs on aquatic systems, platinum-complex drugs were ranked as the most toxic. Endocrine-active drugs, which I will be on until my body stops trying to make the estrogen that feeds my cancer, were ranked number two. Docetaxel, another of my harsher chemo drugs, [topped “most often detected in waterways](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412021001689).” The review included a map showing where cancer drugs had been detected in waters across the planet, but it placed a big question mark on the United States. \* Twenty years ago, the US Geological Survey found [80 percent of the streams it tested had some drugs in them](https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1064&context=usgsstaffpub). But just knowing they’re in there doesn’t tell you how much to worry. Say a pharmaceutical makes it through wastewater treatment, as many of them do—these facilities were not designed to handle pharmaceuticals. That triggers a long chain of questions: What is the half-life of this drug? How much is there? What happens to creatures that encounter it? Does it affect their survival? Their reproductive success? Coming at the problem from the other end is just as tricky: Many weird, bad things are happening to aquatic ecosystems, but how much, if any of it, can be blamed on our drugs? Being human is bad for the environment: No shortage of evidence there. As a cancer patient, I felt like walking medical waste. I idly wondered whether my body’s chemical residues should cause me to reconsider my personal disposal plan of burial at sea. I wanted to feed the crabs that fed me, but crustaceans are particularly sensitive. What happens to pills that go into med drops, anyway? Out of a sense of responsibility or curiosity, you may try to find out where your waste really goes—but collectively we have done an incredible job of setting up our systems so it is much easier not to. The State of California’s medical waste management website was geared more for those who had medical waste to throw away, and less for those concerned about wherever *away* was. Eventually, I learned that pharmaceuticals are incinerated, whether they come from hospitals or homes—but it happens somewhere outside California, because the state forbids such incineration of its own waste due to air-quality concerns. (Incinerators used to be one of the state’s biggest emitters of dioxins, which, unhelpfully, cause more cancer.) So what’s in the ash, and where does it go? “I’ve never thought about where the ash goes,” said an employee at the state’s medical-waste-management program, gamely trying to answer my questions on a Friday afternoon. “I’m certain that it’s disposed of responsibly, though.” \* Wherever the ash went, it had to be better than the toilet. I took my pills down to my cancer clinic’s pharmacy, where I had seen a drop box. A sign pasted onto its front demanded that I remove all personal information from the bottles. I tried peeling up one label, failed, looked at my pile, got angry again, and considered setting the whole bag on fire. I thought of the fumes, and the guilty feelings that would result. The pharmacist saw me and mentioned casually that the chain of handlers was pretty tightly controlled. I shoved the bottles into the med drop like I was force-feeding it. It took three batches. No satisfying swirl, but it would have to do. The pharmacist glanced up. He’d seen this ritual before. “I get it,” he said, kindly. “You want them out of your life.” --- This content, [Cancer Survivor Reflects on the Downstream Costs of her Treatment](https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/woman-medical-waste-cancer-drugs-getting-rid-of), was originally shared by [Sierra, The Magazine of the Sierra Club](https://www.sierraclub.org/), on March 30, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [NC Nurses Rally Over Patient Safety, Unsafe Working Conditions](https://wastemedic.com/2023/04/11/nc-nurses-rally-over-patient-safety-unsafe-working-conditions/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** ASHEVILLE, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – Registered nurses at Mission Hospital in Asheville are holding a rally to highlight their patient safety concerns and other unsafe working conditions. National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU) said nurses at Mission Hospital want to bring awareness to increased incidents of workplace violence, broken hospital equipment and unsafe staffing levels. “HCA is at it again with prioritizing profits over patient care,” said Hannah Drummond, RN in the emergency department at Mission Hospital. “As an emergency room nurse, it is unacceptable to have patients waiting more than 12 hours to receive care. Instead of increasing staffing in the Emergency Department to reduce wait times, HCA cut staff and sent nurses home. This is unconscionable. HCA doesn’t value our patients and the community we serve.” The organization said whenever nurses have an unsafe staffing assignment that may lead to negative patient outcomes, the RNs document it in an Assignment Despite Objection (ADO) form and submit it to hospital management. In a recent ADO, a nurse reported that more than 25 patients had to wait in the waiting room for an entire day before being seen by a nurse. --- This content, [NC Nurses Rally Over Patient Safety, Unsafe Working Conditions](https://www.foxcarolina.com/2023/04/10/nc-nurses-hold-rally-over-patient-safety-other-unsafe-working-conditions/), was originally shared by [FOX Carolina](https://www.foxcarolina.com/) on April 10, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [May is National Nurses Month](https://wastemedic.com/2023/04/27/may-is-national-nurses-month/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** [National Nurses Month](https://www.nursingworld.org/ana-enterprise/nurses-month/) is an annual event that takes place in May to recognize the important work that nurses do in our communities. Nurses play a crucial role in providing quality care to patients, and their dedication and commitment to their profession are truly admirable. However, the work of nurses also carries some safety risks, including exposure to hazardous materials such as medical waste. Medical waste is any waste generated in healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. This waste can include used needles, syringes, and other sharp objects, as well as blood and other bodily fluids, medications, and other potentially hazardous materials. Improper disposal of medical waste can pose serious health risks to healthcare workers, patients, and the general public. Nurses, in particular, are at high risk of exposure to medical waste due to the nature of their work. They often handle needles and other sharp objects, as well as bodily fluids, on a daily basis. In addition, nurses may be responsible for the proper disposal of medical waste, which can put them at risk if they are not trained in proper disposal procedures. Proper disposal of medical waste is essential to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and other health hazards. There are specific regulations and guidelines in place to ensure that medical waste is disposed of safely and responsibly. These regulations vary by state and country, but generally, medical waste must be segregated, labeled, and stored in designated containers before being transported to an approved disposal facility. Nurses can play a critical role in ensuring that medical waste is disposed of safely. This includes following proper procedures for the disposal of medical waste and ensuring that all waste is properly labeled and stored. Nurses can also advocate for their own safety by requesting proper training and equipment to protect themselves from exposure to medical waste. #### The Importance of Celebrating & Recognizing Nurses Nurses are an integral part of our healthcare system, and their work deserves to be celebrated and appreciated. National Nurses Month is an excellent opportunity to recognize the tireless efforts of nurses in providing quality care to patients. Nurses work long hours, often sacrificing their own well-being to care for others. They provide compassionate care and emotional support to patients and their families, all while managing complex medical treatments and procedures. They are on the front lines of healthcare, providing essential services in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. The [COVID-19 pandemic](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/handling-covid-biomedical-waste-critical-to-prevent-future-epidemics/) has further highlighted the critical role that nurses play in our healthcare system. Nurses have been working tirelessly on the front lines of the pandemic, caring for COVID-19 patients and risking their own health and safety to provide care to others. Their dedication and commitment to their profession have been nothing short of heroic. Nurses not only provide direct patient care, but they also serve as educators, advocates, and leaders in healthcare. They are often the first point of contact for patients and play a vital role in promoting health and wellness in our communities. So, during National Nurses Month and throughout the year, let us take a moment to recognize and appreciate the important work of nurses. Their commitment to their profession, their patients, and their communities is truly admirable, and we are grateful for all that they do. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [How Data Transparency in Hospitals Propels Safety Initiatives](https://wastemedic.com/2023/05/05/how-data-transparency-in-hospitals-propels-safety-initiatives/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Hospitals across the country eagerly await the release of The Leapfrog Group’s Safety Grades in the spring and fall each year. Leah Binder, president and CEO of the organization, spoke with *Becker’s* about why her organization’s A-F grades are important. “We believe our safety grade report has an enormous impact on accelerating change in hospitals,” she said, noting when hospital leaders look at these grades it “gives momentum to safety improvement efforts.” Once a hospital knows its grade, especially if they receive an “A” rating from Leapfrog, they want to make sure their community is well aware of their commitment to safety. At the same time, the Leapfrog survey forces transparency when it comes to the hospitals that need to improve their commitment to safety regarding hospital-acquired infections, inpatient injuries and medication errors. For example, some states [saw](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/states-where-3-hais-have-risen-the-most-since-2019-leapfrog.html) triple-digit increases in HAIs between 2018-19 and the most recent data reported May 3 (2020 to 2021). Ms. Binder called these increases “alarming” and “dangerous” and said they are a call to action for the hospitals who reported record-high increases of methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus*, central line-associated bloodstream infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The organization’s spring 2023 Safety Grades [report](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/infection-control/hais-are-going-up-and-it-should-stop-hospitals-in-their-tracks-leapfrog-data-reveals.html) was released May 3. “Nobody wants infections. No hospital wants to see these rates spike, *nobody*. But it means everyone has to come together and make safety a priority. So how do we do that? *Transparency*,” Ms. Binder said. When a hospital learns it has been included on anything less than the “A” rating list, there is room for improvement. “Everyone has to start using the same playbook and really pushing to bring their numbers down. When the safety grades are released, the transparency suddenly provides everyone with a common goal,” she said. “Our hope is that hospitals will use this information to their advantage to really improve things fast.” --- This content, [How Data Transparency in Hospitals Propels Safety Initiatives](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/how-data-transparency-in-hospitals-propels-safety-initiatives.html), was originally shared by [Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com) on May 4, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [FDA to Require Mail-Back Envelopes for Unused Opioids Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2023/05/05/fda-to-require-mail-back-envelopes-for-unused-opioids-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has [announced that opioid analgesics manufacturers](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-moves-forward-mail-back-envelopes-opioid-analgesics-dispensed-outpatient-settings?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery) are to be required to make pre-paid mail-back envelopes available to dispose of unused opioid analgesics. It issued a notice to all opioid analgesics manufacturers to submit the proposed modification to the Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (OA REMS) within 180 days of the date of the notification letter. The regulatory authority expects to receive approval for the modified REMS next year.The new approach will allow outpatient pharmacies, as well as other dispensers, to order the mail-back envelopes from the opioid manufacturers. The envelopes will serve as an additional opioid analgesic disposal option for patients. The modification of the REMS also requires manufacturers to develop educational materials for patients regarding the safe disposal of opioid analgesics. FDA noted that patients commonly report having unused opioid analgesics left over after surgery and that many Americans then gain access to these through friends or relatives. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said: “Expanding impactful opioid disposal options such as mail-back envelopes and in-home disposal for patients to safely and securely dispose of their unused opioid medications, is part of the agency’s comprehensive approach to addressing the overdose crisis. “We believe these efforts will not only increase convenient disposal options for many Americans, but also reduce unfortunate opportunities for non-medical use, accidental exposure, overdose, and potential new cases of opioid use disorder. “We’re pleased to take this first critical step to increase mail-back envelope options in partnership with the US Postal Service.” Many mail-back envelope programmes are currently operating in the US, and mail-back envelopes are commercially available from several entities. There is also consideration of whether opioid analgesics manufacturers need to make in-home disposal products available to patients. --- This content, [FDA to Require Mail-Back Envelopes for Unused Opioids Disposal](https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/fda-mail-back-envelopes-opioids/), was originally shared by [Pharmaceutical Technology](https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/) on April 4, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [When Safety Precautions are Faithfully Followed, Sharps Injuries are Lower](https://wastemedic.com/2023/05/05/when-safety-precautions-are-faithfully-followed-sharps-injuries-are-lower/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Arlington, VA — Hospital units that consistently follow standard safety precautions experience nearly 40% fewer needlesticks and other [sharps injuries](https://www.cdc.gov/nora/councils/hcsa/stopsticks/sharpsinjuries.html) 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 surveyed 452 U.S.-based registered nurses across 43 hospital units and collected observational adherence data on nearly 5,300 standard precautions – including safe use and disposal of sharps and appropriate personal protective equipment. The units observed to have consistent commitment to safety precautions had 38% fewer needlesticks and sharps injuries than those that didn’t. Additionally, the researchers found that a group of variables – including observed standard precaution adherence, level of nurse staffing, hospital ownership and teaching status – reliably predicted all staff sharps and needle injuries. Overall adherence to standard precautions was highest among nurses, at 69.1%, followed by other providers (62.1%) and physicians (58%). APIC says adherence to standard precautions in hospitals happens less than half of the time. “Despite the safety benefits associated with standard precautions, generating consistent adherence in the health care setting has been notoriously challenging, for reasons that are not completely clear,” lead study author Amanda Hessels, an assistant professor at the Columbia University School of Nursing, said in an APIC press release. “Our study findings should help to advance the state of the science in patient and occupational health and safety.” The study was [published online](https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(23)00058-5/fulltext) in the *American Journal of Infection Control*. --- This content, [When Safety Precautions are Faithfully Followed, Sharps Injuries are Lower](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23878-when-safety-precautions-are-faithfully-followed-sharps-injuries-are-lower-study-shows), was originally shared by [Safety & Health Magazine](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/) on April 24, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Pill Bottle Recycling Program Targets Pharmaceutical Plastic Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/28/pill-bottle-recycling-program-targets-pharmaceutical-plastic-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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 addressing [plastic waste management](https://www.environmentalleader.com/2023/04/plastic-waste/) and promoting sustainability. The pharmaceutical industry is a significant contributor to plastic waste, and the issue with medicines looms large. An estimated 165 million plastic pill bottles enter oceans, waterways, and landfills each year – enough to fill more than 3,300 Olympic swimming pools, according to Cabinet Health. By comparison, only an estimated 5%-6% of plastic generated annually in the U.S. is [recycled](https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/new-greenpeace-report-plastic-recycling-is-a-dead-end-street-year-after-year-plastic-recycling-declines-even-as-plastic-waste-increases/), according to a report from Greenpeace. In addition, pharmacy pill bottles, which are typically amber in color, are generally not accepted by curbside recycling programs, making recycling them a bigger challenge for consumers. Cabinet Health, which bills itself as a sustainable healthcare company, has focused on the plastic pill bottle waste issue since its inception in 2018 through its refillable and compostable medicine system. The company began offering customers over-the-counter medicines and supplements in glass bottles that can be reused over and over to fill medicines, as well as compostable pill packages made of earth-digestible materials that are also city-compost friendly. The products are sold at online retailers The Grove and Amazon, as well as in-store at select CVS locations nationwide. For the new plastic pill bottle recycling program, customers can request a recycling bag from Cabinet Health and use it to ship their used plastic pill bottles to the company, which will then either recycle the bottles or upcycle them into an art piece. Users are asked to remove all personal information from the used, empty pill bottles before shipping them back to Cabinet Health. Unrecycled pill bottles will be upcycled for use in artist Kellie Gillespie’s next sculptural art piece, which will be made up entirely of commonly discarded items. Gillespie is a sculptural artist and mental health advocate. The company hopes the upcycling efforts will raise awareness around the plastic waste crisis while offering recycling opportunities and sustainable solutions in the healthcare industry. “Pharmaceutical plastic waste remains an environmental issue, and Cabinet Health is committed to not only raising awareness but to providing tangible solutions to address it. And this extends beyond our environment to human health, as we’re eliminating the eventual consumption of microplastics from our bodies,” Russell Gong, co-founder and president of Cabinet Health, said in a [press release](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230620549856/en). “We are proud to partner with sculptural artist and mental health activist Kellie Gillespie to support her next piece of artwork that will live on well beyond the norm of a single-use plastic bottle.” --- This content, [Pill Bottle Recycling Program Targets Pharmaceutical Plastic Waste](https://www.environmentalleader.com/2023/06/pill-bottle-recycling-program-targets-pharmaceutical-plastic-waste/), was originally shared by [Environmental Leader](https://www.environmentalleader.com/) on June 21, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [OSHA Wants Input on Protecting Health Care Workplace Violence](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/28/osha-wants-input-on-protecting-health-care-workplace-violence/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** OSHA is requesting feedback as it considers developing a standard aimed at preventing [workplace violence](https://www.osha.gov/workplace-violence) in the health care and social assistance industries. The agency is accepting until July 3 [comments](https://www.regulations.gov/document/OSHA-2016-0014-0286) regarding a [Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act panel report](https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/OSHA-WPV-SBAR-Panel-Report.pdf) 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 workplace violence, preventive training, violent incident investigations and recordkeeping, and anti-retaliatory provisions. OSHA says workers in health care, law enforcement and public service are among those who face a higher risk of workplace violence, defined by the agency as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening behavior” occurring at work. Acts of violence and other injuries ranks as the third leading cause of fatal workplace injuries in the United States. A draft regulatory framework recognizes multiple risk factors for [Type II](https://wwwn.cdc.gov/WPVHC/Nurses/Course/Slide/Unit1_5#:~:text=Type%202%20violence%20is%20the,CLIENT%2DON%2DWORKER%20VIOLENCE) workplace violence – or violent acts committed against workers – that OSHA would seek to address in the potential rulemaking. They are: direct patient care; lack of facility policies and staff training on recognizing and managing escalating hostile and assaultive behaviors from patients, clients, visitors or staff; poor environmental design of the workplace that may block employees’ vision or interfere with their escape from a violent incident; lack of means of emergency communication; inadequate security; unrestricted movement of the public in clinics and hospitals; working alone in a facility or in patients’ homes. The panel recommends that the potential standard “be flexible and allow employers to tailor their approaches to complying with the requirements of the rule to the size and complexity of their facility, setting or industry.” Additionally, the panel calls on OSHA to “evaluate different ways to structure the regulatory text, for example, by delineating the requirements for health care versus the requirements for certain types of social assistance.” --- This content, [OSHA Wants Input on Protecting Health Care Workers from Violence](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/osha-wants-input-on-protecting-health-care-workers-from-violence), was originally shared by [Safety + Health Magazine](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/) on June 20, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [Why Is OSHA Still Pushing Emergency COVID Standards?](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/28/why-is-osha-still-pushing-emergency-covid-standards/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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 an [Emergency Temporary Standard](https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets) (ETS) that required healthcare facilities (including clinics inside workplaces) where there could be potential exposure to people infected with the coronavirus to take certain actions to protect the healthcare workers. An ETS is a special type of rulemaking OSHA may issue if the agency can show that employees are at risk of “grave danger from exposure to substances or agents determined to be toxic or physically harmful or from new hazards” and “that such an emergency standard is necessary to protect employees…” Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, when OSHA issues an ETS, it goes into effect upon issuance and, at the same time, is considered a proposed regulation open for comment. The statute is explicit that OSHA “shall promulgate a standard under this paragraph *no later than six months after publication* of the emergency standard (emphasis added).” That six-month window closed on December 21, 2021, and on December 27 OSHA appropriately announced that the ETS would no longer be enforced. This is where things go sideways. On March 22, 2022, OSHA reopened the comment process to take input on what a finalized version of the COVID healthcare ETS should say. On April 21, 2022, the U.S. Chamber submitted comments [emphasizing that the statute makes clear OSHA can no longer use the ETS](https://www.uschamber.com/employment-law/u-s-chamber-of-commerce-comments-on-healthcare-ets-reopening) as a vehicle for a final regulation. If OSHA wants to issue a regulation reflecting the requirements of the ETS, it must go through the full rulemaking procedures that the ETS allowed them to skip. Notwithstanding the explicit language of the statute, OSHA has moved forward with a finalized version of the ETS. It was submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (the office within the White House that oversees all regulations) for review back in December 2022. The fact that it is still there raises some possibilities that the language of the OSH Act may finally be having an impact. However, what we know is that the nurses’ union wants this bright line standard to use against hospitals and other health care providers, instead of having to rely on the general duty clause which makes violations harder to prove. As long as the nurses’ union wants this, there is always a chance that the statutory language won’t matter. If OSHA does finalize the ETS, it will create a significant precedent. It will mean that direct language in the statute can be ignored with impunity, and OSHA is free to do whatever it wants and issue whatever standards it desires. This would have implications well beyond just OSHA, so employers ought to be aware of this rulemaking and watch to see how it is resolved. --- This content, [Why Is OSHA Still Pushing Emergency COVID Standards?](https://www.uschamber.com/employment-law/why-is-osha-still-pushing-emergency-covid-standards), was originally shared by the [U.S. Chamber of Commerce](https://www.uschamber.com/employment-law/why-is-osha-still-pushing-emergency-covid-standards) on June 15, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [Examining the Impact of Medical Waste Management Policies](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/29/examining-the-impact-of-medical-waste-management-policies/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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 medical waste, its environmental impact, the role of technology, existing challenges, and inspirational case studies that provide a beacon of hope. #### Understanding Medical Waste Medical waste, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), includes a myriad of waste materials generated from healthcare activities. This ranges from used syringes and bandages to chemical substances from labs and unused pharmaceuticals. With the healthcare sector generating about [2 million tons](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-care-waste) of medical waste annually, understanding the nature and types of these wastes becomes crucial. WHO reports that approximately[ 10 percent of the global population is impacted by healthcare waste](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-care-waste), underscoring the scale of the problem. Current practices for managing medical waste vary widely, spanning from incineration and autoclaving to chemical treatment. The crucial aspect lies in choosing an appropriate method for each type of waste, as mishandling can have dire environmental and health consequences. Without well-established, efficient waste management strategies, medical waste becomes a ticking environmental time bomb, posing profound risks to human health and the ecosystem. #### Environmental Impact of Medical Waste The improper disposal and treatment of medical waste can lead to various environmental detriments. It can pollute air, water, and soil, leading to the release of harmful chemicals and pathogens. This can result in the contamination of water bodies and groundwater, causing a ripple effect that extends to humans and wildlife. Soil degradation is another critical concern as it can impact agricultural practices, affecting our food supply chain. Medical waste management also contributes to climate change, given the greenhouse gas emissions from some waste treatment methods. Not to mention the energy consumption involved in the waste management process, which further adds to the carbon footprint. Furthermore, the disruption of natural habitats and the risk posed to wildlife through bioaccumulation and biomagnification are critical concerns that require urgent attention. #### Sustainable Policies: One Key to Effective Medical Waste Disposal The digital revolution has inspired the birth of environmentally friendly [medical waste disposal](https://www.biomedicalwastesolutions.com/sharps-container-disposal/) solutions. Effective policies have been structured to ensure the smooth implementation of these green alternatives, thereby ensuring compliance with minimal environmental damage. Increasingly, public engagement plays a pivotal role in shaping medical waste management policies. The internet has empowered individuals to not just learn but also contribute to the dialogue, bringing forth a truly democratic approach to tackling this environmental issue. #### The Role of Technology in Managing Medical Waste In our digital age, technology plays an increasingly vital role in the management of medical waste. Various digital platforms facilitate waste tracking and disposal, providing a data-driven approach to optimize waste management. Telemedicine, an emerging trend catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, offers unexpected environmental benefits. Reducing physical visits to healthcare facilities minimizes healthcare-related waste generation and carbon emissions. The VA Health Care System in the United States, for instance, reported a significant decrease in its waste production after the wide-scale implementation of telemedicine services, underscoring its environmental benefits. Innovations are also paving the way for advancements in waste treatment technologies. From high-tech sterilization and disinfection techniques to waste-to-energy technologies, these innovations promise a sustainable future for medical waste disposal. Sweden’s adoption of a waste-to-energy process exemplifies innovative practice. By incinerating medical waste, they generate heat and electricity, effectively turning a problem into a solution. #### Challenges & Barriers to Effective Medical Waste Management Despite the potential of technology, several barriers impede effective medical waste management. A lack of awareness and education about proper waste disposal methods remains a critical issue, especially among healthcare professionals. Additionally, the infrastructure and resources for efficient medical waste management are often inadequate. Many regions lack sufficient waste management facilities and have limited access to safe and effective disposal options. Regulatory and policy gaps present another challenge. Regulations vary across regions and countries, and there is a need for stricter enforcement and monitoring. #### Conclusion To sum up, medical waste management is an essential element of environmental protection, and its significance has only amplified in the digital era. The environmental impact of medical waste is profound, affecting our air, water, soil and contributing to climate change. While technology offers promising solutions for waste management, several challenges, including a lack of awareness and infrastructural constraints, persist. However, it’s clear that innovative solutions and dedicated efforts can bring about positive change. From the growth of telemedicine and the development of advanced waste treatment methods, these examples offer a beacon of hope. It’s essential that we, as individuals, healthcare institutions and policymakers, heed the call to action and make concerted efforts to improve medical waste management. Our actions today will directly impact the sustainability of our future, and online platforms can play a pivotal role in facilitating this process. --- This content, [Examining the Impact of Medical Waste Management Policies](https://eponline.com/articles/2023/06/23/examining-the-impact-of-medical-waste-management-policies.aspx?m=1), was originally shared by [Environmental Protection](https://eponline.com/articles/2023/06/23/examining-the-impact-of-medical-waste-management-policies.aspx?m=1) on June 23, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Preventing Needlestick & Sharps Injuries in the Healthcare Industry](https://wastemedic.com/2023/07/29/preventing-needlestick-sharps-injuries-in-the-healthcare-industry/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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 piercing wound typically caused by a needlepoint, resulting in exposure to potentially harmful body fluids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Such injuries often occur during the use, disassembly, or disposal of needles. Sharps injuries are similar to needlestick injuries, but they involve any sharp medical instrument, including scalpels, lancets, and broken glass or capillary tubes. Sharps injuries occur most often during instrument passing, cleaning, or disposal processes, per the CDC. Needlestick and sharps injuries often occur during high-stress situations, such as emergency medical procedures. Other common scenarios include mishandling sharps waste, hurried movements, inadequate staff training, and neglecting the usage of PPE. #### Risks & Consequences of Needlestick & Sharps Injuries **Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens**. Healthcare workers exposed to needlestick and sharps injuries are at a high risk of contracting bloodborne pathogens such as: [Hepatitis B virus](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b) (HBV): This highly infectious virus affects the liver, causing acute and chronic disease. [Hepatitis C virus](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c) (HCV): Like HBV, HCV also affects the liver, leading to life-threatening conditions such as liver cancer and cirrhosis. [Human immunodeficiency virus](https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html) (HIV): Although the risk is low, it’s still possible to contract HIV through needlestick and sharps injuries. **Psychological and Emotional Impact on Healthcare Workers.** The occurrence of a needlestick or sharps injury can lead to significant psychological stress. This stress, along with the fear of potential infection, can greatly affect healthcare workers’ mental health and job performance. **Legal and Financial Implications for Healthcare Institutions**. Healthcare institutions can face legal repercussions and substantial costs following a needlestick or sharps injury incident, including the expenses related to post-exposure prophylaxis and compensation claims. #### Compliance with Safety Standards & Regulations Maintaining safety in healthcare settings involves stringent compliance with established standards and regulations. [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030) mandates that healthcare institutions follow its guidelines to ensure the safety of healthcare workers. The [standard](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030), established by OSHA, outlines precautions to reduce the risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The [Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act (NSPA)](https://www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens/quick-reference) encourages healthcare institutions to implement safer medical devices to prevent needlestick injuries. Safety-engineered devices are designed to prevent needlestick and sharps injuries, and their use is strongly recommended by several regulatory bodies. #### Preventive Measures for Needlestick & Sharps Injuries Prevention is always better than cure. To significantly reduce needlestick and sharps injuries, the following measures can be implemented. 1\. Proper handling and disposal of sharps: It’s essential that healthcare workers are trained to properly handle and dispose of [medical waste](https://www.biomedicalwastesolutions.com/sharps-container-disposal/). 2\. Safe injection practices: Adhering to safe injection practices is another effective way to prevent needlestick and sharps injuries. 3\. Awareness of high-risk procedures and devices: Healthcare workers should be educated about the procedures and devices that pose a high risk for these injuries. #### Personal Protective Equipment 1\. Gloves & Gowns: Gloves provide a barrier against needlestick and sharps injuries. Gowns can protect against splashes that can lead to sharps injuries. 2\. Face shields or goggles: These can protect the eyes from blood or body fluid splashes. 3\. Safety-engineered devices: These devices are designed with safety mechanisms to prevent injuries. 4\. Needleless systems and blunt-tip cannulas: These alternatives to traditional needles can reduce the risk of needlestick injuries. #### Administrative Controls **Adoption of policies and protocols:** Healthcare institutions should have clear policies and protocols for preventing and managing needlestick and sharps injuries. **Reporting and surveillance systems:** Effective reporting and surveillance systems can help identify and address problem areas in a timely manner. **Needlestick and sharps injury prevention committees:** These committees can ensure that preventive measures are being implemented and updated as necessary. #### Post-Exposure Management & Support Despite preventive measures, injuries may still occur. In such cases, effective post-exposure management is crucial. The first step following a needlestick or sharps injury is to wash the wound with soap and water. Healthcare workers should then report the incident to their supervisor. Clear and simple reporting procedures ensure that incidents are reported and addressed in a timely manner. After a needlestick or sharps injury, medical evaluation and follow-up, including post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV and hepatitis B and C, are crucial. Emotional and psychological support for affected healthcare workers is also important. Support, including counseling, should be available to help healthcare workers cope with the psychological impact of a needlestick or sharps injury. #### Case Studies & Success Stories Healthcare institutions around the globe have effectively reduced needlestick and sharps injuries through rigorous prevention programs. For instance, the [University of Virginia Health System](https://med.virginia.edu/) implemented a comprehensive sharps injury prevention program and successfully reduced such injuries by 50 percent over five years. Effective implementation of safety measures can significantly reduce the incidence of needlestick and sharps injuries. A study published in the [Journal of Hospital Infection](https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(12)00259-8/fulltext) found that comprehensive prevention programs could decrease such injuries by up to one-third. #### Future Directions & Emerging Technologies **Advancements in Safety-Engineered Devices**. Newer safety-engineered devices are being developed and refined to provide better protection against needlestick and sharps injuries. These include retractable needles and self-capping needles. **Research on Alternative Methods for Safe Sharps Disposal**. Emerging research focuses on developing safer and more efficient methods for sharps disposal. These include puncture-resistant containers and self-disposing syringes. **Technological Innovations for Training and Education**. Virtual reality and other innovative technologies are being explored to improve training for healthcare workers in handling sharps safely. #### Conclusion Preventing needlestick and sharps injuries is critical in maintaining a safe healthcare environment. These injuries pose serious health risks to healthcare workers and entail significant financial and legal implications for healthcare institutions. Healthcare workers should be well-versed in the proper handling and disposal of sharps, understand the high-risk procedures and devices, and be trained in the use of safety-engineered devices and PPE. Regular training, adherence to safety protocols, and prompt reporting of any injuries are integral to ensuring worker safety. Healthcare institutions should prioritize the implementation of safety measures to prevent needlestick and sharps injuries. This includes adopting rigorous safety protocols, investing in safety-engineered devices, and providing regular training for staff. The threat of needlestick and sharps injuries in healthcare settings is real, but it can be mitigated through concerted efforts in education, safety measures, and continuous technological advancements. As we strive for a safer healthcare environment, let’s remember that every needlestick or sharps injury prevented is a potential life saved. --- This content, [Preventing Needlestick and Sharps Injuries in the Healthcare Industry](https://ohsonline.com/articles/2023/06/21/preventing-needlestick-and-sharps-injuries.aspx), was originally shared by [Occupational Health & Safety](https://ohsonline.com/home.aspx) June 21, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [HPRC Releases Medical Waste Recycling Case Study](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/01/hprc-releases-medical-waste-recycling-case-study/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *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 of barriers, such as economic and legislative obstacles. For instance, UMC Utrecht’s waste stream consists of waste generated by three interconnected hospitals. Waste containers from these hospitals converge in a central hall where they are sorted and allocated to their respective waste streams. Once waste from different hospital departments is separated, it is moved to larger containers in a designated room in the hallway, and then regularly transported to the main waste collection area to ensure sufficient space for waste sorting. UMC Utrecht also uses decontamination equipment, known as Sterilwave, which enables the hospital to disinfect and process specific hazardous waste items like needles, bandages, and laboratory waste. Currently, UMC Utrecht can process around 30% of its contaminated waste into a circular residual product, and the waste management department is actively working toward recycling up to 70 tons of contaminated waste per year. In the future, UMC Utrecht expects to upcycle the waste stream to a higher level. To read the entire case study and/or watch an accompanying video, click [here](https://www.hprc.org/a-medical-waste-recycling-best-practice-of-the-netherlands/). *This content, [HPRC Releases Medical Waste Recycling Case Study](https://www.healthcarepackaging.com/news/sustainability/news/22868519/healthcare-plastics-recycling-council-hprc-releases-medical-waste-recycling-case-study), was originally shared by [Healthcare Packaging](https://www.healthcarepackaging.com/) on July 27, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Examining the Impact of Medical Waste Management Policies](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/02/examining-the-impact-of-medical-waste-management-policies-2/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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 medical waste, its environmental impact, the role of technology, existing challenges, and inspirational case studies that provide a beacon of hope. #### Understanding Medical Waste Medical waste, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), includes a myriad of waste materials generated from healthcare activities. This ranges from used syringes and bandages to chemical substances from labs and unused pharmaceuticals. With the healthcare sector generating about 2 million tons of medical waste annually, understanding the nature and types of these wastes becomes crucial. WHO reports that approximately 10 percent of the global population is impacted by healthcare waste, underscoring the scale of the problem. Current practices for managing medical waste vary widely, spanning from incineration and autoclaving to chemical treatment. The crucial aspect lies in choosing an appropriate method for each type of waste, as mishandling can have dire environmental and health consequences. Without well-established, efficient waste management strategies, medical waste becomes a ticking environmental time bomb, posing profound risks to human health and the ecosystem. #### Environmental Impact of Medical Waste The improper disposal and treatment of medical waste can lead to various environmental detriments. It can pollute air, water, and soil, leading to the release of harmful chemicals and pathogens. This can result in the contamination of water bodies and groundwater, causing a ripple effect that extends to humans and wildlife. Soil degradation is another critical concern as it can impact agricultural practices, affecting our food supply chain. Medical waste management also contributes to climate change, given the greenhouse gas emissions from some waste treatment methods. Not to mention the energy consumption involved in the waste management process, which further adds to the carbon footprint. Furthermore, the disruption of natural habitats and the risk posed to wildlife through bioaccumulation and biomagnification are critical concerns that require urgent attention. #### Sustainable Policies: One Key to Effective Medical Waste Disposal The digital revolution has inspired the birth of environmentally friendly medical waste disposal solutions. Effective policies have been structured to ensure the smooth implementation of these green alternatives, thereby ensuring compliance with minimal environmental damage. Increasingly, public engagement plays a pivotal role in shaping medical waste management policies. The internet has empowered individuals to not just learn but also contribute to the dialogue, bringing forth a truly democratic approach to tackling this environmental issue. #### The Role of Technology in Managing Medical Waste In our digital age, technology plays an increasingly vital role in the management of medical waste. Various digital platforms facilitate waste tracking and disposal, providing a data-driven approach to optimize waste management. Telemedicine, an emerging trend catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, offers unexpected environmental benefits. Reducing physical visits to healthcare facilities minimizes healthcare-related waste generation and carbon emissions. The VA Health Care System in the United States, for instance, reported a significant decrease in its waste production after the wide-scale implementation of telemedicine services, underscoring its environmental benefits. Innovations are also paving the way for advancements in waste treatment technologies. From high-tech sterilization and disinfection techniques to waste-to-energy technologies, these innovations promise a sustainable future for medical waste disposal. Sweden’s adoption of a waste-to-energy process exemplifies innovative practice. By incinerating medical waste, they generate heat and electricity, effectively turning a problem into a solution. #### Challenges and Barriers to Effective Medical Waste Management Despite the potential of technology, several barriers impede effective medical waste management. A lack of awareness and education about proper waste disposal methods remains a critical issue, especially among healthcare professionals. Additionally, the infrastructure and resources for efficient medical waste management are often inadequate. Many regions lack sufficient waste management facilities and have limited access to safe and effective disposal options. Regulatory and policy gaps present another challenge. Regulations vary across regions and countries, and there is a need for stricter enforcement and monitoring. #### Conclusion To sum up, medical waste management is an essential element of environmental protection, and its significance has only amplified in the digital era. The environmental impact of medical waste is profound, affecting our air, water, soil and contributing to climate change. While technology offers promising solutions for waste management, several challenges, including a lack of awareness and infrastructural constraints, persist. However, it’s clear that innovative solutions and dedicated efforts can bring about positive change. From the growth of telemedicine and the development of advanced waste treatment methods, these examples offer a beacon of hope. It’s essential that we, as individuals, healthcare institutions and policymakers, heed the call to action and make concerted efforts to improve medical waste management. Our actions today will directly impact the sustainability of our future, and online platforms can play a pivotal role in facilitating this process. *This content, [Examining the Impact of Medical Waste Management Policies](https://eponline.com/articles/2023/06/23/examining-the-impact-of-medical-waste-management-policies.aspx), was originally shared by [Environmental Protection](https://eponline.com/articles/2023/06/23/examining-the-impact-of-medical-waste-management-policies.aspx) on July 27, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Has the Time Come for a Medical Waste Audit at Your Organization?](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/02/has-the-time-come-for-a-medical-waste-audit-at-your-organization/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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](https://www.massgeneral.org/environment-and-health "Massachusetts General Hospital: Center for Environment and Health landing page."). The center integrates sustainability into MGH’s clinical, research and educational activities and is designed to improve the environmental health of the hospital and the health and well-being of the communities it serves. The organization is paring down its fossil fuel use, composting food waste, [changing anesthesiology practices](https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/01/10/mass-general-hospital-report-cards-climate-change-anesthesia "WBUR: Mass General tries performance reports to cut greenhouse gas use in anesthesia") and recycling the blue wrap used to protect sterilized surgical instruments before they enter the operating room. Two hospitalists at MGH saw firsthand just how much waste is generated daily in even a relatively small area like the 21st floor of Phillips House, a 20-single room inpatient area at MGH. Two years ago, they looked on as the cleaning staff conducted a 24-hour waste audit. The floor’s refuse items were weighed, sorted and catalogued as part of an effort to reduce plastic use. The audit and the doctors’ reaction to what they saw were chronicled in a recent [Stat News report](https://www.statnews.com/2023/07/20/waste-climate-change-mass-general-hospitals-health-care/ "STAT: Mass. General totes up its waste in a move to tackle climate change"). The final totals showed that more than 370 pounds of waste was produced that day — most of it plastic. In all, plastic waste amounted to almost 18 pounds per patient in a single day. The greenhouse gas emitted to make and dispose of the waste identified in the audit was the equivalent of driving 350 miles, charging 65,000 smartphones or burning 269 kilograms of coal, based on Environmental Protection Agency models. Health care audits are an increasingly popular way to gauge exactly what kind of waste hospitals produce, notes a 2022 study of audits led by Jonathan Slutzman, M.D., who led the development of MGH’s Center for the Environment and Health. He calls waste audits “the gateway drug for sustainability science” and says they aren’t hard to do but require careful coordination across many hospitals. The effort, he says, can give hospitals the tools to make changes. The larger aim, he says, is to work with vendors, manufacturers and regulators so that “the easy practice is the right practice.” *This content, H[as the Time Come for a Medical Waste Audit at Your Organization?](https://www.aha.org/aha-center-health-innovation-market-scan/2023-08-01-has-time-come-medical-waste-audit-your-organization), was originally shared by the [American Hospital Association](https://www.aha.org/) in 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Nurses Experience Needlestick Injuries With Evenity Syringe Needle](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/02/nurses-experience-needlestick-injuries-with-evenity-syringe-needle/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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 medication, manufactured by Amgen, is supplied in a carton containing 2 prefilled syringes and is labeled to be administered by a health care provider. The administration of both syringes from a single carton is needed to give the total dose of 210 mg subcutaneously. In one report, a nurse in an outpatient infusion setting experienced an accidental needlestick injury when administering a subcutaneous injection of romosozumab to a patient. The needles on romosozumab syringes lack a safety device; they are not retractable or even removable, so the nurse was unable to change the needle to one that has a safety guard. Other organizations have reported to the ISMP the same concern about accidental needlesticks with this product. All the reports noted the lack of a safety guard as the contributing factor for actual and potential needlestick injuries and recommended that Amgen add one. A few cases indicated that nurses needed an initial needlestick exposure laboratory panel and periodic monitoring to detect any presence of the abovementioned viruses. Note that the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 requires compliance with OSHA standards to institute safety measures in workplaces where there is occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Under the standard, as revised by the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, employers are required to evaluate, select, and use engineering controls (eg, sharps with engineered sharps-injury protections or needleless systems) to eliminate or minimize exposure to contaminated sharps.1 Technically, if an injectable does not allow the use of an engineering control, such as a needle with a safety guard, then the product should not be used in that facility. Using injectables without safety needles when providing patient care puts organizations at risk, especially with products, such as Evenity, that have labeling stating it should be administered by a health care provider. OSHA also requires that employers maintain a log of all work-related needlestick injuries where there may be contamination with another individual’s blood or other potentially infectious material. Some may think an accidental needlestick is a low-risk situation for a health care professional, that it will not happen here or will not cause an infection. Although the actual risk of disease transmission may be low, needlestick injuries can still happen, and disease transmission certainly can occur and be devastating. Organization protocols detail steps that address needlestick injuries and have an associated cost, take up precious resources, and cause downtime for nurses and other health care workers. There is also a need for postexposure prophylaxis for HBV and HIV, along with associated pretreatment laboratory testing.2 At least 1 product, leuprolide acetate for depot suspension (Lupron Depot-Ped), is labeled “must be administered by a health care provider” and it has a safety needle.3 However, there are other marketed prefilled syringe products, aside from romosozumab, without needle safety guards. Of course, much of this safety issue could be avoided if all prefilled syringes had engineering controls that provided protection against needlestick injuries. The ISMP has asked the FDA and manufacturers to address this concern with a requirement for a needle with a safety guard on all prefilled syringes. The ISMP also spoke with Amgen directly about the need for a needle safety guard for romosozumab. Alternatively, companies can make prefilled syringes available without an affixed needle, so that a safety needle can be placed on the syringe before use. This would allow adherence with the OSHA requirement and help protect against injury from an uncovered needle after administration. It would also help prevent injury should any of these products make their way into garbage bins or other forms of common waste, which may expose animals, children, and others to unintended needlestick injuries. #### References 1\. Quick reference guide to the bloodborne pathogens standard. OSHA. Accessed May 2, 2023. www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens/quick-reference 2\. National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). Stop sticks campaign. CDC. February 26, 2019. Accessed May 2, 2023. www.cdc.gov/nora/councils/hcsa/stopsticks/whattodo.html 3\. Lupron Depot-Ped. Prescribing information. AbbVie Inc; 2023. Accessed May 2, 2023. www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/lupronpediatric.pdf #### About the Author Michael J. Gaunt, PharmD, is a senior director of error reporting programs and editor at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) in Horsham, Pennsylvania. He also serves as the editor of the monthly ISMP Medication Safety Alert! Community/Ambulatory Care newsletter. *This content, [Nurses Experience Needlestick Injuries With Evenity Syringe Needle](https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/nurses-experience-needlestick-injuries-with-evenity-syringe-needle), was originally shared by [Pharmacy Times](https://www.pharmacytimes.com/) on June 16, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Importance of Safe Working Conditions for Healthcare Workers](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/02/importance-of-safe-working-conditions-for-healthcare-workers/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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](https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-Does-Efficacy-Mean.aspx) and reliability of measures intended to prevent safety breaches. #### What Is Healthcare Worker Safety? A safety culture, then, reflects how safety is viewed and perceived in an organization, guiding healthcare professionals to deal with tasks and safety issues safely. Patient safety is defined as the complete avoidance, prevention, or lessening effects of adverse outcomes or injuries that result from the healthcare experience. Employers are under ethical responsibility to provide a duty of care which includes the clear communication of expectations to the staff and providing psychosocial support, skills training, and the necessary resources, particularly personal protective equipment. This has become a prevalent talking point since the COVID-19 pandemic and continues a pattern of pandemic diseases that have differentially targeted healthcare workers worldwide. This includes severe acute respiratory syndrome, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and ebola. Historically and currently, healthcare workers continue to be committed to providing service to patients, providing the necessary to them, otherwise known as the “duty of care”. To do so, healthcare employers also must demonstrate an ethical duty to provide care to employees arising from no requirements. #### What Is Meant By Safety Provisions to Healthcare Workers? In General, and since the emergence of pandemics in the past century, employers must provide prevention services, such as vaccines when available, as well as medical care if staff become ill. The World Health Organization and international labor have produced the “Occupational Safety and health and public health emergencies” document. At the basic level, specific expectations of employers include the prevention of illness, injury, and death of workers, the provision of safe systems of work, the provision of safety equipment, and the general supply of health, safety, and welfare of workers. Included are safe working conditions, risk assessment, management planning, and information for workers (specifically, skills training regarding personal protective equipment). In addition, employers report occupational illnesses and injuries statistics to government agencies. On the side of worker responsibility, workers must participate in training, follow occupational safety and health guidelines, and report hazards to the employer. Employees are also free to refuse unsafe working conditions. #### Why is the Safety of Healthcare Workers So Important? The safety of healthcare workers is paramount as they cannot provide a duty of care when they are ill. The pandemic has also highlighted the extent to which protecting healthcare workers is instrumental in preventing the failure of a health system and ensuring that it remains functioning. In September 2020, the World Health Organisation released a world patient safety day charter, which called on governments and institutes responsible for providing health services at local levels to take five key actions to protect health workers. These included steps to protect health workers from violence; to be cognizant of their mental well-being; to protect healthcare workers from both physical and biological hazards; to further national programs for health worker safety, and to connect health worker safety policies to existent patient safety policies. The importance of the safety of healthcare workers is illustrated most notably during the pandemic, while healthcare workers infected with COVID-19 have lost their lives. Approximately 14% of cases of COVID-19 reported to the World Health Organisation were among healthcare workers, which expanded to 35% in some countries. As such, it is important to note the disproportional effect of safety threats such as a pandemic on healthcare workers. In addition to physical risks, the pandemic had a psychological effect on healthcare workers, exposing them to high-demand scenarios for long hours, creating psychological stress. Indeed before the pandemic, medical professionals have already been considered at a higher risk of suicide worldwide. Moreover, a recent review of healthcare workers demonstrated that 25% reported depression and anxiety, while approximately 1/3 suffered insomnia due to COVID-19. Moreover, healthcare work is subject to abuse from patients and families, including verbal harassment, discrimination, and physical violence. The World Health Organisation has overstated the importance of establishing a synergistic relationship between helping healthcare worker safety and patient safety policies and strategies that center around health and safety skills training, the incorporation of well-being requirements in healthcare licensing and accreditation standards, and developing integrated metrics of patient safety and healthcare workers safety and quality of care indicators. All the suggestions include protecting healthcare workers from violence in the workplace, improving mental health and psychological well-being, And protecting healthcare workers from physical and biological hazards. To keep patients safe, healthcare workers need to be kept safe – a point illustrated most notably during the pandemic. #### References - Keep health workers safe to keep patients safe: WHO. Available at: . Lst accessed December 2021. - Wagner A, Rieger MA, Manser T, et al. (2019) WorkSafeMed Consortium. Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on working conditions, leadership, and safety climate: a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res. doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3862-7. - Stone PW, Hughes R, Dailey M. Creating a Safe and High-Quality Health Care Environment. In: Hughes RG, editor. Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2008 Apr. Chapter 21. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2634/ *This content, [Importance of Safe Working Conditions for Healthcare Workers](https://www.news-medical.net/health/Importance-of-Safe-Working-Conditions-for-Healthcare-Workers.aspx), was originally shared by [News-Medical.Net](https://www.news-medical.net/) on March 24 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Improper Disposal of Medical Waste Costs Health Systems and the Environment](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/21/improper-disposal-of-medical-waste-costs-health-systems-and-the-environment/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 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 equivalent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which spans twice the area of Texas. The COVID-19 pandemic exponentially increased the use of disposable medical supplies, with 3 million face masks used every minute globally, according to a 2020 estimate. Yet, awareness of the health sector’s environmental impact is low, especially when it comes to the proper disposal of medical waste. #### What waste goes where? About 85% of hospital garbage is general, nonhazardous waste that can be recycled or sent to a landfill without any special processing. This includes items like dressing sponges, diapers and incontinence pads, personal protective equipment, disposable drapes, IV bags, tubing, catheters, lab coats, and pads that won’t release liquid or semi-liquid blood. However, much of this general garbage is improperly discarded with hazardous waste and either incinerated or sanitized in an autoclave before heading to the landfill, according to Laurette Geldenhuys of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). Even among members of Geldenhuys’ regional CAPE committee, many didn’t know what truly belonged in hazardous waste bins. “There seems to be a lack of knowledge out there,” she said. #### Hidden costs of improper disposal Unnecessary extra processing of general waste is more costly for health systems and the environment, Geldenhuys said. However, tracking these costs is difficult since Canada doesn’t consistently collect or report data on medical waste. At the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, where Geldenhuys works as a nephropathologist, a large proportion of “special” hazardous waste is incinerated. “Apart from the fact that Nova Scotia Health pays for it… \[incinerating unnecessary items\] significantly adds to the greenhouse gas emissions of the organization,” she explained. So, “the less special waste one can create, the better.” Geldenhuys’ lab was able to reduce its special waste output by 75% within a month by conducting an audit, providing additional bins and bags for recycling and general garbage, and educating staff on what items go where. #### Operating rooms driving waste Operating rooms particularly present “tremendous” opportunities for waste reduction, said Syed Ali Akbar Abbass, an anesthesiologist and chief of environmental stewardship and sustainability at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto. On average, operating rooms drive up to 60% of a hospital’s supply costs and produce more than 30% of a facility’s total waste and more than 60% of its specially regulated medical waste. In a recent audit of disposal bins for “sharps” like needles, lancets and blades, Abbass found that up to 90% of the contents were inappropriate — including paper and plastic trash, metal instruments that weren’t sharp, and cutlery from the cafeteria. “It boggles my mind as to the amount of waste,” he said. For example, “needle drivers aren’t sharp, they aren’t scissors, and they can’t cut anybody — they’re used to hold things. But they’re thrown in the sharps container because of poor understanding of waste segregation.” Putting the wrong items in sharps containers constitutes a very expensive trip to the landfill, Abbass said. “It’s orders of magnitude more expensive \[than throwing trash in the garbage\] because it first gets sterilized by autoclave.” He estimates hospitals could see “upwards of $100 000 in cost savings just by doing appropriate segregation of waste.” #### Recycling initiatives taking off Meanwhile, many items could be diverted from landfills entirely. In 2018, Abbass initiated a reprocessing program for single-use medical devices used in St. Joseph’s operating rooms in partnership with the medical equipment company Stryker. Normally, these devices would have been thrown into the sharps container, autoclaved, and ended up in a landfill. But now, Stryker collects the items at no cost to the hospital and either refurbishes and resells them at a discount or recycles their raw materials. In 2020 alone, the program diverted nearly half a ton of single-use biomedical device waste from landfills and saved the hospital thousands of dollars in both sharps waste and device costs. St. Michael’s Hospital has since joined the program, and Abbass is searching for a metals recycler to reprocess other medical instruments. Abbass also led St. Joseph’s to become the first facility in North America to recycle medical PVC — a flexible plastic used for IV fluid bags and oxygen masks. The hospital partnered with Norwich Plastics in 2016 to launch the program and has since secured federal funding to support other hospitals joining the initiative. Now, about 20 hospitals in Ontario are recycling medical PVC. #### Beyond volunteer efforts Abbass is developing a staff education module on waste reduction but said organizations need a dedicated sustainability director or manager with an institutional mandate to drive these initiatives. It’s also important that sustainability efforts involve clinicians who may be able to spot waste overlooked by hospital administrators. For example, Abbass said, an administrator may not question if a vendor tells them that a plastic syringe with a needle should be discarded with sharps, but a clinician may push to discard the plastic part separately, knowing only the needle poses a hazard. Currently, many of the clinicians involved in sustainability initiatives are volunteers, limiting the time and resources they can dedicate to the work. Still, Abbass said, “I believe there’s a business case that a sustainability administrative position will pay for itself in the savings that position will provide.” *This content, [Improper Disposal of Medical Waste Costs Health Systems and the Environment](https://www.cmaj.ca/content/195/14/E518), was originally shared [cmajnews.com](http://cmajnews.com) on March 24, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [What to Do If You Experience a Sharps Injury](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/21/what-to-do-if-you-experience-a-sharps-injury/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Per the CDC, a sharps injury is a penetrating stab wound from a needle, scalpel, or another sharp object that may result in exposure to blood or other body fluids. This can include scalpels, razors, needles, lancets, blades, broken glass or any other sharp implement. The CDC knows there are many needle sticks and sharps injuries that occur during a year in hospitals and healthcare facilities, with over half of them unreported. Most happen innocently, like when nurses are caring for patients, or when a needle is being recapped with two hands. What risks do these injuries pose, and what’s the best way to treat and avoid them? ##### What to Do If You Experience a Sharps Injury First, don’t panic. Know that it’s OK. Most needlesticks, splashes, and sharps injuries do not result in the transmission of any worrisome infections, so take a deep breath. This situation usually turns out just fine if you follow up, as needed, with a medical provider. There were 58 known workplace transmission of HIV and 150 suspected cases of HIV due to workplace exposures. It’s important to follow up with medical care immediately if there has been an exposure. If you have just had a needlestick or a sharps injury: - Wash the needlestick site or site of injury with soap and water - Report what happened to your supervisor, if this occurred while on the job - ***Seek medical treatment immediately*** If you’ve been splashed with blood or a body fluid: - Wash splashes to any abrasions, cuts, or non-intact skin with soap and water - Flush splashes to the eyes with clean water, saline (mild salt water), or sterile eyewash irrigants - Flush splashes to the nose or mouth with water - Wash off any other body fluids that have splashed on you - Report what happened to your supervisor, if this occurred while on the job - ***Seek medical treatment immediately for any splashes to the face (eyes, mouth, nose) or on non-intact skin (cuts, abrasions, puncture wounds, sores, burns).*** Splashes to intact skin should be washed off, but without splashing mucus membranes (mouth, nose, eyes, etc.) or non-intact skin (cuts, abrasions, sores, burns). This probably poses no risk for major blood-borne illnesses, but please follow safety protocols where you work and check with a medical professional about any exposures. ##### Why Do You Need to Immediately Seek Medical Treatment? There are certain diseases like HIV, [Hepatitis B](https://www.verywellhealth.com/men-more-at-risk-hepatitis-b-2328360), and [Hepatitis C](https://www.verywellhealth.com/hepatitis-c-4014116) that can spread through [blood exposure](https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-risks-of-blood-transfusions-3156815) and it’s important to take any steps immediately to reduce the risk of transmission. Post-exposure prophylaxis refers to medication or other interventions that can reduce the chance of developing a disease after being exposed to an infection. This can mean a daily medication for HIV, or a vaccination and [immunoglobulin injection](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-immune-globulin-1760124) for Hepatitis B. For HIV exposure, these drugs only need to be taken for 4 weeks (28 days). But it’s important that this daily treatment is started as soon as possible. You need to start the drugs within 72 hours, but better yet within the first 24 hours of being stuck. Medical clinicians in the US can call the Clinicians’ Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Line at 1-888-448-4911for help. Post-exposure prophylaxis can also be used after someone has been exposed to the infection through rape or through consensual sexual activity. ##### Do All Splashes and Needlesticks Need Treatment? Always wash away any body fluids and clean any needlesticks or other injuries, but talk to your healthcare provider about whether you actually need treatment. If the needle or sharp has not been used on anyone else, it won’t, of course, transmit any infections from anyone else. An injury though can always become infected like any other injury so it’s important to keep any injury clean. If, on the other hand, the needle to sharp had been used on someone else, the source patient (whose blood was on the needle) could transmit infection. But if the person does not have any infections that you might be concerned about, you may not be at risk for anything in particular. This is something you should talk about with a healthcare professional to help understand what risks you may or may not face. If you’re a healthcare provider, you may know whether the patient had HIV, Hep B, or Hep C. Depending on the laws and regulations, there may be a way to quickly find out if the source patient is infected with any of these viruses. This will depend on where you are and what the exposure was. Please talk to your healthcare provider about this. Likewise, not all body fluids transmit all infections. HIV is transmitted by: - Blood - Amniotic Fluid - Semen and pre-seminal fluid - Rectal fluids - Vaginal fluid - Breast milk HIV can also be transmitted by fluids that would only be reached by a needle or scalpel during a medical procedure: - Cerebrospinal fluid - Pleural fluid (that builds up around the lungs) - Synovial fluid (from within joints) - Ascites or Peritoneal fluid (from inside the abdomen) - Pericardial fluid (that builds up around the heart) However, other fluids would normally have to have blood present to transmit HIV. The risk of HIV transmission is very low, without blood, from: - Urine - Spit - Saliva - Sputum - Sweat - Tears - Feces - Nasal Secretions - Vomit This means that [being spit on is not a risk factor for HIV](https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html). Likewise, being scratched also doesn’t spread HIV if there is no contact with HIV+ blood. HIV is also [not spread](https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html) through swimming, the air, mosquitoes, hugging, sharing toilets, sharing food or drinks. Likewise, although Hepatitis B virus can be found in saliva and spit, it is [not believed to be spread through kissing or sharing utensils](https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/pdfs/hepbwhensomeoneclose.pdf), per the CDC. Also, the good news is that needles do not remain infectious for long. An old needle, long abandoned on the street, is unlikely to be a risk, but do talk to your healthcare provider about each exposure. ##### Are Only Nurses at Risk? Most Needlesticks and Sharps Injuries affect nurses and doctors. However, some injuries affect those who are not medical professionals. It’s important to always stay safe when there are needles, scalpels, or blades around.2 Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. [HIV and Occupational Exposure](https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/workplace/healthcareworkers.html). A child may try to reach into an overfilled sharps box to pick up a shiny needle. A groundskeeper in a park may be pricked by a needle left on the ground. A police officer or a corrections officer may be injured by someone with a bloody needle or knife. Someone else may worry about their risk because their spouse is a nurse who has had a needlestick. Similar exposures can occur in the home with razors, blades, and even a needle used for a splinter. This can also happen, in rare cases, if a tattoo parlor or a nail salon does not follow necessary safety regulations. There are lots of ways that these sorts of injuries can affect all of us, so seek medical advice if there’s any concern for exposure. In some places, health facilities are not in line with Infection Prevention and Control. This is one reason for the [spread of Hepatitis](https://www.verywellhealth.com/spreading-hepatitis-by-mosquitoes-1760047) C worldwide. There are times when needles are reused. Sometimes IV fluids or IV tubing are reused. Other times reusable devices are not fully decontaminated between usages. In other cases, needles are used after patient use to obtain more medications from a shared reusable medicine container. Reuse of needles in any form after use in a patient can lead to spreading infections. ##### What You Can Do to Prevent Needlesticks or Sharps Injuries It’s about being prepared. - Train in safe needle use - Avoid using needles when not necessary - Ensure enough rest when working with needles - Avoid recapping needles - Use only one hand with a needle - Do not rush - Do not walk with a used needle - Do not hand a needle to someone else - Have a proper workspace - Dispose of needles in a sharps disposal box - Discard sharps disposal box before it is full - Never reach into a sharps disposal box - Use needles with safety devices - Use safety blades and razors - Avoid using glass when plastic could work - Consistently use the same type of needle - Report any needlesticks immediately to an employer - Look for risks for needlesticks - Determine why any needlesticks have happened Just to be on the safe side, don’t use needles unless you know what you’re doing and you need to. There’s a risk in using a needle. Every time you use one it can risk a needlestick. It can also create more risks for the patient (who can always get an infection and pain at the site of the injection). In general, only use needles when well trained to do so and when it’s necessary. *This content, [What to Do If You Experience a Sharps Injury](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-to-do-if-you-experience-a-sharps-injury-4115846), by Megan Coffee, MD originated on [Very Well Health](https://www.verywellhealth.com/) and was updated on February 09, 2022.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Health Systems Revamp C-Suite Roles](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/21/health-systems-revamp-c-suite-roles/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Hospitals and health systems are shaking up their C-suite and leadership structures as they [focus](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/what-got-us-here-will-not-get-us-there-how-hospital-execs-are-focusing-on-the-future.html) on key areas to ensure long-term success. *Becker’s* has reported at least 20 health systems that have announced changes to leadership ranks and administration teams in 2023. The changes come as hospitals continue to grapple with financial challenges, leading some organizations to cut jobs and implement other operational adjustments. At the same time, some health systems are [bulking up](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/health-systems-bulk-up-c-suites-ahead-of-transformation.html) their C-suites amid organizational transformation. Some are also combining roles. One such example is Cary Medical Center in Caribou, Maine, which is [combining](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-executive-moves/maine-hospital-combines-coo-cfo-roles.html) the CFO and COO roles into one position. Chelsea Reynolds Desrosiers will assume the new role Aug. 21. The promotion comes with the departure of COO Leslie Anderson. Ms. Desrosiers has served as CFO since 2018. Ms. Desrosiers told *Becker’s* she’s excited about the opportunity. “I think it’s a great decision for the organization as well as next steps in the ever-changing healthcare industry,” she said. “I think it provides a bridge between financial and operations.” Kris Doody, RN, CEO of Cary Medical Center and Pines Health Services, said the hospital conducted a search for a new COO, but combining the roles felt like the right path. “We have discussed this idea for a few weeks, and when we brought our chief medical officer and chief financial officer together, a clear vision developed that this was the way to move forward,” Ms. Doody said in a news release. “We are so fortunate to have such strengths on both the fiscal and clinical side of operations, that we believe this unique model will serve us very well into the future.” Ms. Desrosiers has served as CFO since 2018. Before that, she worked at Baker Newman Noyes, a public accounting firm with offices in New England. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience,” Ms. Doody, who has been the hospital’s CEO for 25 years, told *Becker’s*. “She’s young, she’s vibrant, and … her experience and her financial knowledge is going to be a huge benefit for this consolidated position.” The change comes as Cary Medical Center is focused on the hospital’s strategic plan. Ms. Desrosiers and Ms. Doody said that the combined role will be instrumental in decision-making for the organization going forward. Health systems are not only combining roles on the finance and operations side. Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health has [combined](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-executive-moves/intermountain-combines-chief-analytics-officer-role.html) its chief analytics officer position with the vice president of data services position. The change comes as Albert Marinez, the health system’s current chief analytics officer, leaves the role for Cleveland Clinic. Nick Iannoni, vice president of data and analytics services, will take on the responsibilities of the chief analytics officer. Mr. Iannoni has served as vice president of data and analytics services at Intermountain since October 2022. He told *Becker’s* he feels good about the transition to the combined role. “There’s a tremendous amount of work ahead of us, especially as we talk about consolidation \[on the data and analytics side\] and rationalization. There’s a lot of work that the team is going to be focused on. But in terms of the day to day where we are, as we start this journey, I feel good with what we have in place, what we will put in place and the team that we have to make that happen,” Mr. Inannoni said. He noted that the change goes beyond consolidation on the data and analytics side. He said it’s also the next step down in terms of Intermountain rationalizing application stacks that provide analytic insights. “The places where the data is actually generated, we’re working on streamlining, we’re working on picking best of breed, we’re working on rationalizing and simplifying that environment,” Mr. Iannoni explained. “We’re going to do that simplification in terms of the places that are actually generating this data as well as where our customers are interacting with it. This is our opportunity to make sure that we have the hierarchy structure, the leadership structure in place to make sure that that consolidation is successful. It’s our opportunity to confirm or select that best of breed. And because of us moving some of those applications that we may have used historically to new places, we’re going to be changing where the data is generated. So we’re going to have the opportunity then to redefine or make sure that the backend side of our environment is optimally configured.” As the organization transitions to the cloud, this new combined role is another opportunity to ensure data and processes are simplified and that people, processes and data governance structures are aligned, he added. “We had a tremendous amount of data processes. We had a number of different places that customers were going for our data assets,” Mr. Iannoni said. “So simplifying that is one of the goals of this alignment.” *This content, [Health Systems Revamp C-Suite Roles](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/health-systems-revamp-c-suite-roles.html?utm_campaign=bhr&utm_source=website&utm_content=most-read), on [Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com) on AUgust 18, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Sharps Injuries: Are You Taking Your Risk Seriously?](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/06/sharps-injuries-are-you-taking-your-risk-seriously/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** When it comes to healthcare, the safety of both patients and healthcare workers is paramount. One often overlooked but critical aspect of healthcare safety is the proper disposal of sharps. Sharps injuries, which include needle sticks and cuts from other sharp medical instruments, can have serious consequences for everyone involved. As a responsible medical waste disposal company, Waste Medic is here to shed light on this important issue and help you understand why it’s crucial to take your risk of sharps injuries seriously. #### Protecting Healthcare Workers One of the primary reasons to take sharps injuries seriously is to protect the dedicated healthcare workers who provide essential care to patients. Needlestick injuries, for example, can lead to the transmission of bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. These infections can have lifelong consequences, including serious illness or even death. Healthcare workers are on the front lines, and their well-being is paramount. By ensuring the proper disposal of sharps, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and potential infections among their staff. #### Ensuring Patient Safety Patients rely on healthcare facilities for safe and effective treatment. Sharps injuries not only endanger healthcare workers but also compromise patient safety. Contaminated sharps can inadvertently come into contact with patients, potentially transmitting infections and causing complications. By implementing rigorous sharps disposal protocols, healthcare facilities can provide a safer environment for patients, enhancing their overall care experience. #### Legal and Regulatory Compliance Compliance with local, state, and federal regulations regarding sharps disposal is not just a suggestion; it’s a legal requirement. Failure to follow these regulations can result in fines, legal liabilities, and damage to a healthcare facility’s reputation. ### Your Partner in Safe Sharps Disposal At [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/), we understand the gravity of sharps injuries and the importance of proper sharps disposal. We offer comprehensive [medical waste disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2022/07/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/) services tailored to healthcare facilities’ unique needs. Our commitment to safety and compliance ensures that your sharps waste is handled with the utmost care. Our services include: - Safe collection and disposal of sharps waste - Compliance with all regulatory requirements - Regularly scheduled pickups to maintain a clean and safe environment - Eco-friendly disposal methods, contributing to a greener future Sharps injuries are not to be taken lightly. The consequences of improper sharps disposal can be life-altering, affecting healthcare workers, patients, and healthcare facilities alike. As a responsible medical waste disposal company, Waste Medic is dedicated to helping healthcare facilities minimize the risk of sharps injuries and ensure a safer environment for all. By partnering with Waste Medic, you’re not just complying with regulations; you’re actively prioritizing the safety of your healthcare workers and patients. Together, we can work towards a future where sharps injuries are a thing of the past, and healthcare remains a safe and caring profession. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Bloodborne Pathogens Training: Why It’s Important](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/06/bloodborne-pathogens-training-why-its-important/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Each year, it is [estimated](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34033323/#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20approximately,year%20in%20the%20hospital%20setting.) that there are approximately 3 million workplace exposures to bloodborne pathogens, risking employee health, not to mention costing employers millions of dollars. Despite this statistic, it is a common train of thought that bloodborne pathogens aren’t something people usually need to be worried about. While bloodborne pathogens can be deadly, they are not airborne or infectious through touch. Rather, bloodborne exposures are commonly due to accidental punctures in most work settings. In fact, in the United States, there are an estimated 400,000 sharp injuries per year in the hospital setting alone. Nonetheless, exposure can arise from several other facets, including bodily fluid spills, touching the eyes, nose or mouth, or even assaults. Bear in mind, exposure can occur in any industry (not just healthcare facilities), making bloodborne pathogens training essential to almost any business or organization. As a matter of fact, not only is this training essential to protecting employees, but it is required of any business or formal organization subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard is known as [29 CFR 1910.1030.](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030) Under this standard, OSHA requires that employees who are at risk of exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIMs) while on the job receive bloodborne pathogens training annually. In case employee health and wellness and/or adhering to OSHA guidelines isn’t enough incentive for employers, businesses that do not comply can actually be fined a not-so-small amount. [OSHA penalties](https://www.osha.gov/penalties) for non-compliance include a fee of up to $14,502 per violation for a serious offense, plus $14,502 each day a cited organization does not correct the violation. If OSHA finds an act is repeated or willful, they can charge an organization up to $145,027 per violation. With that said, what do businesses and/or facility managers need to know to stay compliant with OSHA? Keep Reading. #### Defining Threats Bloodborne pathogens (BBP) are disease-causing microorganisms that include but are not limited to hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). They can be transmitted through human blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIMs). What are OPIMs? These are bodily fluids that can also transmit bloodborne pathogens. Examples of OPIMs include: vomit; semen; vaginal secretions or amniotic fluid; and other secretions resulting from the body. Bloodborne pathogens training certifies that employees have been educated on how to protect themselves against exposure in the workplace. Training should educate attendees on everything related to the spread and protection against bloodborne pathogens. Training is legally required to cover: - Defining Bloodborne Pathogens and OPIMs - The Most Common Bloodborne Pathogens - How Bloodborne Pathogens are Transmitted - How to Avoid Exposure - How to use Personal Protective Equipment - How to Prevent the Spread of BBP - Examples of Control Procedure Plans - What to do in the Event of Exposure - Reporting Procedures A comprehensive course should also review all labels and signs used in the workplace to communicate hazards. This includes primary and secondary labels of regulated waste containers, contaminated sharps containers, contaminated equipment, and contaminated laundry. #### Benefits of Training Inherently, the most essential benefit of bloodborne pathogens training is employee safety. Bloodborne pathogens training empowers employees to keep themselves healthy and safe when in the presence of potentially infectious items, surfaces or other exposures. In the cleaning industry, it is important that any custodial staff — especially those that handle sharps in bins in restrooms, biohazard waste or other potentially contaminated objects — are trained and aware of proper handling protocols to minimize exposure risk. They should be prepared with the knowledge of what to do in the case of exposure. Providing comprehensive training will also improve employee retention. Bloodborne pathogens training will make staff more proficient in health and safety protocols. The more knowledgeable a custodial team is, the less they will put themselves in potentially dangerous or harmful situations, ultimately resulting in fewer incidents or exposures. Employees who have been educated on how to handle exposures and what to do in certain scenarios will be more confident in their roles. Confident employees are happier employees and job satisfaction is key to lowering employee turnover. There re also legal and financial benefits to offering training. Bloodborne pathogens training will lead to fewer exposures resulting in insurance and legal claims. Fewer claims mean less money for an employer. #### Who Needs Training? As mentioned earlier, it is actually an OSHA requirement that any employee who is at risk of exposure to blood or OPIMs while on the job receive bloodborne pathogens training each year. In most cases, the need for training is obvious, especially for those in healthcare. But, training should be provided to any staff in any facility in any industry who may be at risk of exposure. For the cleaning industry, this includes: - Cleaning Staff/Janitors - Equipment Repair Technicians - Laundry Service Staff - Housekeeping - Hospice Workers - Laboratory Workers - Anyone who provides first aid regularly It’s essential that cleaning and management professionals remember that bloodborne pathogens training certification is only valid for one year. Under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, it is required for employers to provide annual training to employees who are at risk of exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials while on the job, regardless of the employees’ prior training or education. While it may seem inconvenient to some, there are a couple of reasons why OSHA requires employees to receive bloodborne pathogens training each year. First and foremost, [OSHA’s mission](https://www.osha.gov/aboutosha#:~:text=OSHA%27s%20Mission,%2C%20outreach%2C%20education%20and%20assistance.) is to “ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.” They have pledged a duty to help protect those in the workforce from injury. With that said, the primary driver for annual bloodborne pathogens training is protecting the health and safety of individuals in the workforce. There are constant technological advancements and breakthroughs in research to assist in the protection of the workforce. As these novel guidances come forth, OSHA can and will update the standards for bloodborne pathogens training to ensure all employees at risk are provided the resources they need to remain safe in the workplace. Second to that, all employees should have access to formal bloodborne pathogens training each year to avoid veteran training or training by someone who attended the course in the past but may not have interpreted or even modified a procedure since the training. *Lauren Belskie is a major contributor and the primary editor for the Imperial Dade Learning Center, a platform designed to answer common questions, provide insights on trends and offer creative solutions to help businesses create safer, healthier and cleaner facilities. She is the Marketing Operations Manager at [Imperial Dade](https://www.imperialdade.com/), producing articles, videos, trainings, and other educational content targeted to the janitorial services market.* This post, [Bloodborne Pathogens Training: Why It’s Important](https://www.cleanlink.com/hs/article/Bloodborne-Pathogens-Training-Why-It8217s-Important160--29805), was first published by [CleanLink](https://www.cleanlink.com/hs/article/Bloodborne-Pathogens-Training-Why-It8217s-Important160--29805) on June 8, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Kaiser to Pay $49M to California for Illegally Dumping Private Medical Records, Medical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/10/kaiser-to-pay-49m-to-california-for-illegally-dumping-private-medical-records-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** SAN FRANCISCO — Healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente is settling a $49 million dollar lawsuit with the state and multiple counties throughout California. State Attorney General Rob Bonta says they took action after allegations Kaiser improperly disposed of hazardous waste and failed to protect sensitive patient information. “Kaiser is our state’s largest healthcare provider, it operates more than 700 facilities and treats more than 8.8 million Californians. If they don’t follow the law, if they are careless with dangerous waste or sensitive information, the potential for harm is enormous and it is widespread,” he said. Investigators with several District Attorneys’ offices conducted a series of undercover inspections and came across dumpsters containing thousands of paper medical records and hazardous wastes – including blood-filled syringes and human body parts. Prosecutors started an investigation in 2015 after undercover trash inspectors found pharmaceutical drugs, and syringes, vials, canisters and other medical devices filled with human blood and other bodily fluids, and body parts removed during surgery inside bins handled by municipal waste haulers. They also found batteries, electronic devices and other hazardous waste in trash cans and bins at 16 Kaiser medical facilities throughout the state, Attorney General Rob Bonta said. “The items found pose a serious risk to anyone who might come into contact with them from health care providers and patients in the same room as the trash cans to custodians and sanitation workers who directly handle the waste to workers at the landfill,” Bonta said. He said the undercover inspectors also found over 10,000 paper records containing the information of over 7,700 patients, which led to an investigation by prosecutors in San Francisco, Alameda, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, San Mateo, and Yolo counties. County officials later sought the intervention of this office, Bonta said. “As a major health care provider Kaiser has a clear responsibility to know and follow specific laws when it comes to properly disposing of waste and safeguarding patient’s medical information. Their failure to do so is unacceptable, it cannot happen again,” Bonta said. Kaiser Permanente, based in Oakland, California, said in a statement it takes the matter extremely seriously. It said it has taken full responsibility and is cooperating with the California Attorney General and county district attorneys to correct the way some of its facilities were disposing of hazardous and medical waste. “About six years ago we became aware of occasions when, contrary to our rigorous policies and procedures, some facilities’ landfill-bound dumpsters included items that should have been disposed of differently,” the company said. “Upon learning of this issue, we immediately completed an extensive auditing effort of the waste stream at our facilities and established mandatory and ongoing training to address the findings.” Kaiser said it was not aware of any body part being found at any time during this investigation. As part of the settlement, the health care provider must also retain for five years an independent third-party auditor approved by the Attorney General’s Office and the district attorneys involved in the complaint. The auditor will check Kaiser’s compliance with California’s laws related to the handling of hazardous and medical waste, and the protection of patients’ health information. “As a major corporation in Alameda County, Kaiser Permanente has a special obligation to treat its communities with the same bedside manner as its patients,” said Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. “Dumping medical waste and private information are wrong, which they have acknowledged. This action will hold them accountable in such a way that we hope means it doesn’t happen again.” In 2021, the federal government sued Kaiser Permanente, alleging the health care giant committed Medicare fraud and pressured doctors to list incorrect diagnoses on medical records in order to receive higher reimbursements. The California Department of Justice sued the company in 2014 after it delayed notifying its employees about an unencrypted USB drive that contained the records of over 20,000 Kaiser workers. The USB drive was discovered at a Santa Cruz thrift store. This post, [Kaiser to Pay $49M to California for Illegally Dumping Private Medical Records, Medical Waste](https://abc7.com/kaiser-permanente-settlement-california-medical-records/13758561/), was first published by [ABC7](https://abc7.com/) on September 9, 2023. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Looking for Professional Medical Waste Solutions? Get Your Customized Quote Today!](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/10/looking-for-professional-medical-waste-solutions-get-your-customized-quote-today/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** At [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/), we understand the diverse needs of organizations when it comes to regulated medical waste disposal, sharps management, pharmaceutical waste compliance, and more. We’re here to provide you with tailored solutions that instill confidence in your waste management processes. Medical waste generation can vary significantly between organizations, but having a reliable plan for [biohazardous waste disposal](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/) is essential. Our team of experts is dedicated to addressing both your regular waste management needs and any unforeseen emergencies. With Waste Medic by your side, you can prioritize the safety of your staff, patients, the public, and the environment while maintaining seamless business operations. We cater to facilities of all sizes, from large hospitals to medium-sized outpatient care facilities and even smaller practices like dentists and doctors’ offices. Our comprehensive services encompass not only medical waste disposal but also pharmaceutical waste management, trace chemotherapy waste solutions, sharps container provision, and more. Waste Medic specializes in Biohazardous Waste & Sharps Containers, Pharmaceutical Waste, Trace Chemotherapy Waste, RWM Consulting, and Training Programs. Unlike some competitors who insist on flat rates and confusing, long-term contracts that may not align with your actual usage, Waste Medic adopts a fair and sensible pricing approach for regulated medical waste disposal services. National companies often tack on extra fees for one-size-fits-all compliance assurance, implying that every client is equally susceptible to fines and citations without this additional service. At Waste Medic, we take a different approach, offering regulatory compliance consulting that is tailored to meet each customer’s unique requirements, all at a fraction of the cost. #### Request Your Customized Quote Today The volume of medical waste generated may differ from one organization to another, but the importance of a dependable biohazardous waste disposal plan remains constant. Waste Medic is here to assist you. [**Simply complete the form**](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/), and a member of our dedicated team will promptly get in touch with you to provide a personalized quote. With our expertise and prompt response to your ongoing and urgent needs, you can rest assured that your staff, patients, the public, and the environment are safeguarded while you can concentrate on the core operations of your business. #### Our Services Extend Across Multiple States Waste Medic proudly offers its full suite of services in Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, and North Georgia. Moreover, we provide consulting services throughout the United States. If you’d like to discuss your needs right away, feel free to give us a call at 877.906.5558. Don’t wait—take the first step toward efficient and compliant medical waste management. [**Request your customized quote**](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) from Waste Medic today! ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Kaiser Settles for $47 Million Over Dumping Medical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/26/kaiser-settles-for-47-million-over-dumping-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** On Sept. 8, with six district attorneys, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals resolving allegations that the healthcare provider unlawfully disposed of hazardous waste, medical waste, and protected health information at Kaiser facilities statewide. As part of the settlement, Kaiser will be liable to pay up to $49 million and required to take steps to prevent future unlawful disposals. Kaiser: - Will pay $47.250 million. That amount includes $37,513,000 in civil penalties, $4,832,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs, and $4,905,000 for environmental projects, primarily environmental prosecutor training. - Must pay an additional $1.75 million in civil penalties if, within 5 years, Kaiser has not spent $3.5 million at its California facilities to implement measures to ensure compliance with provisions of the law alleged to have been violated. - Must retain an independent third-party auditor — approved by the Attorney General’s Office and the district attorneys — who will: perform no less than 520 trash compactor audits at Kaiser’s California facilities to ensure regulated wastes (including protected health information) are not unlawfully disposed of; and conduct at least 40 programmatic field audits each year for five years to evaluate Kaiser’s compliance. Kaiser’s unlawful disposals are alleged to violate California’s Hazardous Waste Control Law, Medical Waste Management Act, Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, Customer Records Law, and Unfair Competition Law. The disposals are also alleged to violate the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, known as HIPAA. The settlement covers six Kaiser facilities in Santa Cruz County in Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. “The illegal disposal of hazardous and medical waste puts the environment, workers, and the public at risk. It also violates numerous federal and state laws,” said Bonta. “As a healthcare provider, Kaiser should know that it has specific legal obligations to properly dispose of medical waste and safeguard patients’ medical information. I am pleased that Kaiser has been cooperative with my office and the district attorneys’ offices, and that it took immediate action to address the alleged violations.” The settlement is the result of undercover inspections conducted by the district attorneys’ offices of dumpsters from 16 different Kaiser facilities. During those inspections, the district attorneys’ offices reviewed the contents of unsecured dumpsters destined for disposal at publicly accessible landfills, finding hundreds of items of hazardous and medical waste (aerosols, cleansers, sanitizers, batteries, electronic wastes, syringes, medical tubing with body fluids, and pharmaceuticals) and more than 10,000 paper records containing the information of more than 7,700 patients. The California Department of Justice subsequently expanded the investigation of Kaiser’s disposal practices further throughout the state. In response, Kaiser immediately hired a third-party consultant and conducted more than 1,100 trash audits at its facilities to improve compliance. Kaiser also changed procedures on handling, storage, and disposal of waste. Headquartered in Oakland, Kaiser operates more than 700 facilities statewide, making it the largest healthcare provider in California. Kaiser provides healthcare to 8.8 million Californians, as well as members of the public who seek emergency care from Kaiser facilities. Joining Bonta were the district attorneys of Alameda, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, and Yolo counties. “As the largest healthcare provider in the state, Kaiser has an extraordinary responsibility to the public and to its own patients to ensure that hazardous waste, potentially infectious human waste materials, and highly sensitive patient health information are handled according to state laws and not sent to municipal landfills not equipped to handle those wastes,” said San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe. “Kaiser Permanente has a special obligation to treat its communities with the same bedside manner as its patients,” said Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. “Dumping medical waste and private information are wrong, which they have acknowledged. This action will hold them accountable in such a way that we hope means it doesn’t happen again.” San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Weissman and Supervising Deputy District Attorney Doug Poston “dedicated years of their time and expertise to ensure the residents of our County are protected from the mishandling of medical waste and Kaiser policies are improved to safeguard the public.” San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said, “Hazardous waste, medical waste, and confidential patient information must be disposed of properly. When it is not, we will not hesitate to take action.” San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said, “The settlement with Kaiser places the appropriate safeguards to ensure that this never happens again.” In 2014, the California Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Kaiser after it delayed notifying its employees about an unencrypted USB drive that was discovered at a Santa Cruz thrift store. The USB drive contained more than 20,000 employee records. Kaiser paid $150,000 in penalties and attorneys’ fees, and agreed to comply with California’s data breach notification law in the future, provide notification of any future breach on a rolling basis, and implement additional training regarding the sensitive nature of employee records. In addition, Kaiser has been the subject of prior enforcement actions by local prosecutors for mismanagement of regulated wastes. *This post, [Kaiser Settles for $47 Million Over Dumping Medical Waste](https://tpgonlinedaily.com/kaiser-settles-for-47-million-over-dumping-medical-waste/), was first published by [Times Publishing Group, Inc.](https://tpgonlinedaily.com/) on September 25, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [Johns Hopkins Professor Speaks on Cutting Healthcare Waste, Highlights New Partnership with Liberty School of Health Sciences](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/26/johns-hopkins-professor-speaks-on-cutting-healthcare-waste-highlights-new-partnership-with-liberty-school-of-health-sciences/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Liberty University [School of Health Sciences](https://www.liberty.edu/health-sciences/) welcomed Johns Hopkins University Professor of Surgery Dr. Marty Makary to campus on Sept. 14 to share on prevalent issues within the healthcare industry, such as the extreme costs of healthcare and insurance and the importance of challenging current scientific misconceptions. Makary serves as the chief of Islet Transplant Surgery for Johns Hopkins. He is a leading healthcare expert, a Fox News contributor, and a New York Times bestselling author. He previously served in leadership at the World Health Organization. Makary’s visit and Grand Rounds lecture, presenting the latest on public health and healthcare reform, commemorated a new collaboration between the School of Health Sciences and Johns Hopkins, highlighting the School of Health Sciences’ commitment to providing high-quality educational and research opportunities to students. The three-year partnership will provide the opportunity for Liberty’s public health graduate students to conduct research on healthcare policy under the direction of Makary and his research team, including Christi Walsh, M.S.N.-C.R.N.P., the Director of the Healthcare Graduate Research Program at Johns Hopkins, who was also a part of the event. The students selected to participate in the program will be conducting research at the JHU School of Medicine, in the Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C., area. “We are so proud at Johns Hopkins of this new, exciting partnership with Liberty University, and you should be proud to be part of an incredible institution here,” Makary told the faculty and students in attendance. “We have partnered with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to invest in the future of medicine and public health and to develop new leaders in healthcare,” said School of Health Sciences Dean Dr. Heidi DiFrancesca. “Our students will receive a customized program for advanced training in the real issues in healthcare and will be mentored by Dr. Makary, along with other members of the research team.” This past summer, three of Liberty’s [Master of Public Health ](https://www.liberty.edu/residential/health-sciences/masters/public-health/)students were selected as the 2023-24 research fellows to join Makary and Walsh’s current research program, focused on the ‘redesign on healthcare’. “Through this experience, our students will have the chance to be involved in high-impact research that could significantly influence the redesign of healthcare, leading to improved quality of care that is patient-centered, improved health outcomes, and improved state and federal public health policy. Our students will be equipped with the tools necessary to challenge deeply held assumptions both about U.S. healthcare and those held in the medical community, empowering them to engage in practical solutions that lower healthcare costs resulting in improved access to care across all populations,” DiFrancesca said. Makary began the lecture by encouraging the students in their journeys and emphasizing the importance of a career in serving others. “One thing that unites all of us in healthcare, it doesn’t matter what country you’re in or what level you are at, is the desire to help other people,” he said. “That is a calling and a mission. And that’s what sets all of us apart.” He spent a large portion of the lecture addressing problems within healthcare, namely excessive waste and the rising costs of medical care. Noting that around 48 percent of the total United States budget involves some aspect of healthcare, around 62 million Americans are “functionally uninsured” either due to being completely uninsured or otherwise underinsured. “Everybody wants (people to have affordable healthcare),” Makary said. “Who wants someone to suffer because they don’t have enough money. … We all want the same thing, but how are you going to get there?” His solution is eliminating waste — by challenging current scientific thought and by forcing hospitals to be upfront about cost of care — to ensure that the money patients spend actually contributes to better care. Makary listed several historical examples of faulty research done that led to incorrect conclusions, such as Dr. Ancel Keys’ manipulation of data on low fat diet research, the incorrect assumption that narcotics were not addictive, the false belief that giving peanuts to young children causes peanut allergies, and many others. Acknowledging that the general public has a large respect for healthcare professionals, Makary stated that doctors and nurses should honor that trust. “People appreciate humility,” he said. “I can tell you from taking care of patients, if you say, ‘Look, I’m sorry. We made a mistake,’ they are incredibly forgiving if you show some degree of humility.” Makary also urged students to conduct their own research and boldly challenge anything they believe to be incorrect. “We have a duty to uphold of staying true to the science,” he said. “The purpose of science is to challenge and even controvert deeply held assumptions in the field.” He also spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased hysteria that arose from fear of the virus. He argued that instead of trusting the science, scientists were poorly prepared to prevent the virus because they relied on unfounded misconceptions. He noted that the research that went against the established thought was sometimes censored from distribution. Makary also argued that large pharmaceutical companies heavily emphasize an overreliance on medicine instead of promoting other solutions to health issues, such as eating healthy, practicing good sleeping habits, and building communities. In addition to the clinical waste prevalent in healthcare, Makary noted that administrative waste plays a significant role in preventing the American public from receiving proper care. He demonstrated the incredible profit that many hospitals make through price gouging and an unwillingness to be upfront about costs. He said the number of hospitals that are suing patients for unpaid medical bills has dropped significantly because of an increased push by himself and others for hospitals to be transparent and upfront about costs before providing the care. After the lecture, Makary answered questions from those in the audience about how transparency can eliminate the American public’s dependency on insurance as well as how the students can make a difference in their communities. “When somebody asks you, ‘How do we fix our broken healthcare system?’ You let them know about clinical waste in the field, the administrative system, and our great heritage that we need to get back to. That only comes through challenging deeply held assumptions,” he said. Following the lecture, DiFrancesca spoke about the importance of the Grand Rounds event and hosting Makary and Walsh on campus. “In the School of Health Sciences, we strive to provide world-class educational experiences, equipping our students for successful careers. Hosting Dr. Makary, showcasing the strength of the partnership forged between our two institutions, underscores our commitment to provide exceptional education and research opportunities to our students,” she said. “Likewise, this partnership showcases LU’s top talent in public health and our investment in developing future leaders in the public health and public policy space, *Training Champions for Christ*.” *This post, [Johns Hopkins Professor Speaks on Cutting Healthcare Waste, Highlights New Partnership with Liberty School of Health Sciences](https://www.liberty.edu/news/2023/09/22/johns-hopkins-professor-speaks-on-cutting-healthcare-waste-highlights-new-partnership-with-liberty-school-of-health-sciences/), was first published by [Liberty University](https://www.liberty.edu/) on September 22, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [Extending Sharps Safety Beyond Hospitals](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/26/extending-sharps-safety-beyond-hospitals/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Drug delivery device designers must consider patient capability in home environments rather than the typical devices engineered for healthcare professionals.* Needlestick injuries have fallen 30% since implementation of the U.S. Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act (NSPA) in 2001, but sharps injuries still remain a major occupational hazard. Every year, hospital-based healthcare personnel endure 320,000 needlestick injuries and other sharps-related injuries, roughly 1,000 sharps injuries per day. And, as self-administration in non-clinical settings continues to climb, needlestick prevention and best practice procedures must be transferred to the home environment. While typically designed with healthcare professionals in mind, manufacturers increasingly need to consider patients’ capabilities and the home environment during product design. The wave of biological therapies fueling self-administration frequently must be administered via subcutaneous injection, requiring regular and accurate administration. Biologicals are well-suited to self-administration through prefilled safety syringes, eliminating dependency on a healthcare professional and putting patients in charge of their medication regimes. With the **[safety syringe market growing](https://www.ompharmaservices.com)**, designers must focus on safety and recognize that certain features make devices more dangerous than others. Devices with hollow-bore needles or syringes that retain an exposed needle after use are very high-risk; 80% of needlestick injuries can be prevented with design. Disposable delivery devices such as pre-filled safety syringes for subcutaneous delivery are becoming a key sharps injury prevention tool. #### Growing market Globally, Market Data Forecasts estimates the pre-filled syringes market worth more than $772 million in 2018, expected to rise to more than $1.1 billion in 2023 – a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1% – while the safety-engineered pre-filled syringe market is expected to grow at a 9.6% CAGR. Ease of use and risks minimization are integral to successful device designs, offering reliability while minimizing the number of use steps required. A rheumatoid arthritis patient, for instance, must securely hold and safely operate the delivery device to ensure complete medication delivery. Older patients may also be less dexterous and could struggle with devices that have not been thoroughly reviewed by a robust human factors testing process. Automatically retracting needle mechanisms used in pre-filled safety syringes and auto-injector devices are easy to use and safe, and may significantly reduce the risk of dosage errors. Additionally, pre-filled syringes designed to prevent the plunger rod from being completely removed avoid drug spillage and wastage. Effective visual, audible, or tactile cues also alert the user that the correct dose has been successfully delivered. Finally, it is one thing to have a great product concept, but value is undermined if problems arise further down the supply chain. Manufacturers should also be careful not to design over-engineered products with too many complexities that may present problems during development and manufacture. To ensure a high-quality experience for the end-user, manufacturers must pay attention to device design. #### Needlestick safety Reports highlight that **[sharps injuries](https://www.ompharmaservices.com)** to home care aides are often caused by incorrect sharps disposal – 15% of exposures. Sharps injuries present a serious risk with more than 20 types of infections being transmittable through needlesticks. With 40% of registered nurses in the U.S. being employed in a home setting, the importance of needlestick safety has accordingly been extended beyond the formal healthcare setting. Family members living with self-administering patients may be more vulnerable to exposure if they are unaware of the contamination of a device or the risk of a contaminated sharp. In this context of growing self-administration, manufacturers must take on some of the responsibility of guarding non-professional users against the dangers of needlestick infections. *This post, [Extending Sharps Safety Beyond Hospitals](https://www.todaysmedicaldevelopments.com/article/extending-sharps-safety-beyond-hospitals/), was first published by [Today’s Medical Developments](https://www.todaysmedicaldevelopments.com/).* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Rite Aid Agreement Calls for Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Program](https://wastemedic.com/2023/10/10/rite-aid-agreement-calls-for-bloodborne-pathogen-safety-program/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Following an incident in which a clerk was told to clean up spilled blood from an injured customer, Rite Aid Corp. must now implement a safety program to better protect employees against hazards related to bloodborne pathogens at its 370 stores in New Jersey and New York. The move is in accordance with an agreement with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration following an investigation into the 2022 incident at a Rite Aid store in Niagara Falls, New York, the agency said in a statement Monday. The employee had not been offered a hepatitis B vaccine and the store lacked an appropriate blood exposure control plan in violation of federal regulations. OSHA cited the retail drugstore chain for corresponding violations of the agency’s bloodborne pathogens standard. Rite Aid initially contested the citations, which totaled $31,080 in fines. Under the terms of the settlement, the company will pay an amended $10,000 fine, withdraw its notice of contest and take remedial actions, OSHA said. *This post, [Rite Aid Agreement Calls for Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Program](https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20230823/NEWS08/912359380/Rite-Aid,-OSHA-agreement-calls-for-bloodborne-pathogen-safety-program), was first published by [Business Insurance](https://www.businessinsurance.com/) on August 23, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [OSHA Gets Ball Rolling on Proposed Rule on Workplace Violence in Healthcare Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2023/10/10/osha-gets-ball-rolling-on-proposed-rule-on-workplace-violence-in-healthcare-facilities/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently took a major first step toward developing its anticipated standard regarding violence in the healthcare setting, titled “Prevention of Workplace Violence in Healthcare and Social Assistance.” On March 1, 2023, OSHA convened a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel—an initial step in formulating a new standard that gives representatives of small businesses and small local government entities an opportunity for input. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently took a major first step toward developing its anticipated standard regarding violence in the healthcare setting, titled “Prevention of Workplace Violence in Healthcare and Social Assistance.” On March 1, 2023, OSHA convened a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel—an initial step in formulating a new standard that gives representatives of small businesses and small local government entities an opportunity for input. **SBAR Panel** In a [press release](https://www.osha.gov/workplace-violence/sbrefa), OSHA stated that it sought to jumpstart the rulemaking process by convening the SBAR panel as the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) requires OSHA and other federal agencies to collect input from small businesses before issuing new federal regulations. The workplace violence panel is comprised of so-called small entity representatives (SERs) selected from hospitals, emergency rooms, psychiatric hospitals, home healthcare agencies, emergency medical services, and social assistance providers, excluding child day care centers. According to OSHA, the SBAR panel is considering several topics, including: - “A programmatic approach to workplace violence prevention; - Workplace violence hazard assessments; - Workplace violence control measures; - Preventive training; - Violent incident investigations and recordkeeping; - Anti-retaliatory provisions; and - Approaches that avoid stigmatization of healthcare patients and social assistance clients.” **Workplace Violence** According to OSHA, nonfatal workplace violence is more widespread in the healthcare and social assistance industries than any other industry. OSHA has been [preparing to address this issue](https://ogletree.com/insights/is-an-osha-workplace-violence-standard-for-the-healthcare-industry-on-the-way/) for the past several years going back, at least, to a set of [guidelines that it published in 2016](https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3148.pdf) on preventing workplace violence in healthcare and social service workplaces. Still, OSHA has stated that it recognizes that workplace violence in healthcare and social assistance settings is a “sensitive issue” as it involves patients who may be present for treatment for psychiatric, behavioral, or substance abuse problems. The new rulemaking will be focused on so-called Type-II workplace violence situations, which involve violence perpetrated by patients, clients, and visitors in healthcare facilities. OSHA has noted that “it is both prevalent in the healthcare industry and can be reasonably anticipated and mitigated by employers.” The agency estimates the total cost of the rule to be $1.22 billion per year. **‘Small Entity’** The SERs will be drawn from businesses that are considered to be a “small entity” based on number of employees or revenue. OSHA published a table with North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) size standards that indicate how large a business can be to still qualify as a small business for federal government programs: ![](https://ogletree.com/app/uploads/SBAR-Table.jpg "- Waste Medic") **Potential Workplace Violence in Healthcare Standard** In an OSHA “[Issues Document](https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/WPV_SER_Materials-Issues_Document.pdf)” prepared for the SBAR panel, OSHA provided a preview of what it is considering for a potential rule in SBAR documents. Key elements under consideration are: *“Workplace violence prevention program (WVPP)”* The proposed rule would require employers to develop a WVPP that lays out processes and procedures for preventing and handling workplace violence incidents. These procedures would include how employees can report a violent incident or threat, how concerns will be investigated, and how employers will coordinate their WVPPs with other employers in the same worksite. *“Hazard Assessments”* The proposal would require employers to conduct regular hazard assessments of their own injury data and “identify and mitigate hazards.” *“Implementation of Control Measures”* The proposal would require employers to take steps to mitigate hazards. Examples include the use of curved mirrors at the ends of hallways, the provision of lockable “safe rooms” for employees during emergencies, and the use of keyless door systems “where public access to employee areas are deemed problematic.” *“Training”* The proposal indicates that OSHA is also “considering specific training requirements for employees and their supervisors.” OSHA stated that “\[e\]ducation and training are key elements of a workplace violence prevention program and help to ensure that all staff members are aware of potential hazards and how to protect themselves and their coworkers through established policies and procedures.” *“Incident investigation and maintenance of a workplace violence log”* The proposal would require employers to maintain a “workplace violence recordkeeping log and perform incident investigation procedures.” This would include requiring employers to track the “significant contributing factors, recommendations, and corrective actions” for each workplace violence incident and investigation. *“Anti-retaliation policy to encourage employee reporting of workplace violence situations”* The proposal would prohibit employers from discharging or discriminating against any employees for exercising their rights or protections under such a rule. **Key Takeaways** OSHA has made addressing workplace violence in healthcare and social service settings a key priority. However, OSHA’s new standard could increase the compliance burdens and costs for healthcare and social service employers. In the meantime, healthcare employers and social service providers may want to review any existing workplace safety policies with regard to the potential threat of workplace violence by patients and clients and revise as needed in anticipation of the coming standard. For more details on this topic, please listen to our latest podcast, “[Workplace Violence in Healthcare: Addressing Risk Factors and Abating Hazards](https://ogletree.com/podcasts/2023-04-17/workplace-violence-in-healthcare-addressing-risk-factors-and-abating-hazards/),” in which Wayne E. Pinkstone, Karen F. Tynan, John D. Surma, and Phillip J. Jones discuss workplace violence in hospital settings. Ogletree Deakins will continue to monitor and report on developments with respect to a proposed workplace violence prevention standard and will post updates on the firm’s [Workplace Safety and Health](https://ogletree.com/insights/?keyword=&cat=147) and [Healthcare](https://ogletree.com/insights/?keyword=&cat=132) blogs. *This post, [OSHA Gets Ball Rolling on Proposed Rule on Workplace Violence in Healthcare Facilities](https://ogletree.com/insights-resources/blog-posts/osha-gets-ball-rolling-on-proposed-rule-on-workplace-violence-in-healthcare-facilities/), was first published by [Ogletree Deakins](https://ogletree.com/).* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Becton Dickinson, Casella Complete Pilot Recycling Used Medical Devices](https://wastemedic.com/2023/10/26/becton-dickinson-casella-complete-pilot-recycling-used-medical-devices/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *This content was written and submitted by the supplier. It has only been modified to comply with this publication’s space and style.* Becton Dickinson and Casella Waste Systems have announced the most recent results of a recycling pilot to manage discarded syringes and needles that led to 40,000 lb of medical waste being recycled and diverted from disposal. The circular economy pilot, which took place in the first half of 2023, was the first large-scale effort to assess the feasibility of recycling medical waste found in red sharps containers. These containers included a broad range of medical equipment and materials, primarily syringes and needles. The medical waste was collected across a variety of healthcare facilities, and all of the plastics were diverted from disposal and recycled. The pilot also assessed the technical feasibility of mechanical and advanced recycling—both of which have shown favorable results in their ability to successfully recycle used medical devices for use in other products. “Needles and syringes help enable a wide range of critical medical treatments and care, but they require plastic for production—which generates waste and is one of the most relevant environmental issues facing the healthcare industry today,” says Chee Lum, vice president and general manager of injection systems for BD. “At BD, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our portfolio, and the results of this study show that by working together with industry partners, we can drive sustainable solutions that have a positive impact on the health of our planet and communities.” The next stage of the pilot program will expand regionally to additional hospitals and non-acute care facilities. The teams will also increase focus to cover other types of medical materials for recycling, as well as reclaiming the used devices and returning them to the manufacturing process. “This pilot showcases the strength of collaborative partnerships when it comes to sustainable material management practices,” notes Casella Chairman and CEO John W. Casella. “We are excited to find an opportunity to provide our expertise and services to a forward-thinking customer like BD to help enable new streams of sustainability and resource management. We’re pleased with the outcome of this first phase and look forward to continuing to expand on these results and provide solutions to one of healthcare’s most pressing waste issues.” *This post, [Becton Dickinson, Casella Complete Pilot Recycling Used Medical Devices](https://www.healthcarepackaging.com/news/sustainability/news/22877088/becton-dickinson-and-company-becton-dickinson-casella-complete-pilot-recycling-used-medical-devices), was first published by [Healthcare Packaging](https://www.healthcarepackaging.com/) on October 24, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Impact of a Positive Patient Safety Climate on Infection Prevention Practices](https://wastemedic.com/2023/10/26/impact-of-a-positive-patient-safety-climate-on-infection-prevention-practices/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** New data published in the *American Journal of Infection Control* (*AJIC*) provide the first published evidence that a positive safety climate and adherence to standard precautions predict key health care–associated infection (HAI) and occupational health outcomes among patients and health care workers, respectively. The findings highlight features within hospitals’ organizations and safety climates that could be modified to improve these outcomes. “Despite the infection prevention and safety benefits associated with standard precautions, generating consistent adherence in the health care setting has been notoriously challenging, for reasons that are not completely clear,” said Amanda J. Hessels, Ph.D., MPH, RN, Assistant Professor, Columbia University School of Nursing and Nurse Scientist at Hackensack Meridian Health and the lead author on the published study. “To our knowledge, our study findings are the first to demonstrate an association between adherence, hospitals’ patient-safety climates, and outcomes, and should help to advance the state of the science in patient and occupational health and safety.” Annually approximately 385,000 sharps injuries occur among America’s 5.6 million [health care workers](https://medicalxpress.com/tags/health+care+workers/), and approximately 2 million [hospitalized patients](https://medicalxpress.com/tags/hospitalized+patients/) acquire one or more HAIs after receiving health care. Standard precautions such as hand hygiene, use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and safe use and disposal of sharps, are federally regulated sets of actions designed to limit the risk of blood-borne and other infections among health care workers and prevent patient HAIs. Research shows that adherence to standard precautions happens less than 50% of the time. Dr. Hessels and colleagues created a novel study to determine the relationships among patient safety climate, self-reported or observed standard precaution adherence, and HAIs or health care worker sharps and splash exposures. The researchers surveyed 452 U.S.–based registered nurses about their hospital units’ patient safety climates, collected observational adherence data on 5,285 standard precautions using a standardized tool, and obtained corresponding unit-level data on patient HAIs and health care worker sharp and splash exposure data. Results show: - Overall adherence to all categories of standard precautions was 64.4%, with significant differences by provider role. - Overall adherence was highest among nurses (69.1%), followed by other providers (62.1%) and physicians (58%). - There is a positive correlation (p < 0.1) between patient safety climate in aggregate and reported standard precaution adherence. - There is an additional, positive correlation between positive perceptions of a work environment that is conducive to standard precautions and reported adherence (p < 0.1). Additionally, researchers found that a group of variables comprising observed standard precaution adherence, overall patient safety climate, and multiple potential confounders—including hospital Magnet status, level of nurse staffing, hospital ownership, and teaching status—reliably predicted: - The rates of catheter-associated [urinary tract infections](https://medicalxpress.com/tags/urinary+tract+infections/) (CAUTI; p = 0.2) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; p = 0.3) among patients. - Nurse mucotaneous exposures (p = 0.004), all staff mucotaneous exposures (p = 0.007), and all staff sharps and needle injuries (p = .001). - Finally, researchers concluded that these variables also explained the sizeable variance in MRSA (41%), CAUTI (23%), mucotaneous exposures (43%), and needlestick and sharps injuries (38%) among those units that reported positive patient [safety](https://medicalxpress.com/tags/safety/) climates and reliable [adherence](https://medicalxpress.com/tags/adherence/) to standard precautions vs. those that did not. “Keeping our health care workforce and patients safe is our number one priority as health care professionals,” said Patricia Jackson, RN, MA, CIC, FAPIC, 2023 APIC president. “The findings from this study provide important insights into the factors that impact HAIs and occupational injuries and will help infection preventionists design focused strategies for improvement.” *This post, [Impact of a Positive Patient Safety Climate on Infection Prevention Practices](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-04-impact-positive-patient-safety-climate.html), was first published by [Medical Xpress](https://medicalxpress.com).* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Curtis Bay Energy Pleads Guilty to Improper Handling of Special Medical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/10/26/curtis-bay-energy-pleads-guilty-to-improper-handling-of-special-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Curtis Bay Energy, the owner and operator of a medical waste incinerator facility in Baltimore, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the insufficient treatment and improper handling of special medical waste and the operation and concealment of an unpermitted discharge outlet. This sentence marks one of the largest penalties for an environmental criminal case administered by the [Maryland attorney general’s office](https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/). [Curtis Bay Energy](https://curtisbaymws.com/) has been placed on a 2-year probation and ordered to pay a fine of $1 million to the Maryland Clean Water Fund. As a special condition of its probation, Curtis Bay Energy will fund a supplemental environmental project (SEP) that will give $750,000 to communities surrounding the facility. The SEP will be administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a nonprofit grant-making organization. “This was a case of burn more waste and make more money no matter the consequences, with absolutely no regard for the community,” Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown says. “Our investigation documented a pattern and practice of willful disregard for Curtis Bay Energy’s own procedures. The sustained and persistent improper treatment of special medical waste by the facility’s previous owners created a clear and obvious threat to public health.” In 2019, the Maryland Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit (ENRCU) began an investigation of Curtis Bay Energy, establishing evidence of systemic, improper and unsafe handling, transport and disposal of insufficiently incinerated special medical waste. This improper handling, transport and disposal violated the company’s refuse disposal permit issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). In its guilty plea, Curtis Bay Energy admitted employees routinely overloaded the facility’s incinerators with special medical waste to process material faster, which resulted in insufficiently incinerated waste being sent for disposal. This occurred with the knowledge of, and, at times, the direction of facility management. The issues with improperly incinerated waste were documented in facility records and reports. Special medical waste is waste likely to have been contaminated by an organism capable of causing disease in healthy humans. It consists primarily of “red bag” waste from hospital and laboratory settings. To protect the community and environment, special medical waste is treated by incineration prior to disposal, where combustible materials are reduced to carbonized ash at a permitted solid waste landfill. When it learned of the investigation in early 2020, ENRCU says Curtis Bay Energy cooperated with the investigation and began remedying violations. The facility was purchased by new owners in early 2021 and has completed improvements to infrastructure. The attorney general’s office says the new owners of Curtis Bay Energy have fully cooperated with the investigation into historical violations committed by former employees under prior ownership and management of the company. “The $750,000 in grant monies will provide direct environmental improvements to the overburdened and underserved community in which the facility is situated,” Brown says. Curtis Bay Energy’s former director of plant operations and plant manager were charged in connection with the violations as well. *This post, [Curtis Bay Energy Pleads Guilty to Improper Handling of Special Medical Waste](https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com/news/curtis-bay-energy-pleads-guilty-to-improper-handling-of-medical-waste/), was first published by [Waste Today Magazine](https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com/) on October 20, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [Understanding Red Trash Bags: A Guide to Proper Disposal of Medical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/11/27/understanding-red-trash-bags-a-guide-to-proper-disposal-of-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** By understanding what goes into red trash bags and what doesn't, we contribute to a safer, cleaner world for everyone. **Content:** The correct disposal of medical waste is paramount for maintaining a safe and healthy environment. This blog post will focus on the use of red trash bags as a distinctive marker for potential biohazardous materials, exploring what types of medical waste belong in these bags and what should stay out. 1. **Understanding Medical Waste:** Define medical waste and underscore its potential hazards, emphasizing the need for responsible disposal to prevent infections and safeguard the environment. 2. **Materials Suitable for Red Bags:** Enumerate the specific types of medical waste that merit disposal in red trash bags. This encompasses items such as used needles, bloodied bandages, and contaminated gloves – materials that pose a risk of infection. 3. **Materials to Exclude:** Reinforce the importance of segregating general waste from medical waste. Remind readers to avoid placing non-contaminated materials, food waste, and office supplies in red bags. 4. **Chemical and Pharmaceutical Considerations:** Provide guidance on the proper disposal of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, stressing adherence to local regulations and guidelines to prevent environmental contamination. 5. **Sharps Disposal:** Devote a section to the correct disposal of sharps, including needles and syringes. Highlight the use of puncture-resistant containers and stress safe handling practices to protect waste management workers. 6. **Regulatory Compliance:** Offer insights into current regulations concerning medical waste disposal, ensuring readers stay informed about any recent changes in guidelines or legal requirements. Responsible medical waste disposal is not just a regulatory requirement but a crucial step in preserving community well-being and environmental health. By understanding what goes into red trash bags and what doesn’t, we contribute to a safer, cleaner world for everyone. Stay informed, follow local guidelines, and be an advocate for proper medical waste disposal in your community. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Sounding the Alarm About Disposable Plastic in Health Care](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/03/sounding-the-alarm-about-disposable-plastic-in-health-care/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Yale’s Jodi Sherman says the health care industry must balance public health and planetary health when considering the use of disposable plastic items.* To Jodi Sherman’s way of thinking, the Hippocratic Oath’s vow of doing no harm includes doing no harm to the planet — particularly when it comes to the sea of single-use plastic flooding the health care industry. Sherman, an associate professor of anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine and of epidemiology in environmental health sciences at Yale School of Public Health, has spent the past decade promoting sustainability in the U.S. health care industry and documenting the need for more stringent regulation and mandatory reporting of sustainability efforts by health care organizations. New data on the rise in single-use plastic items — everything from blood pressure cuffs and complex surgical instruments to pillows and sheets — has prompted Sherman and colleagues from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and Baylor College of Medicine to sound the alarm once again. In a new [commentary article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA),](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2810394) Sherman offers a series of policy changes that would begin to address the problem. In an interview with Yale News, Sherman spoke about the issue and her efforts to bring it to the attention of the public. The interview has been edited and condensed. #### How big of a problem is this within the U.S. health care system? **Jodi Sherman:** We know that globally, plastic pollution is a concern to human and environmental health, both through the fact that it’s mostly derived from fossil fuels and contributes to the problem of climate change. But there is also the fact that plastic doesn’t biodegrade, it just breaks into smaller and smaller pieces that enter the food chain and our water systems. We are continuously exposed to these micro-plastics and nano-plastics, which have been discovered throughout the human body. These plastics are laden with chemical additives that are seeding our bodies with carcinogens, neurotoxins, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, harming our bodies, our planetary ecosystems, and future generations. In terms of how big the problem is, we know that medical supplies and devices within the U.S. health care system are becoming more single-use disposable on a daily basis — from the utensils we use in patient meals to things like blood pressure cuffs, patient and surgical gowns and linens, and even complex, expensive surgical instruments. The problem is expanding. #### Why is this happening? **Sherman:** There are challenges to re-usable items in health care, because they need to be cleaned and tested for safety before they are reused. There are also perceived cost benefits for going with disposables, although it really depends on how one does the math. Reusables are more expensive, so you need to consider how many reuses you can get. There’s a cultural aspect to this, as well, because we are so used to things being disposable. We are so used to the simplicity of a to-go coffee mug, rather than carrying around a reusable one. But a big thing that’s driving infection prevention and single-use disposable items is the mistaken belief that if something is not re-used, then there is no risk of transmitting an infection — when it really depends on how supplies are handled. In fact, there is a dearth of research to demonstrate that there is less infection transmission from something that’s disposal versus something that is cleaned, safely tested, and reused. We have strict protocols for how things get cleaned and reused. For example, we reuse thousands of surgical instruments made of stainless steel on a daily basis. This idea that we can’t clean and reuse something safely is really a myth. I should also mention the current practice of labeling devices as being “single-use disposable.” It’s not an FDA label, it’s an industry label. Manufacturers created this single-use label, meaning they can, in effect, manufacture obsolescence of these devices. They can drive the market toward more disposability. #### What are your suggestions for addressing the problem? **Sherman:** My colleagues and I made three very specific recommendations. First, we need to reform our national infection prevention guidelines, because they don’t really address whether one ought to use reusables or disposables, and in which circumstances. Second, we should update our reporting standards for infections relating to single-use and disposables devices. There is a national system for reporting medical device-related complications, but it doesn’t adequately capture information around infections, so we don’t have enough evidence to guide the recommendations around whether one ought to use disposables or reusables. And the third recommendation is to incentivize industry, through the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and oversight bodies such as The Joint Commission, to prioritize reusable design and innovation, and encourage uptake by end users. This can be done with specific requirements around reusability and the demonstration of reusability in pre-market applications for device approval, and value-based payment reform. #### What can individual patients do to help? **Sherman:** The first thing is to simply not be afraid of something that’s being reused in a health care setting. We go to restaurants that reuse cutlery and our food is prepared in reusable pans. We sit on buses and planes and stay in hotels in a space that someone else just occupied and reuse many things each time. We are surrounded by areas and things that are commonly reused. Just because something is reusable doesn’t mean that it is a significant infection risk. The environment isn’t sterile. Even an operating room isn’t sterile — only the things that matter are. And many of those are routinely and safely reused. We need to appreciate as consumers that just because something is reusable doesn’t mean it is unsafe. #### Are any of your recommendations considered controversial by your fellow health care practitioners? **Sherman:** I would say that most of us who work in health care are by and large very concerned by this disposability trend. It’s quite crazy, the things we throw away. The one area where we’re most challenged is infection prevention and control, because there is this philosophy of zero harm. We must do everything to prevent harm to a patient. This is true. It’s our mandate. But there are tradeoffs. If there’s very little risk of something causing harm to a patient, but there’s definite harm being done to environmental health, we need to balance that all out. We have to consider public health and planetary health at the same time as patient safety and rationally consider it all. Right now, we are way out of balance. *This post, [Sounding the alarm about disposable plastic in the health care industry](https://news.yale.edu/2023/10/10/sounding-alarm-about-disposable-plastic-health-care-industry), was first published by [Yale University](https://news.yale.edu/) on October 10, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [Learn How to Dispose of Your Used or Expired EpiPen](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/03/learn-how-to-dispose-of-your-used-or-expired-epipen/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** It’s common for people with severe [food allergies](https://www.verywellhealth.com/food-allergy-overview-4581969) to carry an [EpiPen](https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-use-an-epipen-1298255). This is a pen-like device prefilled with a drug called [epinephrine](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-epinephrine-5078652) that you inject into yourself in the event of an allergic emergency. The injection immediately opens the airways and relieves potentially life-threatening symptoms of severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. Having an EpiPen nearby is a precautionary measure that can save your life if you are accidentally exposed to an allergy-causing substance (an [allergen](https://www.verywellhealth.com/allergens-types-function-risks-5205396)). You will likely have [more than one auto-injector](https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-many-epipens-do-you-need-82914) which you can keep at the office or carry with you while you are on the road traveling. EpiPens don’t last forever and need to be disposed of if used or [expired](https://www.verywellhealth.com/expired-epipen-82701). If this happens, you can’t just toss them into the wastebasket. The devices need to be disposed of properly to prevent harm to others. This article explains why used EpiPens are considered hazardous waste and some of their disposal laws. It also explains how to dispose of an EpiPen, whether used or expired, safely. #### Dangers of Improper EpiPen Disposal EpiPens are comprised of a prefilled cartridge of epinephrine and a spring-loaded plunger that propels a needle into the skin when pressed against the outer thigh. Any medical devices that can puncture or cut the skin are known as “sharps.” You should treat used sharps, including EpiPens, as hazardous waste to avoid spreading bloodborne diseases such as [HIV](https://www.verywellhealth.com/hiv-aids-4014705), [hepatitis B](https://www.verywellhealth.com/men-more-at-risk-hepatitis-b-2328360), and [hepatitis C](https://www.verywellhealth.com/hepatitis-c-4014116). In medical practice, the proper handling of sharps is part of a practice known as [standard precautions](https://www.verywellhealth.com/universal-precautions-3132819) (formerly “universal precautions”) used to avoid the spread of disease in healthcare settings. The same precautions are needed at home with devices like EpiPens. If not disposed of properly, family members, housekeepers, janitors, or sanitation workers might accidentally get stuck with a needle while handling garbage. Standard precautions prevent disease transmission, however low or high the risk might be. #### EpiPen Ingredients Epinephrine used in EpiPen auto-injectors belongs to a class of medications called [alpha-](https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-alpha-blockers-1764155) and [beta-adrenergic agonists](https://www.verywellhealth.com/beta-2-agonists-200960) that work by relaxing the muscles in the airways and tightening blood vessels. This helps ease breathing and counteracts potentially dangerous drops in blood pressure that can occur with anaphylaxis. #### EPA Recommendations EpiPens that have been disposed of are considered medical waste irrespective of whether they are used or not. Medical waste is regulated in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). #### Sharps Disposal Regulations According to EPA guidelines, if you use sharps to manage your medical condition, you need to have a sharps disposal container that’s been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA-cleared sharps containers should be: - Closable - Puncture-resistant - Leak-proof on the side and bottom - Labeled or color-coded You can find FDA-cleared sharps containers at pharmacies, medical supply companies, healthcare providers, and online. If a sharps container is not available, you can use strong, sealable plastic containers (like a used laundry detergent container) in its place. In Texas, for example, you can put sharps into any strong, sealable plastic container (like a used laundry detergent container) and throw it away with regular garbage after marking “DO NOT RECYCLE” on the outside. By contrast, California law requires you to take all sharps containers to a designated disposal site. Penalties of up to $70,000 may be applied if hazardous wastes are improperly and wantonly disposed of. Check with your state department of health if you are unsure how to properly dispose of sharps, including EpiPens. Your local sanitation department can also usually help. #### How to Dispose of Used Auto-Injectors If you have used an EpiPen, immediately return it to its container to avoid a needlestick injury. If you have a sharps container, you can place it there. If you don’t have a sharps container, you can put it in a heavy, sealable plastic container until you are ready to dispose of it. Some states allow you to transport used EpiPens in medical waste bags. These puncture-resistant bags are usually color-coded red and clearly labeled with a biohazard symbol. Some healthcare providers will offer these to patients who use EpiPens. There are several places you can take a used EpiPen: - A designated sharps disposal drop-off site operated in many communities - To the healthcare provider who prescribed the EpiPen (who can also give you a new prescription) - A nearby hospital - Your local pharmacy (call in advance to see if they accept used sharps) If you called an ambulance due to an anaphylactic emergency, you could give them the auto-injector to dispose of. #### How to Dispose of Expired Auto-Injectors If your EpiPen is unused and expired, you can dispose of it through drug take-back programs in many communities. While these are generally intended for controlled medications like [opioid drugs](https://www.verywellhealth.com/opioids-for-chronic-pain-2564486), you can use them to dispose of any unused medicine. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has a registry of authorized drug take-back locations, which you can access through the EPA’s [online locator](https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main;jsessionid=gJFVnHLAnmM3OIfyMWWzLsdCqPMmu_nex7Ndxn-X.web1?execution=e1s1). Some pharmacies also offer on-site drop-off boxes, mail-back programs, and other ways to help you safely dispose of unused medicines. Your healthcare provider will also usually take back and dispose of expired auto-injectors. #### Common Mistakes to Avoid Epinephrine is a highly unstable drug. It can easily lose its potency if left in an overheated car or exposed to extreme cold. You can tell if epinephrine has gone bad by looking at the liquid through the window of the auto-injector. If it is cloudy, you need a new EpiPen. The problem with this, of course, is that people often do not check their EpiPens until they need it. By that time, the drug may be tainted or have expired. Because epinephrine is so unstable, the expiration date is relatively short—usually one year from the date of manufacture. To avoid unexpected problems with your EpiPen: - Ask your pharmacist for an EpiPen with the latest (rather than most recent) expiration date. - Get a thick marker and write the expiration date prominently on the front of the box. - Store the box on a shelf or cabinet that you regularly use. Don’t hide it away somewhere where you might forget it. - Keep the EpiPen with the most recent expiration date in front of those with later expiration dates. - Ensure that auto-injectors are kept at room temperature. Don’t place them on a windowsill where they may get too hot or too cold. - If you use a calendar app, set a reminder one month before an EpiPen is due to expire so that you have time to get a new one. - Periodically check your auto-injectors to ensure the fluid inside is clear. #### Summary A used or expired EpiPen should not be tossed into the garbage as it can cause a needlestick injury in someone handling the bag. Needlestick injuries can potentially expose people to bloodborne diseases like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV. It’s best to store used or expired EpiPens in a sharps container until you can safely dispose of them. If one is not available, a sturdy, puncture-resistant container will do. State laws vary on sharps disposal, but you can generally dispose of them at your healthcare provider’s office, a nearby hospital, some pharmacies, and designated sharps disposal sites operated in some communities. Ensure that you always have an adequate stock of EpiPens on hand. Check the expiration date, replace them if they are due to expire, and avoid exposing the autoinjector to extreme cold or heat. #### A Word From Verywell If your doctor recommends an EpiPen auto-injector, it is because you are at high risk of severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. This means that you always need to carry an auto-injector with you, especially when you travel. When traveling with EpiPens, do not leave them in your checked luggage or carry them in an inside jacket pocket where they can get overheated. Consider taking a portable sharps container, available online and in many drugstores, if you are on extended travel. *This post, [Learn How to Dispose of Your Used or Expired EpiPen](https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-dispose-of-an-expired-or-used-epipen-1324217), was first published by [Verywell Health](https://www.verywellhealth.com/) on May 24, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [Anticipating 2024: Healthcare Executives' Budget & Strategy Plans](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/03/anticipating-2024-healthcare-executives-budget-strategy-plans/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Becker’s* asked C-suite executives from hospitals and health systems across the U.S. to share their organization’s areas of growth for the next few years. The 49 executives featured in this article are all speaking at the Becker’s Healthcare 11th Annual CEO+CFO Roundtable on Nov. 13-16, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. To learn more about this event, [click here](https://events.beckershospitalreview.com/ceocfo2023/p/1?utm_source=email&utm_content=dropdown). If you would like to join as a speaker or a reviewer, contact Mariah Muhammad at or [agendateam@beckershealthcare.com.](mailto:agendateam@beckershealthcare.com.) For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Jessica Cole at [jcole@beckershealthcare.com](mailto:jcole@beckershealthcare.com.) As part of an ongoing series, Becker’s is talking to healthcare leaders who will speak at our conference. The following are answers from our speakers at the event. **Question: Looking ahead to 2024, what are you anticipating for your budget and strategy discussions with your executive team?** **Eugene Woods. CEO of Advocate Health (Charlotte, N.C.):** While the pandemic pushed so many of us in the healthcare system to the brink, it also catalyzed innovation and transformed the way we deliver care in so many ways. Looking ahead to 2024, the Advocate Health leadership team is doubling down on innovation and continuing to cultivate strong partnerships across industries, while we strengthen our financial position and drive significant synergy savings consistent with our pledges to make care more affordable. We intend to pioneer out-of-the-box approaches to harness the full potential of new technologies, whether that’s AI or deepening our partnerships with robotics and other leading-edge companies to bring inventive approaches to the bedside faster. **Peter D. Banko. Division President of CommonSpirit Health (Chicago):** It is really tough out there financially right now. I anticipate this tough environment – inflation, workforce challenges, and slower growth to name just a few – to be with us for the next 24 to 36 months. But, despite all this, the future is exceptionally bright. Meeting budget expectations, to fuel and fund growth, will require a turnaround mindset. Saying it and doing it. A nose for people and operations, a process- and system-orientation, setting high but reasonable goals, and a focus on results rather than activities. At the same time, through this difficult and unpopular work, we must create a compelling and engaging vision (and plan) for growth – consumer-driven, physician network, ambulatory network, and winning in both select geographies and services. **Robert S.D. Higgins, MD. President of Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston); Executive Vice President of Mass General Brigham (Boston):** It is a challenging time in healthcare and we continue to work to absorb significant inflation in both labor and supply costs while supporting and nurturing our employees who are central to our mission of providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to our patients and their families. From a strategy perspective, we will continue to focus on how to protect and grow our research, education, and community service missions in this increasingly challenging financial environment. S**helly Schorer. Chief Financial Officer, California Division at CommonSpirit Health (Chicago):** We continue to look for opportunities to provide additional access to the communities we serve. We will continue to review the best options for us to grow where we need to and maintain excellent care where we are located. Managing access with inflation outpacing reimbursement is a challenge every day but one we will face with continued passion and vision for California. **Svetlana Lipyanskaya. CEO at NYC Health+Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health:** In a very challenging budgetary landscape, we are planning to focus on the three key factors that we believe universally impact performance – care experience, drive to zero harm and access to care. Every member of our staff, whether bedside or back office, can have a positive impact on the services that we provide to our patients and thus on our ultimate bottom line. **Paul R. Hinchey, MD. COO of University Hospitals (Cleveland):** As we approach 2024, we on the executive team at University Hospitals will continue to discuss, develop and deploy our Systems of Care operating model. We believe we can optimize our clinical services to better fit the size and needs of the local market while providing access channels to meet patients on their own terms. Our hospitals remain the hub, but they are by no means the only or even the most appropriate site of care for every patient. One key component of our Systems of Care model are volume centers. These are preferred transfer destinations in our community market where we are optimally resourced with top-notch facilities, equipment, providers, clinical caregivers, support staff and services to be able to provide care for low to moderate acuity patients — at scale and in a high-quality and highly reproducible manner. As we know, volume drives repetition, which drives excellence. Higher volume centers have better outcomes, shorter stays, fewer complications and better patient experience. Our center of excellence (COE) for total joint replacement is a great example. Among patients who have joint replacement, the length of stay in our COE was 1.08 days, compared with 3.15 days in an Ohio peer group. Readmission rates also showed significant differences, with a readmission rate of 0.65 percent in our COE compared with 3.67 percent in an Ohio peer group. Through this thoughtful process of redesigning our clinical services, we believe we’ll be positioned to provide the highest quality care at a lower system cost, allowing us to compete on value, match local market demand and enhance the experience for both our patients and our providers. **Wasif Rasheed. Chief Revenue and Growth Officer at Providence (Renton, Wash.):** We head into 2024 facing many of the same headwinds as 2023, including the risk of recession, an uncertain regulatory landscape, and staffing pressure and burnout among clinicians amidst rising patient demand. Top-of-mind priorities for our leadership team will be simplification and deconstruction – to ensure our caregivers are as well positioned as possible to support our patient communities and that Providence is oriented around what our health system can do best. We anticipate announcements in 2024 reflecting the culmination of our long-term strategy discussions and will ensure our health system stays on a positive trajectory for the future. **Damond Boatwright. President and CEO of Hospital Sisters Health System (Springfield, Ill.):** We developed a strategic plan that includes three key pillars – mission, strength and growth – and those pillars will drive our strategy and budget priorities in 2024 and beyond. As a Catholic health ministry, mission sits at the center of all we do. It also informs the investments we make in our colleagues so they can live up to their human potential during their careers with us. Strength and growth are multi-faceted. Our team will be focused on operational excellence and financial stewardship as we determine how best to meet the needs of each of our markets in this challenging environment. **Mark Gridley. President and CEO at FHN Memorial Hospital (Freeport, Ill.):** Our current budget and strategy discussions are being framed within a 3-year proactive view. Key areas of focus are workforce redesign/retention, capital planning needs, and liquidity positioning. Looking at what we will build on and what areas we will exit are important decisions for us as a team as we weigh the long-term health impact on our community. **Jandel Allen-Davis, MD. President and CEO of Craig Hospital (Englewood, Colo.):** In the upcoming budget cycle, the operative words are “fiscal prudence on steroids.” The level of uncertainty in today’s economy demands this. Whether riding the waves of inflation, retaining the best workforce through the right investments in talent development while keeping our wages and benefits competitive, or working with insurers in contract negotiations that are increasingly challenging, this is a time of uncertainly and opportunity. Those things that can wait, in order to reserve some resources for the unexpected, is the name of the game. And the unexpected might include opportunistic plays as well as threats and challenges! **Tom R. Siemers. CEO of Wilbarger General Hospital (Vernon, Texas):** While strategic growth is critical, our big focus is on reducing revenue deductions: Contractuals, denials, write-offs, etc. Growth without strong internal controls is meaningless. We’ve set up four cash flow teams to monitor key areas weekly, identify opportunities and adopt best practices. We follow the principle of “Trust but verify” to ensure focus and accountability. **Kenneth Rose. President and CEO of Texas Health Hospital Mansfield:** Growth! As a part of AdventHealth, we are blessed with a strong balance sheet and we want to use that to take our mission of “Extending the healing ministry of Christ” to more people. The healthcare industry will continue to be disrupted and we want to be on the offensive versus the defensive side of that positive disruption. **Brian Peters. CEO of Michigan Health Hospital Association (Okemos, Mich.):** Maximizing existing state and federal programs to alleviate pressure on Michigan hospitals and health systems due to rising costs related to workforce, pharmaceuticals, supplies and inflation is a key focus of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association over the next year. For example, prescription drugs are the second largest expense for Michigan hospitals behind labor and it continues to increase. Our association remains committed to protecting the 340B drug pricing program for Michigan-covered entities so they can continue to provide low-cost access to care in Michigan communities. Additional activities include ensuring the continuation of existing targeted funding pools in the state budget that support programs such as graduate medical education, small and rural providers and obstetrical services. **Andrew Goldfranch. Chief Operating Officer of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (Colton, Calif.):** 2024 is going to be an exciting time for hospitals as we continue to drive our focus towards innovation, quality performance measures and workforce development. More and more our strategies are shifting towards population health and delivering care differently to our community; while tackling the national workforce shortages. For our organization, these are key components as the only safety net organization for over 20,000 square miles and a population of over 2 million people. **Anuj Vohra. Chairman and Medical Director of Department of Emergency Medicine at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (Torrington, Conn.):** We are looking to clinically redesign the way we practice, reduce waste and improve costs. This entails questioning ourselves to ensure we are testing for the right reason not just because it is the way we have always practiced. This redesign touches each department in the hospital. In the emergency department, we are focusing on our CT utilization to look for opportunities. After that, we will do a deeper dive on laboratory testing utilization. **Joshua M. Prostek, PharmD. Director of Retail Pharmacy, 340B Officer at ThedaCare (Neenah, Wis.):** Here at ThedaCare, from a pharmacy perspective, our budgetary and strategy conversations are really focused on appropriate 340B utilization and self-administrating functionalities that we traditionally would have engaged a vendor for. Furthermore, there is a robust interest in non-340B cost containment methodologies for ultra-rare high-cost disease treatments. Specifically thinking, how can we predict our at-risk population, and how can we partner in new types of arrangements, such as value-based pharmacy contracts as a mitigating factor. **K. Sarah Hoehn, MD. Chief Medical Officer of La Rabida Children’s Hospital (Chicago):** From a budget and strategy perspective for medical staffing, we will be focusing on flexibility and wellness. They may seem mutually exclusive, but we must address wellness to have stability in our workforce. Flexibility is needed from all stakeholders so we can keep the patients at the center. We need to find ways to cultivate pride and build loyalty to reduce turnover. I think 2024 will be a great and cohesive year for all of us in healthcare, as we establish new norms post-pandemic. **Susmita Pati, MD. Chief of Primary Care Pediatrics and Chief Medical Program Advisor, The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook (N.Y.) University:** I anticipate budget and strategy discussions with our executive team will focus on further operationalizing our newly released strategic plan for 2024-2029 which prioritizes supporting our workforce by fostering a high-performance culture. Our organization has tremendous opportunities to leverage existing, proven approaches to supporting healthcare team cohesion and collaboration by making strategic investments. In particular, our unique Alda Healthcare Experience professional development workshops tap into the power of improvisational theater exercises to build interprofessional team communication skills that, in turn, support team cohesion and organizational resilience. Furthermore, we are focused on capitalizing on healthcare technologies – such as telehealth and digital scribes – to enable our workforce to focus on building the human connection with patients that is necessary to provide high-quality care. We hope to invest in these strategies across Stony Brook Medicine to support long-term sustainability for our current and future workforce that, in turn, leads to improved healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. **Tammy Needham. Chief Clinical Officer of Island Health (Anacortes, Wash.):** Island Health’s budget and strategy discussions for 2024 are underway now. The executive team is guided by our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, and Our Purpose: To be the best healthcare partner for those we serve. As a Washington public hospital, we are committed to meeting the needs of our community. Our community health needs assessment and strategic planning process outlined key areas of focus, expand access to primary and preventative care, expand non-surgical specialty care, and expand existing surgical specialties. **Angelo Milazzo, MD. Vice Chair of Practice and Clinical Affairs, Department, Pediatrics; Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Duke Health (Durham, N.C.):** A key area of focus in our strategy discussions for the coming year will be opportunities to improve the work experience for our healthcare team members. We are asking more and more of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, technicians, and support staff, and so we must consider the impact of increasing service demands on our workforce. It would be foolish to ignore shifting societal attitudes toward work and toward the relationship between management and front-line employees. Our organization is developing an ambitious hiring plan, based on our understanding of community healthcare demand, but that plan needs also to account for the expectations of a workforce increasingly concerned about work-life balance, about meaning in work, and about the impact our organization has beyond our core functions. **Michael Archuleta. CIO of Mt. San Rafael Hospital (Trinidad, Colo.):** Looking ahead to 2024, my focus on budget and strategy discussions with my executive team centers on several key areas crucial for our healthcare organization. Firstly, we anticipate a significant allocation of our budget towards further enhancing our cybersecurity measures. As the healthcare sector continues to face evolving cyber threats, it’s paramount that we invest in cutting-edge technologies and training to safeguard patient data and maintain operational resilience. Secondly, we foresee a substantial portion of the budget being directed towards digital health initiatives. Telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and other digital solutions have become integral to healthcare delivery. We plan to optimize and expand these services, ensuring they are seamlessly integrated into our patient care model. Additionally, data analytics and artificial intelligence will be fundamental components of our strategy discussions. Leveraging advanced analytics to derive actionable insights from our data will aid in informed decision-making, operational efficiency, and improving patient outcomes. AI applications, particularly in diagnostics and predictive analytics, will be explored to enhance clinical decision support. In alignment with our commitment to patient-centric care, we’ll allocate resources to optimize our EHR system, focusing on usability and interoperability. A smooth, user-friendly EHR experience improves clinical workflows and enhances patient care coordination across our organization and with external partners. Lastly, investing in talent and fostering a culture of innovation will be a core aspect of our strategy discussions. We aim to attract and retain top IT talent, ensuring we have a team well-equipped to drive technological advancements and embrace emerging trends in healthcare IT. In summary, our budget and strategy discussions for 2024 will revolve around fortifying cybersecurity, advancing digital health initiatives, harnessing the power of data analytics and AI, optimizing EHR systems, and nurturing a culture of innovation within our organization. These efforts will collectively steer us toward delivering enhanced care, operational efficiency, and a seamless patient experience. **Noomi Hirsch. CEO at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Littleton (Colo.):** We are excited to welcome a new year in a few months and have already begun conversations within our executive team on what the new year’s focus should be. There is no doubt that we will continue our focus and efforts on growth and labor management. In addition to that we have agreed that we need to think creatively on how to make our processes more efficient without just adding resources. This mindset goes for everything we do in our hospital from greeting visitors to cleaning and of course, caring for our patients. **Tony Thrasher, DO. Medical Director of Crisis Services at Milwaukee (Wis.) County Behavioral Health Division:** I see this as two separate, yet synergistic approaches. Namely, what are we doing externally versus internally? Externally speaking, who are we trying to engage with…and more importantly, do we have an accurate read on what they want (not what we think they need)? Internally speaking, this becomes all about the recruitment, retention, and growth of a talented workforce. Their needs have evolved as much as our patients’ needs have changed. As such, it is paramount to make sure that we are offering opportunities for hard-working individuals to grow and learn within our organizations while they are caring for those we serve. By speaking to both approaches (external and internal), we can better allocate our budgetary resources and create a strategic plan that has sustainability. **Troy D. Miller. Chief Strategic Officer of Holzer Health System (Gallipolis, Ohio):** Three areas of focus for 2024 things: 1)Staffing flexibility: evaluate and offer opportunities for the ultimate flexible work arrangements in healthcare to encourage recruitment and retention among all caregivers; 2) Financial and operational optimization including access ease for primary care, specialty care and surgical services, for revenue expansion and expense mitigation; 3) Culture commitment – growing loyalty, longevity, commitment, and trust among our staff. All three of these areas will require a committed investment upfront, leveraging internal talent as well as experts in the field to produce proven cost-effective implementation and ongoing management. **Karen McConnell. System Vice President of Pharmacy Enterprise and Chief Pharmacy Officer at CommonSpirit Health (Chicago):** For the pharmacy enterprise, we are adding drug margin to the discussions we are having with our senior leaders. A large percentage of our drug spend is for separately reimbursable drugs, which should be associated with a positive drug margin (good spend). However, it is important to monitor the drug margins to ensure we are getting reimbursed appropriately. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and requires systems in place to ensure this occurs. **Reshma Gupta, MD. Chief of Population Health and Accountable Care at UC Davis Health (Sacramento, Calif.):** Over the next year, we are focusing strategy on our long-held mission to keep patients healthier at home by addressing equity (upstream, midstream, and late stream) and by implementing large scale care at home programs. Creating an equity-focused health system operation plan requires directed strategy and resources to support understanding our patient and community needs, how they tie to health and healthcare outcomes, building trusted partnerships within and outside of the organization, and supporting systems to implement and sustain improvements. Additionally, our institution continues to support large-scale programs to deliver more care at home supported by our care management teams who can identify high-risk patients and our IT department and Care at Home teams to obtain broader program reach. **Carla M. Granger. Assistant Dean of Administration of Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (Stratford, N.J.):** Looking forward to 2024, similar to many healthcare institutions across the country, we are looking for ways to maximize efficiency and streamline processes to help support our bottom line. In strategy discussions with our executive teams, we have explored ways to co-locate services and share resources to make a better experience for our patients, as well as eliminate redundancy. We’re maximizing our space and attempting to invest in our own facilities, as opposed to lease or rental agreements, which in the long term supports the health of our finances. We’re also focusing on our employees, and incorporating wellness strategies, as well as advancing our initiatives to be a workplace of choice, in order to retain high-functioning faculty and staff while reducing expenses related to turnover. **Amy Smiley. CEO of Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (Annandale, Va.):** The complexity of medical issues among behavioral health patients is rising, particularly among high utilizers who tend to be sicker and have distinct demographics and insurance coverage. Distinguishing medical needs from social and behavioral factors driving service utilization is challenging yet crucial because inpatient psychiatric facilities are not equipped to address medically complex patients. Social and behavioral factors significantly impact health outcomes and healthcare utilization, with psychiatric diagnoses often associated with high costs. Coexisting mental and medical conditions can prolong treatments, leading to costly and unnecessary urgent care. Recognizing these factors is vital for predicting healthcare costs and improving patient care through comprehensive social and behavioral health services. **Sarah Chouinard, MD. Chief Clinical Advisor of Community Care of West Virginia (Rock Cave):** As Community Care of WV looks to 2024, our focus is on investing in value-based care workflows and care team expansion to address social determinants of health. As we climb the ladder from fee-for-service to shared risk and finally to global capitated payments, we are reinvesting shared savings and incentive payments in people and technology so that we can be fully prepared for new payment models and opportunities for FQHCs. **Eilidh Pederson. CEO of Western Wisconsin Health (Baldwin):** 2024 will be the year of reinvesting back into staff. Focusing on competitive wages, reinvesting in education and growth, after a multi-year hiatus, and investing in areas that give hospitals a competitive advantage over their collaborators and other industries. At our hospital, we call this human infrastructure. Meaningful careers, favorable cultures and standout leaders are built by investing in individuals. For us, this looks like investing in childcare for employees, provision of free mental health services for all staff, dedicated coaches and creating personalized career pathways for motivated employees. This is the year of investing in our most valuable resource…people. **Michael Canady, MD. CEO of Holzer Health System (Gallipolis, Ohio):** Our budget for this fiscal year was essentially break even and was broken very quickly. All of the cost side is over budget due to ongoing contract labor and drug costs. Revenue is good, but payers continue to squeeze with aggressive denials and bundling strategies. All this with payers posting record profits. Unless there is quick attention, this will not end well. **Carrie Herzke, MD. Chief Medical Officer – Charleston of Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston):** As with many organizations we are focusing on retention, employee engagement, and rewards and recognition. We continue to focus on how we can serve our community, which in many cases comprises meeting the quaternary care needs of the state of South Carolina. **Herman Williams, MD. Chief Medical Officer of Nashville General Hospital (Tenn.):** Our budget and strategy discussions will include the following: 1\. Introducing new technology for our surgeons to expand capability to our patients. 2\. Looking for land to build a new hospital. **Mayank K. Shah, MD. Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Advocate Condell Medical Center at Advocate Aurora Health (Downers Grove, Ill.):** Looking forward to 2024, we are constantly talking about our opportunities in value-based care models. Healthcare has gone through unprecedented change in the last few years. Consumer-centric services are demanding care model shifts from hospitals to alternative places of care delivery. Our strategies continue to center on innovating in this space with a balance of quality and safety. The shrinking margins for hospital systems continue to stress the importance of focusing on ROI as we look toward technology and innovative solutions. Finally, we continue to align our corporate mission with investments in health equity and community integration. The pandemic has accelerated tremendous opportunities with technology but also continues to pressure test investments as reimbursement rates tighten. Optimizing population health, value-based care growth and operational efficiencies will remain the focus for 2024. **Jim Spicer. Vice President of Operations and Chief Administrative Officer at Firelands Health (Sandusky, Ohio):** With so many headwinds and tailwinds and continued unpredictability surrounding both regulatory and payer environments, 2024 will demand a more balanced-risk approach for our team. For example, strategic growth opportunities will be critically important to our sustainability and overall mission, however, these will be tempered by several variables including the impact of expense-reduction initiatives and negative actions across the payer coverage and reimbursement landscape. Similarly, doubling down on our work to address health equity and social determinants will need to be balanced by realistic goals and our ability to generate enough margin in the face of uncertain legislative changes such as site neutrality, DSH payment changes and payer steerage. Successful prioritization of this more balanced-risk approach across each strategic area will call for more careful consideration and teamwork as well as listening and learning from a broader group of key stakeholders than we have traditionally in the past. **Sarah Morrison. CEO of Shepherd Center (Atlanta)**: Like many of our peer organizations, Shepherd Center continues to seek a balance between executing critical strategic initiatives and the need to generate revenue. In the post-pandemic world, expenses continue to rise while reimbursement for services provided remains flat – or due to legislation – decreases. For the next two years, Shepherd Center will continue to focus on Vision 2025, which we established in 2020. The three main strategies are: 1\. Access: We are unable to admit 250 to 300 people to our inpatient programs per year due to capacity constraints and an overwhelming need for our highly specialized neurorehabilitation. In addition, some of our outpatient clinics/programs have a wait list of up to six months. In today’s healthcare environment and for the health of those who need care, this is unacceptable. To mitigate our capacity challenges, we are adding 48 more inpatient beds and growing our outpatient programs to reduce wait times and better serve our patients and the community. 2\. Innovation: Potential collaborative research and development efforts can occur in many disciplines – from developing new devices and technologies to fellowships and training for the next generation. We believe that new and improved ways to care for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain, are within reach. To help us in their discovery, Shepherd Center is building a 30,000-square-foot Innovation Institute that will allow us to continue participating in cure research and put us at the forefront of technology discoveries that can significantly increase independence. Shepherd Center is also in the initial stages of creating precision rehabilitation by analyzing our 25 years of electronic data on individuals with spinal cord and brain injuries. By further customizing rehabilitation plans for our patients, we hope to reduce the short and long-term costs for the types of catastrophic injuries we treat and set the standard for peer institutions worldwide. 3\. Patient experience: To enhance the patient and family experience and increase the independence of our patients while they are in our inpatient programs, we are updating all rooms to smart rooms. Patients and families will be able to better control their environment and comfort and have immediate access to medical records. We’re also building a new housing tower that will more than double our housing capacity so families can be near their loved ones through rehabilitation as they begin again after injury or illness. Most importantly, we will continue to deliver life-renewing neurorehabilitation with unwavering heart, humor, and hope while infusing extraordinary care and compassion into every interaction. **Jean Ann Larson, EdD. Chief Leadership Development Officer and Senior Associate Dean of Leadership Development at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, UAB Health System:** With respect to budget and strategy discussions with our executive team, we will advocate for continued investment in our leaders and their development. The challenges in healthcare are not lessening and we need capable and skilled leaders more than ever. We want to lean into succession planning in a more structured way. We need to be both strategic and tactical in our approach. Like other organizations, we are seeing many retirements and we need to have qualified successors prepared to step in. We also need to prepare our leaders at all levels for their next opportunity. **Paula M. Ellis, DNP. Interim CEO of F.W. Huston Medical Center (Winchester, Kan.):** Budget discussions will continue to focus on the elimination of contract labor. We previously put several initiatives in place to “grow our own” folks in difficult-to-fill positions. We need to look at the cost-benefit of those initiatives and consider what to keep in place. We also improved benefits aimed at attracting professionals. Again, we need to determine the cost-benefit of those changes. Strategy discussions will center on the rural emergency hospital designation to determine if this is a model to pursue in the future. In the meantime, we continue as a critical access hospital and, as such, focus on population needs and services we can safely provide. The emphasis will be on opportunities involving partnerships and ventures in the ambulatory space. **Bill Munley. Market Administrator, Southeast of Shriners Children’s Greenville (S.C.):** At Shriners Children’s, our strategy is simple: see more kids in more places! While other health systems are cutting back on services, we are growing. Therefore, our budget is growing. Many insurance companies and employers have discovered how beneficial our value-based care can be for their constituents. In Greenville, we are also partnering with other healthcare systems that are struggling to provide care for some of the 85 different pediatric orthopedic conditions that we treat. Additionally, we have made FQHCs as well as rural and critical access hospitals areas of focus for 2024. **David Lenihan, JD, PhD. President and CEO of Ponce Health Sciences University (Puerto Rico):** Mild growth with increased regulatory spending. The discussion is to ensure that we meet our growth projections and that they are realistic so that we can ensure that the spending on regulation and labor does not exceed our budgets. **Daniel J. Brat, MD, PhD. Magerstadt Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Pathologist-in-Chief at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago):** As the chair of pathology at Northwestern Medicine, a large integrated academic medical center with labs at 11 hospitals and 7 major ambulatory centers, we are focused on continuing our journey of integration, consolidation, optimization and growth of our laboratory operations. There are substantial cost savings by performing tests internally rather than sending them out to our reference lab partners, and our volumes for many tests justify developing these assays. Consolidation efforts recognize that each laboratory test does not need to be performed at each lab, and centralization or regionalization is a more efficient manner of testing when there are no significant time restraints. We are looking towards more strategic partnerships in the reference lab and lab instrument space to ensure that our internal and external laboratory growth continues. Maintaining an engaged and loyal laboratory staff remains a priority. **Mary Jo Williamson. Chief Administrative Officer of Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Rochester, Minn.):** It’s more important than ever to drive investments in innovation. Healthcare must drive disruptions to take advantage of new technologies and industry changes. We are continuing to make strategic investments in our technology and data security, as well as our patient-centered innovation pipeline. We are constantly investing in our technology and data security to ensure we meet the evolving needs and preferences of our clients. Concurrently, we are advancing our patient-centered innovation pipeline to provide our clients and patients with trusted answers when they need them most. We also are watching to see how the impacts of AI, regulation, and reimbursement will change any of our budget forecasts for the next few years. **Chad Dilley. COO of IU Health Saxony (Fishers, Ind.):** Executing our short- and long-term strategies and determining how to resource those initiatives successfully is truly a rolling, ongoing discussion for our leaders. We’re deep into finalizing our course for 2024 based on what we’ve accomplished so far in 2023, and where we have improvements to make going forward. In broad strokes, our focus remains on hiring and retaining the best people, providing high-quality care and service with compassion and innovative thinking, improving our access and addressing the health and wellness needs of the communities we serve. Additionally at IU Health Saxony, soon to be IU Health Fishers, our eyes are on tight management of the strategic choices and budget required to complete the expansion of our hospital campus and services, set to open in 2025. **Natasha Mumford. Controller of The Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio – Premier Health, Encompass Health (Dayton):** Optimization is certainly a long-term goal, but any planning around such requires a dual-focused approach that lends equal weight to efficiency improvement and enhanced quality of care. When we look at labor, offloading tasks to automation, cross-training, and redistributing administrative non-clinical duties are the low-hanging fruit, but it is not sufficient to stop there without considering existing processes to determine why they are important in the first place. If there is redundancy across departments, or the process never or no longer adds value, then we need to reconsider its necessity. Ensuring the continued existence of a healthcare workforce is vital, and we as providers share in that responsibility. Currently, we offer CEU courses, provide a teaching environment through numerous clinical affiliations and residency observation, and connect with local academic institutions for post-graduate career placement opportunities. I anticipate further discussion about how we can do more in this realm. We use patient feedback and outcome measures to identify needs and what matters to them, and that absolutely plays a role in strategic discussions as we look forward. Discovering how we can make access to data more user-friendly or how we can make the transition to the community a seamless one; these are the types of objectives that drive action planning. We also want to enhance our service lines through targeted education in the community and market about what we do and how inpatient rehabilitation can benefit patients and other providers in the care continuum. We recently achieved certification in a second rehab diagnostic specialty and will continue to build our expertise so we can be better positioned to treat patients within those specialties. Over the past few years, most of our strategic focus has been consumed by pandemic recovery. Moving into 2024, we hope to shift that focus back where it belongs: to challenging the status quo and engaging in ways that have a meaningful impact on those we serve. **Lisa Moore. Executive Vice President and COO of Cottage Health (Santa Barbara, Calif.):** While we are experiencing the financial headwinds that the entire health system is facing right now, we are turning our attention to building our ambulatory platform and ensuring that our patients are not only served by but delighted by, their experience of high-quality care in our hands. Naturally, this means that we are also committed to creating a setting in which providers and members of the care team are honored to serve. We are approaching this work with a spirit of innovation and collaboration to continuously iterate the way in which we achieve these goals. It’s a very exciting time! **Winnie Adams. Chief Nursing Officer of Astria Sunnyside (Wash.) Hospital at Astria Health:** Looking ahead to 2024, Astria Sunnyside Hospital is poised for growth. I work collaboratively as part of the executive team and the team meets weekly. Similarly, I meet weekly with my nursing department leaders to keep on top of resource and funding needs. We are a critical access hospital in a rural agricultural valley in Washington state. We recently hired a new orthopedic surgeon and will be focused on increasing surgical volumes across our 10 surgical disciplines. With nursing leadership, we are creating new workflows for both infusion therapy and robotic surgery. We currently use telemedicine solutions with cardiology and pulmonology and utilize Holter monitors and home sleep studies in order to accommodate more patients in their homes. Recruitment and retention of nurses continue to be a focus area. Nursing leaders and our nurse educators have created dedicated SIM labs in the hospital; and have collaborated with other departments to put on trainings that address Code Grey, safe lifting, bloodborne pathogens, and documentation. We have created partnerships with area nursing schools to provide opportunities for job shadows, senior practicums, and internships, while we develop our own nurse residency program for new graduates. Funding for these programs will remain a priority, as nurse recruitment is still a top priority. In addition, nursing and department directors frequently come together to address community needs, and we will continue to seek funding for those. We have a medication take-back box in our emergency room, and a new community safe sharps disposal box, and are supporting local police officers by providing naloxone to them for use in the field. We are working collaboratively with Astria Health’s Rural Health Clinics to offer rapid care in our communities. Rapid care is similar to an urgent care model, where primary care and minor injury care are offered without appointments. Expanded rapid care hours help keep emergency department resources available for those who truly need it. **Jimmy Chung, MD. Chief Medical Officer of Advantus Health Partners (Cincinnati):** We are all hands on deck for 2024. We expect patient volumes to increase but expenses to increase as well, so we continue to reduce waste and non-value-adding cost by eliminating unnecessary variations in care delivery. We plan to leverage our strong partnerships with suppliers to continue to lower costs, and we will launch new analytics capabilities to manage utilization while prioritizing quality. **Dan Woods. CEO of El Camino Health (Mountain View, Calif.):** The national and geopolitical climate we are in today influences the financial anxiety health systems have been facing the past few years, in my opinion. El Camino Health is emphasizing financial stewardship across the board, with a specific focus on tightly managing indirect patient costs. We remain bullish on investing in innovation, but we are selective in prioritizing the contemporary science of medicine that brings the highest value to our patients and the communities we serve. One of our highest priorities is improving access to care. We engage in the use of technology, but we recognize that many people are still most comfortable in an analog environment. We are investing in conveniently located ambulatory and alternative hospital sites of care to ensure we meet the needs of the communities we serve. We are also recruiting physicians and clinical staff who support improved access to care. For more than half a century, El Camino Health has been the preferred healthcare partner of choice in our community. We want to continue to earn that trust. **Jennifer Schneider, MD. Co-Founder and CEO of Homeward (San Francisco)**: Looking ahead to 2024, Homeward is prioritizing supporting local primary care physicians through a combination of value-based care enablement and tech-enabled services. In rural communities where provider shortages and hospital closures are on the rise, it is now more critical than ever to uplift existing clinicians and ensure those living in rural areas have equitable access to high-quality care. For example, in Minnesota, there are significantly fewer physicians in rural areas compared to urban areas. To make matters worse, according to the Minnesota Department of Health one in three rural physicians plan to leave the workforce within the next five years due to either retirement or burnout. Homeward partners with primary care practices in rural Minnesota to help them manage their massive panels. We provide the technology and expertise needed to effectively close quality gaps and operate in value-based care. Through advanced analytics, we can identify the members in need of preventive services and intervene with Homeward’s own physicians, helping extend the capabilities of existing primary care practices. *This post, [Anticipating 2024: Healthcare executives’ budget and strategy plans](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/ceo-cfo-speaker-series-q-a/anticipating-2024-healthcare-executives-budget-and-strategy-plans.html), was first published by [Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/) on October 13, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Quality Transformation: How Hospitals are Striking a Balance Between the Bottom Line & Better Care](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/03/quality-transformation-how-hospitals-are-striking-a-balance-between-the-bottom-line-better-care/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Patient safety events, especially preventable ones, are on the rise at healthcare organizations. Meanwhile, frontline staff are burned out, and the current fiscal environment is exerting pressure on margins. Amid these interrelated challenges, it is difficult for health system leaders to manage competing priorities. Though many hospitals and health systems try to reduce expenses by cutting supply costs, the greatest opportunity for transformation is quality improvement. *Becker’s Hospital Review* recently spoke with two Vizient experts — Angela Hunt, RN, principal, and Rick May, MD, senior principal — about how a total quality program can increase revenues, reduce costs, decrease the burden on employees and enhance both the provider and patient experience. **Post-pandemic, leaders are reexamining their toolboxes** The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are lingering in hospitals and health systems. Labor shortages persist, and many organizations face huge financial deficits. Although delivering high-quality patient care is the reason most healthcare CEOs and CFOs come to work every day, they also recognize the importance of the financial picture. “Hospital leaders have to care about finances, but they really want to focus on caring for the patients their organizations serve,” Dr. May said. “They’re used to cycles of boom and bust, and they’ve developed a standard set of tools to address tight budgets. But we’re hearing now that conventional fixes like tightening your belt aren’t working.” In today’s environment, clinical quality improvement is a better way for leaders to address pressing economic challenges while laying the groundwork for future success. These initiatives result in better patient care, as well as stronger finances. **Three critical elements for quality improvement initiatives: prioritization, analytics and an infrastructure based on systems and collaboration** Hospitals and health systems must first apply a *structured prioritization process* for quality improvement initiatives. “There are hundreds of projects that an organization could work on,” Dr. May said. “With limited resources, teams need a way to identify the most important ones. We can help organizations narrow down a long list of opportunities to a short list of 20 to 30.” This prioritization may be based on a combination of factors, including the improvement of internal quality metrics as well as externally facing consumer ratings like CMS’ Star Ratings or Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, financial criteria and strategic growth considerations. *Robust analytics*, which deliver actionable insights to end users, are a second critical success factor for quality improvement efforts. All hospitals generate data and reports, but many need to determine who uses them and why. “So much of the quality work we do is data and analytics-driven,” Dr. May said. “We provide actionable information to floor nurses to improve care or to surgeons in the ER to impact their outcomes, and we track key metrics to help measure improvement.” Third, hospitals and health systems need *an infrastructure based on systems and collaboration*. This means the quality department must focus on the right things. “In recent years, quality departments have turned more of their attention to completing reports that satisfy regulatory compliance requirements,” Dr. May said. “These teams may spend only 10 to 15 percent of their time on quality improvement.” However, the quality department is only one element of this infrastructure. As Ms. Hunt noted, quality is a team sport. “Organizations also need participation from clinicians, front-line nurses, clinical documentation improvement, coding and more,” she said. “To achieve quality improvement goals, everyone must understand their role and work collaboratively.” For example, having the right people in clinical documentation improvement roles is very important. Rather than simply engaging in concurrent coding, they must also look at records and analyze why the organization is spending significant resources on a subset of patients or why the length of a patient’s hospital stay is exceeding what’s expected for their diagnosis. **A commitment to quality comes from the top down** When driving quality, C-suite leaders must be active and visible daily. They need to be out on the floors talking with staff to understand barriers to quality and to underscore the importance of quality to the organization. Every conversation, even the financially focused ones, must link to quality. “Nurses, physicians and employees follow the lead,” Dr. May said. “Without a consistent verbal and visual commitment to quality, team members will get pulled in different directions. Leaders must consistently reinforce a culture where quality is front and center daily.” In organizations with a culture of high reliability, employees function in highly complex and risk-prone environments for extended periods without causing harm. The workforce becomes more mindful of risks and systems become more reliable. The result is improved patient safety and clinical outcomes, as well as an enhanced patient experience. High reliability organizations also perform better in value-based agreements. **Change management is essential to long-term success** All too often, organizations assume that once they launch a quality improvement project, progress will occur automatically. Unfortunately, that’s not usually the way things happen. Communication and change management are key for setting expectations about behavior. It’s important to identify all the players involved, educate them about their roles and articulate how the quality initiative fits into their existing workflows. Taking these steps will ensure that quality-related work doesn’t place an additional burden on employees and ultimately improves the workforce experience. “Everything must be mapped out so people understand what to do for goal improvement and when,” Ms. Hunt said. “For example, with clinical documentation, CMS Star Ratings require specific information about clinical conditions to be captured during index admissions to show risk adjustment. Doctors must be educated about how to document.” When implementing these initiatives, it’s also important to narrow the focus of the work so staff are spending their time on the right tasks. “Every hospital has a preoperative process, for example, and it’s usually a mishmash of different people doing different things,” Dr. May said. “Organizations need a more efficient way of handling quality-related work. With central line infections, for instance, we may want employees to focus on six specific actions. In this way, they don’t waste valuable time on activities that don’t add value.” **Quality programs enhance the financial well-being of healthcare organizations** Despite the financial crises that many hospitals and health systems are facing, some leaders haven’t paid attention to the significant economic benefits linked to quality improvement — on both the expense and revenue sides. “For a long time, hospitals were paid more for delivering low-quality care,” Dr. May said. “Now with fundamental shifts in payment models, it’s critical for organizations to understand how much poor-quality costs.” Surgery is a financial lifeline for most hospitals, generating the greatest revenue and the highest margins. But complications can be costly because payers don’t reimburse for that additional care. Post-surgical complications can also increase a patient’s length of stay. Studies have found that surgical site infections are typically associated with an additional [seven to 11 postoperative hospital days](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality-transformation-how-hospitals-are-striking-a-balance-between-the-bottom-line-and-better-care.html?utm_campaign=bhr&utm_source=website&utm_content=featured-content#:~:text=Compared%20with%20patients%20without%20surgical,a%20result%20of%20the%20infection.). When length of stay increases, healthcare organizations can’t fill medical-surgical beds with new, revenue-generating patients. “It’s very difficult to quantify the patients that a hospital missed out on caring for because they didn’t have bed capacity,” Ms. Hunt said. “In addition, the longer the length of stay, the higher the likelihood that a patient safety indicator will occur. It’s all connected.” **Vizient’s process is based on decades of healthcare experience** As a provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company with more than 40 years of innovation and growth, Vizient is uniquely positioned to help healthcare organizations improve the quality of their care. Vizient serves more than 60% of acute care hospitals in the U.S. “Our job is to offer our providers with as much support as they need, whether supplying information about quality best practices or engaging in a quality transformation consulting project,” Dr. May said. “For decades, we have worked with hospitals of all sizes, from major academic medical centers to the smallest rural hospitals. When driving quality improvement, we understand the fastest path between where an organization is today and where it wants to be.” Subject matter experts from the Vizient team have first-hand experience working in hospitals in both clinical and quality improvement roles. They understand the culture of healthcare and how to improve quality in that context. Ms. Hunt noted Vizient’s diverse team of doctors, nurses, hospital quality directors, coders and process engineers, as well as those with Lean Six Sigma Green and Black Belts. **The path to better care and financial resilience** Quality improvement efforts in healthcare require a unique combination of focused and broad thinking. Hospitals and health systems must narrow their focus and identify the most important quality areas to address and then optimize their infrastructure to execute successfully. At the same time, quality initiatives must be all encompassing from an organizational perspective. “It can’t just be the quality department,” Ms. Hunt said. “You need communication and commitment from the top down, as well as change management that proactively engages employees at all levels. These types of things will encourage people to show up differently. We’ve found that high reliability organizations focus on building a learning culture across departments that promotes mindfulness and accountability.” As financial survival becomes a top priority for hospitals, many are recognizing that quality can be an important driver of financial health and that Vizient can help them achieve their goals. “We understand what works in the hospital environment better than anyone else in the industry,” Dr. May said. “We have great analytics and unparalleled quality improvement experience. Our teams work together with clients, side by side, to connect the dots.” *This post, [Quality transformation: How hospitals are striking a balance between the bottom line and better care](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality-transformation-how-hospitals-are-striking-a-balance-between-the-bottom-line-and-better-care.html?utm_campaign=bhr&utm_source=website&utm_content=featured-content), was first published by [Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/) on June 30, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Medical Waste Management Is Critical To Patient Care](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/07/medical-waste-management-is-critical-to-patient-care/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *New healthcare workplace safety report raises concern over proper medical waste management and safety within healthcare organizations.* Nine in ten Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) and consumers surveyed agree that medical waste management is important in delivering the best possible patient care, according to a new report. The annual Healthcare Workplace Safety Trend Report reveals how providers and administrators in the U.S. view health and safety in their organizations and its impact on peers, patients, and surrounding communities. New this year, the study also surveyed consumers about their concerns with safety when seeking care. The report aims to provide valuable insights on the challenges the industry and patients face today and how to best help healthcare organizations understand their safety profiles, improve workplace safety standards, create a quality care environment, and reduce impacts on the environment. Most of the HCPs and administrators surveyed say that improper medical waste disposal puts the physical safety (95% HCPs; 87% administrators) and emotional well-being (79% HCPs; 85% administrators) of HCPs at risk, and they would not be able to do their jobs effectively without proper medical waste management (84% HCPs; 81% administrators). However, two in three of the HCPs surveyed said they feel they do not have a strong understanding of how their organization disposes of medical waste and feel there could be more training and resources available. Following the pandemic, the U.S. healthcare system remains under stress but is working to address challenges and opportunities such as the staffing shortage and the desire for increased access to at-home care. “=It is important that organizations not lose sight of the fundamentals that impact provider satisfaction and patient care. This year’s report shows that the industry might need to re-focus on one of those requirements — healthcare safety — to ensure providers feel safe, well-trained and competent in their work environments and that patients feel secure in their care. Additional insights from the report include: - **Stress levels have decreased after the peak of the pandemic, but remain high:** While negative feelings from HCPs have decreased since 2021, they are still remarkably high in the face of new COVID-19 variants. Sixty-three percent of the HCPs surveyed said they are exhibiting negative feelings (e.g., “Stressed”, “Burnt-out”, “Exhausted”) at work, and only a quarter of HCPs feel “Safe” in their roles. Forty-four percent of the HCPs surveyed are feeling worse about their level of day-to-day stress than the previous year. - **Ongoing staffing and patient challenges are perpetuating burnout:** Issues of understaffing, patient volume, workload, hours and administrative burdens are the top reasons why HCPs (primarily providers) reported feeling burnt-out, exhausted, or distracted at work. A more troubling trend, many of the HCPs surveyed said they believe that patients are refusing recommended care (60%), behaving poorly (53%), and becoming combative (46%) more frequently compared to last year. Almost two-thirds (63%) are concerned that they will be injured at work as a result. - **Proper disposal of medical waste is essential but misunderstood:** While 95% of HCPs surveyed agree that improper disposal of medical waste puts physical safety of HCP workers at risk, only 33% strongly agree that they have a solid understanding of how their organization handles this type of waste. Improper handling and disposal are recognized as major concerns, which can negatively impact both the safety of workers and patients, but a shortage of personnel is hindering the possibility of top-quality care. - **Risks to the environment cannot be overlooked:** Over 90% of HCPs surveyed agree that improper medical/biohazardous waste management can harm the environment and/or have long-lasting impacts on health and well-being. Despite recognizing the harmful impacts on the environment, 37% of HCPs do not believe their organizations are doing enough to reduce those impacts. Many do not believe their organizations have innovative practices (60%) or enough staff and monetary resources for proper regulated medical/biohazardous waste disposal (59%). *This post, [Medical Waste Management Is Critical To Patient Care](https://facilityexecutive.com/medical-waste-management-is-critical-to-patient-care/), was first published by [Facility Executive](https://facilityexecutive.com/) on December 5, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Health care has a massive carbon footprint. These doctors are trying to change that.](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/21/health-care-has-a-massive-carbon-footprint-these-doctors-are-trying-to-change-that/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Inside an operating room at Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, Noe Woods stands in her blue scrubs next to a black operating table. Woods, an Ob-Gyn, knows this room well. “I’ve operated in this room many times over the last 14 years. I’ve probably taken out uteruses, polyps, ovaries, ectopic pregnancies,” Woods said. Operating rooms are central to what hospitals do, but they’re also at the root of a problem Woods and others at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) are trying to solve: how to reduce carbon pollution. “Operating rooms are a pretty small part of the physical footprint of a hospital, but they produce an outsized amount of the waste,” Woods said. Hospitals are some of the biggest carbon polluters almost no one thinks about. The American health care system accounts for an[ estimated 8.5% ](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2115675)of the country’s carbon footprint. This sector emits climate warming pollution through a variety of sources including energy used to run facilities, transportation, products and what gets disposed of. I’ve known Woods for 20 years, but only recently found out about her climate work at UPMC, western Pennsylvania’s largest hospital system. Woods struggled for years to get her colleagues to focus on human-driven climate change. “In the beginning it was just so slow, it was so weird and alternative,” she said. “A lot of people gave me a pat on the back like, ‘Oh, I’m so glad you’re doing that.’ “ Woods eventually burned out. But two years ago she found a handful of other doctors at UPMC also interested in climate change. They formed [Clinicians for Climate Action](https://www.c4ca.pitt.edu/), which quickly grew to over 500 doctors, nurses and others inside UPMC’s 40-hospital system. “Everyone now, because the world is on fire, everybody’s sort of looking at each other saying, OK, now we really do have to do something,” Woods said. The group’s members recently got UPMC to [phase out desflurane](https://inside.upmc.com/upmc-to-cease-use-of-environmentally-harmful-anesthetic-by-end-of-2023/), an anesthetic gas that’s 3,700 times [more potent than carbon dioxide](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20519425/). They’ve also reduced cafeteria food waste and cut down on single-use items. For example, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh switched to reusable fingertip sensors to measure blood oxygen levels. That idea came from Isabela Angelelli, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital and a co-chair of the climate group. “Children’s Hospital goes through 180,000 of them a year. That’s $1 million that goes in the trash,” she said. In the months since switching to reusable sensors, they’ve decreased their consumption of sensors by 63%, Angelelli said. “We’re saving in the thousands every month.” Angelelli said it’s been easy to get hospital staff to buy into the idea of reducing waste. “It comes all from people at the bedside coming to us and saying, ‘My heart hurts when I throw all these things in the trash,'” Angelelli said. “The nurses would come and tell me, ‘Count me in, I’m totally in.’ Everyone wants to be part of this.” Around the country, health care workers continue to grapple with their industry’s massive carbon footprint. Jodi Sherman, associate professor of anesthesiology and epidemiology at Yale School of Medicine, said unnecessary procedures are a part of the problem. She said they improve hospitals’ bottom lines but not patient health. Sherman said hospitals have also gone overboard on using disposable items to meet mandates to prevent infections. “We’re at a point where we’re throwing away complex robotic surgical instruments,” Sherman said. High-end scalpels get trashed, but also blood pressure cuffs, bed linens, pillows and patient gowns. Each requires energy to make, package and ship, most of which [still comes from fossil fuels](https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/us-energy-facts/#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20uses%20a%20mix%20of%20energy%20sources&text=Primary%20energy%20sources%20include%20fossil,produced)%20from%20primary%20energy%20sources.) — the main cause of global warming. “These are all becoming single-use disposable,” Sherman said. “We’re dripping in waste.” An influential national hospital accrediting body, the [Joint Commission](https://www.jointcommission.org/), backed down from a proposal to mandate facilities count their emissions [after hospitals complained](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/joint-commission-plans-make-proposed-sustainability-standards-optional). For the time being, the commission will offer a [voluntary certification](https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/news/2023/09/sustainable-healthcare-certification-for-us-hospitals/) in sustainable health care. Sherman thinks a national mandate to lower emissions is the only way to solve U.S. health care’s outsized carbon footprint. For now, however, there are only voluntary measures like the ones at UPMC. UPMC [signed](https://www.upmc.com/media/news/100422-upmc-to-cut-greenhouse-gas-announces-new-sustainability-leadership) a White House [pledge](https://www.hhs.gov/climate-change-health-equity-environmental-justice/climate-change-health-equity/actions/health-sector-pledge/index.html) to halve carbon emissions by 2030 after Noe Woods and her colleagues collected more than 200 signatures for a [letter](https://www.c4ca.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/assets/UPMC%20Clinicians%20Climate%20Health%20Letter%20April%2028.pdf) urging climate action. “We didn’t advertise it. We just emailed it to people who we thought would,” Woods said. “And you know, within a week and a half we had enough signatures to send it.” The group also asked UPMC to establish a sustainability office to measure and then reduce its greenhouse gas footprint. Woods said she was surprised when UPMC agreed and then actually created the Center for Sustainability. “It \[the center\] has names on the doors. It has employees,” Woods said. “They are calculating things. It’s unbelievable.” The office’s latest hire is an energy engineer who will help figure out how to lower UPMC’s energy use and source more of it from renewables. Woods said the momentum to push for climate action has gained quickly among her peers. “You don’t find doctors very often volunteering their time for a cause consistently, persistently, meeting after meeting. Showing up with new ideas, and then another person who’s interested (comes) and then another,” Woods said. “Everybody cares.” *This post, [Health care has a massive carbon footprint. These doctors are trying to change that.](https://www.npr.org/2023/10/02/1202389187/hospitals-climate-change), was first published by [NPR](https://www.npr.org/) on October 2, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, News & Events --- ### [The environmental impact of the healthcare industry](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/21/the-environmental-impact-of-the-healthcare-industry/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The rapid advancement in medical technology and healthcare services has undoubtedly improved patient outcomes and global health. However, the consequential surge in medical waste poses a significant threat to the environment. Medical waste, also known as healthcare waste or biomedical waste, is generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunisation of humans \[and animals\]. The improper management of medical waste can lead to severe environmental pollution and pose health risks to both humans and ecosystems. While medical waste constitutes a relatively small percentage of the total waste generated globally, its ecological impact is disproportionately significant, because of its biological and chemical nature. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), healthcare activities generate approximately 6 million tons of medical waste annually, with the potential for exponential growth as healthcare services expand. #### 1. What is the composition of medical waste? Medical waste is a diverse mix of materials, each requiring unique disposal methods. The major components include: Infectious waste: waste contaminated with blood and other bodily fluids. Sharps: needles, syringes, and other objects capable of causing injury or transmitting infections. Pathological waste: tissues, organs and body parts removed during surgery or autopsy. Pharmaceutical waste: expired or unused medications. Chemical waste: laboratory reagents, disinfectants, and other chemical substances. Nuclear waste: from degenerated nuclear isotopes used in nuclear medicine tests and treatments. #### 2. What are the current and the recommended disposal practices? The disposal of medical waste varies widely across regions and healthcare facilities. Common methods include incineration, autoclaving, landfilling, and non-burn technologies. Unfortunately, inadequate waste segregation and improper disposal practices contribute to environmental contamination and the release of harmful pollutants. A comprehensive and standardised approach to disposal is essential. This includes: Segregation at source: proper sorting of waste at healthcare facilities to separate different types of medical waste. Safe packaging: ensuring secure packaging of medical waste to prevent leaks and contamination during transportation. Environmentally friendly treatment technologies: such as autoclaving, microwaving and advanced non-incineration methods. Promotion of recycling: exploring opportunities for recycling and reusing certain types of medical waste, such as plastics and glass. To achieve these recommended disposal practices, a multi-faceted approach involving all stakeholder, at various levels, is required. Key strategies should include: Legislation and regulation: implementation and enforcement of stringent regulations governing the management and disposal of medical waste. Education and training: training healthcare facilities in proper waste management practices to ensure compliance with guidelines. Green Procurement: adoption of environmentally conscious procurement policies. Research and innovation: encouraging research into alternative, sustainable materials in healthcare and promoting innovation in waste control technologies. #### 3. Plastic, and more plastic While it is not a medical waste per se, plastic is ubiquitous in medical facilities. Single-use plastic packaging, while providing sterility and convenience, contributes to the accumulation of non-biodegradable waste. This issue is compounded by the fact that many medical products, from gloves and syringes to medications and equipment, are individually wrapped or over-packaged, leading to redundant plastics that may exceed what is necessary for sanitation and protection. Reducing the reliance on single-use plastics, optimising packaging designs to minimise waste, and adopting reusable or biodegradable alternatives are critical steps in addressing the environmental impact of plastics in the healthcare industry. #### 4. What about energy consumption in medical facilities? In addition to the environmental impact of medical waste, the high energy consumption in medical facilities is a significant contributor to the overall ecological burden: Electricity consumption: medical facilities often house a multitude of energy-demanding equipment, including diagnostic imaging machines, laboratory instruments, and life-support systems. The 24/7 operation of these devices contributes to substantial electricity use. Implementing energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting, smart machines and HVAC systems, and renewable energy sources, can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare facilities. Petrol consumption: the transportation of medical professionals, patients, and supplies relies heavily on petrol-powered vehicles, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Integrating electric or hybrid vehicles into medical transportation fleets and promoting the use of public transportation can be quite helpful. #### 5. Radiation scatter from imaging machines: a hidden environmental impact In addition to the conventional concerns detailed above, the radiation scatter from imaging machines poses a unique environmental challenge that often goes unnoticed. Medical imaging technologies, such as X-ray machines and computed tomography (CT) scans, emit ionising radiation. The scatter of this radiation beyond its intended target can contribute to an increase in background radiation levels in the environment and communities. It goes without saying that the more X-ray based machines are in a given community, the higher is the level of background radiation. Ionising radiation has the potential to interact with and ionise atoms in living tissues, leading to potential health risks, including an increased likelihood of cancer. To address this environmental risk, several mitigation strategies can be implemented: Optimised imaging protocols: that minimise unnecessary radiation exposure without compromising diagnostic quality. Advanced shielding techniques: to contain and minimise the scatter of radiation beyond the target area. Regular monitoring: especially in the vicinity of medical facilities to ensure compliance with established safety standards. Regulating the proliferation of imaging facilities: by balancing diagnostic necessity, financial profit and environmental safety. As an example, according to the American College of Radiology, an acceptable benchmark might be an average of one CT scanner per 100,000 to 150,000 people! In synchrony with the 2023 COP28 meeting in the UAE. *Joe Yammine, MD, is a consultant cardiologist at the Bermuda Hospitals Board. The information here is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for professional medical opinion. Always seek the advice of your physician*. *This post, [The environmental impact of the healthcare industry](https://www.royalgazette.com/lifestyle/wellness/article/20231219/the-environmental-impact-of-the-healthcare-industry/), was first published by [Royal Gazette](https://www.royalgazette.com/lifestyle/wellness/article/20231219/the-environmental-impact-of-the-healthcare-industry/) on December 19, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Medical Advancements and the Environmental Challenge: The Rising Issue of Medical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/21/medical-advancements-and-the-environmental-challenge-the-rising-issue-of-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Medical advancements have undeniably improved human health, but they’ve also given rise to an environmental challenge that is less discussed: medical waste. Comprising materials such as infectious waste, sharps, pathological waste, pharmaceutical waste, chemical waste, and nuclear waste, the disposal of medical waste is a complex issue that often adds to pollution. Current disposal practices primarily include incineration and landfilling. However, these methods are often inadequate and contribute to environmental pollution. The increasing use of plastics in healthcare, particularly single-use plastics, compounds the issue of non-biodegradable waste. Notably, medical facilities are also high energy consumers, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, with electricity and petrol playing significant roles. #### Managing Medical Waste: The Need for Comprehensive Strategies For efficient management of medical waste, strategies such as segregation at the source, safe packaging, and environmentally friendly treatment technologies are imperative. Recycling and comprehensive strategies involving legislation, education, green procurement, and innovation are also recommended. The adoption of ready-to-administer (RTA) products can significantly enhance medication safety, reduce waste, and improve workflow efficiencies. Beyond the visible challenge of waste disposal, there are hidden environmental risks. One such risk is the radiation scatter from imaging machines. This increases background radiation levels, leading to potential health hazards. Mitigation strategies for this risk include optimized imaging protocols, advanced shielding techniques, and regular monitoring. #### Medical Waste Management in Developing Countries In developing countries, the management of healthcare waste is particularly challenging. This is exemplified in the city of Varanasi in India, where a rapidly expanding population and lack of planning impede the timely collection and processing of medical waste. A proposed solution involves developing a two-echelon location-routing problem to optimize the collection and transfer process of medical waste. This mixed-integer programming model aims to minimize the cost of opening facilities and transporting medical waste. With the rising concern about safe disposal of medical waste, the global market for medical waste collection containers is projected to grow significantly. These containers are designed with high-quality materials to prevent leakage and contamination. Market trends are leaning towards sustainability and environmental considerations, with companies developing eco-friendly and recyclable containers. *This post, [Medical Advancements and the Environmental Challenge: The Rising Issue of Medical Waste](https://bnnbreaking.com/breaking-news/health/medical-advancements-and-the-environmental-challenge-the-rising-issue-of-medical-waste/), was first published by [BNN](https://bnnbreaking.com/) on December 19, 2023.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Ensuring Safety and Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide to Proper Sharps Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/21/ensuring-safety-and-compliance-a-comprehensive-guide-to-proper-sharps-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Accidental needle sticks and sharps injuries pose a significant threat, with hundreds of thousands occurring annually in the United States. This blog post sheds light on the importance of safe handling of medical sharps and needles, emphasizing the impact on both facility employees and the community. Additionally, it addresses the critical issue of illegal disposal, highlighting the potential risks waste management teams face and the transmission of bloodborne illnesses. The Dangers of Improper Sharps Disposal: The illegal disposal of used needles and syringes not only endangers waste management teams but also increases the risk of transmitting serious bloodborne illnesses such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and viral hemorrhagic fevers. Sharps, defined as objects used in patient care, medical, research, or industrial laboratories, can be glass, metal, or plastic with sharp edges capable of causing injuries. Examples of sharps include acupuncture needles, blood vials, dental wires, syringes, and more. #### Compliance with Regulations Proper disposal of sharps is crucial, and facilities must adhere to local, state, and federal laws. Medical waste, including needles and used sharps, should be collected, stored, and shipped in puncture-proof, leak-proof containers and color-coded (red) bags labeled as medical waste. Waste Medic offers a diverse range of sharps disposal containers in various sizes and styles tailored to the needs of any organization. #### Waste Medic Solutions Waste Medic provides safe and secure disposal solutions through its programs: **Small Quantity Generators (SQG):** Avoid unnecessary expenses with Waste Medic’s SQG program. As the owner of our fleet, we pick up and dispose of your sharps in a compliant and cost-effective manner. **Large Quantity Generators (LQG):** Our LQG program includes skilled technicians monitoring your facility’s sharps containers. They identify full containers, replace them with empties, and utilize a reusable sharps container system, reducing the risk of injuries and environmental impact. ### Optimizing Sharps Disposal If you’re currently enrolled in a costly sharps mail-back program, Waste Medic invites you to contact us for a no-obligation quote. Discover how our services can optimize your sharps disposal management, ensuring both safety and efficiency for your facility. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [A Fresh Start: Prioritizing Proper Medical Waste Disposal in 2024](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/01/a-fresh-start-prioritizing-proper-medical-waste-disposal-in-2024/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** As we usher in a new year, it’s the perfect time for healthcare facilities to reflect on their practices and renew their commitment to the well-being of both the community and the environment. One area that deserves particular attention is medical waste disposal. In 2024, let’s make a collective effort to prioritize responsible waste management, safeguarding public health, and fortifying our commitment to regulatory compliance. #### Public Health and Safety Improper medical waste disposal poses a direct threat to public health. From contaminated sharps to biohazardous materials, the risks of infectious diseases spreading are real. Prioritizing proper disposal is a fundamental step in ensuring the safety of both healthcare workers and the communities they serve. #### Environmental Impact The consequences of incorrect disposal ripple beyond the healthcare setting. Contamination of soil and water, as well as the release of hazardous substances, can have a lasting impact on our environment. Responsible medical waste management is, therefore, not just a healthcare necessity but an environmental imperative. #### Regulatory Compliance In the complex landscape of healthcare regulations, medical waste disposal holds a pivotal place. Non-compliance not only jeopardizes patient and staff safety but can also result in legal consequences. Facilities must be vigilant in adhering to the ever-evolving guidelines governing medical waste. ### Specialized Medical Waste Disposal Services At Waste Medic, we understand the multifaceted challenges associated with medical waste. Our commitment extends beyond mere disposal — we offer comprehensive solutions encompassing management, segmentation, and transportation of [biohazardous](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/), [sharps](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/ensuring-safety-and-compliance-a-comprehensive-guide-to-proper-sharps-disposal/), [pharmaceutical](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/what-we-can-do-about-pharmaceutical-waste/), and [trace chemotherapy waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/). With Waste Medic, you’re not just getting a service; you’re gaining a partner dedicated to your safety and compliance. *In 2024, let’s commit to a fresh start in healthcare by placing proper medical waste disposal at the forefront. Waste Medic is here to support you in this endeavor, offering cutting-edge solutions that go beyond mere disposal. Reach out to us for a consultation, and let’s ensure that your commitment to safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility is not just a resolution but a daily practice.* ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Get a Quote for Regulated Medical Waste Disposal Services](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/17/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** From regulated medical waste disposal and sharps management to pharmaceutical waste compliance solutions, the experts at Waste Medic have you confidently covered. The amount of medical waste generated varies from organization to organization, but a regular plan for [biohazardous waste](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/medical-waste) and sharps disposal is critical. Our expertise and reliable response to both your consistent and emergency needs will ensure the safety of your staff, patients, the public, and the environment, while allowing you to focus on maintaining business operations. We provide professional medical waste management solutions for large, medium and small facilities, including hospitals, outpatient care facilities, dentists, doctors, and all other biomedical waste generators. Alongside our medical waste disposal services, we also provide pharmaceutical and trace chemotherapy waste management, sharps containers, and other solutions to keep your organization safe and compliant. At Waste Medic, we specialize in [Biohazardous Waste & Sharps Containers](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/), [Pharmaceutical Waste,](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) Trace Chemotherapy Waste, RWM Consulting and Training Programs. Other companies insist on a flat rate and confusing, long-term contracts regardless of your actual usage. At Waste Medic, we charge fairly and sensibly for your regulated medical waste disposal services. National companies also charge extra fees for one size fits all compliance assurance, suggesting that every client is vulnerable to fines and citations without this additional service. Waste Medic provides regulatory compliance consulting to address each customer’s unique needs, at a fraction of the cost. ### Get Your Regulated Medical Waste Disposal Services Quote The amount of medical waste generated varies from organization to organization, but a regular plan for biohazardous waste disposal is critical. [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/) can help. [Complete the form](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) and a member of our team will reach out to you shortly with a customized quote. [![](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/free-quote-1-300x159.jpg "free-quote - Waste Medic")](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) Our expertise and reliable response to your consistent and emergency needs will ensure the safety of your staff, patients, the public, and the environment, while allowing you to focus on maintaining business operations. Waste Medic offers our full suite of services in Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, and North Georgia, as well as consulting services throughout the United States. Want to talk with us right now, give us a call at 877.906.5558. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Proper Techniques for Tying Red Biohazard Bags in Your Facility](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/22/proper-techniques-for-tying-red-biohazard-bags-in-your-facility/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Ensuring the safe and compliant disposal of medical waste is a critical aspect of healthcare facility management. Waste Medic is here to provide tailored medical waste disposal solutions, covering biohazardous waste, sharps waste, pharmaceutical waste, and trace chemotherapy waste. In this guide, we’ll delve into the importance of securely tying red biohazard bags and avoiding common pitfalls in medical waste packaging. Waste Medic recognizes the gravity of medical waste removal and the regulatory obligations involved. One often overlooked yet crucial step in the waste disposal process is how to correctly tie red biohazard bags once they are adequately filled. Achieving a properly sealed bag is not only a regulatory requirement for shipment but is also vital in preventing injuries within the facility before pickup. ## Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them **1. Incorrect Tying Techniques:** Tying a red biohazard bag isn’t as simple as securing a kitchen trash bag with a bow. The bag must be tightly closed to prevent any potential escape of contents. The right way involves using an overhand knot followed by a zip tie, twist tie, or even sealing the bag with duct tape for added support. The key test: if you can turn it upside down without any leakage, you’ve tied it correctly. **2. Sharps Container Overfilling:** The United States Food and Drug Administration recommends filling sharps containers only up to ¾ capacity to prevent injuries. Overflowing containers pose a risk to healthcare workers who might accidentally get stuck with a needle from an unknown source. Additionally, overfilling makes tying red biohazard bags more challenging. **3. Improper Labeling:** Federal and state regulations mandate specific markings on biohazardous waste containers, including the biohazard symbol, this-side-up arrows, and signs designating regulated medical waste (RMW). Waste Medic understands the complex guidelines and emphasizes the importance of proper labeling to mitigate risks to staff, patients, and the community. ## Waste Medic’s Commitment Waste Medic is well-versed in federal, state, and local guidelines governing medical waste disposal. Our team ensures the efficient, effective, and safe management of your waste stream, offering personalized services to meet your business’s unique needs. **Why Choose Waste Medic:** - **Personalized Approach:** We tailor our services to your medical waste disposal and compliance needs. - **Exceptional Service:** Expect top-notch service at competitive rates, with expertise in organizational assessments, cost reduction management, and contract negotiation or termination. - **Compliance Assurance:** Waste Medic takes pride in designing customized service packages to ensure compliance and confident waste stream management at an affordable cost. [Choose Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) for a comprehensive and reliable partner in managing your medical waste disposal needs. Our commitment to compliance, safety, and cost-effective solutions sets us apart in the industry. Trust Waste Medic for a seamless and secure medical waste management experience. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Ensuring Safety: The Crucial Role of Proper Medical Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/22/ensuring-safety-the-crucial-role-of-waste-medic-in-proper-medical-waste-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Managing a medical facility comes with a responsibility that extends beyond patient care – the proper disposal of medical waste. At [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/), we understand the critical importance of ensuring the [safe and responsible removal of hazardous materials](https://wastemedic.com/2022/06/get-to-know-waste-medic-our-medical-waste-services-offerings/). Let’s delve into why it’s crucial to get rid of medical waste the right way. ## Medical Waste is a Hazard Medical waste is inherently dangerous, harboring contaminants and diseases that pose serious health risks. As experts at sanprowaste.com emphasize, improper disposal can lead to severe consequences for both people and animals. Waste Medic recommends professional medical waste removal to guarantee correct and safe elimination, protecting against harmful chemicals like mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium, and arsenic. ## Legal Compliance Compliance with federal, state, and local regulations is not just advisable; it’s the law. Waste Medic emphasizes the importance of understanding and adhering to these regulations to protect the public from the dangers of medical waste. Incorrect disposal may result in hefty fines, legal consequences, and potential liabilities if someone is harmed due to improper procedures. ## Environmental Protection Beyond safeguarding people, proper medical waste disposal also shields the environment. Waste Medic advocates for eco-friendly disposal options to prevent soil and water contamination, ensuring the well-being of plant and animal life. Disposing of medical waste in landfills can release harmful gases, contributing to climate change. Choose Waste Medic for eco-conscious medical waste disposal or explore recycling alternatives. ## Prevention of Infectious Diseases To prevent the rapid spread of infectious diseases, it’s imperative to dispose of medical waste correctly. Waste Medic underscores the potential dangers of blood containing harmful bacteria and viruses. Proper disposal is crucial to curb the spread of diseases that could affect many individuals, emphasizing the importance of responsible waste management. ## Operational Efficiency Incorrect disposal of medical waste can lead to operational inefficiencies, diverting time and resources from essential tasks like patient care. Waste Medic emphasizes the significance of proper waste management to avoid increased cleanup efforts and additional costs for supplies. Ensuring correct disposal enhances operational efficiency and reduces unnecessary expenses. ## Saving Lives Ultimately, getting rid of medical waste correctly is a life-saving endeavor. By choosing Waste Medic, a reputable company specializing in medical waste removal, you contribute to preventing the spread of dangerous diseases and protecting the environment. Proper disposal ensures that communicable diseases cannot be transferred through contact with contaminated surfaces, making it a crucial aspect of public safety. Medical waste disposal is not just a regulatory obligation; it’s a commitment to the safety of the public and the environment. Trust Waste Medic for comprehensive and reliable [medical waste removal services](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/), ensuring that every aspect of your waste stream is handled correctly and safely. Together, we can safeguard lives and promote a healthier, cleaner future. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Pharma Waste Management: Balancing Cost, Compliance, and Environmental Responsibility](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/29/pharma-waste-management-balancing-cost-compliance-and-environmental-responsibility/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *In an era where healthcare advancements are at their peak, an often overlooked, yet critical, aspect is the management of pharmaceutical waste. This intricate balance of cost, compliance, and environmental responsibility is not just a mere operational challenge, but a necessity for sustainable healthcare practices. With the increasing volume of medical waste generated in the United States, the urgency to address this issue has never been more pronounced.* This article delves into the nuances of pharma waste management, aiming to provide insights and solutions for a problem that sits at the intersection of healthcare efficiency and environmental stewardship. **Understanding the scope of medical waste disposal** Pharmaceutical waste encompasses a wide range of materials discarded from healthcare facilities, including expired drugs, contaminated packaging, and used medical supplies. Managing this waste efficiently is critical for both environmental protection and public health safety. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have set stringent guidelines to ensure the safe disposal of medical waste. However, compliance with these regulations often comes with a significant cost, posing a challenge for healthcare providers who are already grappling with tight budgets. The financial implications of adhering to medical waste disposal guidelines are substantial. Healthcare facilities must invest in proper waste segregation systems, disposal methods, and staff training to ensure compliance. This investment is crucial to avoid hefty fines and legal repercussions associated with non-compliance. However, the high costs can be a deterrent for smaller clinics and hospitals, leading to improper waste management practices that could have severe environmental and health repercussions. Improper disposal of pharmaceutical waste can lead to severe environmental damage. Chemicals and toxins can leach into the soil and water systems, causing pollution and harm to wildlife. Moreover, the incineration of medical waste, a common disposal method, contributes to air pollution and the release of harmful greenhouse gases. The challenge lies in finding disposal methods that are not only compliant with regulations, but also environmentally friendly. Advancements in technology have introduced new methods for managing pharmaceutical waste that are both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. These innovations include more efficient waste segregation systems, biodegradable packaging, and alternative disposal methods that reduce the environmental impact. By investing in these technologies, healthcare facilities can reduce their operational costs in the long run, while contributing to a healthier planet. **Regulatory landscape and pharma waste management** Navigating the complex regulatory landscape is a critical component of effective pharma waste management. In the United States, several federal agencies, including the EPA, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have laid down guidelines that govern the disposal of pharmaceutical waste. These regulations are not just a mere formality, but serve as the backbone of environmental protection and public safety. Understanding these regulations is crucial for healthcare facilities to ensure that their waste disposal practices are not only legally compliant, but also ethically responsible. Non-compliance with medical waste disposal regulations can have far-reaching consequences. Facilities risk facing legal actions, hefty fines, and damage to their reputation. Moreover, non-compliance poses a direct threat to public health and safety, potentially leading to contamination of water sources and exposure to hazardous substances. Healthcare facilities must prioritise adherence to these regulations to avoid these risks and uphold their duty of care. Effective waste segregation is the cornerstone of compliant pharma waste management. This involves categorising waste into various streams, such as sharps, chemical waste, and general medical waste, each requiring different disposal methods. Implementing best practices in waste segregation not only ensures compliance, but also optimises the disposal process, potentially reducing costs. Moreover, training healthcare staff in proper waste management practices is crucial for maintaining a high standard of safety and compliance. **Balancing cost and sustainability in pharma waste disposal** Cost management is a significant challenge in pharma waste disposal, especially for smaller healthcare facilities with limited budgets. Balancing the expenses associated with compliant and sustainable disposal methods against financial constraints is a tightrope walk. However, there are strategies that facilities can adopt to manage these costs effectively. Investing in cost-effective waste management solutions can lead to significant long-term savings. This may include adopting more efficient waste segregation systems, using reusable containers for certain waste types, and partnering with waste management companies that offer competitive pricing. Moreover, minimising waste generation through efficient inventory management and reducing unnecessary usage of medical supplies can also contribute to cost savings. Sustainability in pharma waste disposal is not just an environmental consideration, but also a cost-saving strategy. Sustainable disposal methods such as autoclaving, recycling, and the use of eco-friendly incineration techniques can reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal. By embracing these sustainable practices, healthcare facilities can play a pivotal role in promoting environmental stewardship, while managing their operational costs. **The future of pharma waste management** As we look towards the future, the field of pharma waste management is poised for significant evolution. Emerging technologies, shifting regulatory landscapes, and increasing environmental awareness are shaping the way healthcare facilities approach waste disposal. Innovation in technology plays a pivotal role in that future. Developments such as AI-driven waste categorisation systems, advanced chemical treatment methods, and blockchain for tracking waste disposal processes are on the horizon. These technologies promise to enhance efficiency, reduce human error in waste segregation, and ensure transparent and compliant disposal practices. Regulatory frameworks governing medical waste disposal are also continually evolving in response to new challenges and scientific insights: anticipating and adapting to these changes is crucial for healthcare facilities. This includes staying informed about new regulations, investing in ongoing staff training, and actively participating in policy discussions. By being proactive in regulatory compliance, healthcare providers can ensure they are not only following the law, but also contributing to its evolution. Balancing cost, compliance, and environmental responsibility requires a multifaceted approach involving technological innovation, adherence to regulations, and sustainable practices. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities in this field, the role of healthcare facilities is not just to manage waste, but to lead the way in responsible and sustainable waste disposal. The management of pharmaceutical waste is not just the responsibility of healthcare providers, but a collective duty shared by all stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, waste management companies, and the public. By working together, we can ensure that our healthcare system not only heals, but also protects our environment and communities for generations to come. This post, [Pharma Waste Management: Balancing Cost, Compliance](https://pharmaphorum.com/rd/pharma-waste-management-balancing-cost-compliance-and-environmental-responsibility), was first published by [pharmaphorum](https://pharmaphorum.com/) on January 22, 2024. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [The Nationwide Push to Address Violence Against Healthcare Workers: 4 Updates](https://wastemedic.com/2024/02/27/the-nationwide-push-to-address-violence-against-healthcare-workers-4-updates/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Amid violence against healthcare workers, hospitals, health systems and states across the U.S. are working to address the issue. These efforts range from appointing “workplace violence coordinators” to holding a gun violence prevention forum. Here are four recent updates: 1. State University of New York Upstate Medical University [selected](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/new-york-health-system-hires-workplace-violence-coordinators.html) two “workplace violence coordinators” to address violence against healthcare workers. The Syracuse, N.Y.-based organization named Frank Ferrante and Gerald Santoferrara to the new roles on its risk management team. 2. Two [laws](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/michigan-moves-to-combat-violence-against-healthcare-workers.html) that take effect this year in Michigan doubles penalties and fines for assaulting a healthcare worker. Under [House Bill 4520](https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(bx3ezvrvelr4vsxg0vfgmpz3))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=2023-HB-4520) and [House Bill 4521](https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(sc4hv5t24ex2e1e2wtwewrk5))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=2023-HB-4521), a person convicted of assaulting or assaulting and battering a healthcare professional or medical volunteer while the victim is performing their job duties faces punishment of up to 93 days in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000. The punishments increase if the assault involves “serious or aggravated injury” or a weapon. 3. The Georgia Nurses Association and the Georgia Hospital Association held a Workforce Violence Prevention Summit on Feb. 12. The [summit](https://georgianurses.nursingnetwork.com/nursing-news/197558-georgia-hospital-association-georgia-nurses-association-co-host-workforce-violence-prevention-summit) included an overview of [legislation](https://trackbill.com/bill/georgia-house-bill-383-safer-hospitals-act-enact/2367834/) that would impose harsher penalties related to assaults on healthcare workers, along with discussions about issues such as law enforcement responses and safety strategies. 4. On Feb. 27, New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health will host its fifth annual Gun Violence Prevention Forum. The half-day forum will feature healthcare, government, business and community leaders, and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. It also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, signed into law by President Clinton. This post, [The Nationwide Push to Address Violence Against Healthcare Workers: 4 Updates](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/the-nationwide-push-to-address-violence-against-healthcare-workers-4-updates.html), was first published by [Becker’s Hospital Review](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/) on February 26, 2024. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Quest Diagnostics Settles Unlawful PHI Disposal Allegations For $5M](https://wastemedic.com/2024/02/27/quest-diagnostics-settles-unlawful-phi-disposal-allegations-for-5m/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with Quest Diagnostics following allegations of illegal disposal of PHI and hazardous waste.* In the realm of healthcare, patient privacy and data security are paramount. Recently, Quest Diagnostics, a leading provider of diagnostic testing services, found itself embroiled in allegations regarding the improper disposal of protected health information (PHI). This breach of patient trust and regulatory compliance has resulted in a significant settlement of $5 million, highlighting the critical importance of safeguarding sensitive data in the healthcare industry. ### The Allegations The allegations against Quest Diagnostics centered on the mishandling of PHI, a violation with far-reaching implications for patient privacy and regulatory compliance. The improper disposal of sensitive medical records not only undermines patient trust but also exposes individuals to the risk of identity theft and other forms of exploitation. ### The Settlement In response to the allegations, Quest Diagnostics has agreed to settle for $5 million, signaling a commitment to rectifying the situation and upholding the highest standards of data protection. This settlement serves as a reminder to all healthcare organizations of the severe consequences of failing to adhere to regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). #### The Importance of Proper Data Disposal The case of Quest Diagnostics underscores the critical importance of implementing robust protocols for the disposal of PHI and other sensitive information. Healthcare providers must take proactive measures to ensure that patient data is securely handled throughout its lifecycle, from collection to disposal. This includes employing secure shredding methods, implementing encryption technologies, and enforcing strict access controls. #### Protecting Patient Trust At its core, the healthcare industry relies on trust between providers and patients. Breaches of patient privacy erode this trust and can have lasting repercussions on both individuals and organizations. By prioritizing data security and privacy, healthcare providers can uphold their commitment to patient care while mitigating the risk of costly legal penalties and reputational damage. #### Moving Forward As healthcare continues to evolve in the digital age, the protection of patient data must remain a top priority. Organizations must invest in comprehensive training programs, robust cybersecurity infrastructure, and regular audits to ensure compliance with regulations and safeguard patient privacy. By taking proactive steps to address vulnerabilities and mitigate risks, healthcare providers can uphold the trust and confidence of those they serve. The settlement between Quest Diagnostics and authorities serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of failing to protect patient privacy and data security. Healthcare organizations must heed this warning and take decisive action to implement robust safeguards against data breaches and unauthorized access. By prioritizing patient privacy, organizations can uphold the integrity of the healthcare system and ensure the trust and confidence of patients are preserved for generations to come. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Optimize Your Medical Waste Management with Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/2024/02/27/optimize-your-medical-waste-management-with-waste-medic/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Effective medical waste management is essential for healthcare facilities to maintain safety and compliance. Waste Medic specializes in providing comprehensive solutions tailored to your medical waste management needs. Here’s why Waste Medic should be your top choice for professional medical waste management services: ### Expertise & Reliability With years of experience in the industry, Waste Medic offers specialized services designed to handle all aspects of medical waste management. Our team of experts evaluates your current practices and provides cost-effective solutions to ensure compliance with regulations. ### **Comprehensive Services** From biohazardous waste disposal to pharmaceutical waste management, Waste Medic offers a full suite of services to meet your medical waste management needs. Whether you’re a small clinic or a large healthcare facility, we have the expertise and resources to handle your requirements. ### Safety & Compliance We prioritize safety and compliance in all our operations. Our stringent protocols and procedures ensure the safe handling, transportation, and disposal of medical waste, protecting your staff, patients, and the environment. ### Responsive Customer Service At Waste Medic, we value our clients and prioritize customer satisfaction. Our team is accessible, friendly, and responsive, providing assistance and guidance whenever you need it. ### Customized Solutions We understand that every healthcare facility is unique, which is why we offer customized disposal plans tailored to your specific needs. Our experts work closely with you to develop a waste management strategy that ensures compliance and efficiency. ### Transparent Pricing With Waste Medic, you can expect fair and transparent pricing. We believe in providing value for your investment without hidden costs or unexpected fees. ### Accessible Training & Certification We offer comprehensive training and certification programs to ensure that your staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle medical waste safely and effectively. Our online portal provides convenient access to compliance documents and training materials. ### A Trusted Healthcare Partner Waste Medic is your trusted partner for medical waste management. We are committed to building strong relationships with our clients and delivering reliable, cost-effective solutions that meet the highest standards of safety and compliance. #### Get Started with Waste Medic Today Ready to optimize your medical waste management? Contact Waste Medic today for a [no-obligation quote](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) and discover how we can streamline your processes while ensuring the safety of your staff and patients. --- ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Infectious Waste from Hospitals Flowed Illegally to Landfill](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/22/infectious-waste-from-sc-hospitals-flowed-illegally-to-landfills/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** State inspectors found bloody bandages, leaking infectious waste and other infectious garbage at unapproved South Carolina landfills and transfer stations last year, sparking concerns about contamination and prompting a series of fines against four hospitals. Fines totaling $143,400 were issued against three Charleston-area hospitals and one in Conway for the medical waste violations, according to records released this week. Two of the hospitals, [Roper](https://www.rsfh.com/roper-hospital/) and [Bon Secours St. Francis](https://www.bonsecours.com/) in Charleston, generated $104,000 of the total fines. The two hospitals are part of the Bon Secours system. The other facilities fined were the Ralph Johnson Veterans hospital in Charleston and the Conway Medical Center near Myrtle Beach. Collectively, the hospitals racked up more than 40 violations that the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control cited after inspections in 2021. While some violations varied, all hospitals were cited for failing to properly package infectious waste in containers that could prevent leaks to the environment, records show. All also ran afoul of DHEC for not treating infectious waste, as required, before shipping it off for disposal, enforcement documents show. The three Charleston hospitals failed to manage infectious waste “to prevent exposure to the public or release to the environment,’’ according to enforcement summary sheets released by DHEC. During their inspections in 2021, inspectors found medical waste in area solid waste landfills and transfer stations that are approved for handling household garbage but not the infectious trash that was shipped there. #### The Importance of a Registered Transporter Landfill and transfer station officials contacted DHEC after finding the medical waste. It was unclear why the problems occurred, but the enforcement actions said that the Bon Secours medical centers offered infectious waste to a “non-registered transporter.’’ Among other things cited in enforcement orders, inspectors found: Bloody gauze, exam gloves and a catheter bag at a Charleston-area transfer station, a facility that ships household garbage to standard landfills. Bags that contained medical waste were open and had spilled onto the ground. The material came from Roper Hospital. Blood-filled syringes, bags tainted by human blood, soiled intubation equipment and dressings “supersaturated’’ with what appeared to be blood and body fluids. The material was found at Charleston County’s Bees Ferry landfill. The waste came from Roper Hospital. Bags of blood, as well as needles, glass medicine vials and a pump device that appeared to contain blood at Dorchester County’s Oak Ridge landfill. Spilled waste and open bags of medical waste also were found at the landfill. The waste came from Bon Secours St. Francis. A container of suctioned blood, bloody intravenous tubing, bloody surgical drapes and gauze at a transfer station in the Charleston area. The medical waste came from the VA hospital in Charleston. Tubing containing blood, as well as clear plastic bags filled with both infectious and solid waste at the Horry County landfill near Conway. The waste came from Conway Medical Center. #### What is Infectious Waste Infectious, or medical, waste is a by-product of hospitals and medical facilities. It must be safely stored to protect the environment and public health, DHEC says. The material can include syringes, scalpels, culture dishes that have been exposed to disease, blood, parts removed from the human body and “any other waste designated as infectious,’’ according to DHEC’s website. Medical waste often is dealt with by incinerating the material, disinfecting it and/or shipping it to certified treatment sites. Infectious waste must be treated before it is disposed of, the department said, noting that the medical refuse can be dangerous. “Infectious waste, in general, is waste that poses an environmental danger due to its biological risk,’’ DHEC said in an email Wednesday night. “The possible risks for human injury or illness, or environmental impacts, due to improper handling depends upon the specific type of infectious waste involved and how it was mishandled.’’ DHEC says the state has more than 9,000 generators of infectious waste. About 30 entities are registered to transport the material, while two are registered to treat infectious waste, the agency says. The two treatment sites are in West Columbia and Greenville, the agency said. The investigation, sparked by landfill and transfer station operators, is not over and other medical facilities could be liable for improper disposal of medical waste at landfills. In an email, DHEC confirmed that “similar investigations are occurring.’’ #### Infectious Waste History DHEC’s enforcement action against the hospitals follows decades of issues involving the proper disposal of medical waste in the state. In the mid 1990s, questions about the safe transport of medical waste became a concern after state officials discovered a warehouse full of decaying infectious waste on Shop Road in Columbia, awaiting transport to a disposal site in Hampton County, The State reported. The incinerator in Hampton County later ran into troubles, catching fire in 1997, and eventually closing about 20 years ago after a public outcry. The incinerator had been accepting infectious waste from across the country. More recently, concerns have surfaced in the Lowcountry about the proper disposal of medical waste at landfills, the Charleston newspaper, The Post and Courier, reported. According to DHEC enforcement records, Bon Secours St. Francis was hit with the largest fine at $54,000; Roper was fined $50,000; and Conway Medical Center was fined $14,400. The VA facility was hit with a $25,000 fine. The enforcement orders against Roper and Bon Secours St. Francis were not the first by DHEC. Records show the two hospitals both had enforcement cases made against them in 2020 for some of the same problems. Andy Lyons, a spokesman for the Roper and St. Francis hospitals run by Bon Secours, released a statement saying the problems had been taken care of. “We were concerned about the state’s findings and took immediate action to protect our staff, patients and the environment,’’ the statement said. “Since the state’s last visit more than six months ago, we’ve gone to great lengths and expense to make improvements to our handling of infectious waste. We now exceed state requirements and are continuing to educate our team on [proper disposal procedures](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/medical-waste-disposal-understanding-our-diverse-solutions/). The mistake was unfortunate, but it was not intentionally made by Roper-St. Francis Healthcare staff. We welcome any opportunity to enhance our efforts to keep our community safe.’’ A spokeswoman for the Veterans Administration hospital in Charleston said the violations at her facility centered on one primary issue and the VA had worked to address the problems. Waste picked up from the VA hospital had been placed in the wrong container, she said. “I don’t know who was to blame, if it was someone from our center, or the gentlemen who picked up waste who accidentally labeled and put it in the [wrong container](https://wastemedic.com/2022/04/the-basics-of-color-coding-your-medical-waste-disposal/),’’ she said. “That was the one instance. We have definitely put measures in place to ensure nothing like happens again. It is checked, double-checked and triple checked before anything leaves the facility anymore.’’ --- This post, [Bloody infectious waste from SC hospitals flowed illegally to landfills, agency says](https://www.thestate.com/news/local/environment/article261051982.html), was shared by [The State](https://www.thestate.com/news/local/environment/article261051982.html) on May 7, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Sharps Disposal: Using a Bin in a Central Accumulation Area](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/22/sharps-disposal-using-a-bin-in-a-central-accumulation-area/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** If your facility generates waste in the form of needles or other sharps, you likely have a need for [sharps disposal](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) in a central accumulation area (CAA). Can they stay in their red biohazard bins with a label? Read on to see how regulatory experts at [Enviro.BLR.com](http://Enviro.BLR.com) answered this question around proper sharps disposal. #### OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard We do not know of any regulations that would prohibit moving [red biohazard bins](https://wastemedic.com/2022/04/the-basics-of-color-coding-your-medical-waste-disposal/) containing sharps to a RCRA hazardous waste central accumulation area (CAA) provided the generator of the sharps is in compliance with the [OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard](https://www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens/standards) (29 CFR 1910.1030) and any applicable state regulations addressing medical waste and hazardous waste. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard requires the following in connection with the management of sharps: The area where contaminated sharps are being accumulated (before they are moved to a CAA or elsewhere) is located as close as is feasible to the immediate area where sharps are used or can reasonably anticipated to be found Containers of contaminated sharps being moved from the area of use are closed immediately before removal to prevent spillage or overflow of contents during handling, storage, transport, or shipping. Before being moved, the sharps disposal containers are placed in a secondary container if leakage is possible. If a secondary container is required, that container must be closable; constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage during handling, storage, transport, or shipping; and properly labeled or color-coded. #### Warning Labels for Sharps Disposal Warning labels are affixed to the sharps containers and, if applicable, the secondary container. Labels must include the biohazard symbol and the word “BIOHAZARD” and be fluorescent orange or orange-red with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color. Red containers may be substituted for labels. Under RCRA, sharps that have not been used to administer hazardous waste pharmaceuticals are considered “solid wastes” which are regulated primarily by states and managed in most under the state’s solid and/or medical waste regulations although sometimes regulation is by the state’s health department. Because sharps could contain bloodborne pathogens or other infectious materials, OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard requires that disposal of “all regulated waste” (e.g. solid and medical waste) “be in accordance with applicable regulations of the United States, States and Territories, and political subdivisions of States and Territories.” Medical waste state regulations typically address the collection, packaging, labeling, pre-treatment before disposal, and transport requirements of regulated medical waste, including sharps. Although it is also possible that a state, under either its medical waste or hazardous waste regulations may prohibit the accumulation of nonhazardous sharps in a CAA, we are not familiar with any such prohibitions. Consequently, a state’s hazardous waste and medical waste regulations would need to be reviewed to determine whether there are provisions that address storing red biohazard bins containing sharps. --- This post, [Disposal of Sharps: Can You Leave Them in the Bin for Central Accumulation?](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/07/disposal-of-sharps-can-you-leave-them-in-the-bin-for-central-accumulation/), was shared by [EHS Daily Advisor](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/07/disposal-of-sharps-can-you-leave-them-in-the-bin-for-central-accumulation/) on July 9, 2019. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Safely Dispose of Used Medical Sharps & Household Needles](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/22/safely-dispose-of-used-medical-sharps-household-needles/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** When it comes to disposing used household needles or medical sharps, safety is the point. Every day, millions of people around the United States use needles, lancets and syringes – otherwise known as medical sharps – to manage health conditions like diabetes, arthritis, cancer or auto-immune diseases from the comfort of their own homes or while on the go. Some commonly used [medical sharps](https://wastemedic.com/2019/09/education-key-to-safe-sharps-disposal-practices/) include: **Medical Sharps:** fine, slender, hollow pieces of metal, typically attached to syringes, used to inject medication under the skin or withdraw fluid from the body **Lancets:** often used by people with diabetes to get drops of blood for testing **Auto injectors, including epinephrine pens:** syringes pre-filled with fluid medication designed to be self-injected into the body **Infusion sets:** tubing systems with needles used to deliver drugs to the body **Connection needles:** needles that connect to a tube used to transfer fluids in and out of the body Managing a health condition can be overwhelming enough, so learning how to dispose of used household medical sharps may not be top of mind for those who use them. Even for sharps users looking for safe disposal resources, finding state or local regulations can be challenging, but safely disposing of household sharps is an important issue and can help prevent injury. #### Stay Informed on Medical Sharps Safety A resource like [SafetyIsThePoint.org](http://SafetyIsThePoint.org) provides consumers with free resources and up-to-date information about how to safely dispose of their household used sharps. This resource helps connect medical sharps users with safe disposal options across the United States and offers state-specific disposal guides. “Our years of research have shown that people want to do the right thing with their used household sharps, but they did not know where to turn for guidance,” said Bruce Taylor, senior director of government affairs and market access at Dexcom, one of the companies that supports the free public education resource. “SafetyIsThePoint.org takes the guesswork out of household sharps disposal by giving consumers easy instructions no matter where they live or travel.” People who use sharps can often dispose of them at home. It’s as simple as 1-2-3: 1\. Place used household sharps in a strong, plastic container like a laundry detergent or bleach bottle. 2\. When the container is 75% full, seal it tightly with duct tape and label it “do not recycle.” 3\. Place the sealed container in regular household trash. People in most areas of the United States can follow the steps above. In states or counties that do not allow household disposal, sharps users can use the ZIP code search function at [SafetyIsThePoint.org](http://SafetyIsThePoint.org) to find local drop-off locations, such as household hazardous waste collection centers and drop boxes or supervised collection points. --- This post, [Safely Dispose of Used Household Needles & Medical Sharps](https://www.chronicleonline.com/lifestyle/health/how-to-safely-dispose-of-used-household-needles-and-medical-sharps/article_ff0e97d3-7f74-5685-b058-4a70aad8b4fc.html), was shared by the [Citrus County Chronicle](https://www.chronicleonline.com/lifestyle/health/how-to-safely-dispose-of-used-household-needles-and-medical-sharps/article_ff0e97d3-7f74-5685-b058-4a70aad8b4fc.html) on May 6, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [HIPAA Misconceptions, Interoperability, Information Blocking](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/22/hipaa-misconceptions-interoperability-information-blocking/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Since HIPAA was signed into law more than 25 years ago, misconceptions surrounding its purpose, reach, and limitations have persisted. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated those misconceptions—multiple public figures cited HIPAA as a reason not to share their vaccination status. As a result, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) [released guidance emphasizing that HIPAA strictly applies to covered entities](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/ocr-clarifies-hipaa-rules-surrounding-vaccination-status). OCR stressed that despite common misconceptions, the HIPAA Privacy Rule does not prohibit any individual, business, or HIPAA-covered entity from asking whether an individual has received a vaccine. But vaccination status is not the only way [HIPAA](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/back-to-basics-what-is-hipaa/) has been misinterpreted over the years. HIPAA’s relationship to interoperability and ongoing confusion surrounding information blocking rules further underscores the need for federal guidance and clarification. At the [2nd Annual HealthITSecurity Virtual Summit](https://reg.xtelligentmedia.com/HealthITSecurity2022), panelists discussed the intricacies of HIPAA compliance, interoperability efforts, information blocking rules, and how they interact with one another. ### How HIPAA Supports Interoperability The 21st Century Cures Act [refers](https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/34/text) to interoperability as a technology’s ability to enable the secure use and exchange of electronic health information. Interoperability promotes patient data access and encourages health IT developers to create technologies that will allow fewer redundancies, improved clinical workflows, and data sharing. “To achieve true interoperability, providers need to maintain data liquidity. And that means that a patient has access to their data readily,” Chris Bowen, founder and chief information security officer at ClearDATA, observed during the panel session. HIPAA, however, ensures the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI), among other functions. The HIPAA Privacy Rule and the HIPAA Security Rule established safeguards and best practices for covered entities creating, using, or maintaining PHI. At first glance, these standards may appear to be at odds. But as much as HIPAA focuses on privacy and security, it also addresses the need for health data to flow through the healthcare ecosystem. “A major goal of the Privacy Rule is to assure that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care and to protect the public’s health and well being,” HHS’ website states. “The Rule strikes a balance that permits important uses of information, while protecting the privacy of people who seek care and healing,” the agency continues. “Given that the health care marketplace is diverse, the Rule is designed to be flexible and comprehensive to cover the variety of uses and disclosures that need to be addressed.” HIPAA has a reputation for being restrictive and outdated, even prompting legislators to introduce a bill that would modernize HIPAA to reflect the current tech landscape if passed. While HIPAA’s protections are limited when it comes to certain modern-day issues such as third-party health app security, HIPAA does not actually hinder interoperability efforts. “HIPAA was drafted to protect PHI but also to facilitate exchanges of PHI among healthcare providers,” Dianne Borque, member at law firm Mintz, explained during the panel session. “So, HIPAA inherently is built to support interoperability.” Borque pointed to [HIPAA’s three main “exceptions”](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/disclosures-treatment-payment-health-care-operations/index.html) that allow covered entities to disclose protected health information without patient authorization: treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. For example, covered entities are allowed to consult with other healthcare providers about an individual’s treatment, or disclose information as part of a claim for payment to a health plan. In addition, health plans can use PHI to provide customer service to enrollees. “Those three exceptions under HIPAA liberally permit the sharing of information and would not, as a substantive matter, interfere with interoperability,” Borque maintained. “It is just another tool to help get PHI from here to there.” ### Information Blocking Stirs Confusion The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) published its Information Blocking Final Rule in May 2020, further complicating how health data moves throughout the health IT ecosystem. Part of the 21st Century Cures Act, the rule defines information blocking as any practice that interferes with accessing, exchanging, or using electronic health information (EHI). While PHI refers to data under HIPAA, EHI is more expansive. Save for eight official exceptions to the information blocking provision, everyone who is subject to the rule must quickly respond to any legitimate request to exchange EHI and eliminate known barriers to EHI exchange. “Interoperability and information blocking rules together are designed to work hand in hand to allow patients to access their health information through the application of their choosing without technical barriers,” Brad Rostolsky, partner with Reed Smith’s HIPAA and health privacy and security practice, explained during the panel session. Since the information blocking rules went into effect in April 2021, compliance challenges and misconceptions have prevented the transition from going smoothly in some cases. “We see a lot of confusion with the information blocking rules, and I think it is because they are parallel. They overlap to an extent with the HIPAA Right of Access provisions,” Borque noted. “Theoretically, you could comply with HIPAA’s access rule but still have an information blocking scenario, and that’s a bit scary.” While HIPAA has similar rules for providing timely and cost-effective access to data, the Information Blocking Rule sets higher standards and accelerated timelines for EHI exchange. In addition, Borque noted that some entities might inadvertently engage in information blocking practices out of fear of violating HIPAA. For example, if a covered entity implemented security processes that far exceeded HIPAA’s requirements and thus made it difficult to provide EHI, they could be accused of information blocking. Within the first year of the information blocking rule, providers have also run into obstacles out of reluctance to provide test results to patients before speaking with them first. However, preventing patients from viewing test results if they request to do so could be considered information blocking. Information blocking will likely continue to be challenging to interpret until enforcement actions come along and shape compliance efforts. ### Looking to the Future of HIPAA “One of the most critical pieces is that the interoperability rules and the information blocking rules do not change what HIPAA says,” Rostolsky emphasized. “And one of the key facets of HIPAA, interoperability, and information blocking is access.” As federal guidance advances and the means for exchanging and maintaining health data change over time, individuals and entities subject to these rules will have to further prioritize patient access. OCR made patient access a priority of its own with [recent case resolutions under the HIPAA Right of Access Initiative](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/ocr-settles-5-hipaa-right-of-access-cases). Figuring out how to comply with changing policies while also maintaining data security and protecting patient privacy is a significant challenge, but one that the healthcare sector will need to tackle head-on as the industry awaits further regulatory guidance. “Going forward, the way to achieve that balance so that you can have security and interoperability is through education and making sure that those common misconceptions do not exist within your organization,” Borque remarked. “It is all about balance.” --- This post, [Misconceptions About HIPAA, Interoperability, Information Blocking](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/misconceptions-about-hipaa-interoperability-information-blocking), was shared by [Health IT Security](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/misconceptions-about-hipaa-interoperability-information-blocking) on May 3, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Get to Know Waste Medic + Our Medical Waste Services Offerings](https://wastemedic.com/2022/06/19/get-to-know-waste-medic-our-medical-waste-services-offerings/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Waste Medic is a medical waste management company, headquartered in the heart of Nashville, TN. Since opening our doors in 2014 we have grown to service the demands of nearly 3,000 diverse healthcare facilities across the Mid-South. Waste Medic clients receive dedicated and friendly attention from our talented team of field specialists who operate our private fleet of trucks. ### Our Solutions for Medical Waste Disposal Our medical waste disposal solutions will help your organization safely and properly manage hazardous materials. Medical waste treatment can take place at our facilities or at audited and approved third-party partner facilities. First, we conduct an initial medical waste review and breakdown analysis to help your company reduce waste and minimize your costs. Once your unique needs are determined, our partners train your staff on waste stream segregation, procedures, and safety. Our solutions for medical waste disposal include customized plans for [biohazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/), [sharps waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/), [pharmaceutical waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/), and [trace chemotherapy waste.](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) Waste Medic understands the importance of medical waste removal and the important compliance regulations there are placed on the process. We understand the medical waste needs of your business and can offer medical waste consulting including organizational assessments and planning, cost reduction management, and contract negotiation or termination. For healthcare offices, urgent care clinics, dental offices, nursing home and many other medical businesses and organizations, Waste Medic offers training and certification services for [bloodborne pathogens](https://www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens), sharps safety, [OSHA](https://wastemedic.com/training-certification__trashed/osha-training/), HIPAA, and DoT Regulated Medical Waste (RMW). Additional solutions include digital invoice and manifest archive, cloud-based file storage and organization, and personalized ICD databases. We offer customizable safety plan creation and storage, as well as tailored MSDS/SDS creation and tracking. Waste Medic understands your needs when it comes to CFR access and planning and can with you on OSHA audit and corrective actions. ### Why Choose Waste Medic Our personalized approach to medical waste disposal and compliance needs enables us to provide our clients with exceptional service at very competitive rates. Waste Medic takes pride in designing customized service packages, ensuring compliance and confident waste stream management at an affordable cost. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [Back to Basics: Delivering Effective Safety Training](https://wastemedic.com/2022/06/20/back-to-basics-delivering-effective-safety-training/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Safety training is an important part of workplace programs. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has more than 100 standards that contain training requirements. In OSHA’s [Resource for Development and Delivery of Training to Workers](https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3824.pdf), the agency provides guidance on how to develop and deliver effective safety training to workers. There are several factors that contribute to successful [safety training](https://wastemedic.com/training-certification__trashed/osha-training/), including ensuring that the training facilitator has expertise in safety and health, sound instructional skills, and flexibility, according to OSHA. Effective training should enable participants to learn how to identify safety and health problems in their workplace, analyze the causes of the safety and health problems, bring about healthier workplaces, and involve co-workers in accomplishing these, ### **Characteristics of Sound Safety Training Programs** The best training programs have the following characteristics in common, according to OSHA. They should be: **Accurate |** Training materials should be prepared by qualified individuals, updated as needed, and facilitated by appropriately qualified and experienced individuals employing appropriate training techniques and methods. **Credible |** Training facilitators should have a general safety and health background or be a subject matter expert in a health or safety-related field. They should also have experience training adults or experience working with the target population. Practical experience in the field of safety and health as well as experience in training facilitation contribute to a higher degree of facilitator credibility. **Clear |** Training programs must not only be accurate and believable, but they must also be clear and understandable to the participant. If the material is only understandable to someone with a college education or someone who understands the jargon, then the program falls short of meeting workers’ needs. Training materials should be written in the language and grammar of the everyday speech of the participants. Training developers should ensure that readability and language choices match the intended audience. For employees who do not speak or understand English, instruction must be provided in a language that the employee can understand. Similarly, if the employee’s vocabulary is limited or there is evidence of low literacy among participants, the training must account for this limitation. **Practical |** Training programs should present information, ideas, and skills that participants see as directly useful in their working lives. Successful transfer of learning occurs when the participant can see how information presented in a training session can be applied in the workplace. ### **Best Practices** To maximize the benefits of the training for participants, trainers need to focus on the following best practices, according to OSHA. **Remember your intended audience:** The training should be intended for employers, safety officers, or any organization that provides occupational safety and health training. **Training techniques, methods, and modes:** Proven adult learning techniques should be at the core of training development and delivery. One effective worker training model is peer-to-peer training with activity-based learning. The organization should provide ongoing support to developing peer trainers. Use activity-based learning for at least two-thirds of training hours, meaning no more than one third is lectures. Training must be provided both in a language and vocabulary that workers can understand. Computer-based training is effective but should not be the only form of training that workers receive. **Needs assessment:** Precede safety and health training with a needs assessment to ensure the training meets the needs of participants. These assessments can also tell you more about participants’ knowledge, experience, learning styles, reading and writing skills, and interests. **Evaluate training:** Evaluate your training to assess whether it is having the desired results. An evaluation can indicate whether you need to make changes to the program. ### **Principles of Adult Education** OSHA cites the following basic principles of adult education to help trainers provide effective safety training: Most adults learn because they want to and have decided they need to learn for a particular reason. Relevance: Adults need to see that the subject matter and methods are relevant to their lives and what they want to learn. Adults should be encouraged to share their experiences and knowledge. Adult learners resent an instructor who talks down to them and ignores their ideas and concerns. Adults need to be involved and actively participating in class. Adults retain more information when they use and practice their knowledge and skills in class. Learners need “route maps” with clear objectives. Each new piece of information needs to build logically on the previous one. Adults learn best when new information is reinforced and repeated. Adults learn better when an instructor uses a variety of teaching techniques. --- This post, [Back to Basics: Delivering Effective Safety Training](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2022/06/back-to-basics-delivering-effective-safety-training/), was shared by [EHS Daily Advisor](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2022/06/back-to-basics-delivering-effective-safety-training/) on June 13, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [DOs and DON'Ts of Proper Sharps Disposal at Home](https://wastemedic.com/2022/06/20/dos-and-donts-of-proper-sharps-disposal-at-home/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The information on this page is intended for use by consumers, including patients, family members, and home health caregivers to address sharps disposal of used needles and other sharps used at home, at work, and when traveling. **This page is not for health care facilities.** For information on sharps disposal at health care facilities, [please visit our services pages](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/). ## The DOs of Proper Sharps Disposal at Home DO immediately place used needles and other sharps in a sharps disposal container to reduce the risk of needle sticks, cuts or punctures from loose sharps. DO use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, if possible. If an FDA-cleared container is not available, some organizations and community guidelines recommend using a heavy-duty plastic household container as an alternative. DO make sure that if a household container is used, it has the basic features of a good disposal container. DO carry a portable sharps disposal container for travel. DO follow your community guidelines for getting rid of your sharps disposal container. DO call your local trash or public health department (listed in the county and city government section of your phone book) to find out about sharps disposal programs in your area. DO ask your health care provider, veterinarian, local hospital or pharmacist where and how to get an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container,if they can dispose of your used needles and other sharps, or if they know of sharps disposal programs near you. DO keep all sharps and sharps disposal containers out of reach of children and pets. DO seal sharps disposal containers when disposing of them, label them properly and check your community guidelines on how to properly dispose of them. DO ask your medical or prescription insurer whether they cover sharps disposal containers. DO ask the manufacturer of your drug products that are used with a needle or other sharps if they provide a sharps disposal container to patients at no charge. DO report a problem associated with sharps and disposal containers. ### The DON’Ts DON’T throw loose needles and other sharps into the trash. DON’T flush needles and other sharps down the toilet. DON’T put needles and other sharps in your recycling bin — they are not recyclable. DON’T try to remove, bend, break, or recap needles used by another person. This can lead to accidental needle sticks, which may cause serious infections. DON’T attempt to remove the needle without a needle clipper because the needle could fall, fly off, or get lost and injure someone. --- This post, [DOs and DON’Ts of Proper Sharps Disposal](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel/dos-and-donts-proper-sharps-disposal), was shared by the [US Food & Drug Administration](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safely-using-sharps-needles-and-syringes-home-work-and-travel/dos-and-donts-proper-sharps-disposal). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Pharmaceutical, Trace Chemotherapy & Other Medical Waste Transportation Services in Nashville](https://wastemedic.com/2022/07/17/pharmaceutical-trace-chemotherapy-other-medical-waste-transportation-services-in-nashville/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Founded in 2014, [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/) has quickly grown as a trusted provider of the treatment, disposal of medical waste transportation in Nashville, Tennessee, in accordance with modern state and federal regulations. Our team has a deep understanding of and respect for our growing healthcare industry in Nashville and surrounding areas, as well as our dedicated professionals who operate its critical functions. We are acutely aware that these professions need reliable, responsive, and cost-effective service providers who can adapt and grow with the constant transformation and challenges within the healthcare industry. ### Medical Waste Transportation in Tennessee At Waste Medic, we manage our own [fleet of trucks](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) and drivers for medical waste transportation while carefully selecting service patterns who share similar capabilities and values as our own. Our team guarantees compliant, reliable services at a frequency that suits your needs. Our experts are proud to offer fair and transparent pricing and unparalleled client support, while being mindful of the impact waste streams have on the environment and people. The amount of medical waste generated varies from organization to organization, but a regular plan for disposal is critical. Our expertise and rapid response to both consistent and emergency needs ensures the safety of staff, patients, the public, and the environment, leaving organizations able to focus on business operations. We specialize in [Biohazardous Waste & Sharps Containers](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/), [Pharmaceutical Waste,](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) Trace Chemotherapy Waste, RWM Consulting and Training Programs. [Headquartered in Nashville](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Waste+Medic,+LLC/@36.1522734,-86.844883,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x3bb957e334f43a4d!8m2!3d36.1522734!4d-86.844883), Waste Medic offers our full suite of services in Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, Indiana, Arkansas, and North Georgia, as well as consulting services throughout the United States. We serve over 2,400 unique locations across the mid-south including physician offices, surgery centers, dental and veterinary clinics, pharma and biotech facilities, hospitals and health systems, health clinics and urgent care, as well as assisted living centers and nursing homes. We understand the complex federal, state, and local guidelines. Count on the team at Waste Medic to manage your waste stream efficiently, effectively, and safely. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [How to Safely Tie Red Biohazard Bags in Your Facility](https://wastemedic.com/2022/07/17/how-to-safely-properly-tie-red-biohazard-bags/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Waste Medic offers medical waste disposal solutions will help your organization safely and properly manage hazardous materials. Our services for medical waste disposal include customized plans for [biohazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/), [sharps waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/), [pharmaceutical waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/), and [trace chemotherapy waste.](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) What are some of the improper ways facilities can be caught red-handed when it comes to medical waste packaging? The ability to propely tie red biohazard bags is critical. ## Tie Red Biohazard Bags the Right Way Waste Medic understands the importance of medical waste removal and the important compliance regulations there are placed on the process. One simple (and often overlooked) step in your waste stream is how to properly tie red biohazard bags after they bag are sufficiently filled. Having a properly sealed bag is a regulatory requirement for packaging your medical waste for shipment and is also crucial in avoiding injury in your facility prior to pick-up. There are right ways and wrong ways to tie a medical waste bag once its full. The right way will mean that your bag will be less likely to leak if turned upside down. You can’t just tie a red bag up like a bow like you do with your kitchen trash bags at home. Red bags must be securely closed to prevent the contents from escaping. If you can hold it upside down and it doesn’t leak, then you’ve done it correctly. To tie a red bag, use an overhand knot, then a zip tie, or a twist tie. Additionally, you can seal the red bag with duct tape for extra support. It helps to seal the bag with a minimum of entrapped air. ### Don’t Overfill the Sharps Container The [United States Food and Drug Administration](https://www.fda.gov/) recommends facilities fill sharps containers only ¾ full to prevent injury. Overflowing sharps containers put healthcare workers at risk, because they can accidentally get stuck with a needle from an unknown source. Additionally, overfilling or stuffing the backs makes the ability to tie red biohazard bags much more difficult. ### Improper Labeling There are numerous and specific federal markings required for biohazardous waste, including the biohazard symbol, this-side-up arrows, signs that dictate regulated medical waste (RMW)… all of which must be present and clearly visible. There are also state regulations on properly labeling as well. Improperly labeling containers poses a risk to staff, patients, and the community, and can result in penalties and fines for non-compliance. Waste Medic understand the complex federal, state, and local guidelines. Count on the team at Waste Medic to manage your waste stream efficiently, effectively, and safely. ### Why Choose Waste Medic Our personalized approach to medical waste disposal and compliance needs enables us to provide our clients with exceptional service at very competitive rates. We understand the medical waste needs of your business and can offer medical waste consulting including organizational assessments and planning, cost reduction management, and contract negotiation or termination. Waste Medic takes pride in designing customized service packages, ensuring compliance and confident waste stream management at an affordable cost. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [Medical Waste Disposal and Its Impact on the Environment](https://wastemedic.com/2022/07/22/medical-waste-disposal-and-its-impact-on-the-environment/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Medical waste is a huge environmental issue. As demand for PPE – including gloves, masks, and gowns – grew worldwide in response to the Covid-19 outbreak in the last two years, medical waste disposal rates skyrocketed.* ### What is Medical Waste? Any waste that is of medical or laboratory origin can be classified as medical waste. This includes hospitals, laboratories, mortuaries, human as well as animal testing and research centres, blood banks, and nursing homes. According to the [World Health Organization (WHO)](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-care-waste), there are 8 types of medical waste: **1.** Infectious waste, including discarded diagnostic materials, waste from treating infected patients and animals, and autopsies. **2.** Pathological waste, including contaminated human and animal tissues and organs. **3.** Sharps waste, including syringes, needles, scalpels, and blades. **4.** Chemical waste, including solvents and reagents for laboratory use but also leakage of heavy metals through broken thermometers and batteries. **5.** Pharmaceutical waste, including unused or expired but contaminated drugs and vaccines. **6.** Cytotoxic waste, including substances with genotoxic properties such as cytotoxic drugs used in cancer treatment. **7.** Radioactive waste, including contaminated diagnostic and radiotherapeutic materials. **8.** Non-hazardous or general waste, including .other miscellaneous waste that is of a medical or laboratory origin but is not contaminated. ### Medical Waste Disposal & the Environment The Covid-19 pandemic is not just a public health crisis, but [an environmental crisis](https://earth.org/covid-19-surge-in-plastic-pollution/), too. An estimated 8 million tonnes of plastics already enter the ocean on an annual basis. According to a [report](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/02/medical-waste-plastic-environment-covid/) by the World Health Organization, the medical waste accumulated during the pandemic increased plastic pollution in the oceans by 10 times. PPE refers to medical waste that includes materials and equipment used by medical staff for the treatment of patients infected with highly contagious diseases such as Covid19, including but not limited to used gloves, test kits, and syringes. It also covers most of the types of medical waste listed above used in the detection, testing, and treatment of the virus. To better fight Covid-19 patients and protect workers at testing centres around the world, the global manufacturing of PPE such as the protective gear ‘moon suits’ also skyrocketed, further exacerbating the plastic problem. Between March 2020 and November 2021, approximately [87,000 tons of PPE](https://www.who.int/news/item/01-02-2022-tonnes-of-covid-19-health-care-waste-expose-urgent-need-to-improve-waste-management-systems) that were produced ended up as waste. [According to the WHO](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tons-of-covid-medical-garbage-threaten-health/), more than 140 million test kits shipped worldwide created about 731,000 litres of chemical waste. In addition, between 2020 and 2022, the administration of more than 8 billion vaccines contributed to 144,000 tons of additional waste. [![Medical Waste Statistic: Selected supplies (PPE) needed every month by frontline healthcare workers worldwide to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 (in million units) | Statista](https://www.statista.com/graphic/1/1119103/supplies-needed-by-health-responders-against-covid-19-worldwide.jpg)](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1119103/supplies-needed-by-health-responders-against-covid-19-worldwide/) *Figure 1: [PPE Supplies Worldwide During the Covid19 Outbreak](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1119103/supplies-needed-by-health-responders-against-covid-19-worldwide/)* According to a scientific study conducted at the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), almost any PPE medical waste that is not disposed of in landfills or in incinerators ends up being discarded into the oceans. PPE is another source of plastic fibres and microplastics. A weathered mask, for instance, can release millions of microplastics into the aquatic environment, which can then end up being part of the food chain, endangering human health. It is therefore imperative to pay attention that infectious PPE is disposed in an adequate manner. [Incineration](https://www.inciner8.com/blog/ppe-incinerators-for-medical-waste) has always been the preferred method to get rid of equipment used to protect medical staff from highly infectious viruses and diseases such as SARS, Ebola, and the Swine Flu. [Precautionary measures](https://globalbiodefense.com/2020/05/12/how-is-used-ppe-disposed-of-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/) are often adopted in the disposal process of PPE waste, including segregation – separating PPE from other non-medical waste – as well as labeling as infectious, contagious, or ‘offensive’ (meaning contaminated but not infectious). ### PPE Medical Waste Disposal Issues Currently, many countries – especially developing nations – lack appropriate medical waste disposal management systems. #### India India’s very poor systems to facilitate the disposal of PPE, coupled with the lack of awareness through education as well as poor segregation, labelling, and incineration facilities, make the country one of [the worst in terms of medical waste management](https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/waste/covid-19-will-place-india-s-biomedical-waste-management-under-terrible-strain-77714). PPE in India is often seen discarded in the environment and it is often even burnt in crematoriums along with funeral pyres. Nonetheless – since March 2020 – India has taken significant steps to combat the problem of PPE disposal. Through the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India has categorised PPE as [“hazardous biomedical waste”](https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/waste/covid-19-will-place-india-s-biomedical-waste-management-under-terrible-strain-77714) and has provided disposal guidelines for public observation under the Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) rules of 2016 to dispose of PPE with utmost caution. These rules were [updated and amended](https://cpcb.nic.in/uploads/Projects/Bio-Medical-Waste/Pictorial_guide_covid.pdf) in 2018 and 2019 respectively to provide more comprehensive guidelines on the segregation and disposal of PPE medical waste. #### Africa During Covid-19, Africa experienced a huge rollout in the administration of vaccines, totalling [435 million](https://www.afro.who.int/news/managing-covid-19-waste-africa). However, due to major gaps in the guidelines of PPE disposal, the country struggled with [unprecedented waste rates.](https://www.afro.who.int/news/managing-covid-19-waste-africa) Because of a lack of proper incinerators, most PPE burning took place in the open and in [drums](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/11/the-toxic-waste-drum-is-everywhere/508418/), which contributed to a huge release of [toxic emissions](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/11/the-toxic-waste-drum-is-everywhere/508418/) into the environment. This method of resorting to burning PPE in the open is not only unique to Africa and India but is common practice in most countries that lack proper waste management guidelines and facilities. To help the continent, international organisations such as the WHO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as well as conservation groups such as the Global Environment Facility and Health Care Without Harm have developed [multi-sectoral steps](https://www.afro.who.int/news/managing-covid-19-waste-africa) to help health care workers in Africa reduce toxic emissions from improper PPE medical disposal. They took steps such as including protocols complementing existing measures and helping healthcare workers make [“informed decisions” through “decision trees”](https://www.afro.who.int/news/managing-covid-19-waste-africa) about COVID19 medical waste disposal. In addition, under the 1989 Basel and 2001 Stockholm conventions, the WHO recommends the use of technologies “that do not form and release chemicals or hazardous emissions” for the disposal of medical waste, including closed high-temperature incineration, high-pressure steam (autoclaving), and microwaving as opposed to burning PPE in the open. ### What Do We Need to Combat PPE Pollution? COVID19 medical waste, and especially PPE, warrants proper waste disposal management guidelines that must be established at the international level. Such regulations will undoubtedly help countries worldwide to establish their own individual guidelines at the national level. Nonetheless, international organisations can only do so much in terms of establishing programs and providing guidelines in terms of assistance to healthcare workers in the proper disposal of medical waste. Thus, countries worldwide must take constructive steps to adopt these guidelines at the national level. Some suggestions follow: Urge first-world countries to offer financial aid to assist third-world countries in setting up disposal infrastructure such as sorting, segregation, and disposal facilities. Establish a zero-tolerance policy, including a [tax levy](https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/tedb/legacy/taxDetail.html;jsessionid=jjkWXMzyLMWalBW6AX7IXhgXfRWw6MHiXmvV55k6M29lCEteee9r!-1728822136?id=857/1388754801&taxType=Other%20indirect%20tax) on improper handling of PPE. Update guidelines on medical waste, highlighting that it is an environmental concern because it can be highly infectious and contagious. Promote awareness campaigns and programs on how PPE affects our ecosystems if not properly disposed of. Measure such as awareness through programs, guidelines, and financial assistance must be accompanied by laws to effectively monitor and ensure compliance with the proper disposal of infectious PPE. If not, [compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2021/02/top-challenges-to-hipaa-compliance/) with these measures will likely not be followed through in the long run. --- This post, [Medical Waste Disposal and Its Impact on the Environment](https://earth.org/medical-waste-disposal/), was shared by [earth.org](https://earth.org/medical-waste-disposal/) on July 22, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [How You Should Dispose of Expired of Unused Medications](https://wastemedic.com/2022/07/22/how-you-should-dispose-of-expired-of-unused-medications/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Flushing or throwing away unused medications can contaminate waterways, threatening people and wildlife. Here are some safer solutions.* If you have a stash of unwanted, expired, or unused medicines in a cabinet or drawer somewhere in your home and you don’t know the best way to get rid of them, you’re not alone. A [2021 survey](https://swnsdigital.com/us/2021/04/more-than-two-thirds-of-americans-dont-know-how-to-properly-dispose-medications-new-research-reveals/) conducted on behalf of Covanta, a New Jersey-based waste management company, found that 53 percent of the 2,000 Americans polled had no idea what to do with their old medications. Pill hoarding is a common outcome, and many people eventually toss these drugs into household trash or flush them down the toilet or sink—none of which may be a good idea. Unused or expired medicines lying around at home can get into the wrong hands, leading to accidental poisoning or drug overdose. One [study](https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/139/4/e20163382/38360/Prescription-Opioid-Exposures-Among-Children-and?redirectedFrom=fulltext) found that between 2000 and 2015, U.S. Poison Control Centers received roughly 32 calls a day about children accidently ingesting opioids that had either been stored or disposed of incorrectly. When drugs are flushed or sent to landfill, the pharmaceuticals can contaminate our groundwater, lakes, rivers, and streams, threatening human and aquatic life, although our urine and feces that contain remnants of consumed medication are [bigger sources of pollution](https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1897/08-382.1). Wastewater treatment plants aren’t designed to remove these pharmaceuticals, Tim Carroll, a spokesperson for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, says in an email. *“*EPA’s first message to everyone is do NOT put leftover, unused drugs down the drain.” So how does one dispose of unneeded over-the-counter and prescription medications accumulating in our homes? There are a few options. ### Take-back programs for unused medications In an effort to find a solution to drugs languishing in medicine cabinets or lurking in waterways, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration launched its first National Take-Back Day in September 2010. [More than 4,000 sites across 50 states collected nearly 250,000 pounds of pharmaceuticals]() that people returned. Since then, DEA has hosted this single-day event biannually; in April this year, [more than 5,000 sites collected about 721,000 pounds of pharmaceuticals](). People can also use [mail-back envelopes](https://www.healthvermont.gov/media/newsroom/medication-mail-back-envelopes-august-2-2018) or drop off their unwanted medications year-round at [DEA-registered collection kiosks](https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e2s1) in police stations, pharmacies, community health centers, and hospitals. These returned drugs are then sent to medical waste incinerators. ![Picture of a DEA agent tossing a white box onto a pile of unused medications to be incinerated.](https://i.natgeofe.com/n/9ed09ea2-7ba7-44a8-80f8-a373c3529669/MMF03F.jpg?w=1272&h=848) Drug Enforcement Administration agents and Soldiers from the New Jersey National Guard’s Counter Drug Task Force dumped prescription drugs to be incinerated at the Covanta Essex Resource Recovery Facility during Operation Take Back New Jersey in Newark, N.J. Take-back programs are preferred as they reduce the risk of drug misuse and incineration “effectively eliminates the entrance of these pharmaceuticals into our nation’s waters,” Carroll says. However, [Steve Skerlos](https://me.engin.umich.edu/people/faculty/steve-skerlos/), a mechanical, civil, and environmental engineer at the University of Michigan argues that take-back programs could still result in medicines piling up in homes—a problem such programs were designed to address in the first place. “The question is, if I have extra, unused medication, am I going to leave my house in the next day, or week, even a month, to return that,” he says, especially in rural settings where take-back sites may not be as easily accessible. “A reasonable person may consider landfill to get it out of the house fast.” In such cases, the DEA suggests mixing medicinal tablets and capsules with undesirable substances like coffee grounds or kitty litter and tossing the mixture into the trash inside a sealed bag or container. (Don’t crush the drugs though.) And while the EPA advises against flushing pharmaceuticals down the drain, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains a list of limited medications that have the potential to be misused or result in death if taken inappropriately and so [can be flushed](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines) when safer disposal alternatives are lacking. Pharmacies also sell drug destroyers such as DisposeRx that can work with pills, tablets, capsules, liquids, and powders. “It’s about the size of a packet of sugar,” says Thomas Menighan, former CEO of the American Pharmacists Association. “You open it, put it in a bottle of unused opioids, or any medicine, for example, you pour a little water in and shake it up, it turns into a white slurry,” which can then be tossed into the trash. But it’s unclear if these products permanently bind or inactivate the medicinal compounds so that they don’t end up in the landfill liquid, which is released into wastewater treatment plants, and can eventually contaminate our waterways. ### Recycling pharmaceuticals Perhaps surprisingly, not all unused medications need to be thrown away. Every year [five billion dollars’ worth of unexpired medicine ends up being discarded in the U.S.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25512368/) That could happen because a patient dies, their condition improves and they no longer need their prescribed medication, there’s a dose change, or they experience side effects and are put on new drugs. In such cases these unexpired medications—worth an estimated $700 million—can be recycled. “We’re wasting a lot of medication which is already paid for,” says [Anandi Law](https://www.westernu.edu/bios/?bio=alaw), a patient engagement specialist at the Western University of Health Sciences in California. “We could have somebody else who needs it have it.” Millions of U.S. adults skip or delay getting their prescriptions filled due to high costs. Hence, at least 40 states have passed legislation to establish medication repository programs that allow pharmacies, drug manufactures, medical and long-term care facilities, and sometimes individuals to donate their unused drugs in original sealed containers or tamper-evident packaging. A licensed pharmacist then inspects the donated medication to check the expiry date and look for signs of tampering, misbranding, or any indication that the drug could be compromised. Once approved, the drugs can be dispensed to uninsured or underinsured individuals via state-approved pharmacies, hospitals, charitable clinics, or community health centers. Since its inception in 2007, Iowa’s drug donation program, [SafeNetRx](https://safenetrx.org/drug-donation-repository), has served more than 117,000 patients and redistributed nearly $54-million worth of medication and supplies. Georgia’s program formally launched in 2018, and it has already filled prescriptions worth over $50 million. “Even though over 40 states have these drug donation laws, a lot of people don’t know that they exist,” says Kiah Williams, co-founder of SIRUM, a nonprofit organization that works with pharmacies and health facilities across the country to assist with drug donation. Donating unused medications or using take-back programs are voluntary for households, but experts hope more people will use these options instead of disposing of their leftover drugs in the trash or down the drain, which tends to be more convenient. “All of these efforts are still relatively new,” Carroll says. “We expect we have a long way to go until households change their habits.” --- This post, [How You Should Dispose of Expired of Unused Medications](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/how-you-should-dispose-of-unused-or-expired-medications), was shared by [National Geographic](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/how-you-should-dispose-of-unused-or-expired-medications) on July 22, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Potential HIPAA Violation Resolved, OCR Settles PHI Case](https://wastemedic.com/2022/08/26/ocr-settles-improper-phi-disposal-case-resolves-potential-hipaa-violation/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *New England Dermatology agreed to pay $300,640 to resolve a potential HIPAA violation after it threw away specimen containers labeled with PHI in an unsecured garbage bin.* The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) [settled](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/08/23/ocr-settles-case-concerning-improper-disposal-protected-health-information.html) a case with New England Dermatology and Laser Center (NEDLC) to resolve a potential HIPAA violation involving improper protected health information (PHI) disposal. NEDLC paid $300,640 to OCR and agreed to implement a corrective action plan. The Massachusetts-based practice filed a breach report with OCR in May 2021 stating that empty specimen containers with labels that included PHI were thrown away in a garbage bin in the practice’s parking lot. What’s more, on March 31, 2021, a third-party security guard found one specimen container with a label containing PHI in the parking lot. The labels included patient names, birth dates, dates of sample collection, and the name of the provider who took the specimen. “NEDLC stated that it regularly discarded specimen containers with an attached label that contained PHI as regular waste, bagged and placed in an exterior dumpster accessible via the parking lot, without alteration to the PHI containing label,” OCR stated. “This practice was in effect from February 4, 2011 until March 31, 2021.” OCR’s New England Regional Office investigated the incident and found potential HIPAA Privacy Rule violations, including the impermissible use and disclosure of PHI and failure to employ appropriate safeguards to maintain the privacy of PHI. The settlement does not equate to an admission of liability by NEDLC. The practice agreed to implement a [corrective action plan](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/compliance-enforcement/agreements/nedlc-ra-cap/index.html) that requires it to develop, maintain, and revise its policies and procedures surrounding the handling of PHI. NEDLC is also required to designate a privacy official who is responsible for the implementation of those policies, and it must distribute the new policies to all members of the workforce and relevant business associates within 30 days of HHS approval. Additionally, NEDLC must submit an implementation report and annual reports to HHS and must train its workforce members to handle PHI in compliance with its updated policies and procedures. “Improper disposal of protected health information creates an unnecessary risk to patient privacy,” Melanie Fontes Rainer, acting OCR director, explained in the announcement. “[HIPAA](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/back-to-basics-what-is-hipaa/) regulated entities should take every step to ensure that safeguards are in place when disposing of patient information to keep it from being accessible by the public.” In its announcement, OCR also linked to HHS guidance surrounding the proper disposal of PHI to help organizations avoid similar situations. The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires covered entities to implement appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect PHI at all times. “Thus, covered entities are not permitted to simply abandon PHI or dispose of it in dumpsters or other containers that are accessible by the public or other unauthorized persons,” the guidance stated. “However, the Privacy and Security Rules do not require a particular disposal method. Covered entities must review their own circumstances to determine what steps are reasonable to safeguard PHI through disposal, and develop and implement policies and procedures to carry out those steps.” Covered entities are not permitted to throw PHI away in publicly accessible dumpsters unless the PHI has been rendered unreadable. Instead, covered entities should consider using a disposal vendor as a business associate to safely discard PHI. Alternatively, organizations could place PHI in a locked dumpster that is only accessible by authorized individuals. --- This post, [OCR Settles Improper PHI Disposal Case, Resolves Potential HIPAA Violation](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/ocr-settles-improper-phi-disposal-case-resolves-potential-hipaa-violation), was shared by [Health IT Security](https://healthitsecurity.com) on August 23, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Why It's Important To Get Right Rid Of Medical Waste The Right Way](https://wastemedic.com/2022/08/26/why-its-important-to-get-right-rid-of-medical-waste-the-right-way/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Do you run a medical facility? If so, you understand how important it is to correctly eliminate medical waste. Medical waste is one of the most dangerous types of waste. It can contain all sorts of contaminants and diseases, which is why it’s so important to get rid of it correctly. Improper disposal can lead to serious health problems for both people and animals. This article will discuss the importance of safely and responsibly getting rid of medical waste safely and responsibly. Let’s get to the list. ### Medical Waste is Dangerous The first and most obvious reason you should dispose of medical waste correctly is that it’s dangerous. As highlighted by [the experts at sanprowaste.com](https://sanprowaste.com/), medical waste can contain all sorts of contaminants and diseases, which is why it’s so important to get rid of it correctly. YOu might need to contact a professional company specializing in medical waste removal to ensure it’s taken care of properly. Improper disposal can lead to serious health problems for both people and animals. Some harmful chemicals in this type of waste include mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium, and arsenic. These can all cause serious health problems if someone is exposed to them. In some cases, these chemicals can even be fatal. Ensure that you take the proper precautions to protect yourself, your employees, and your patients from these dangerous chemicals. ### It’s the Law In many cases, getting rid of medical waste correctly is not just a good idea, but it’s also the law. There are federal, state, and local regulations in place that dictate how medical waste must be disposed of. These laws are in place to protect the public from the dangers of medical waste. If you’re not sure how to dispose of something correctly, be sure to research it or ask someone who does. Disposing of medical waste incorrectly can result in heavy fines or even jail time. You may also be liable if someone is injured or becomes ill because of improper disposal. This is why it’s important to ensure you’re correctly disposing of [medical waste](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/medical-waste). For instance, you should never put medical waste in the regular trash. ### It Protects the Environment In addition to protecting people, disposing of medical waste correctly also protects the environment. Improper disposal can contaminate soil and water, leading to [serious environmental problems](https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/15-current-environmental-problems.php). This can harm plant and animal life, as well as the quality of the environment overall. When medical waste is disposed of in landfills, it can release harmful gasses into the atmosphere. These gasses can contribute to climate change and adversely affect the health of people and animals. Therefore, choosing an eco-friendly disposal option for medical waste is important. You can hire a company specializing in eco-friendly medical waste disposal or look for other options, such as recycling. ### Infectious Diseases Another reason you should get rid of medical waste correctly is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This waste can contain [blood](https://www.bbntimes.com/science/the-pomp-and-circumstance-of-blood) with harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illnesses. If it’s not disposed of properly, these diseases can spread quickly and affect many people. For instance, if needles and syringes are not disposed of correctly, they can end up in the hands of someone who could use them and become infected with a disease. This is why it’s so important to ensure that all medical waste is properly disposed of. ### Improves Operational Efficiency Not disposing of medical waste correctly can also lead to inefficiencies in your operations. This is because you’ll have to spend more time cleaning up and dealing with the waste. This can take away from other important tasks, such as patient care. In addition, if you’re not disposing of medical waste correctly, you may need to purchase more supplies, such as gloves and masks. This can increase your costs and reduce your profits. Therefore, it’s important to get rid of medical waste the right way to improve your operational efficiency. ### It Saves Lives Ultimately, getting rid of medical waste correctly saves lives. By disposing of it properly, you’re preventing the spread of dangerous diseases and protecting the environment. This is why choosing a reputable company specializing in medical waste removal is important. They will ensure that all of your medical waste is disposed of correctly and safely. Also, disposing of medical waste ensures that no communicable diseases can be transferred from one person to another through contact with contaminated surfaces. Hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities generate a lot of medical waste. If this waste is not disposed of correctly, it can seriously threaten the public. [Medical waste disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2022/07/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/) is regulated by law for the safety of the public. Improper disposal can lead to heavy fines. Medical waste should never be put in the regular trash. Disposing of medical waste correctly protects people and the environment from infection and contamination. Hiring a company specializing in eco-friendly medical waste disposal is important to ensure that all of your medical waste is disposed of correctly and safely. Doing so saves lives and improves operational efficiency. --- This post, [Why It’s Important To Get Right Rid Of Medical Waste The Right Way](https://www.bbntimes.com/society/why-it-s-important-to-get-right-rid-of-medical-waste-the-right-way), was shared by [BBN Times](https://www.bbntimes.com) on August 17, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Stanford Researchers Discuss Making US Health Care More Sustainable](https://wastemedic.com/2022/10/10/stanford-medical-researchers-discuss-how-to-make-u-s-health-care-more-sustainable/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *The health care sector accounts for almost 10% of U.S. emissions and is one of the country’s largest producers of waste. What can be done to make it more sustainable, while maintaining safety?* If you were being treated in a hospital, your immediate concerns probably wouldn’t include plastic waste, but maybe they should. Growing awareness of the links between environmental and human health has some in the U.S. health care system wondering if the pledge they take to “do no harm” extends to the natural world. The sector accounts for almost 10% of U.S. emissions and is one of the country’s largest producers of waste, about a quarter of which is single-use plastic in the form of syringes, test kits, gloves, and other equipment. Some health care organizations, however, have scored sustainability successes by using automated machines that dispense insulin into syringes instead of using individual vials, collecting unused bedside supplies to donate rather than dispose of after patient discharge, and installing solar panels, among other initiatives. Below, Stanford University infectious disease physician Desiree LaBeaud and undergraduate student Navami Jain join Helen Wilmot, chief facilities and sustainability officer at [Stanford Health Care](https://stanfordhealthcare.org/), and Christine Foster, director of sustainability at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, to discuss alternatives to single-use medical items, the need for regulatory change, and more. Jain and LaBeaud recently co-authored a commentary in *AMA Journal of Ethics*, *[How Should U.S. Health Care Lead Global Change in Plastic Waste Disposal?](https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/how-should-us-health-care-lead-global-change-plastic-waste-disposal/2022-10)* Wilmot attended a [roundtable at the White House](https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2022/06/climate-pledge.html) this past June on reducing the health care industry’s climate-warming emissions. Foster has presented at various national conferences on the topic of decarbonizing health care. **What are some of the most promising solutions for making health care more sustainable?** **Wilmot:** Each health system should establish a policy that determines sustainability criteria – such as greenhouse gas emissions and chemicals of concern – for goods and services and includes contract language for suppliers to report such criteria. Beyond that, the industry needs a regulatory environment that values reusables over disposables. At a federal level, the FDA should be asking suppliers to default to reusable items as appropriate and require justifications for single-use disposable items. **Jain:** One solution that has attracted a lot of spotlight is reusable gowns. A 2020 Stanford-led [study](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.590275/full) provides evidence for their safety, sustainability, and cost-savings. A lot of institutions, notably UCLA and UCSF, have successfully used these gowns on a regular basis. **What are the biggest obstacles to making U.S. health care more sustainable?** **Jain:** There is a lack of accountability, both within institutional operations and supply chain procurement. In hospitals and other health care facilities, sustainability is not close to a priority so no one is held accountable for failing on that count. **Foster:** The lack of product-level sustainability data creates a barrier to making decisions with overall carbon impact in mind. Approximately 77% of the carbon footprint for [Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford](https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/) is attributed to supply chain. Our percentage is higher than the industry average because we have already reduced or eliminated many of the other greenhouse gas sources in our operations. **Wilmot:** The health system has a number of important priorities that compete with sustainability, such as quality initiatives, cost containment, and patient satisfaction. It’s hard to make a change or adjust workflows or change medical products when there are always other urgencies in focus. **To what extent is staff or public perception an issue for switching from disposal items marketed as more sanitary to reusable items that may be perceived as less sanitary or safe? How can health care organizations overcome these concerns?** **Jain:** A lot of the reservations stem from uncertainty about the quality control strategies for reusable products. I think we owe staff and patients transparent communication about sterilization procedures and study-backed evidence of product safety. **LaBeaud:** Again, I think awareness is a huge part of this. Sustainability and impacts of climate on health must be integrated into medical curriculum from the very beginning. Grants and prizes to incentivize innovative ideas in sustainability can be used to get health care workers excited about combatting this crisis together. **Foster:** As we have begun to share information about the impacts of climate on health, and the contribution that health care is making to climate impacts with the professionals in our community, it has been amazing to see how quickly they become engaged and want to contribute to solutions. **What other benefits are there to more sustainable health care?** **Jain:** In our paper, we discuss case examples where health care systems recover millions in savings through waste mitigation and recovery efforts. For example, one U.S. hospital system’s implementation of reusable gowns resulted in savings of more than $3.5 million over four years. It’s been estimated that health care organizations in Nova Scotia, Canada, could save more than $12 million due to policies that hold manufacturers and importers accountable by internalizing environmental costs associated with waste streams. **Foster:** Moving to cleaner fuels and eliminating chemicals of concern from the products and equipment we use in the hospital creates a healthier environment for our patients, families, and staff, as well as the communities we operate in. --- This post, [Stanford medical researchers discuss how to make U.S. health care more sustainable](https://news.stanford.edu/2022/10/06/sustainable-health-care/), was shared by [Stanford News](https://news.stanford.edu/2022/10/06/sustainable-health-care/) on October 6, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Why is HIPAA Important?](https://wastemedic.com/2022/10/10/why-is-hipaa-important/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a landmark piece of legislation, but why is HIPAA important? What changes did HIPAA introduce and what are the benefits to the healthcare industry and patients? HIPAA was introduced in 1996, primarily to address one particular issue: Insurance coverage for individuals that are between jobs. Without HIPAA, employees faced a loss of insurance coverage when they were between jobs. A second goal of HIPAA was to prevent healthcare fraud and ensure that all ‘protected health information’ was appropriately secured and to restrict access to health data to authorized individuals. ## Why is HIPAA Important for Healthcare Orgs? HIPAA introduced a number of important benefits for the healthcare industry to help with the transition from paper records to electronic copies of health information. HIPAA has helped to streamline administrative healthcare functions, improve efficiency in the healthcare industry, and ensure protected health information is shared securely. The standards for recording health data and electronic transactions ensures everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet. Since all HIPAA-covered entities must use the same code sets and nationally recognized identifiers, this helps enormously with the transfer of electronic health information between healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities. ## Why is HIPAA Important for Patients? Arguably, the greatest benefits of HIPAA are for patients. HIPAA is important because it ensures healthcare providers, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and business associates of HIPAA-covered entities must implement multiple safeguards to protect sensitive personal and health information. While no healthcare organization wants to expose sensitive data or have health information stolen, without HIPAA there would be no requirement for healthcare organizations to safeguard data – and no repercussions if they failed to do so. HIPAA established rules that require healthcare organizations to control who has access to health data, restricting who can view health information and who that information can be shared with. HIPAA helps to ensure that any information disclosed to healthcare providers and health plans, or information that is created by them, transmitted, or stored by them, is subject to strict security controls. Patients are also given control over who their information is released to and who it is shared with. HIPAA is important for patients who want to take a more active role in their healthcare and want to obtain copies of their health information. Even with great care, healthcare organizations can make mistakes when recording health information. If patients are able to obtain copies, they can check for errors and ensure mistakes are corrected. Obtaining copies of health information also helps patients when they seek treatment from new healthcare providers – information can be passed on, tests do not need to be repeated, and new healthcare providers have the entire health history of a patient to inform their decisions. Prior to the Introduction of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, there was no requirements for healthcare organizations to release copies of patients’ health information. ## Why is HIPAA Important? FAQs **What might happen to healthcare data if it was not protected by HIPAA?** Prior to HIPAA, the theft of healthcare data was often used for committing identity theft. This not only had financial implications for patients whose data was stolen, but also enabled criminals to obtain healthcare under false pretenses or sell the data on the black market to uninsured persons who could receive expensive healthcare treatments. This resulted in increased insurance costs which were passed down to individuals in the form of increased insurance premiums. **What are the financial benefits for Covered Entities of complying with HIPAA?** It is difficult to quantify the financial benefits of streamlined administration and improved efficiency because the changes Covered Entities have had to introduce have been over a long period of time. However, there is evidence to suggest HIPAA compliance leads to better patient outcomes, which leads to higher workforce morale. If true, compliant Covered Entities will benefit financially from CMS [value-based programs](https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Value-Based-Programs/Value-Based-Programs) and have fewer costs related to staff turnover. **Why is it important for healthcare professionals to comply with HIPAA?** Healthcare professionals are most often told it is important to comply with HIPAA because of the sanctions for noncompliance. A different argument is that HIPAA compliance builds trust, which gives patients the confidence to reveal details about their health to healthcare professionals, which improves the delivery of healthcare. The improved delivery of healthcare results in better patient outcomes, which leads to higher morale. Effectively, by complying with HIPAA, healthcare professionals enjoy more rewarding experiences and get more from their vocation. **If patients are unable to exercise their patients´ right allowed by HIPAA, what might happen?** Healthcare professionals are very hardworking individuals, and it´s not unheard of for mistakes to be made with patients´ records that can result in misdiagnoses, the wrong treatment being provided, or the wrong medication being prescribed. By giving patients the right to inspect their medical records and make corrections when necessary, the risks of incorrect diagnoses, treatments, and medications are mitigated. Additionally, having access to their records helps patients take more responsibility for their own well being. **How do patients control who their information is released to and shared with?** Covered Entities are allowed to release and share patient information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. For all other disclosures of patient information, Covered Entities must obtain patient consent or give patients the opportunity to object to their information being released or shared. How patients consent or object should be explained in the Covered Entitys Notice of Privacy Practices along with an explanation of how patients can obtain an “Accounting of Disclosures” to ensure information is not released or shared without their consent. --- This post, [Why is HIPAA Important?](https://www.hipaajournal.com/why-is-hipaa-important/), was shared by [HIPAA Journal](https://www.hipaajournal.com/why-is-hipaa-important/) and updated on February 12, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [How One Community is Educating its Residents on Proper Disposal of Home Medical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/disposal-home-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** ###### Published: March 8, 2017 This post, [How One Community is Educating its Residents on Proper Disposal of Home Medical Waste](http://www.waste360.com/medical-waste/how-one-community-educating-its-residents-proper-disposal-home-medical-waste), first appeared on [www.waste360.com](http://www.waste360.com/medical-waste/how-one-community-educating-its-residents-proper-disposal-home-medical-waste). --- When household medical waste—from sharps and tubing to IV bags—is improperly disposed of in recycling containers, it slows the work at materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and can put workers’ health in jeopardy. Recently motivated by medical waste thrown into residential recycling carts, the Region of Peel, which provides waste management services in the cities of Brampton and Mississauga and in the Town of Caledon, in Ontario, Canada, reached out to remind its 1.4 million residents what constitutes household medical waste and sharps and how they need to properly dispose of them. “The Region of Peel has seen a spike in the amount of this type of waste that is being placed in recycling since we introduced our carts,” says Erwin Pascual, the region’s manager of waste program planning. The Peel Region, located in southern Ontario, has undergone a major transition during the past few decades. Rapid population growth and commercial development have transformed what was primarily a rural area of farms and villages into a blend of urban, industrial and residential areas. The carts were introduced in January 2016 as part of a new automated residential waste program. Residents were given three carts—one for organics, one for trash and one for recycling. Recycling is mandatory in the region of Peel. The region’s MRF is seeing medical waste from households end up in its recycling stream on a daily basis. This type of waste slows down processing of recyclables, while exposing workers to potential health risks. “The amount of material received and the number of operational stoppages Peel has experienced over the last year has significantly increased, which is why we issued the press release,” says Pascual. Residents who generate home health care waste—such as dialysis tubing, filters and disposable towels and sheets, colostomy bags, IV bags and tubing, gastric and nasal tubes, and soiled dressings and incontinence products—are being reminded they should double-bag the material and place it in the garbage. No medical waste should be placed in the recycling bins. Sharp objects, such as needles, syringes and lancets, should not be placed in regular garbage or recycling containers or carts, waste management officials noted, but in sharps containers made specifically for disposal of medical sharps. Coffee cans and other rigid containers not made for the job should be avoided. The region offers free sharps containers at each of its six Community Recycling Centres (CRCs). Any needles, syringes and lancets are to be placed in the biohazard containers and returned to any CRC for free disposal. The region provides a free replacement container each time a full container is returned. Residents also can visit pharmacies participating in the Ontario Sharps Collection Program (OSCP) for a similar biohazard container service. The OSCP is a stewardship program by the Health Products Stewardship Association promoting the safe simplified disposal of sharps from the public to avoid improper disposal in garbage and recycling bins. If residents have more household medical waste than will fit in their garbage, they can make a request to the region to be added to its medical waste exemption list. If residents aren’t sure how to dispose of an item, they also can visit a web site to use a ‘how to sort your waste’ tool, Pascual adds. The tool gives residents the best disposal options for their waste. In the future, the region hopes it can educate as many key players as possible to keep household medical waste from ending up at the MRF. “To further address this issue, we are planning to target our education campaign to other parties that are involved in the provision of home health care, such as pharmacies, home health care service providers and medical suppliers so that they know and understand how to dispose of this material properly and they can pass this information along to their customers,” he says. --- This post, [How One Community is Educating its Residents on Proper Disposal of Home Medical Waste](http://www.waste360.com/medical-waste/how-one-community-educating-its-residents-proper-disposal-home-medical-waste), first appeared on [www.waste360.com](http://www.waste360.com/medical-waste/how-one-community-educating-its-residents-proper-disposal-home-medical-waste). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Hazardous Waste Disposal Day Scheduled for June 3 in Tuscaloosa](https://wastemedic.com/2017/05/23/hazardous-waste-disposal-day-scheduled-june-3-tuscaloosa/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Hazardous Waste Disposal Day scheduled for June 3](http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20170519/hazardous-waste-disposal-day-scheduled-for-june-3), first appeared on [http://www.tuscaloosanews.com](http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20170519/hazardous-waste-disposal-day-scheduled-for-june-3). --- By Jason Morton / Staff Writer This year’s annual Hazardous Waste Disposal Day is set for June 3. Tuscaloosa city officials said the event, a partnership with Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa, will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at the city’s Public Safety Logistics at 3311 Kauloosa Ave. The city classifies household hazardous waste as the discarded, unused or leftover portion of household products containing toxic chemicals. Many of these chemicals bear by warning labels such as “poisonous” or “flammable,” and improper disposal of these materials can pose a threat to human health and the environment. Items dropped off either will be neutralized and recycled into new product or safely and properly disposed, city officials said. However, tires, medical waste and radioactive wastes will not be accepted. This free drop-off event is open only to residents of Tuscaloosa County and materials from commercial businesses, non-profit organizations or residents outside Tuscaloosa County will not be accepted. Also, because of the high cost of this event, the city of Tuscaloosa reserves the right to limit quantities accepted and to stop accepting certain materials once a designated quota is met. Examples of accepted household hazardous wastes include: - Drain cleaner - Photo cleaner - Household cleaners - Rust preventative - Mothballs - Automotive fluids - Paint thinner - Herbicides - Pool chemicals - Metal polish - Batteries --- This post, [Hazardous Waste Disposal Day scheduled for June 3](http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20170519/hazardous-waste-disposal-day-scheduled-for-june-3), first appeared on [http://www.tuscaloosanews.com](http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20170519/hazardous-waste-disposal-day-scheduled-for-june-3). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Updates and Tips for Pharmaceutical Waste Management (Don’t Waste Time!)](https://wastemedic.com/2017/10/04/updates-tips-pharmaceutical-waste-management-dont-waste-time/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Updates and Tips for Pharmaceutical Waste Management (Don’t Waste Time!)](http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Review-Articles/Article/10-17/Updates-and-Tips-for-Pharmaceutical-Waste-Management/44700), first appeared on [http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/](http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Review-Articles/Article/10-17/Updates-and-Tips-for-Pharmaceutical-Waste-Management/44700). --- ***Despina Kotis, PharmD, FASHP*** *Director of Pharmacy Northwestern Medicine* *Chicago, Illinois* ***Katie Gauen, PharmD*** *Medication Safety and Compliance Pharmacist Northwestern Memorial Hospital* *Chicago, Illinois* Institutions across the country are faced with 2 key challenges related to pharmaceutical waste management: 1) the proper disposal of drugs, particularly if they are deemed hazardous, and 2) the safe and secure disposal of unused controlled substances—an effort that can contribute to the national goal of addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic. With a team approach and careful planning, both of these challenges can be met by motivated health systems. Health care providers all want what is best for their patients, employees, and the environment, but the processing of waste is chaotic and confusing, with many regulatory bodies and multiple standards that may or may not align conveniently. Additionally, waste streams within an institution are intimately connected, which can contribute to confusion about responsibility for management (Figure).1,2 Health care facilities spend more than $8 billion on energy every year and are responsible for almost 10% of the total energy used in US commercial buildings.3 A study conducted at the University of Chicago showed that the health care system accounts for approximately 8% of the carbon footprint in the United States.4 Additionally, a 2002 study by the US Geological Survey found organic waste contaminants in 80% of water streams tested.5 These numbers should be concerning to those in health care: If we heal our patients within our walls, how can we feel comfortable sending them back into a community we have contaminated because of poorly handled drug waste? [![image](http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/aimages/2017/PPNSE1017_0017_b_.jpg)](http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/aimages/2017/PPNSE1017_0017_b_.jpg "Figure")**Figure. The interconnected waste streams within a health care system.****ED,** emergency department; **Haz,** hazardous; **HIPAA,** Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; **MSW,** municipal solid waste; **OR,** operating room; **Path**, pathology**;** regulated medical waste; **RMW,** regulated medical waste; **Rx,** pharmaceuticals Based on reference 2. How do we best protect our employees and our patients? The purpose of this article is to inform readers about the policy and regulatory changes related to pharmaceutical waste, and how knowledge of those changes can protect patients, employees, and others. #### New Environmental Standards There are many variables that influence pharmaceutical waste regulation, and one is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2015, the EPA released a proposed rule, Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals.6 The proposal was a result of the recognition that: - patient care is health care workers’ primary responsibility; therefore, they have little time to devote to understanding the nuances of waste management; - the continuous changes to a hospital formulary make it challenging to know which products are considered hazardous; and - waste management involves many manual steps that are prone to human error. The EPA also recognizes that health care facilities operate differently from industrial facilities, but both are subject to regulations on waste management under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Prior to the EPA proposal, there was nothing specifically outlined in the RCRA for waste from any health care–related facility. In light of these points and the repeated findings that pharmaceutical waste is entering the environment, the EPA drafted the 2015 proposal to assist with appropriate management and encourage safe disposal. The EPA accepted comments on the proposal until December 24, 2015, and the public comments are still under review, with no clear timeline for implementation.7 Once the regulations are finalized, they will go into effect 6 months later. With the introduction of these regulations, the EPA anticipates preventing 6,400 tons of hazardous pharmaceutical waste from entering the environment through flushing. #### What’s Considered Hazardous? The first step in controlling hazardous pharmaceutical waste is to define what is hazardous. The guidance document by the Healthcare Environmental Resource Center, published in 2008, delineates hazardous waste into 2 categories: listed wastes and characteristic wastes.8 Listed wastes are further categorized as F, K, P, and U. Both the P and U lists contain pharmaceuticals. Nicotine, warfarin, cyclophosphamide, and daunomycin are included in these lists. In addition to P- and U-listed medications, pharmaceuticals also can be defined as hazardous if they fit at least 1 of the following measurable properties: ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic when measured to determine potential to leach into a disposal environment. It is important to recognize that health care facilities are responsible for determining which substances are considered hazardous waste.6 Managing this list and appropriate disposal can become complicated, particularly when medications are given more than one designation, such as hazardous and a controlled substance, or hazardous and radioactive. Fortunately, the new EPA proposal outlines these items clearly. A second way to define which medications are hazardous is by reviewing the hazardous drug list published by the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), most recently updated in 2016.9 This list defines hazardous by grouping medications into 1 of 3 categories: **Group 1** consists entirely of antineoplastic agents, such as cisplatin, doxorubicin, and tamoxifen. **Group 2** medications have at least 1 hazardous drug property, such as being carcinogenic, teratogenic, or possessing potential organ toxicity. Examples include cyclosporine, fosphenytoin, and ganciclovir. **Group 3** medications such as fluconazole and warfarin primarily are associated with some reproductive risk. Although the EPA primarily is considering hazards to the environment, NIOSH focuses much more on the safety of health care employees handling these medications and the patients receiving them. Certainly both are considerations that need to be made for the well-being and safety of everyone in our communities. The US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) created the USP General Chapter <800> “Hazardous Drugs—Handling in Healthcare Settings,”10 which will become enforceable in July 2018. The scope and breadth of the new chapter are significant, and the concept of waste is among the considerations institutions must discuss. The process for disposal of medications may be different from that for the “soft waste” of hazardous drug packaging and personal protective equipment. Additionally, there is human waste (excreta) of patients taking hazardous medications to consider when planning for operational changes. Development of these plans will vary by health system, and likely will require interdisciplinary conversations with nursing colleagues as well as environmental services. #### NMH Green Initiative Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) is an 894-bed academic medical center in downtown Chicago, Illinois, and recently ranked 13th on *US News & World Report*’s 2017-2018 Best Hospitals Honor Roll.11 In 2010, NMH developed the Green Team to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability based on review, evaluation, and implementation of waste minimization opportunities through reuse and recycling initiatives.1 The team is supported by physicians and nursing, and the operational support consists of the following members: environmental services, occupational health and employee safety, pharmacy, health care epidemiology and infection prevention, and the medical and pharmaceutical waste vendor contracted with NMH. In 2014, the NMH Green Team joined efforts with the NMHC Sustainability Committee to focus on appropriate waste management, reduction of the carbon footprint, and water conservation. In fiscal year 2016, NMH generated more than 768,000 lb of regulated medical waste, 111,000 lb of sharps waste, and 22,000 gal of chemical waste. More specific to pharmacy, nearly 30,000 gal of pharmaceutical waste were generated during that same period (Table). NMH is striving to decrease its contribution to the carbon footprint, and it has seen some increases in its recycled materials and corresponding reductions in its trash and regulated medical waste disposal. Although not all of the changes are dramatic, this is at least partially attributed to increased understanding by staff of which materials should be deposited in which containers. Table. Northwestern Memorial Hospital Waste DataWaste TypeFY14 Generation RateFY15 Generation RateFY16 Generation RateFY17 Generation Rate (through July 2017)Regulated medical waste—red bag waste797,030 lb736,998 lb768,322 lb787,353 lbSharps106,285 lb103,685 lb111,170 lb111,751 lbChemical waste21,755 gal20,860 gal22,695 gal23,615 galPharmaceutical waste31,410 gal30,531 gal29,597 gal30,359 galPlastics diverted from landfill126,142 lb115,373 lb120,138 lb116,140 lb**FY,** fiscal year Initiatives include streamlining waste disposal with clearly differentiated waste receptacles and significant education given to staff. On a quarterly basis, the vendor contracted with NMH performs “aftercare visits,” during which a representative from the company visits all locations in the institution where waste is generated. The representative evaluates the appropriateness of disposal and then reports back any discrepancies to supervisors for reeducation. The most recent quarterly audit of waste locations at NMH revealed that more than 70% of sites achieved a “good” compliance rating, approximately 23% achieved “moderate” compliance, and 6% were deemed noncompliant. For those areas of moderate compliance or noncompliance, notes were shared to facilitate follow-up and remedial learning for each location. Signage is posted in these areas to remind staff which waste is disposed of in which containers. There are also opportunities to use high-efficiency technology, pursue LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, and recycle materials, such as sharps containers, which can be reused up to 600 times. This recycling process is part of the way plastics are diverted from landfills (Table). #### Controlling Controls Not all waste management conversations revolve around hazardous medications. As noted, another complex component of pharmaceutical waste is controlled substance handling. On the inpatient side, NMH uses a medication waste disposal system to render unused controlled substances unrecoverable. These types of systems reduce risk for diversion while also decreasing environmental exposure. Currently, these systems are exclusively within pharmacy locations, but expanding to the patient care units is in discussion. On the outpatient side, NMH has been working to establish a mechanism for its patients to safely dispose of their unused medications. Pharmacists, physicians, nurses, lawyers, and the local Drug Enforcement Administration representative have all worked together to establish a drop box for unused medications within a post-op digestive health clinic. Although the program was started as an initiative to decrease excess opioid use after surgery, patients can bring any medications for disposal. NMH pharmacy manages this box in conjunction with the vendor who supplies it, and the intent is to contribute to the national goal of addressing the opioid epidemic in a safe and secure way. [![image](http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/aimages/2017/PPNSE1017_0017_c_600.jpg)](http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/aimages/2017/PPNSE1017_0017_c_600.jpg "Northwestern Memorial Hospital uses both inpatient (left) and patient-friendly outpatient (right) bins to facilitate safe and secure drug disposal")Northwestern Memorial Hospital uses both inpatient (left) and patient-friendly outpatient (right) bins to facilitate safe and secure drug disposal. There were many challenges in the rollout of this initiative, such as choosing the best location, the procedure for emptying the box, and the security required, but the interdisciplinary team championed by a physician who is passionate about public health made for a successful outcome. This initiative was particularly challenging because NMH does not have an open-door retail pharmacy in which to place the box, so the team worked to meet requirements in the clinic setting. The potential for expanding the project to other clinics in the hospital already is being discussed as the opioid crisis continues to make headlines. By decreasing the amount of unused medications that patients have and facilitating their disposal, the team hopes to reduce the amount of prescription medications circulating on the streets of Chicago. #### Conclusion Disposal of pharmaceutical waste is not necessarily among the more glamorous topics for time-strapped health systems. However, the safety of our employees, our patients, and our communities depends on the diligent efforts of every physician, nurse, and pharmacy staff member who handles these compounds. #### References 1. Kotis D. Secrets to a successful and sustainable pharmaceutical waste management program. Joint Commission Resources. [www.jcrinc.com/?secrets-to-a-successful-and-sustainable-pharmaceutical-waste-management-program/?](http://www.jcrinc.com/secrets-to-a-successful-and-sustainable-pharmaceutical-waste-management-program/). 2015. Accessed September 7, 2017. 2. Stericycle Inc. Interconnected waste streams. Digital image. Courtesy of Stericycle Inc. 3. Risser R. Energy Department’s Hospital Energy Alliance helps partner save energy and money. US Department of Energy. [http://energy.gov/?articles/?energy-department-s-hospital-energy-alliance-helps-partner-save-energy-and-money](http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-s-hospital-energy-alliance-helps-partner-save-energy-and-money). September 4, 2012. Accessed September 7, 2017. 4. Chung JW, Meltzer DO. Estimate of the carbon footprint of the US health care sector. *JAMA*. 2009;302(18):1970-1972. 5. Buxton HT, Kolpin DW. Pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic wastewater contaminants in U.S. streams. US Geological Survey. [http://toxics.usgs.gov/?pubs/?FS-027-02/?](http://toxics.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-027-02/). June 2002. Accessed September 7, 2017. 6. Environmental Protection Agency. Management standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. *Fed Regist*. [www.gpo.gov/?fdsys/?pkg/?FR-2015-09-25/?pdf/?2015-23167.pdf](http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-09-25/pdf/2015-23167.pdf). September 25, 2015. Accessed September 7, 2017. 7. Environmental Protection Agency. Frequent questions about the management standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals proposed rule. [www.epa.gov/?hwgenerators/?frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed](http://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). August 18, 2016. Accessed September 7, 2017. 8. Pines E, Smith C. Managing pharmaceutical waste: a 10-step blueprint for healthcare facilities in the United States. Healthcare Environmental Resource Center. [www.hercenter.org/?hazmat/?tenstepblueprint.pdf](http://www.hercenter.org/hazmat/tenstepblueprint.pdf). August 2008. Accessed September 7, 2017. 9. CDC. NIOSH list of antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in healthcare settings, 2016. Department of Health and Human Resources. [www.cdc.gov/?niosh/?docs/?2016-161/?pdfs/?2016-161.pdf](http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2016-161/pdfs/2016-161.pdf). Accessed August 11, 2017. 10. US Pharmacopeial Convention. USP General Chapter <800> Hazardous Drugs—Handling in Healthcare Settings. [www.usp.org/?compounding/?general-chapter-hazardous-drugs-handling-healthcare](http://www.usp.org/compounding/general-chapter-hazardous-drugs-handling-healthcare). Accessed August 11, 2017. 11. Comarow A, Harder B. 2017-18 Best Hospitals Honor Roll and overview. *US News & World Report*. [http://health.usnews.com/?health-care/?best-hospitals/?articles/?best-hospitals-honor-roll-and-overview](http://health.usnews.com/health-care/best-hospitals/articles/best-hospitals-honor-roll-and-overview). August 8, 2017. Accessed August 11, 2017. Copyright © 2017 McMahon Publishing, 545 West 45th Street, New York, NY 10036. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction, in whole or in part, in any form. --- This post, [Updates and Tips for Pharmaceutical Waste Management (Don’t Waste Time!)](http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Review-Articles/Article/10-17/Updates-and-Tips-for-Pharmaceutical-Waste-Management/44700), first appeared on [http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/](http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Review-Articles/Article/10-17/Updates-and-Tips-for-Pharmaceutical-Waste-Management/44700). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [5 steps to get a handle on your practice's cyber vulnerability](https://wastemedic.com/2018/03/05/5-steps-get-handle-practices-cyber-vulnerability/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [5 steps to get a handle on your practice’s cyber vulnerability](https://wire.ama-assn.org/practice-management/5-steps-get-handle-your-practices-cyber-vulnerability), first appeared on [https://wire.ama-assn.org/](https://wire.ama-assn.org/practice-management/5-steps-get-handle-your-practices-cyber-vulnerability). --- *March 2, 2018* A staggering 83 percent of physicians recently told AMA researchers that their practices have experienced a cyberattack of some type. The 1,300 physicians surveyed also said not enough cybersecurity support is coming from the government that will hold them accountable for a patient information breach. But concise, actionable advice is available to help medical practices uncertain how to proceed with a task fundamental to protecting patient confidentiality and meeting government requirements—a security risk analysis. An hour-long AMA [webinar](https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/playback/Playback.do?id=91qxbw) provides insights into why the analysis has become an important practice requirement, along with tips for turning the often-dreaded review into a manageable exercise. The professional obligation to protect patient confidentiality goes back to Hippocrates, but the legal mandate that the webinar focuses on comes from Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The law carries strict rules and sanctions concerning privacy, breach notification and, in this case, security. All HIPAA-covered entities are required to “conduct an accurate and thorough assessment of the potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information \[ePHI\] held by the covered entity or business associate.”The larger the practice, the more likely that specialized staff and resources will be available, but even the smallest medical practice must appropriately address HIPAA requirements. Done right, the risk analysis will go beyond limiting legal exposure. It can also help with meeting Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) requirements. Practices have security responsibility for ePHI in three somewhat overlapping realms. The administrative responsibility, for example, includes rules, training and procedures. Technical requirements can be met with equipment features, such as encryption or automatic logoff. Physical security safeguards entail addressing vulnerabilities where the ePHI exists, for example, ensuring computer servers are in locked rooms. Security threats are not necessarily malicious, though recent AMA [research](https://www.ama-assn.org/sites/default/files/media-browser/public/government/advocacy/medical-cybersecurity-findings.pdf) underscores widespread incidence of cyberattacks on practices. In addition, HIPAA requires practices to always have access to ePHI, which may prove impossible as a result of forces of nature, like a flood or fire. They may also simply be accidental, like unintended (and unrecoverable) deletion of ePHI files. The HHS Office of Civil Rights (OCR) monitors and enforces HIPAA compliance. The webinar takes learners through the steps of uncovering, documenting and getting on the road to fixing security shortfalls. “OCR will not look favorably on a practice that has identified problems that they don’t address,” warned presenter Laura G. Hoffman, assistant director of the AMA’s Department of Federal Affairs. In the webinar, she familiarizes learners with the must-follow rules of the security risk analysis, as well as when some flexibility is allowed. “It’s important to remember that the security rule does provide room for scalability and flexibility and generalization among different practices,’’ she said. Often unrealized by many practices is that the security risk analysis carries a two-for-one benefit—it meets HIPAA requirements as well as a required check-off for the Advancing Care Information (ACI) component of MIPS. “Doing this well will position you for success in the ACI category,” noted Hoffman. ### 5 steps, but never “one and done” HIPAA requirements point to five basic steps in conducting the analysis. **Identify the scope.** This includes combining an understanding of the administrative, technical and physical security requirements with a complete inventory of all the devices in your practice that create, receive, maintain or transmit ePHI. The computers and servers that comprise the practice’s electronic health record system are obvious items, but others may not be. Modern photocopiers, for example, contain hard drives that retain images of everything scanned. Be sure to list all portable equipment storing ePHI. **Assess the risk.** The purpose here is to identify and document potential vulnerabilities and to assess current security measures. Expect to conduct internal discussions—for example, with the office manager—and to seek external guidance on the current known risks and precautions concerning ePHI. The practice’s legal counsel, government agencies and professional associations are potential sources of information. **Evaluate the risk.** Not all risks carry the same weight. It depends on how likely something unwanted is to happen and the anticipated impact. The webinar provides a grid that helps users rate risk—medium, high, critical—based on likelihood of an occurrence and severity of impact. For example, if the loss of an unencrypted laptop is judged probable given a practice’s operations (perhaps the practice that conducts patient home visits), and the anticipated impact is severe because of the risk of disclosure of ePHI (such as information about the patients being visited that day), then the risk is considered critical. That risk can be ameliorated with laptop encryption. Risks must also be ranked. **Create a plan to address the risk.** “Once you rank your different risks, you want to create a work plan to address those risks,’’ Hoffman said. That will require documentation—for example, work plans, the responsible staff member or contractor, budgets, and target dates. **Periodic review and updates to the risk analysis.** A general rule of thumb is once a year, given that MIPS is on an annual timetable. “A true risk analysis isn’t a one-and-done deal, it is an ongoing process, especially as practices adopt new and evolving technologies” said Hoffman. The webinar was made possible by generous grant funding of the federal [Transforming Clinical Practices Initiative](https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Transforming-Clinical-Practices/) (TCPI), an effort designed to help clinicians achieve large-scale health transformation through TCPI’s Practice Transformation Networks. The AMA and HITRUST Alliance have partnered to provide small- and mid-sized practices with trusted information and strategies to effectively address these important cybersecurity issues. Workshops will be held across the country in conjunction with the recently announced HITRUST Community Extension Program. Find out about [upcoming dates and locations](https://hitrustalliance.net/community-extension-program/). --- This post, [5 steps to get a handle on your practice’s cyber vulnerability](https://wire.ama-assn.org/practice-management/5-steps-get-handle-your-practices-cyber-vulnerability), first appeared on [https://wire.ama-assn.org/](https://wire.ama-assn.org/practice-management/5-steps-get-handle-your-practices-cyber-vulnerability). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [How to Ensure Your Healthcare Cloud Storage Stays HIPAA Compliant](https://wastemedic.com/2018/08/02/how-to-ensure-your-healthcare-cloud-storage-stays-hipaa-compliant/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [How to Ensure Your Healthcare Cloud Storage Stays HIPAA Compliant](https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2018/07/how-ensure-your-healthcare-cloud-storage-stays-hipaa-compliant-perfcon), first appeared on [https://healthtechmagazine.net/](https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2018/07/how-ensure-your-healthcare-cloud-storage-stays-hipaa-compliant-perfcon). --- As healthcare professionals continue to embrace digital technologies to safeguard their patients’ information, there is an industrywide need to **ensure digital ecosystems are compliant** with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This is particularly true as [healthcare providers pivot to cloud storage](https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2018/05/hci-and-hybrid-cloud-make-powerful-healthcare-it-combination), in addition to on-premises options. This move can help them prepare for precision medicine and population health, which requires **reams of data and a complex infrastructure** for analytics and storage — all of which can be **best accomplished in the cloud**. While [cloud storage ](https://www.cdw.com/content/cdw/en/solutions/cloud/overview.html)can be helpful and healthcare cloud adoption has grown exponentially, a [survey conducted by Bitglass](http://healthitsecurity.com/news/healthcare-cloud-adoption-slow-due-to-hipaa-survey-finds) found it is **trailing behind other industries thanks to HIPAA regulations**. By gaining a better understanding of how to store data effectively, securely and compliantly in the cloud, providers can take the first steps to catching up with other industries. ## The Basics of HIPAA-Compliant Cloud Storage While many in the industry may rail against “antiquated” HIPAA rules, it is worth noting that they are **extraordinarily flexible**. They may have been written before the realities of application programming interfaces and cloud computing, but that does not mean that HIPAA cannot accommodate new technological developments. If one were to insist on new rules every time technology advances, we would be perpetually rewriting rules and never catch up. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has done a good job over the years in terms of releasing guidance documents that help **explain the applicability of HIPAA regulations to real-world situations**. Today’s example is the [2016 OCR guidance on cloud computing](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/cloud-computing/index.html). It frames the issues that the regulated community needs to consider when employing cloud computing for storing, using or sharing protected health information (PHI) in a HIPAA-compliant manner. A covered entity (CE) under HIPAA (for example, a healthcare provider or payor) needs to treat the cloud storage provider (CSP) as a business associate (BA). This means that **CSPs storing PHI are subject to HIPAA** and need to have appropriate administrative, physical and technical controls in place to address the requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule. Some in the regulated community had posited that a CSP could be considered a “mere conduit” (a recognized exception under the HIPAA regulations), but OCR made clear that this is not the case. Once we describe a CSP as a BA, many other requirements flow naturally: The CE and the BA must have a business associate agreement (BAA) in place; the CE needs to understand the BA’s cloud environment for purposes of its own risk analysis; both the CE and BA need to hold up their ends of the bargain in terms of implementing security controls; and so on. ## A HIPAA Compliance Checklist for Healthcare Cloud Storage Beyond these considerations, there are some less obvious issues to consider: **Is your healthcare cloud actually storing patient health information?** De-identified data is not PHI, but encrypted PHI is still PHI. Most, if not all, commercial CSPs willing to sign a BAA with a CE will require that PHI be encrypted before being stored on the infrastructure. **What are a healthcare CSP’s obligations with respect to encrypted PHI?** The CSP is responsible, under the HIPAA regulations, for maintaining the integrity and availability of the PHI. That does not change if the PHI is encrypted. **What does a CE need to do to confirm that a healthcare CSP is in compliance?** A CE must confirm to its satisfaction that technical issues, such as potential malware attacks, are dealt with appropriately and that **administrative and physical safeguards are in place** regarding physical security and contingency planning (for example, data center redundancy to deal with potential natural disasters or other emergencies). Not everyone is welcome to inspect the cloud storage facilities, so CSPs commonly conduct third-party audits and share the reports (such as system and organization controls reports) with customers. **Is there anything else to consider?** A CE needs to confirm that a CSP’s service-level agreement does not conflict with HIPAA compliance. For example, if the SLA does not guarantee **near-100 percent uptime**, is the CE maintaining “availability” of PHI as it must? Does the SLA include sufficient protections against the potential effects of a ransomware attack? Speaking of ransomware, should a CE maintain an “air-gapped” backup, separate from its main cloud instance, just in case? Does the CSP agreement provide adequate assurances that the CE’s access to its records, its patients’ PHI, will not be blocked or terminated? Where is the data center located? If it is offshore, that may be fine from a regulatory perspective, but be sure to think about how easy or difficult it may be to enforce your rights in a foreign justice system. ## Keep Other Regulations in Mind When Storing PHI in the Cloud Finally, it is important to remember that **cloud storage of health data is not always, or only, a HIPAA issue**. Depending on the type of data, the parties involved, and the way in which they are contracting regarding the storage and use of the data, a number of other regulatory schemes may be implicated. For example, it may be necessary to consider the [Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 2](https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/does-part2-apply.pdf) approach to confidentiality, the Federal Trade Commission approach to regulating individual data privacy rights, individual states’ approaches to regulating the storage and use of health data, or even other countries’ approaches (for example, the [European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation](https://www.eugdpr.org/)). We can move PHI to the cloud, but **compliance questions will follow us wherever we go**. --- This post, [How to Ensure Your Healthcare Cloud Storage Stays HIPAA Compliant](https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2018/07/how-ensure-your-healthcare-cloud-storage-stays-hipaa-compliant-perfcon), first appeared on [https://healthtechmagazine.net/](https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2018/07/how-ensure-your-healthcare-cloud-storage-stays-hipaa-compliant-perfcon). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Target to pay $7.4 million to resolve allegations regarding waste disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2018/12/12/target-to-pay-7-4-million-to-resolve-allegations-regarding-waste-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Target to pay $7.4 million to resolve allegations regarding waste disposal](http://www.cbs8.com/story/39595446/target-to-pay-74-million-to-resolve-allegations-regarding-waste-disposal), first appeared on [http://www.cbs8.com](http://www.cbs8.com/story/39595446/target-to-pay-74-million-to-resolve-allegations-regarding-waste-disposal)[/](http://www.cbs8.com/story/39595446/target-to-pay-74-million-to-resolve-allegations-regarding-waste-disposal). --- SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Target Corp. has agreed to pay $7.4 million to resolve allegations that it violated terms of a 2011 judgment regarding the company’s handling and disposal of retail hazardous waste, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced Wednesday. “This settlement holds Target accountable for this second violation of environmental laws that involve the improper disposal of a long list of hazardous materials,” Stephan said. “This case serves as a reminder to corporations of the importance of environmental protection laws that safeguard the public’s health and that violators will be held accountable.” The current settlement — announced by Stephan, 21 other California district attorneys, the California Attorney General’s Office and the city attorneys of San Diego and Los Angeles — comes as a result of investigations that concluded the company committed violations by improperly disposing hazardous waste into landfills across California between 2012 and 2016. The waste included such items as electronics, batteries, aerosol cans, compact fluorescent light bulbs and medical waste, including syringes, over-the-counter and prescribed pharmaceuticals, as well as confidential medical information from its customers. “We are confident that with these strong injunctive terms and penalties, Target will implement meaningful changes to prevent this from ever happening again,” said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. “However, the wise move for all companies is to abide by the law and employ proactive training and processes to help ensure that hazardous waste violations are avoided in the first place.” It’s the second settlement resolving allegations of hazardous waste compliance violations by Target. In March 2009, the California Department of Justice and several local prosecutors filed a complaint against Target, alleging that it violated state statutes and regulations governing the handling and disposal of hazardous waste. As part of the final settlement in 2011, Target agreed to pay $22.5 million to cover penalties, attorney’s fees and funding for supplemental environmental projects. --- This post, [Target to pay $7.4 million to resolve allegations regarding waste disposal](http://www.cbs8.com/story/39595446/target-to-pay-74-million-to-resolve-allegations-regarding-waste-disposal), first appeared on [http://www.cbs8.com](http://www.cbs8.com/story/39595446/target-to-pay-74-million-to-resolve-allegations-regarding-waste-disposal)[/](http://www.cbs8.com/story/39595446/target-to-pay-74-million-to-resolve-allegations-regarding-waste-disposal). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Can law enforcement access patient information? Sometimes](https://wastemedic.com/2018/12/13/can-law-enforcement-access-patient-information-sometimes/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Can law enforcement access patient information? Sometimes](https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/12/can_law_enforcement_access_patient_information.html), first appeared on [https://www.masslive.com/](https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/12/can_law_enforcement_access_patient_information.html). --- Hospital emergency departments[ treat a diverse population ](https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/hospital/when_does_hipaa_allow_hospitals_give_patient_health_information_to_police/)that includes victims of abuse, individuals with substance abuse disorder and those who may have been involved in crime. Do situations arise where they are obligated to share patient information with law enforcement without patient authorization or cause them to initiate such cooperation in the interest of public and patient safety? Sometimes. That includes reporting evidence to law enforcement of a crime believed to have occurred on a hospital’s campus, but a combination of [federal and state laws](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-medical-privacy#massachusetts-laws-) exists to protect patients’ privacy rights around disclosure of medical information without their consent to outside parties by entities like hospitals. Last month, the family of Madelyn Ellen Linsenmeir [filed a suit](https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/11/vermont_family_wants_springfie.html#incart_river_index) against the Springfield Police Department and the city of Springfield for records about the Vermont woman’s death in custody. In a [series of texts](https://www.aclum.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/20181126_linsenmeir_exhibits.pdf), an ailing Linsenmeir expressed concern to family members that if she sought care at a hospital, it would check for warrants and she would be sent to jail. There are [provisions ](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/disclosures-for-law-enforcement-purposes/index.html)that allow health care facilities to release patient information to law enforcement without patient consent but no requirement for such cooperation under federal patient privacy laws. A hospital may, for example, disclose to law enforcement “protected health information that they believe is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to a person or the public” or to respond under state law to a court order, summons or administrative request from a law enforcement official that meet [certain criteria](https://www.aha.org/system/files/2018-03/guidelinesreleasinginfo.pdf) or to comply with mandatory reporting requirements for victims of child abuse, gunshot wounds as well as cases of communicable diseases. Disclosure of [individually identifiable protected health information ](https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-is-considered-protected-health-information-under-hipaa/)for other than routine care or payment generally requires written patient consent. Legislation related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which dates to 1996 and is often referred to as [HIPAA](https://www.hipaajournal.com/when-was-hipaa-enacted/), requires providers to inform patients of their privacy practices developed in accordance with state law and to have a patient’s written acknowledgement of this notification. The [notices ](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr/privacy/hipaa/npp_fullpage_hc_provider.pdf)generally tell patients of their rights to access their medical information, request it not be shared for such things as treatment or payment and explain under what circumstances a provider must comply under the law with outside requests for protected health information as well as how to file a [complaint](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/index.html). Federal HIPAA legislation has evolved to refine who must comply, what information is protected and penalties that can be enforced when it is not. A covered entity, that is, a provider covered by HIPAA, must [disclose](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html) protected health information in only two situations, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This includes to individuals – or their personal representatives – specifically when they request access to, or an accounting of disclosures of, their protected health information as well as to HHS when it is undertaking a compliance investigation or review or enforcement action. They may under HIPAA [respond ](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/505/what-does-the-privacy-rule-allow-covered-entities-to-disclose-to-law-enforcement-officials/index.html)to a law enforcement request for an individual’s protected health information for purposes of identifying or locating a suspect, fugitive, material witness or missing person. The covered entity in this case must limit disclosure to the name and address, date and place of birth, Social Security number, blood type and rh factor, type of injury, date and time of treatment, date and time of death and a description of distinguishing physical characteristics. Other information related to the individual’s DNA, dental records, body fluid or tissue typing, samples or analysis cannot be disclosed under this provision, according to HHS, but may be disclosed in response to a court order, warrant or written administrative request. An administrative request not from a judicial officer must include an attached letter from law enforcement stating that the “information requested is relevant and material, specific and limited in scope, and de-identified information cannot be used.” Law enforcement may be given access to certain protected health information for a patient who is in custody but not once that person is [released](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/45/164.512) from custody. States like Massachusetts have enacted legislation to reinforce that hospitals and other health care settings are not extensions of the criminal justice system in terms of criminalizing opioid use disorder, something [those ](https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2018/11/27/family-of-drug-addicted-woman-whose-obit-went-viral-sues-for-answers)with the disorder may not always realize. In 2012, Massachusetts General Law, chapter 94, section 34A, governing controlled substances and drug-related overdoses was [updated](https://blog.mass.gov/masslawlib/misc/drug-overdose-_no-criminal-charge-if-one-goes-to-hospital/) to include the following provisions: - A person who, in good faith, seeks medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug related overdose shall not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance under sections 34 or 35 if the evidence for the charge of possession of a controlled substance was gained as a result of the seeking of medical assistance. - A person who experiences a drug-related overdose and is in need of medical assistance and, in good faith, seeks such medical assistance, or is the subject of such a good faith request for medical assistance, shall not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance under said sections 34 or 35 if the evidence for the charge of possession of a controlled substance was gained as a result of the overdose and the need for medical assistance. In drafting their Notices of Privacy Practices providers must be in compliance with both state laws, which can be more restrictive about disclosing protected health information without prior patient consent, as well as HIPAA regulations. What can be [disclosed ](http://healthlawreporter.bbablogs.org/2013/06/28/should-i-tell-someone-permissible-disclosures-by-massachusetts-health-providers-and-the-need-for-greater-statutory-clarification/)to [law enforcement ](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/special/emergency/final_hipaa_guide_law_enforcement.pdf)without a court order, subpoena or patient authorization can become a matter of debate as [demonstrated ](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2017/10/31/utah-nurse-arrested-for-blocking-cop-from-drawing-blood-from-patient-receives-500000-settlement/)by a case in Utah last year in which a nurse refused to let a police officer draw blood without a warrant from an unconscious patient. Generally, HIPAA and state laws allow for disclosure of protected health information when issues of public health and safety are deemed to arise as well as around issues of child and elder abuse. The HIPAA Privacy Rule includes 12 provisions that allow for the [disclosure](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html) of protected health information without individual authorization by providers to whom HIPAA applies. Two of these provisions related to legal requests are reiterated below: - **Judicial and Administrative Proceedings.** Covered entities may disclose protected health information in a judicial or administrative proceeding if the request for the information is through an order from a court or administrative tribunal. Such information may also be disclosed in response to a subpoena or other lawful process if certain assurances regarding notice to the individual or a protective order are provided. - **Law Enforcement Purposes.** Covered entities may disclose protected health information to law enforcement officials for law enforcement purposes under the following six circumstances, and subject to specified conditions: (1) as required by law (including court orders, court-ordered warrants, subpoenas) and administrative requests; (2) to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness, or missing person; (3) in response to a law enforcement official’s request for information about a victim or suspected victim of a crime; (4) to alert law enforcement of a person’s death, if the covered entity suspects that criminal activity caused the death; (5) when a covered entity believes that protected health information is evidence of a crime that occurred on its premises; and (6) by a covered health care provider in a medical emergency not occurring on its premises, when necessary to inform law enforcement about the commission and nature of a crime, the location of the crime or crime victims, and the perpetrator of the crime. Massachusetts has a[ website](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/guide-on-the-disclosure-of-confidential-information-health-care-information) that addresses disclosure of confidential health information. Among its key point on state confidentiality laws: - Massachusetts laws applicable to institutional health care providers (hospitals and clinics) are, in general, not as stringent as HIPAA. G.L. c. 111, SS70. Those that apply to hospitals and clinics operated by the Department of Mental Health (DMH), however, permit disclosure of a patient’s health information without a patient’s written consent only in very limited circumstances, including: at DMH’s request, pursuant to a court order, or where the disclosure is determined to be in the patient’s best interests and it is not possible or practicable to obtain the patient’s written consent. G.L. c. 123, SS36; 104 CMR 27.17. - There is no state confidentiality law that applies to physicians. However, Massachusetts courts have recognized a duty of confidentiality that all doctors in the Commonwealth owe to their patients. Physicians generally must not disclose a patient’s health information without the patient’s written consent, subject to limited exceptions (such as to meet a serious danger to the patient or to others or pursuant to a court order). Alberts v. Devine, 395 Mass. 59, 68 (1985). --- This post, [Can law enforcement access patient information? Sometimes](https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/12/can_law_enforcement_access_patient_information.html), first appeared on [https://www.masslive.com/](https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/12/can_law_enforcement_access_patient_information.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [New EPA Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste Rule Finalized](https://wastemedic.com/2019/04/02/new-epa-pharmaceutical-hazardous-waste-rule-finalized/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [New EPA Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste Rule Finalized](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/new-epa-pharmaceutical-hazardous-waste-26991/), first appeared on [https://www.jdsupra.com](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/new-epa-pharmaceutical-hazardous-waste-26991/). --- On February 22, 2019, EPA published its final rule governing standards for the management of pharmaceutical hazardous wastes in the *Federal Register (Final Rule).*1 The Final Rule’s publication in the Federal Register sets **August 21, 2019** as the effective date, starting the clock on a six-month window for companies to update their compliance procedures. In addition, as of February 6, 2019, the maximum civil penalty assessed for hazardous waste violations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) has been increased to $74,552, which may be assessed on a per day, per violation basis.2 This alert provides an update on who is affected by the final rule, and the implications for management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. #### **Background** Certain pharmaceuticals are regulated as hazardous waste under RCRA when discarded. The Final Rule initially proposed in 2015, will allow pharmaceutical distributors, healthcare facilities, and other sites that manage these wastes to exclude hazardous waste pharmaceuticals from regulation under the more stringent RCRA hazardous waste management standards. According to EPA, the pharmaceutical rule was designed to create regulations that are a better fit for the healthcare sector; eliminate the intentional sewering of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals; reduce overlapping regulations; provide regulatory clarity and national consistency on how RCRA applies to reverse distribution and reverse logistics; and to provide regulatory relief to healthcare facilities that are strictly regulated as large quantity generators. #### **Who is Affected?** The Final Rule applies to healthcare facilities that generate, accumulate, or otherwise handle hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and reverse distributors engaged in the management of prescription hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. However, the Final Rule does not apply to non-pharmaceutical hazardous waste, or to hazardous waste pharmaceuticals by facilities other than healthcare facilities and reverse distributors. The Final Rule will likely affect industries such as pharmacies and drug stores, veterinary clinics, physicians’ and dentists’ offices; health care practitioners such as chiropractors, outpatient care centers, ambulatory surgical centers, hospitals, nursing care facilities, continuing care retirement communities, some medical examiners and coroners’ offices, wholesale distributors, supermarkets, warehouse clubs and supercenters, retailers of pharmaceuticals, and reverse distributors that help healthcare facilities calculate and receive credit from pharmaceutical manufacturers when healthcare facilities have unused pharmaceuticals they no longer need. Pharmaceuticals are defined as any drug or dietary supplement for use by humans or other animals; any electronic nicotine delivery system; or any liquid nicotine packaged for retail sale for use in electronic nicotine delivery systems. The definition includes dietary supplements, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, homeopathic drugs, compounded drugs, investigational new drugs, pharmaceuticals remaining in non-empty containers, personal protective equipment contaminated with pharmaceuticals, and clean-up material from spills of pharmaceuticals. However, the Final Rule exempts FDA-approved over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies such as patches, gums, and lozenges from regulation as a RCRA hazardous waste. As with any other waste, a pharmaceutical waste is considered hazardous waste if it is a solid waste meeting a listing or exhibiting a characteristic described at 40 C.F.R. Part 261. #### **Final Rule Implications** First, the Final Rule explicitly prohibits discharges of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals into public sewer systems. In addition, the Final Rule lays out a list of requirements that affected facilities must follow in order to qualify for relief, including: 1. Training for employees who handle and accumulate these wastes 2. Hazardous waste determinations 3. New, unique accumulation rules and time limits 4. Specific labeling requirements for certain hazardous waste pharmaceutical containers 5. Reporting, recordkeeping, and release response standards 6. Land disposal restrictions (LDR) for certain hazardous waste pharmaceuticals 7. Manifests for certain off-site shipments **Non-prescription hazardous waste pharmaceuticals** and other unsold retail items such as over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and homeopathic drugs sent through *reverse logistics* to a reverse logistics center will *not* be considered wastes at the healthcare or retail facility if they have a reasonable expectation of being lawfully used or reused for their intended purpose or reclaimed. If the reverse logistics center decides that these products cannot be reused or reclaimed, then they must be disposed of as solid waste. The rules applicable to reverse logistics are effective immediately at the federal level. **Prescription hazardous waste pharmaceuticals** moving through the *reverse distribution* process, whereby reverse distributors receive shipments of unused or expired prescription pharmaceuticals from healthcare facilities and facilitate the process of crediting those healthcare facilities for the unused products, are considered solid wastes at the healthcare facility. These products, if potentially creditable, must be managed under the new Subpart P standards. The rules applicable to reverse distribution are effective in non-authorized states on August 21, 2019, and effective in authorized states when the state adopts Subpart P. Authorized states such as Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho are required to adopt Subpart P, which is considered more stringent than current RCRA generator regulations, in order to retain authorized status. Authorized states have until July 1, 2021 to adopt Subpart P, while authorized states that require a statutory amendment have until July 1, 2022. The Final Rule will not become effective in states authorized for the RCRA program until states have adopted the Final Rule, with one notable exception. The sewer prohibition is effective in all states on August 21, 2019, regardless of whether the state is authorized or has adopted Subpart P. #### **Recommendations for Businesses** We recommend that companies undertake an analysis of whether they will be considered a healthcare facility or reverse distributor under the Final Rule, and whether they generate or handle hazardous waste pharmaceuticals, such that the modified regulatory requirements apply. If the Final Rule is applicable, companies must ensure that notification, training, hazardous waste determination, commingling, labeling, container standards, and accumulation requirements are met, as needed. --- 1Environmental Protection Agency; Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals and Amendment to the P075 Listing for Nicotine, 84 Fed. Reg. 5816 (Feb. 22, 2019) (codified at 40 C.F.R. Pts. 261, 262, 264, 265, 266, 268, 270, and 273. 2Environmental Protection Agency; Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Rule, 84 Fed. Reg. 2056 (Feb. 6, 2019) (codified at 40 C.F.R. Pt. 19). --- This post, [New EPA Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste Rule Finalized](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/new-epa-pharmaceutical-hazardous-waste-26991/), first appeared on [https://www.jdsupra.com](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/new-epa-pharmaceutical-hazardous-waste-26991/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [The New EPA Regulation Changes Affect Optometry Practices](https://wastemedic.com/2019/09/02/the-new-epa-regulation-changes-affect-optometry-practices/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A set of regulatory changes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will affect optometric practices and clinics starting Aug. 21, [according to the American Optometric Association](https://www.aoa.org/news/practice-management/flushing-hazardous-waste-epa). Hazardous waste pharmaceutical (HWP) management standards will prohibit healthcare facilities from disposing of such wastes down the drain, AOA reports. The standards apply to all healthcare facilities, irrespective of size or waste generation. The rules are intended to “reduce the environmental and human health risks associated with some 1,644 to 2,300 tons of HWPs annually flushed down sinks, toilets or drains,” the association explains. AOA is advising optometrists “to no longer rinse the remaining residue from empty pharmaceutical vessels and packaging, instead disposing of HWPs and packaging in hazardous waste accumulation containers.” “What’s more, these new EPA regulations require certain HWPs to be sent to reverse distributors for manufacturer credit and, thus, cannot be disposed on-site,” the association states. “Based on the AOA’s evaluation, these new regulations will not apply to lens-edger waste from spectacle lenses — ‘swarf’ — as that byproduct is not considered a pharmaceutical, per the EPA’s definition. “Doctors of optometry with optical labs on-site are not required to make changes to swarf disposal based on this rule; however, the AOA will continue to monitor developments in solutions for recycling polycarbonate waste.” The EPA says there will be no new inspection requirements for healthcare facilities. --- This post, [The New EPA Regulation Changes Affect Optometry Practices](https://invisionmag.com/epa-regulation-changes-to-affect-optometry-practices-starting-this-month/), first appeared on [https://invisionmag.com](https://invisionmag.com/epa-regulation-changes-to-affect-optometry-practices-starting-this-month/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Keeping frontline healthcare workers physically and psychologically safe is paramount during COVID-19](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/02/keeping-frontline-healthcare-workers-physically-and-psychologically-safe-is-paramount-during-covid-19/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Fall is here, and as many had feared and predicted, COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in many parts of the U.S. Just last week, 3,400 nurses at [Brigham and Women’s Hospital](https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/directory/brigham-and-women%E2%80%99s-hospital-bwh) in Boston, an area that’s been hit hard by the pandemic, [urged executives](https://www.massnurses.org/news-and-events/p/openItem/11834) to give them a safer environment with universal N95 masking, shuttle safety, communication about infections and effective quarantines. The message was simple: To adequately care for coronavirus patients, care teams need to be able to care for themselves. That’s a tall order, given that nurses and caregivers on the front lines are more at risk of infection than the socially distanced populace. But the concern over healthcare worker safety is well-founded, and administrative teams need to ensure that equipment and processes are in place that can reduce the risk of transmission. Enter “The Person Behind the Mask,” a campaign launched by patient safety company RLDatix. It was created to increase awareness about the importance of keeping frontline workers safe, and a key component of that effort is ensuring that caregivers remain physically and emotionally healthy in order to deliver better and safer care. “When harm events happen in hospitals, it’s devastating for patients and families, but also for the care team,” said Dr. Tim McDonald, RLDatix’s chief patient safety and risk officer. “They feel terrible when harm events happen. Traditionally the response had been the wall of silence — don’t talk to patients and families openly, and often don’t talk to each other. It was a sign of weakness to ask for help. We needed to shatter the wall of silence.” It’s a pressing mission for a number of reasons, not least of which is morale. Physician and nurse suicide has spiked in the past decade. McDonald works with the suicide prevention team at University of California San Diego and was distressed to learn that an emergency department physician recently committed suicide due to pandemic-related stress. Even taking suicide out of the equation, there’s been a massive increase in burnout. Doctors and nurses are leaving the profession because of the impact, and that extends beyond their own lives to those of their families. Divorce rates are high among care teams, and also among patients and families who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus — implying some pretty troublesome collateral damage. Yet with care teams asking for a safer work environment, it’s constructive to ask: What does “safer” mean, exactly? **A BETTER ENVIRONMENT** Broadly speaking, better safety encompasses both the physical and the psychological. Hospitals and health systems have tended to fare better on the physical side, which entails procuring the requisite personal protective equipment and getting it to the right people at the right time. Sanitation protocols also make an environment feel more physically safe. Psychological safety, said McDonald, can be fostered when health leaders are transparent and report when things aren’t going the way they should be. Event reporting systems can capture unexpected events so teams can learn from them in the future, which created a psychologically safe environment for people to report and act upon the data, thereby buttressing the overall work environment. “I’m encountering devastating things I’ve never seen before,” said McDonald. “Organizations can put in place ‘caring for the caregiver’ programs to provide support on a proactive basis. It’s analogous to what aviation does. Whenever there’s a mishap in aviation, there’s immediate outreach to the people involved in that. We need to be doing more of that in healthcare.” Data is a big component of that approach, as it allows leaders to educate care teams about things like infection management and patient safety. Many electronic health records systems are able to analyze infection surveillance data, for example, to see whether there are pockets of infections the organization should know about, allowing the provider to take action. It can also pick up on medication errors, which are the most common errors that occur in healthcare. EHRs and other software can analyze and collate events to look for patterns, allowing teams to take preventive action. An example of this is preventing central line and catheter infections, which are linked to ventilator-associated pneumonias. “It changes the way we deliver care,” said McDonald. “We need to do more to identify safety scientists to help design cate that prevents events in a more rapid way.” **THE OPPORTUNITY** Executives have a challenge, but also an opportunity, to improve safety in a manner that lasts well beyond the end of the pandemic. One way is to examine the ways care has changed during the public health crisis and implement those changes permanently across all areas of care. Change in process, said McDonald, is one of the great lessons learned during the pandemic and one of the things health leaders can begin working on immediately. “Empathy and compassion go along with candor,” he said. “It mitigates implicit bias. One of the things we’re seeing is these issues around implicit bias and racism. We know empathy and compassion can mitigate it. That means we need to use the data that identifies things around race, ethnicity, pronoun preference, issues around LGBTQ. That’s one of the things that has reared its ugly head during this pandemic.” McDonald sees more and more providers adopting these kinds of approaches, and in fact, it’s a mindset that’s increasingly taught at the student level, meaning those just entering the healthcare workforce will have expectations of having their health and mental well-being protected and respected. It’s a mindset that in some ways defines the future of healthcare — and the future is now. “We’re starting to get traction,” said McDonald. “We can’t afford not to do this.” --- This post, [Keeping frontline healthcare workers physically and psychologically safe is paramount during COVID-19](https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/keeping-frontline-healthcare-workers-physically-and-psychologically-safe-paramount-during-covid), first appeared on [https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com](https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/keeping-frontline-healthcare-workers-physically-and-psychologically-safe-paramount-during-covid). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Medical Waste Management: Risks of Improper Handling](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/02/medical-waste-management-risks-of-improper-handling/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Proper medical waste management is necessary for a medical facility. It aims for a sterile and safe environment for doctors and patients. Proper management also ensures that medical substances won’t pose a risk to our environment. Many third-party companies provide medical facilities with appropriate waste management, implementing specific protocols to ensure safe disposal of such substances. Abiding these protocols is crucial as it ensures that the facility maintains a healthy and safe working environment for both its staff and patients. Also, these protocols prevent any danger or risk brought by improper waste management. Here are some of the risks associated with poor medical waste disposal. ### Dangers On Human Health Improper disposal of medical waste can affect the health of the population living nearby or within the facilities. Here are some health-related dangers that might occur. #### Airborne Pathogens Neglecting improper medical waste management protocols can cause airborne pathogens to spread into the immediate vicinity. Diseases that disperse through the air are some of the [most intrusive types](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531468/). You may not know that there’s susceptibility to the pathogen until symptoms on your body appear. These pathogens can infect the medical facility since the molecules released into the air can lead to further contamination due to the prevailing winds. #### Parasitic Exposure Medical facilities deal with a lot of testings that may result in parasitic ailments. A reputable medical waste service must contain these parasites without any dangers. Medical staff should discard these tainted items to prevent contamination. Improper waste management can expose workers and patients to any [infectious disease](http://www.gorillabins.ca/blog/health-issues-due-to-improper-waste-disposal/). #### Skin Ailments Exposure to dangerous pathogens can cause some reactions to the skin tissues. Some may even result in severe inflammation and rashes. Hence, medical staff should wear gloves as a defense against skin irritants. They should also practice proper disposal to avoid any unexpected exposure. #### Bacterial Infections Some pathogens come from ailing patients with infected blood. These particular germs can infect the organs in the body. Proper disposal is necessary to avoid bacterial infections. Medical staff should discard items such as needles in the proper receptacles after use. ### Environmental Impacts Aside from harming medical staff and patients, it can also put risks to the environment. Here are some harmful threats to the surroundings if medical facilities don’t follow proper medical waste disposal. #### Soil Contamination Improper medical waste disposal can cause soil contamination. Some wastes may end up in landfills and excrete hazardous chemicals that leak into the soil. These chemicals can affect plant growth and animals grazing on those plants. #### Air contamination Hospital wastes contain dangerous microorganisms, which enter and remain in the air. Some of these wastes contain toxic chemicals like acid, oil, and bleach. Hence, the hospital staff should practice proper labeling before discarding these chemicals. Air pollution can also come from burning medical waste. Burning these exposed materials can release hazardous chemicals that could build up in the ozone layer. #### Water contamination Improper medication disposal can lead to drugs leaching into the water system. These dangerous substances can threaten humans as we use water for household consumption. Toxic liquid chemicals from medical waste can also seep into streams and other bodies of water and affect marine wildlife. It’s the reason why we should practice [proper medication disposal](https://www.buzzrx.com/prescription-medication-disposal) at all times. #### Extreme Climate Change Decomposing waste from medical facilities can emit gases that rise to the atmosphere. These wastes can trap heat and result in greenhouse gases, which are the main culprits behind the drastic weather changes. Proper medical waste management is crucial because it can increase greenhouse gases. ### Legal Troubles Improper medical waste disposal can also affect the medical facility itself. Even without any tragedy or accident, medical facilities can face legal troubles when they do not follow the standard disposal regulations. The medical institution is always liable for any incident. Even if they are unaware of any law or guideline, it will not serve as a legitimate alibi. Any danger associated with improper medical waste management can result in a severe lawsuit. If any staff or patient faces an accident because of improper waste disposal, the facility is held liable. Malpractice insurance does not cover this type of violation and will cost thousands of fees. It can even result in foreclosure and revoking of your facility’s license. Medical facilities and professionals even face more medical liability during the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus can spread when medical staff leaves exposed materials unsupervised. Medical facilities and staff should understand the importance of proper medical waste management. Aside from facing legal lawsuits, medical facilities are also responsible for preventing the further spread of any disease and virus. ### Takeaway Medical wastes are dangerous. If facilities leave these medical wastes unattended, it will affect human life and the environment. It also causes severe legal implications for the facility itself. Medical facilities should adhere to proper waste management protocols and maintain a sterile environment to safeguard everyone. --- This post, [Medical Waste Management: Risks of Improper Handling](https://www.bkreader.com/2020/10/28/medical-waste-management-risks-of-improper-handling/), first appeared on [https://www.bkreader.com](https://www.bkreader.com/2020/10/28/medical-waste-management-risks-of-improper-handling/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Red Trash Bags: What Type of Medical Waste Goes In & What Should Stay Out](https://wastemedic.com/2016/05/18/medical-waste-put-red-bags/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** You know that the red trash bags are specially made to contain medical or biohazardous waste, but what exactly should you put in them and what should go in the regular trash? Use these bags to dispose of solid or liquid items contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). There are multiple definitions used for [medical waste](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/medical-waste), which is also referred to as regulated, infective, infectious and biohazardous waste. A definition from [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/) defines biohazardous waste as: “Any liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials; Contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed; Items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials and are capable of releasing these materials during handling; Sharps (including needles, scalpel blades, glass, pipettes) contaminated with blood and body fluids; Pathological and microbiological wastes containing blood or other potentially infectious materials.” The following list will assist you in determining what should be discarded in the red trash bags. More importantly, it will outline what you should **NOT** put in the red trash bags or red trash receptacles. Sharps should always be disposed of in sharps containers. ### What do you put in the red trash bags? - Vaginal speculums - Swabs used for obtaining specimens of blood or body fluids - Drapes, gauze or other absorbent material used to soak up blood or body fluids - Gloves contaminated with blood or body fluids (including fecal material) - Expired drugs, vaccines, control solutions and medications (excluding controlled prescription drugs) - Used urine specimen cups after the urine is discarded – preferably in the toilet - Paper towels used to absorb blood or body fluids - Used urinary catheters and foley bags - Used urine pregnancy tests - Used urine dipsticks - Used fecal occult blood tests Please note that all sharps must be placed in a sharps container. This include needles, syringes, scalpel blades, glass pipettes, slides, etc. ### What shouldn’t you put in the red trash bags? - Food wrappers - Beverage containers - Paper towels - Paper - Examining table paper - Patient gowns or drapes - Tongue depressors - Ear speculums The only reason any of the above items should be placed in the red bags is if they have been soiled with blood or bodily fluid, including fecal material. ### What should you never put in the red trash bags? - Formaldehyde, acids, alcohol, waste oil, solvents and reagents - Mercury - Inhalers, aerosol cans and canisters - Batteries ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Medical Waste Disposal: Understanding our Diverse Solutions](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/20/medical-waste-disposal-understanding-our-diverse-solutions/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Founded in 2014, [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/) has quickly grown as a trusted provider of the transportation, treatment, and disposal of medical waste in accordance with modern state and federal regulations. Our team has a deep understanding of and respect for the healthcare industry, as well as the dedicated professionals who operate its critical functions. We are acutely aware that these professions need reliable, responsive, and cost-effective service providers who can adapt and grow with the constant transformation and challenges within the healthcare industry. At Waste Medic, we manage our own [fleet of trucks](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) and drivers while carefully selecting service patterns who share similar capabilities and values as our own. Our team guarantees compliant, reliable services at a frequency that suits your needs. Our experts are proud to offer fair and transparent pricing and unparalleled client support, while being mindful of the impact waste streams have on the environment and people. The amount of medical waste generated varies from organization to organization, but a regular plan for disposal is critical. Our expertise and rapid response to both consistent and emergency needs ensures the safety of staff, patients, the public, and the environment, leaving organizations able to focus on business operations. We specialize in: - Biohazardous Waste & Sharps Containers - Pharmaceutical Waste - Trace Chemotherapy Waste - RWM Consulting - Training Programs [Headquartered in Nashville](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Waste+Medic,+LLC/@36.1522734,-86.844883,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x3bb957e334f43a4d!8m2!3d36.1522734!4d-86.844883), Waste Medic offers our full suite of services in Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, Indiana, Arkansas, and North Georgia, as well as consulting services throughout the United States. We serve over 2,400 unique locations across the mid-south. We understand the complex federal, state, and local guidelines. Count on the team at Waste Medic to manage your waste stream efficiently, effectively, and safely. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [What You Should know About Monkeypox Safety & Patient Care](https://wastemedic.com/2022/08/08/what-you-should-know-about-monkeypox-safety-patient-care/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *With the U.S. now leading the world in monkeypox cases, providers should be aware of the symptoms and how to properly treat patient.* On July 23, the World Health Organization declared the recent monkeypox outbreak a [public health emergency of international concern](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/23/health/monkeypox-pandemic-who.html). Two days later, the CDC released data that showed the U.S. with [more confirmed instances of the disease](https://abcnews.go.com/Health/us-now-leads-globe-reported-monkeypox-cases-data/story?id=87442616) than any other country at 3,846 cases, surpassing Spain’s 3,100 cases. In all, more than 18,000 cases have been reported across the world, with the majority in countries, such as the U.S., that do not typically see monkeypox. With cases expected to rise, what should providers be looking for if a call for suspected monkeypox comes in? In this article, learn the most common symptoms, how to identify any potential spots as monkeypox and how to care for patients in the prehospital setting. ### **What is monkeypox?** Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, similar to smallpox, but more mild and less lethal, [according to the CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/faq.html). It was first discovered in 1958 after an outbreak among a colony of research monkeys, with the first human case recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970. Prior to the current outbreak, most infections outside of Africa were found in individuals who had recently traveled to places where the disease commonly occurs, which is why the current outbreak is concerning to public health experts. ### **What are the most common monkeypox symptoms?** Symptoms of monkeypox generally show up one to two weeks after infection and can vary by individual, as well as by what stage of the disease an individual is currently in. They include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a rash that looks like pimples or blisters on the face, inside the mouth or elsewhere, to include hands, feet, chest and genitals. While some individuals will experience the entire spectrum of symptoms, others may only experience the tell-tale rash. ### **What do monkeypox blisters/rashes look like?** A monkeypox rash can look different for each person, as well as at different stages of the disease cycle. ### **How does monkeypox spread?** The disease can be spread by direct contact with the rash or bodily fluids, as well as by respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact. The disease can also be transmitted during physical or sexual contact, and pregnant women are at risk of contracting the virus and passing it along to their fetus through the placenta. Monkeypox can also spread indirectly if someone touches clothes or other items that had direct contact with the rash or bodily fluids. Only individuals exhibiting symptoms can spread the disease to others, and a typical case usually takes two to four weeks to recover from. Experts warn that individuals are contagious until the rash has fully healed with a new layer of skin covering all blisters. ### **How is monkeypox treated?** There are no medical treatments for monkeypox specifically, but many antiviral drugs that are used to treat smallpox may be used to treat monkeypox, as well. There are also two vaccines available in the U.S. – JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 – that may prevent individuals from becoming infected with the disease after being exposed to the virus. Individuals interested in the vaccine should contact their public health department. ### **What PPE should EMS providers wear for a suspected case of monkeypox?** In a recent article, [“EMS Response to the Current Outbreak of Monkeypox,”](https://netec.org/2022/05/19/ems-response-to-the-current-outbreak-of-monkeypox/) the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center recommends that EMS providers wear N-95 respirator, gown, gloves, and eye protection with face shields or goggles. ### **How should EMS handle a suspected case of monkeypox?** The NETEC recommends a number of safeguards to prevent the spread of monkeypox in the event EMS needs to transport a patient by ambulance: - Separate the driver compartment from the patient compartment - Turn the exhaust fan on high in the patient compartment, if available - Use the setting to introduce fresh air, versus recycling air within the rig - Providers driving the ambulance should wear N-95s if the driver compartment cannot be closed off - Limit how many providers interact with the patient - Use PPE checklists for donning and doffing gear - Clean and disinfect all surfaces with a hospital grade disinfectant following transport - [Dispose](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/) of monkeypox-contaminated waste as a [Category A waste pathogen](https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/transporting-infectious-substances/6821/cat-waste-planning-guidance-final-2019-08.pdf) Following a response, providers should monitor for signs and symptoms of illness for 21 days after a confirmed monkeypox transport. --- This post, [What You Should know About Monkeypox Safety & Patient Care](https://www.ems1.com/ems-products/infection-control/articles/what-ems-should-know-about-monkeypox-patient-care-and-provider-safety-wlH56fvtrv6HCZbG/), was shared by [EMS 1](https://www.ems1.com/ems-products/infection-control/articles/what-ems-should-know-about-monkeypox-patient-care-and-provider-safety-wlH56fvtrv6HCZbG/) on July 27, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Recap: MHCA's 2022 Annual Convention & Trade Show in Biloxi](https://wastemedic.com/2022/06/27/recap-mhcas-2022-annual-convention-trade-show-in-biloxi/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) team was excited and thankful to finally be back on the road and in person for the 2022 MHCA ([Mississippi Health Care Association)](https://www.mshca.com/) annual conference at the beautiful [Beau Rivage](https://beaurivage.mgmresorts.com/en.html) resort in Biloxi, Mississippi. [MHCA](https://www.mshca.com/events-education/) was packed with nearly 100 vendors and over 300 attendees representing most of Mississippi’s best long-term care providers. The energy we experienced from guests at our booth was upbeat, optimistic and ready to move past the pandemic and get back to the basics of exceptional patient care. We met so many amazing people and heard incredible stories that demonstrated compassion, resilience and creative problem-solving in some really challenging conditions. #### Commitment from MHCA There was also a consistent message from Administrators that they really need help finding ways to control costs and improve the support they are getting from all of their vendors. Hearing that was music to our ears as we provide best-in-class customer service with fair and predictable pricing. We walked away from this event energized, focused and proud of the part we play to help our clients run truly amazing long-term-care facilities! Next we will be heading to the [THCA](https://www.thca.org/) show the week of August 10th. Stop by, say hi and tell us your stories if you are planning to be there! ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Q&A | Let's Discuss a HIPAA Violation in the Workplace](https://wastemedic.com/2022/04/27/what-is-a-hipaa-violation-in-the-workplace-and-how-to-avoid-one/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** If you’ve been to any type of health care provider for a check-up since 1996, you will likely recall signing a document that either denies access or gives certain people (e.g., a family member or friend) permission to accept phone calls or receive other medical information about you. That’s a HIPAA release form. Here, we’ll explain what HIPAA is, how it applies to non-medical businesses, and how your company can avoid a HIPAA violation. ### What is HIPAA? The Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIP**AA**… not HI**PP**A) is a law enacted in 1996 to, in part, prevent patients’ protected health information (PHI) from being released without their permission or knowledge. Compliance is required by covered entities such as healthcare providers and health insurers (commercial *and* employer sponsored), as well as those entities’ business associates such as transcriptionists and health care clearinghouses that standardize information into usable data for the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).Of course, most people equate HIPAA violations with medical offices and facilities. While these providers are the most widely reported violators, business associates that have absolutely nothing to do with medicine can also be fined. #### What is a Business Associate? Business associates are companies that perform diverse types of services on behalf of HIPAA covered entities, including accounting, actuarial services, medical benefits management, data aggregating, insurance utilization review, medical billing, medical practice management, electronic medical records (EMR) management and processing insurance claims. #### What HIPAA Obligations Do Business Associates Have? Business associates are held to the same rigorous HIPAA compliance standards as covered entities. Covered entities are required to maintain contracts outlining HIPAA standards with their business associates to help ensure patient data is safeguarded. In turn, business associates must also have written contracts with any subcontractors that they hire. #### What Are Hybrid Entities? A hybrid entity performs both non-HIPAA-related and HIPAA-related tasks. For example, a professional services company that provides an onsite medical office for the benefit of its employees would be considered a hybrid entity. The physician and staff might be employed by the company, but the medical office itself remains separate and is the only covered entity. Another example is a grocery store that has a pharmacy inside. With hybrid entities, only the part of the company that is considered a covered entity is required to comply with HIPAA regulations. #### Does HIPAA Apply to Employers? Medical records that are frequently found in a workplace include documentation for [Family and Medical Leave Act](https://www.paycor.com/resource-center/articles/understanding-fmla-regulations/) (FMLA) certifications, [Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)](https://www.paycor.com/resource-center/articles/covid-19-ada-requirements/) accommodation requests and physician’s notes that are required to comply with paid time off policies. While these documents often contain personal health information, under HIPAA guidelines, they’re considered employment records and not medical records. HIPAA also doesn’t prohibit an employer from: requesting a doctor’s note for an absence; requesting information relating to healthcare coverage or wellness programs; asking for proof of COVID-19 vaccine or test results. #### Examples of a HIPAA Violation by Employers Any company that wants to steer clear of potential workplace HIPAA violations needs to properly guard the PHI they’re responsible for. A HIPAA violation occurs when a person’s PHI at a covered entity or business associate has fallen into the wrong hands, whether willfully or inadvertently, without that person’s consent. The major challenge for non-medical business associates is twofold: **1.** They may not be aware that HIPAA applies to them; and **2.** If they are aware, their employees may not be well-trained in the ins and outs of the law, leaving them vulnerable to infringing on patients’ privacy rights. In 2020, the U.S. experienced 1.76 data breaches of 500+ healthcare records every day, netting more than 29 million exposed records (HIPAA Journal). These are the three most typical HIPAA workplace violations that are found in healthcare organizations: ##### Lost or Stolen Devices At most businesses, losing a work phone or laptop is somewhat of a big deal, but not as huge a deal as it is for businesses that are covered by HIPAA. Covered entities are more frequently using mobile devices to communicate about patients, so PHI data breaches resulting from loss and theft are more common than you may think. Fortunately, the increased use of encryption and cloud services for data storage have helped reduce the number of loss and theft incidents. ##### Unsecured Patient Information Employees who handle sensitive patient data need to know where records are stored at all times. For instance, if an employee has patient records open on their desktop computer and leaves for lunch without locking their screen, someone could easily access them, which is enough to violate [HIPAA rules](https://wastemedic.com/2022/03/your-responsibilities-under-the-hipaa-breach-notification-rule/). And even if employees are diligent about locking their workstations, strong password protection is just as critical. ##### Inadequate Employee Training If you’re a covered entity or business associate, your employees can unintentionally leak PHI and result in your business being fined. Consider these situations: **Situation 1:** An employee discusses something unusual they read in a patient’s medical record with another employee in a break room full of other staff members **Situation 2:** A new employee in your billing department sends a detailed medical bill to the wrong mailing address **Situation 3:** An employee posts a story about a patient to their Facebook page #### What Happens when there is a HIPAA Violation? The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is the investigating arm within the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that manages HIPAA violation complaints. The penalty for a HIPAA violation depends on its severity. In something of a departure from its federal department counterparts, the OCR would rather *not* punish violators with fines, instead preferring to offer guidance and education. But if a violation is severe enough, financial penalties will be imposed.OCR has four categories of penalties, and the financial amounts are adjusted annually for inflation: **Tier 1:** The covered entity or business associate was unaware of and couldn’t have avoided a violation. Minimum fine of $100/violation up to a maximum $50,000. **Tier 2:** The covered entity or business associate *should have been* aware of but couldn’t have avoided a violation. Minimum fine of $1,000/violation up to a maximum $50,000. **Tier 3:** The covered entity or business associate willfully neglected HIPAA rules and attempted to correct the violation. Minimum fine of $10,000/violation up to a maximum $50,000. **Tier 4:** The covered entity or business associate willfully neglected HIPAA rules but did not attempt to correct the violation. Minimum fine of $50,000/violation. #### What are some examples of a HIPAA violation? Some examples of HIPAA violations include an emergency department employee posting a photo to social media without obscuring the faces of the people in the photo, a nurse sharing a hospitalized patient’s medical history with an unauthorized family member and disposing of sensitive medical documentation without appropriately shredding it first. #### What happens if an employer violates HIPAA? If an employer is a covered entity or business associate and they violate HIPAA rules, they can be fined depending on the level of violation listed above. #### Can an employee violate HIPAA? Yes. If an employee works for a covered entity or business associate, it’s possible for them to violate HIPAA rules. #### Can an employer be sued for a HIPAA violation? No, an individual cannot sue their employer for violating HIPAA, as any medical information stored is considered part of the employment record and not protected health information. If the employer is a covered entity or business associate, and an individual feels a violation has occurred, the individual should file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Civil Rights. --- This post, [What Is a HIPAA Violation in the Workplace (And How to Avoid One)](https://www.paycor.com/resource-center/articles/hipaa-violation-workplace-how-to-avoid-one/), was shared by [Paycor](https://www.paycor.com/resource-center/articles/hipaa-violation-workplace-how-to-avoid-one/) on April 5, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Education is Needed to Ensure Medical Waste is Managed Well](https://wastemedic.com/2022/04/27/education-is-needed-to-ensure-medical-waste-is-managed-well/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The pandemic has created capacity issues in hospitals, pushing more care into the home. Some of those people are cared for by professionals in the industry, and more people have taken on the role of at-home caregiver for their loved ones. But what about those who live alone and are left to care for themselves? Or those patients who live in under served communities and have limited access to health care resources? Health inequities have created new and often overlooked safety challenges with medical waste generated in home care settings. Home health providers have expressed concern that their patients may not have a clear understanding of the proper ways to dispose of medical waste. #### Building the Case for Medical Waste Disposal Education There are significant health and safety challenges and risks to any type of in-home health care delivery. Patients or others who live there can be easily injured or sickened by hazardous waste in the home if they do not know how to dispose of it properly. The recent Healthcare Workplace Safety Trend Report found that the majority of health care providers say a core challenge of providing care in the home is properly disposing of medical waste. Waste management may not be an immediate thought for most individuals after receiving care, but it is an important step in keeping themselves and others safe, especially when dealing with hazardous materials. One in four providers who have worked in a home care setting say that they are not confident that they know how to dispose of medical waste in a safe manner. If trained professionals have these issues, then people taking care of themselves or their loved ones may really not be prepared to properly handle medical waste. In fact, only about half of providers believe their patients know how to dispose of medical waste safely at home, according to the report. This is a cause for alarm, especially for those patients who do not have a trained at-home care professional or additional household members to support their care. To protect the health and well-being of patients in home care settings, home health organizations should work with their waste management partners to arm their caregivers and patients with the training, tools and clear procedures they need to properly dispose of medical and pharmaceutical waste, such as on-site or online trainings with HIPAA and Occupational Safety and Health Administration experts and on-demand compliance resources. If both home health providers and patients have access to medical waste disposal training and resources, they will feel more empowered to manage waste safely. #### Access to Safe Disposal In formal medical settings like hospitals or clinics, health care providers have access to designated containers and processes to handle bodily fluids, sharps and pharmaceutical waste. Those resources may not be available in a home health care setting, and that’s likely why many home care providers believe medical waste is a core challenge for their work. The improper disposal of medical waste in the home can have serious consequences, from injuring patients, providers and waste workers to harming communities and the environment. In-home caregivers may also struggle with the disposal of pharmaceutical waste. A recent study study found that more than half of health care workers believe that improperly handled pharmaceutical waste is one of the biggest contributors to the opioid epidemic. And nearly three in four health care workers indicate that COVID-19 has made proper pharmaceutical waste management more challenging. Discarding pharmaceuticals can have a broader impact on the person’s community, as improperly disposed pharmaceuticals can end up in the wrong hands or contaminate waterways. To overcome these challenges, home health organizations should collaborate with their waste management partners to develop simple, easy-to-follow waste disposal procedures to be shared with patients upon discharge from the hospital. For example, home care organizations can guide patients to sharps and pharmaceutical mail-back disposal options to help reduce the [risk of needle stick injuries](https://wastemedic.com/2020/02/accidental-needlesticks-the-silent-killer-2/). And they can provide containers safe for hazardous materials so that they are not disposing of medical waste in regular trash bins. #### Understanding Differences in Patient Needs There is no one-size-fits-all approach when delivering care. Every patient has their own set of needs and requires guidance to be set up for success when continuing their care on their own. That is especially true of those in underprivileged communities or those who live alone. Under served communities and patients who live alone often have the most challenges when accessing health care resources, with an estimated 3.6 million people missing care due to lack of transportation. In the U.S., almost a quarter of the population lives alone and over 11% live in poverty. The pandemic has kept much of the world confined to their personal living spaces—leaving most people who live alone and in under served areas isolated and making it difficult for them to perform safe at-home care. Safely disposing of medical waste in the home is often the last thing on someone’s mind. But it needs to become a priority for home care providers. By educating and equipping patients with safe disposal methods either before they leave the hospital or during the initial home health visit, providers can improve the quality of care they provide and, in turn, keep their patients and their communities safe. --- This post, [Education is Needed to Ensure Medical Waste is Managed Well](https://www.homecaremag.com/april-2022/education-needed-ensure-medical-waste-managed-well), was shared by [HomeCare](https://www.homecaremag.com/april-2022/education-needed-ensure-medical-waste-managed-well) on April 1, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Improper Disposal of Hard Drives Lead to HIPAA Violations](https://wastemedic.com/2022/04/27/improper-disposal-of-hard-drives-can-lead-to-health-records-breaches/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** If you are a health care-related business or work with health care related records and information, how careful are you at following [HIPAA regulations](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/back-to-basics-what-is-hipaa/)? Are you making any mistakes, even if those mistakes are inadvertent? A health care data breach that took place last year in Maine serves as an important reminder about the importance of choosing the right methods and ITAD providers for data destruction, proper disposal of hard drives and e-recycling. The HIPAA Privacy Rule lays clear foundations on what a health care office or company must do to keep protected health information (PHI) private. Only authorized users are allowed to access electronic information systems. When someone is away from their desk, they must logout of all applications that access patient information. The HIPAA Security Rule goes a step further and addresses the importance of having policies and procedures in place when it comes to end-of-life electronics used in medical settings. When a firm fails to dispose of computers, their hard drives and other electronics in accordance with the law, the risk of data theft (and a HIPAA violation) is all too real. Volunteers and employees have to be appropriately trained and fully understand how to dispose of any medical electronics. This includes wiping hard drives and destroying the electronics after data is destroyed. Data destruction sanitizes the information on a hard drive or storage device before the electronic item is shredded for recycling or restored to factory settings for resale. The problem is that even with protections and rules in place, breaches still occur. Some of them are directly linked to poor e-recycling methods that fail to follow HIPAA rules. You may be making mistakes without realizing it. ### Hard drives aren’t properly wiped On Sept. 9, 2021, HealthReach Community Health Centers notified 101,395 Maine residents of a massive potential health care breach at the community healthcare organization. The Waterville, Maine, practice learned of a possible violation from hard drives that were not disposed of properly. Instead of being wiped and shredded, several hard drives were improperly disposed of by a third-party storage facility. Information on those hard drives included patient names, SSNs, dates of birth, financial account numbers, lab/test results, insurance details, passwords, security codes and PINs. In addition to the Maine residents, another 15,503 people from other states were also affected. Every patient of HealthReach is being asked to monitor their accounts and credit report. HealthReach had not been notified that information was being fraudulently used, but the risk is there. Affected consumers were offered a year of credit monitoring, dark web monitoring and identity theft protection services. Plus, patients receive a $1 million reimbursement insurance policy through IDX/Transunion. HealthReach is not the only health care organization to face a breach of this nature. It’s estimated that 1 out of 4 data breaches is caused by negligence. The HIPAA Journal reported that improper disposal of electronics incidents were reported 16 times in 2020, with close to 600,000 records potentially exposed in these incidents. ### How do you prevent negligence-related data breaches? It’s in everyone’s best interest to prevent breaches related to negligence. If you don’t take measures to follow HIPAA rules, you face fines. Companies paid more than [$13.5 million in fines](https://compliancy-group.com/hipaa-fines-2020/) during 2020. When you’re disposing of unneeded or broken electronics and medical equipment, you have to be very careful. The “Final Security Rule” requires data destruction on any electronic PHI on a device being recycled, upgraded or resold. Electronics that healthcare professionals must recycle aren’t just computers and tablets. Data destruction is also necessary on copiers, imaging equipment, printers, and anything else that stores patient information. --- This post, [Improper Disposal of Hard Drives Can Lead to Health Records Breaches](https://thebusinessjournal.com/column-improper-disposal-of-hard-drives-can-lead-to-health-records-breaches/), was shared by [The Business Journal](https://thebusinessjournal.com/column-improper-disposal-of-hard-drives-can-lead-to-health-records-breaches/) on April 25, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [COVID-19 Drives New Safety Programs, But Staff, Infection Problems Remain](https://wastemedic.com/2022/03/27/covid-19-drives-new-safety-programs-but-staff-infection-problems-remain/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** After two years of dealing with COVID-19, hospitals and health care systems are creating new programs to improve safety for [patients](https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/top-patient-safety-concerns), staff and visitors. But staff burnout, staff shortages and rates of infection remain problems and 33% of hospital and health care leaders say not enough is being done, according to a new survey. The [findings](https://vigilanzcorp.com/vigilanz-releases-new-industry-report-highlighting-how-the-pandemic-is-impacting-hospital-safety/) were part of “A New Era for Hospital Safety: What We’ve Learned from the Pandemic and What Still Needs to Change,” by health care software company [VigiLanz](https://vigilanzcorp.com/). The company began its annual hospital patient safety report in 2019. This year’s survey had responses from top staff at 100 hospitals and health care systems of various sizes around the country. Two years into the pandemic, 89% of the health care leaders agreed COVID-19 pandemic exposed safety vulnerabilities in the [health facilities](https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/osha-to-reinspect-health-care-facilities-with-covid-19-citations-complaints), according to the survey. They largely agreed the pandemic has led to initiatives to improve patient safety (78%), staff safety (77%) and visitor safety (72%). “While many hospital executives and clinical leaders say their organizations should be doing more to improve safety, the good news is that the problem isn’t being ignored,” the study said. The health care leaders reported burnout (86%) and shortages (80%) caused significant or moderate declines to patient safety. The findings included 23% of respondents agreeing patient lives were lost due to staff shortages and 21% said [patient lives](https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/study-estimates-more-than-18-million-died-of-covid-worldwide) were lost due to burnout. Infection remains a top concern – COVID-19 made infection prevention a higher priority for 90% of the health care leaders and 68% reported long-term improvements to prevent it. But just 26% of respondents said they were extremely confident their hospitals could respond to an infectious disease or viral outbreak, down from 44% in 2021. The study described it as a rapid decline, “perhaps due to challenges raised by new strains of COVID-19.” The pandemic remained a challenge for pharmacies, causing drug shortages for 93% of the health care organizations, the survey said. --- This post, [COVID-19 drives new safety programs, but staff, infection problems remain](https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/covid-19-drives-new-safety-programs-but-staff-infection-problems-remain), was shared by [Medical Economics](https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/covid-19-drives-new-safety-programs-but-staff-infection-problems-remain) on March 25, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Your Responsibilities Under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule](https://wastemedic.com/2022/03/27/your-responsibilities-under-the-hipaa-breach-notification-rule/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *After experiencing a PHI breach, HIPAA-covered entities and business associates must comply with reporting requirements under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule.* The HIPAA Breach Notification Rule requires HIPAA-covered entities and business associates to follow specific reporting requirements following the discovery of a protected health information (PHI) breach. If organizations fail to comply with HIPAA’s standards, they run the risk of endangering patient privacy, paying hefty noncompliance fees, and suffering reputational harm and lawsuits. Healthcare organizations and business associates should review breach reporting requirements and have business continuity and [incident response plans](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/how-to-implement-a-cyber-incident-response-plan-for-healthcare) in place to avoid repercussions. #### What Constitutes a PHI Breach? Healthcare data breaches and cyberattacks are almost inevitable in the current cyber threat landscape. SecureLink found that [one healthcare record is worth up to $250 on the black market](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/top-healthcare-cybersecurity-challenges-how-to-overcome-them), compared to $5.40 for payment card information, the next highest-value record type. Given the likelihood that a healthcare organization or business associate with valuable protected health information (PHI) will face an attempted or successful cyberattack, it is essential to understand how HHS defines a data breach and what to do if your organization falls victim to one. According to HHS, a breach is “an impermissible use or disclosure under the Privacy Rule that compromises the security or privacy of the protected health information.” Organizations must conduct a risk assessment of the following factors to determine whether a security incident would be considered a breach: The nature and extent of the protected health information involved, including the types of identifiers and the likelihood of re-identification; The unauthorized person who used the protected health information or to whom the disclosure was made; Whether the protected health information was actually acquired or viewed; and the extent to which the risk to the protected health information has been mitigated. The HIPAA Breach Notification Rule assumes that an impermissible use or disclosure of PHI is a breach unless an organization can show that there is a low probability that information was compromised based on the above factors. The definition of a breach is fairly straightforward, but not all accidental information disclosures are considered data breaches. There are three exceptions to the rule that excuse healthcare organizations and business associates from reporting a breach to HHS. If a workforce member acting under the authority of a covered entity or business associate accesses or acquires PHI unintentionally (but in good faith), the incident would not be considered a breach. The second exception involves a person who has authorized access to PHI at a covered entity but inadvertently discloses that PHI to another person in that organization with authorized access to PHI. The second exception applies only if that information was not further used or disclosed in ways that violate the HIPAA Privacy Rule once the parties discovered their wrongdoing. The third exception applies if the covered entity or business associate has good reason to believe that the unauthorized person who accessed the PHI would not be able to retain any information. “Covered entities and business associates must only provide the required notifications if the breach involved unsecured protected health information,” HHS’ website stated. “Unsecured protected health information is protected health information that has not been rendered unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized persons through the use of a technology or methodology specified by the Secretary in guidance.” Unless the information disclosure occurred under a particular set of conditions, covered entities and business associates should assume that they must follow HIPAA’s breach reporting requirements. #### Breach Notification Requirements for Healthcare Organizations Covered entities are required to notify impacted individuals of a PHI breach within 60 days of discovering the breach. The covered entity must send the individual notice via first-class mail or by email if the individual had previously agreed to receive communications that way. “If the covered entity has insufficient or out-of-date contact information for 10 or more individuals, the covered entity must provide substitute individual notice by either posting the notice on the home page of its web site for at least 90 days or by providing the notice in major print or broadcast media where the affected individuals likely reside,” HHS noted. The organization also must maintain a toll-free phone number for 90 days for impacted individuals to learn about the breach. Along with the delivery methods, HIPAA also has specific requirements for what information organizations should include in the breach notification. The notice must include a description of the breach, the types of information involved in the breach, and what steps individuals can take to prevent further harm. In addition, the notice must include a description of what the covered entity is doing to investigate the breach and prevent future breaches. If the breach impacted more than 500 individuals, HIPAA requires the covered entity to notify prominent media outlets via a press release within 60 days of discovering the breach. Also within 60 days, covered entities must notify HHS by filling out a [breach report form](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/breach-notification/breach-reporting/index.html). The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) posts breaches impacting more than 500 people on its [data breach portal](https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf). Although the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule naturally emphasizes breaches impacting more than 500 people, it is important to note that breaches impacting less than 500 people still need to be reported to HHS. Covered entities [should report these smaller breaches to HHS on an annual basis](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/deadline-to-report-phi-breaches-impacting-less-than-500-people-nears), no later than 60 days after the end of the calendar year in which the entity discovered the breach. #### Breach Notification Requirements for Business Associates Business associate data breaches are becoming more common as threat actors shift their tactics and targets. Critical Insight [found that while cyberattacks against healthcare providers dipped slightly in 2021, attacks targeted at health plans and business associates increased](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/cyberattacks-against-health-plans-business-associates-increase). In January 2022, clinical data technology company and business associate [Ciox Health began notifying individuals of a healthcare data breach that impacted more than 30 healthcare organizations](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/business-associate-data-breach-impacts-32-healthcare-organizations). Targeting business associates can be an easy way for threat actors to access data from multiple organizations with just one cyberattack. With this in mind, business associates must understand their role in providing breach notifications to covered entities and impacted individuals. “With respect to a breach at or by a business associate, while the covered entity is ultimately responsible for ensuring individuals are notified, the covered entity may delegate the responsibility of providing individual notices to the business associate,” HHS’ website states. “Covered entities and business associates should consider which entity is in the best position to provide notice to the individual, which may depend on various circumstances, such as the functions the business associate performs on behalf of the covered entity and which entity has the relationship with the individual.” Covered entities and business associates should work together to ensure that the right people are notified of a breach at the right time. Business associates, which are entities subject to HIPAA requirements via a [business associate agreement](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/what-is-a-hipaa-business-associate-agreement-baa) (BAA), are required to disclose breaches to covered entities within 60 days of discovering the breach. The business associate has an obligation to provide the covered entity with all the necessary information for a thorough breach notification letter. #### How Data Breach Reporting Requirements May Change In March 2022, the Senate passed the [Strengthening American Cybersecurity Act](https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/BillText_PetersStrengtheningAmericanCybersecurityAct.pdf). If signed into law, the act would require critical infrastructure entities to report cyber incidents within 72 hours of discovery and 24 hours if the entity makes a ransomware payment. “The term ‘significant cyber incident’ means a cyber incident, or a group of related cyber incidents, that the Secretary determines is likely to result in demonstrable harm to the national security interests, foreign relations, or economy of the United States or to the public confidence, civil liberties, or public health and safety of the people of the United States,” the bill stated. It is currently unclear what incidents and healthcare entities might be subject to this rule. The determinations will likely depend on the size and scope of the security incident and whether it poses a significant threat to public health on a large scale. On top of HIPAA requirements, covered entities and business associates will have to keep track of emerging regulations to protect PHI and know when and how to notify government agencies and impacted individuals of a data breach. It is also important to note that different states have different breach reporting requirements. For example, Gastroenterology Consultants in Houston, Texas, began notifying over 161,000 patients of a January 2021 ransomware attack on August 6, 2021. [The notification came as a surprise to many patients who were unaware of the breach for months](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/houston-provider-delayed-notice-of-ransomware-attack-for-months). Although Gastroenterology Consultants complied with HIPAA by reporting the breach to federal authorities in March, it failed to comply with Texas breach reporting requirements. Texas law requires businesses to notify the Attorney General’s Office of a data breach within 60 days if it impacted more than 250 individuals. Gastroenterology Consultants failed to notify Texas officials of the cyberattack until August 9. Complying with the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule is essential for covered entities and business associates. But as regulations expand and individual states develop their own reporting requirements, strictly following HIPAA will no longer be enough. --- This post, [Your Responsibilities Under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/your-responsibilities-under-the-hipaa-breach-notification-rule), was shared by [Health IT Security](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/your-responsibilities-under-the-hipaa-breach-notification-rule) on March 11, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Your Practice May Have Experienced a HIPAA Breach - Now What?](https://wastemedic.com/2022/03/27/your-practice-may-have-experienced-a-hipaa-breach-now-what/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Whether you have recently experienced a breach or are just preparing for the worst, it’s important to know what you need to assess in the event that your practice is faced with a HIPAA incident. Any time your Protected Health Information (PHI) is exposed, whether maliciously or accidentally, your practice may be facing serious fines for a HIPAA violation. The first step is knowing what exactly is considered a breach of PHI. As defined by the [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/breach-notification/index.html), a HIPAA breach is the “impermissible use or disclosure under the Privacy Rule that compromises the security or privacy of the protected health information.” This definition is broad and leaves practices to determine if a breach has occurred. If you believe you may have been breached, the next step is to assess your specific level of risk using the following factors: 1. The nature and extent of the protected health information involved, including the types of identifiers and the likelihood of re-identification (i.e. what kind of information was exposed) - Certain identifiers such as social security numbers or sensitive diagnoses increase the probability of compromise 2. The unauthorized person who used the protected health information or to whom the disclosure was made (i.e. an employee or outside party) - If the recipient is another entity regulated by HIPAA laws there might be a lower probability that the PHI is at risk 3. Whether the protected health information was actually acquired or viewed - If the opportunity existed for the PHI to be acquired but it was not actually viewed, there might be a lower risk 4. The extent to which the risk to the protected health information has been mitigated - Mitigating the risk in a timely manner is always in your practice’s best interest In any instance where unsecured PHI is involved, properly assessing the level of risk associated with your practice’s potential data breach is an essential first step. Your next steps are reporting the breach and notifying the right individuals as specified by HIPAA. In addition, the number of affected persons, your state’s individual reporting requirements, the types of PHI, and the likelihood the PHI exposed will be used for malicious intent will influence the best way to address the breach. All practices, before a breach ever occurs, should have a Breach Notification Policy in place that will outline the proper reporting steps that must be followed. Like all HIPAA policies, the policy should also include any state-specific breach notification laws that might supersede Federal requirements. It’s important to note that analyzing your HIPAA program shouldn’t only be done *after* a breach has already occurred. Practices should assess their level of HIPAA compliance regularly and complete the mandatory annual Security Risk Analysis in order to determine areas that could be breached in the future. This not only sheds light on often overlooked risks, such as outdated computer programs or missing policies for regulating access but in the circumstance that your practice does experience a breach you are better equipped to identify and mitigate the issue. In fact, if you experience a breach and have not completed the required Security Risk Analysis beforehand, the likelihood that your practice will be hit with a HIPAA fine goes up dramatically – almost all HIPAA fines levied by the OCR are in part the result of a missing risk analysis. Updating and maintaining your practice-specific Security Risk Analysis and policies on a regular basis may seem daunting, but software solutions help streamline and automate this process to simplify your compliance program. \[[View source](https://abyde.com/assessing-a-hipaa-breach/).\] --- This post, [Your Practice May Have Experienced a HIPAA Breach – Now What?](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/your-practice-may-have-experienced-a-6518731/), was shared by [JD Supra](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/your-practice-may-have-experienced-a-6518731/) on February 28, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [TN Together: National Take Back Day is April 30th, 2022](https://wastemedic.com/2022/03/27/tn-together-national-take-back-day-is-april-30th-2022/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Department of Health, and TN Together are teaming up to encourage participation in the upcoming [National Drug Take-Back Day on April 30th, 2022](https://tntogether.com/takebackday/). Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That’s dangerous and often tragic. That’s why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in – safely and anonymously – a record amount of prescription drugs. The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of June 2020, 13% of Americans reported starting or increasing substance use as a way of coping with stress or emotions related to COVID-19. I don’t think there’s a better time than now to dispose of your medication if it is no longer needed or expired. If your medication does not fall into those categories, please pick up an at home lock box to keep them in a safe place. You can find these in store, online or at your local coalition.” Accepted items include liquid medications (in leak-proof containers); medicated ointment, lotions, or drops; pills in any packaging (glass bottles, plastic containers, plastic bags, etc.); over-the-counter medications Liquid medications (in leak-proof containers); pet medications. Prohibited items include blood sugar equipment; sharps/needles; illegal drugs & narcotics (police will accept these items if placed in the container); thermometers; IV bags; bloody or infectious waste; personal care products (shampoo, lotions, etc.). --- This post, [National Take Bay Day](https://tntogether.com/takebackday/), was recently shared by TN Together. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [OSHA pleads with healthcare employers to help reduce worker injuries, illnesses](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/27/osha-pleads-with-healthcare-employers-to-help-reduce-worker-injuries-illnesses/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Amid a rise in healthcare worker injuries and illnesses, the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is [urging](https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20220208) facilities and providers in the industry to employ effective safety and health programs. OSHA made the plea in a news release Feb. 8, about a week ahead of National Caregivers Day on Feb. 18. U.S. healthcare workers saw a 249 percent increase in injury and illness rates in 2020 compared to the year before, and workers in the healthcare and social assistance industries combined suffered more injuries and illnesses than workers in other industries, the agency said, citing [data](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/osh.nr0.htm) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OSHA urged healthcare employers to take action to reduce such incidents. “Healthcare workers routinely face the risks associated with exposures to bloodborne pathogens, drug residue, X-ray machines, respiratory illness and ergonomic injuries related to lifting patients and repetitive tasks,” said Ryan Hodge, OSHA’s acting regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. “Our nation’s caregivers have made extraordinary sacrifices in recent years — putting themselves on the front line in a pandemic — and we owe it to them to ensure their employers are doing all they can to protect their employees.” OSHA recommended that healthcare employers establish a proactive safety and health program and endorse training and preventive measures focused on worker safety. --- This post, [OSHA pleads with healthcare employers to help reduce worker injuries, illnesses](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hr/osha-pleads-with-healthcare-employers-to-help-reduce-worker-injuries-illnesses.html), was shared by Becker’s Hospital Review on February 9, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [OSHA highlights healthcare worker safety on National Caregivers Day](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/27/osha-highlights-healthcare-worker-safety-on-national-caregivers-day/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Amid the pandemic, U.S. healthcare workers experienced a 249% increase in injury and illness rates in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, workers in the [healthcare and social assistance](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/osh.nr0.htm) industries combined suffered more injuries and illnesses than workers in any industry in the nation. ### Risk management in healthcare facilities As National Caregivers Day falls on February 18, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) calls on healthcare employers and those in related industries to take immediate actions to help make 2022 less hazardous and reduce worker injuries and illnesses. “Healthcare workers routinely face the risks associated with exposures to bloodborne pathogens, drug residue, X-ray machines, respiratory illness and ergonomic injuries related to lifting patients and repetitive tasks,” said OSHA’s Acting Regional Administrator Ryan Hodge. Security leaders in the healthcare sector can protect employees from myriad risks by creating and using a proactive worker safety and risk management program to address hazards and endorse training and preventive measures to keep workers safe. ### Healthcare worker safety in action To understand how effective a program of this kind can be, consider how Community Hospital Onaga — part of Community HealthCare System Inc.’s nonprofit healthcare system — succeeded in improving the safety and health of its workers. In 2000, the hospital in rural northeast Kansas contacted OSHA’s onsite consultation program about enhancing workplace safety. Visits by the Kansas Department of Labor’s onsite consultation program soon began. Following those visits, Community Hospital succeeded in correcting all hazards inspectors identified, and it continued to improve its safety and health programs. By December 2002, OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program awarded the facility “SHARP” status, one of only two Kansas hospitals in the program. The facility has kept injury and illness rates below the industry average since 2002. As a result, OSHA has renewed Community Hospital’s SHARP status eight times, most recently in June 2021. “As COVID-19 spread, Community HealthCare System implemented a plan to protect employees and clients. Other healthcare systems can follow their model by encouraging a mindset that anticipates and addresses hazards before they cause harm,” Hodge said. --- This post, [OSHA highlights healthcare worker safety on National Caregivers Day](https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/97111-osha-highlights-healthcare-worker-safety-on-national-caregivers-day), was shared by Security Magazine on February 18, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [HIPAA in 2022: 5 ways to keep your practice in compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/27/hipaa-in-2022-5-ways-to-keep-your-practice-in-compliance/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The first two parts of this series on HIPAA in 2022 examined [regulatory updates related to interoperability and OpenNote](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dentistry/article/14223526/hipaa-in-2022-whats-on-the-horizon), and [privacy, patient rights and security](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dentistry/article/14223868/hipaa-in-2022-privacy-patient-rights-and-security). That’s a lot to get your arms around during these challenging times. You may feel overwhelmed and ask yourself how to keep up-to-date on all of this year’s changes, and how to start to ensure that my practice is in full HIPAA compliance? This is perfectly understandable! Here are five tips to help you adapt to the rapidly changing HIPAA regulatory landscape, and mitigate the risk of penalties for noncompliance: #### Chase the knowledge Seek out reliable, accurate information. Do you know if your “go-to” compliance source has read and thoroughly understands the latest regulations and guidelines? It might be wise to consult with a qualified consultant or healthcare attorney, as well as your software vendor about the Cures Act requirements and any applicable exemptions. Granted, learning about new dental materials or the latest digital technology is much more exciting, yet savvy practice owners must also fully understand their legal regulator responsibilities. #### Evaluate your compliance status Take time to review your HIPAA compliance progress in light of these changes, as well as pending changes. Remember, your policies and procedures should reflect your office processes as well as fulfill the specific requirements of any given regulation. Hand-me-down policies from the previous practice owner do not reflect a good-faith compliance effort. Neither does an uncustomized fill-in-the blank manual sitting on a shelf. Don’t be afraid to jump right in and read your Privacy and Security policies. Regulators expect to see that you’ve conducted an annual policy review along with making any updates as needed. #### Budget for compliance . Merely checking a box for free compliance training doesn’t fulfill all your regulatory obligations. All regulatory bodies (OSHA, HIPAA, state regulators) expect an active effort that includes ongoing compliance tasks—not a one-and-done annual training.Take HIPAA security, for example. Does your IT partner actively monitor your network for hacking? Are you confident you could restore your data if it were compromised with ransomware? Perhaps now is the time to ask your IT partner to restore a few backup files for peace of mind. Ensuring this level of preparedness requires experience, time, and financial resources. If your team doesn’t have the time or the expertise, it’s even more important to budget for expert assistance. #### Conduct a credible Security Risk Analysis (SRA) This may be one of the most misunderstood requirements of the Security Rule, yet it’s been in effect since April 20, 2005. According to the Rule, an SRA should be conducted on a regular basis (i.e, at least annually) and whenever major changes occur within your office (e.g., acquisition or merger with another practice, new technology is implemented or when key employees are allowed to work remotely). The Security Rule does not proscribe a specific risk analysis or risk management methodology. However, we do know from Office of Civil Rights (OCR) guidance that an SRA must contain these core elements at a minimum: - Identify and document potential threats and vulnerabilities - Assess current security measures - Determine the likelihood and impact of threat occurrence - Determine the level of risk - Identify security measures and develop a risk mitigation plan Your IT partner can assist you in gathering some of the technology data; however, it may be viewed as a conflict of interest if they conduct the full assessment. As well, they are not able to assess your entire practice from the administrative requirements of the Security Rule. Prefer not to tackle this alone? HealthIT.gov in conjunction with the OCR offers a [free assessment tool](https://www.healthit.gov/topic/privacy-security-and-hipaa/security-risk-assessment-tool). Or if you find that too overwhelming, you can consult with a qualified consultant or healthcare attorney to get started on the right track. #### Make time for compliance work Similar to blocking out time for patient emergencies, make time—even short windows of time—to work on compliance. Ultimately, you are legally responsible for the privacy and security of your patient data. Plus, your compliance coordinators will be very thankful for snippets of time to keep up with compliance tasks. Winston Churchill once said, “Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.” Instead of wondering or worrying whether you’re HIPAA compliant, schedule time for compliance planning and tasks. --- This post, [HIPAA in 2022: 5 ways to keep your practice in compliance](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dentistry/article/14233298/hipaa-in-2022-5-ways-to-keep-your-dental-practice-in-compliance), was shared by Dentistry IQ on February 7, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Four Ways Covered Entities Can Ensure HIPAA Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/27/four-ways-covered-entities-can-ensure-hipaa-compliance/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Every healthcare organization knows about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It’s part of daily life for those working in a healthcare setting, and it can be — from a cybersecurity perspective — a difficult set of regulations to navigate. HIPAA violations can result in a minimum fine of $50,000, not to mention the reputation cost as well as time and money spent if that HIPAA violation results in a data breach. With over 2.5 million EMR accesses per day per organization, there’s significant room for error, so staying on top of cybersecurity is critical for any healthcare organization. **1. Implement Access Controls** There are a variety of access controls – the precision and control over when and how a user can exercise their access rights. – that help to keep patient data safe and secure. One access control that is simple to implement across an organization is multi-factor authentication. This method employs two or more sign-on methods to access certain assets. It could be a password and a code from a cell phone, a password and a keycard swipe, or another combination. It prevents a breach if somehow a password is compromised. Other access controls include: - Employing unique usernames and passwords for every login. - Restricting the access to certain scopes, times, functions, and applications - Implementing role-based access controls for all users - Unilateral ability to terminate an access session at any moment - Configurable time periods for automatic session log off Strong access controls not only limit who can access what and enforce access policies, but the controls also operate as another line of defense against entry into the most critical of assets. Access controls also prevent miscellaneous human error, which is, unfortunately, a common cause of HIPAA violations. **2. Implement Audit Controls** For HIPAA compliance, an organization needs to be able to say “who is accessing what and when were they accessing it.” In case of a breach, this is the first piece of information HIPAA will ask for, and it’s strong cybersecurity hygiene to already have real-time logs for critical access points and sensitive assets. Audit controls include high-definition session recording and comprehensive system logging and user activity. Not only do both of these controls keep an organization compliant, but also utilizing them can stop a breach, an insider threat, or human error before it causes any damage. **3. Create Transmission Security** This seems obvious, but keeping your data encrypted is a crucial first step in keeping it safe. HIPAA requires customer configurable encryption, AES 128, 192, and 256-bit modes, and a FIPS 140-2 encryption module employed by default. Little numbers can make a big difference when a hacker is trying to steal sensitive data. **4. Protect Against Third-Party Risks** In June 2019, both [LabCorp](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/labcorp-hit-with-shareholder-lawsuit-over-2-separate-data-breaches) and [Quest Diagnostics](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/11.9m-quest-diagnostics-patients-impacted-by-amca-data-breach) experienced third-party data breaches that exposed 7.7 million and 11.9 million records, respectively. That’s just one of many breaches that occur due to third parties. With hundreds, if not thousands, of vendors accessing a hospital’s network, a third-party breach could quickly turn devastating. However, applying the same rigors to external users that you do to internal users could prevent a costly breach. **HEALTHCARE CYBERSECURITY IS WORTH THE INVESTMENT** Staying HIPAA compliant and protecting sensitive data can be pricy. A recent [report](https://www.prnewswire.com/il/news-releases/perspectives-in-healthcare-security-report-cybersecurity-reality-in-hospitals-not-aligned-with-perception-301354480.html) by CyberMDX and Philips revealed these alarming stats about healthcare cybersecurity investments: - Only 11% of respondents said healthcare cybersecurity is a high-priority spend. - Let’s look at this again – 89% of respondents (which includes health IT and infosec executives, biomedical technicians, and engineers) said healthcare cybersecurity is not a high priority spend. - Two-thirds of respondents said they don’t track ROI on healthcare cybersecurity spending. - Large hospitals reported shutting down for an average of 6.2 hours at $21,500/hour after a healthcare cyber-attack. - Midsize hospitals shut down an average of 10 hours at a rate of $45,700/hour when experiencing a healthcare cyber-attack. - 50-75% of respondents are not protected from common cybersecurity vulnerabilities like Bluekeep, WannaCry, and NotPetya None of those facts tell a good story for healthcare cybersecurity. Staying compliant helps an organization stay safe, and staying safe prevents breaches and costly fines. It all feeds into each other, and ignoring one creates risk for the other. Remember, $21,500/hour is just the shutdown cost. That’s not the total, with compliance fines, cost. It’s simple: Can your organization afford a breach? No, you can’t. --- This post, [Four Ways Covered Entities Can Ensure HIPAA Compliance](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/four-ways-covered-entities-can-ensure-hipaa-compliance), was shared by Health IT Security on February 5, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Back to basics... what is HIPAA?](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/27/back-to-basics-what-is-hipaa/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** What is HIPAA? HIPAA is an acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Among other measures, the Act led to the establishment of federal standards for safeguarding patients´ “Protected Health Information” (PHI) and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of PHI created, maintained, processed, transmitted, or received electronically (ePHI). When the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was passed by Congress in 1996, the establishment of federal standards for safeguarding PHI was not one of the primary objectives. Indeed, the [long title of the Act](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-104publ191/pdf/PLAW-104publ191.pdf) doesn´t even mention patient privacy or data security: *“An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes.”* So how did HIPAA evolve from being a vehicle for improving the portability and continuity of health insurance coverage to being one of the most comprehensive and detailed federal privacy laws? The answer can be found deep in the Administrative Simplification provisions of HIPAA Title II. ### What is HIPAA Title II? HIPAA consisted of five Titles addressing the primary objectives of the Act: - Title I: Health care access, portability, and renewability. - Title II: Preventing health care fraud and abuse; administration simplification; medical liability reform. - Title III: Tax-related health provisions governing medical savings accounts. - Title IV: Application and enforcement of group health plan requirements. - Title V: Revenue offsets governing tax deductions for employers. Most of HIPAA Title II concerns measures to control health plan fraud and abuse (rather than health *care* fraud and abuse), the allocation of funds to pay for the measures, and sanctions against individuals or organizations that defraud or abuse a health plan or program. The provisions related to administrative simplification are discussed below, while the provisions for medical liability reform (of which there are few) only relate to whistle blower protection for reporting fraud and abuse. With regards to the Administrative Simplification provisions, the preamble states their purpose is to improve the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and the efficiency of the health care system via a “the development of a health information system through the establishment of standards and requirements for the electronic transmission of certain health information”. The responsibility for accomplishing this purpose is delegated to the Secretary for Health & Human Services (HHS). The preamble could give the impression that the Administrative Simplification provisions of HIPAA Title II will improve accessibility to and affordability of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, or that the development of a health information system would streamline the provision of healthcare between providers. However, when you read the Administrative Simplification provisions, their primary purpose is to reduce the administrative costs of providing and paying for health care. The Administrative Simplification provisions were important in the context of improving the portability and continuity of health insurance coverage because it was necessary to improve portability and continuity without increasing administration costs. Any increase in administration costs would have been passed on by covered health plans as increased costs to healthcare providers and as increased premiums for insurance coverage – something Congress was keen to avoid. The final Administrative Simplification provision is possibly the most important of all – requiring the Secretary for Health & Human Services to develop “recommendations on standards with respect to the privacy of individually identifiable health information”. If Congress did not enact federal privacy legislation within three years, the Secretary was to issue the recommendations as a Final Rule. Ultimately this short passage of HIPAA Title II was to become the HIPAA Privacy Rule. ### The Regulatory Landscape when HIPAA was Passed So far, we´ve answered the question what is HIPAA by providing an overview of the Act, identifying where the provisions were within the Act that triggered the Privacy and Security Rules, and specifying who was delegated responsibility for developing the Rules. To best explain what happened next, it is important to understand the regulatory landscape at the time and the patchwork of legislation that influenced the development of the Privacy and Security Rules. Prior to the passage of HIPAA, only ten states granted individuals privacy rights in their constitutions, although the privacy of individuals with specific conditions was required by federal law. For example, the Veterans Omnibus Health Care Act 1976 protects the privacy of medical records held by the Dept of Veterans Affairs relating to drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and AIDS. In addition, consumers of federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid also have privacy rights under the Privacy Act 1974 – but only for records maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The patchwork of legislation often failed to prevent unauthorized disclosures of personal health or payment information. Furthermore, unless a patient´s data was protected by an existing state or federal law, data could be freely exchanged between (for example) health plans and finance agencies – which could affect the patient´s ability to apply for a home mortgage. Similarly, a health plan could find out about a patient´s condition or treatment through non-regulated channels and increase the patient´s premiums or deductible – even if the patient had paid for treatment privately. In addition to accommodating existing state and federals laws, the Secretary of Health & Human Services was given guidelines to work within. In respect of reducing the administrative costs of providing and paying for health care, HHS had to develop standards for the electronic exchange, privacy, and security of health information in financial and administrative transactions, while the recommendations on standards with respect to the privacy of individually identifiable health information had to cover: - The rights that an individual who is a subject of individually identifiable health information should have. - The procedures that should be established for the exercise of such rights. - The uses and disclosures of such information that should be authorized or required. Because the standards relating to the privacy of individually identifiable information were subject to a three year delay, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Security Rule was the first to be issued in 1998. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Privacy Rule was issued in 1999; but due to several years of revisions due to stakeholder comments, public hearings, and other issues, the [Privacy Rule](https://www.hipaajournal.com/hipaa-privacy-rule/) was not published until 2002, and the [Security Rule](https://www.hipaajournal.com/hipaa-security-rule/) until the following year. ### Rules Extend Privacy Rights & Data Security Nationwide The Privacy and Security Rules introduced minimum privacy, technical, physical, and administrative requirements that apply to all “Covered Entities” nationwide, unless state laws, alternative federal legislation, or professional regulations have more stringent requirements. HIPAA preempts all other federal, state, and professional regulations. The safeguards also apply to Business Associates who provide services for Covered Entities, and contractors who provide services for Business Associates. An Enforcement Rule was introduced in 2006 to tackle noncompliance with HIPAA; and, in 2009, the HHS´ Office for Civil Rights issued its first financial penalty for a violation of HIPAA – CVS Pharmacy Inc. being ordered to pay $2.25 million for the improper disposal of patient health records. Multiple penalties have since been issued – not only by the Office for Civil Rights, but also by State Attorney Generals. The DoJ has also pursued several successful criminal convictions for violations of HIPAA. Further Rules have reinforced the importance of HIPAA compliance. The Breach Notification Rule in 2009 made it a requirement for Covered Entities and Business Associates to report data breaches to individuals, the Office for Civil Rights, and – in some cases – the media. The Rule also shifted the burden of proof. Previously, OCR would have to establish a breach had occurred. Now, organizations have to prove an unauthorized disclosure of unsecured PHI does not constitute a breach. In 2013, the Omnibus Final Rule enacted provisions of the [HITECH Act](https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-is-the-hitech-act/) which made changes to the Security Rule to improve data security and further restrict access to ePHI. The Omnibus Final Rule also enhanced HHS´ powers to enforce HIPAA, updated the Breach Notification Rule, and made Business Associates directly liable for data breaches and HIPAA violations. Changes to the Privacy Rule are [currently under consideration](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-ocr-hipaa-nprm.pdf) that may affect the answer to what is HIPAA in the future. ### What is HIPAA? FAQs **Which organizations does HIPAA apply to?** HIPAA applies to all Covered Entities, Business Associates, and contractors providing a service to a Business Associate. Covered Entities are defined as health plans, health care clearinghouses, and healthcare providers who electronically transmit health information in connection with transactions for which HHS has adopted standards. Teaching institutions can also qualify as “Hybrid Entities” if they provide medical services to both students and non-students. Business Associates are persons or organizations who perform a service for a Covered Entity that involves the use or disclosure of PHI. Services can include legal, actuarial, accounting, consulting, data aggregation, management, administrative, accreditation, financial services, data analysis, claims processing or administration. A Covered Entity can be a Business Associate of another Covered Entity, but a member of a Covered Entity´s workforce is not a Business Associate. **Why might a teaching institution qualify as a hybrid entity?** One of the most quoted examples of a federal law pre-empting HIPAA is FERPA – the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. FERPA protects the privacy of student education records, and – under FERPA – any medical treatment received by a student is recorded on their educational record. Consequently, if only students receive medical treatment in a teaching institution, the institution is not a Covered Entity under HIPAA. However, if a teaching institution provides medical services for non-students, the medical records of non-students are protected by HIPAA, while the medical records of students remain protected by FERPA. **What states have more stringent data protection laws than HIPAA?** Most states have a selection of [data protection laws](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_privacy_laws_of_the_United_States); and although some may have more stringent individual standards than HIPAA (i.e., some states require data retention beyond six years), none replace HIPAA in its entirety. However, it is important not only to know which laws apply in the state where your organization is located, but also in any jurisdictions in which your organization creates, maintains, processes, transmits, or receives PHI. This is because in some states (i.e., Texas), data protection laws apply to any organization that creates, maintains, processes, transmits, or receives healthcare information relating to a citizen of that state – even if the citizen was not physically present in the state when the activity occurred. Furthermore, some data protection laws do not distinguish between Covered Entities and Business Associates. Any organization that engages in a covered activity is a Covered Entity. **What privacy rights exist under the Privacy Act 1974?** The Privacy Act 1974 restricts how federal agencies collect, maintain, use, and disclose personally identifiable information. The basic policy objectives of the Privacy Act are: 1. To restrict disclosure of personal identifiable records maintained by agencies. 2. To grant individuals increased rights of access to agency records maintain on themselves. 3. To grant individuals the right to seek amendment of agency records when the records are not accurate, relevant, timely, or complete. 4. To establish a code of fair information practices that requires agencies to comply with the statutory norms for collection, maintenance, and dissemination of records. The basic policy objectives of the Privacy Act mirror several HIPAA Privacy Rule standards relating to patients´ rights and technical, physical, and administrative safeguards of the HIPAA Security Rule. However, while most federal agencies have to comply with the Privacy Rule at all times, agencies who collect, maintain, use, or disclose PHI have to comply with HIPAA at all times – unless a Privacy Act implementation specification provides better privacy rights or data protection than HIPAA. **When might professional regulations preempt HIPAA?** The best example of when professional regulations preempt HIPAA is the military. Under the Military Command Exception, healthcare professionals can disclose the PHI of Armed Forces personnel to command authorities for activities such as fitness for duty determinations, fitness to perform a particular assignment, or other activities necessary for a military mission. Mental health disclosures are also permitted when there is a serious risk of harm to self, others, or a mission. --- This post, [What is HIPAA?](https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-is-hipaa/), was shared by HIPAA Journal on February 23, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, FAQs --- ### [Can your at-home COVID-19 test go in the trash?](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/27/can-your-at-home-covid-19-test-go-in-the-trash/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Can you throw your at-home, rapid COVID-19 test in the trash, or is it considered hazardous biological waste? Unlike at hospitals, at-home tests [can be thrown](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/curious305/article257489589.html) in the normal trash, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told the Miami Herald in January. However, some states have taken different stances. In Delaware, schools should [treat the kits as infectious waste](https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/faq/what-are-the-requirements-for-disposal-of-the-swabs-and-test-cartridges/), according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. [Schools have been directed](https://www.doe.k12.de.us/cms/lib/DE01922744/Centricity/Domain/150/Infectious%20Waste%20from%20Rapid%20Onsite%20Testing%20for%20Schools.pdf) to place used test materials in red bags, mark the bags with the biohazard symbol and tie them closed. The bags must be stored away from people and be protected from the weather, rodents and insects. The state must then remove the bags, and schools must keep a copy of the manifests for at least three years. As for South Carolina, the Department of Health and Environmental Control said that residents should follow the instructions on the at-home tests they use. “We’re not aware of any stipulations preventing an individual organization, business, school, or provider from developing their own disposal policies, but we encourage them to follow practical safety and health protocols when doing so,” the agency said. [Lucira](https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dls/locs/2020/waste_management_guidance_for_sars-cov-2_point-of-care_testing.html) at-home COVID-19 test kits include a plastic bag for the test to be placed in and disposed of in the trash. Instructions for the [QuickVue,](https://www.fda.gov/media/146312/download) [BinaxNOW](https://globalpointofcare.eifu.abbott/en/detail-screen.html) and [IHealth](https://www.fda.gov/media/153923/download) at-home tests also say the used tests can be placed in the trash. In California, disposal of BinaxNow test cards depends on [whether or not the result was positive](https://testing.covid19.ca.gov/antigen-step-5a/). For negative results, the test cards can go in the trash, while positive tests – along with used swabs and other test components – must be disposed of in a biohazard container according to regulated medical waste guidelines. The CDC says tests from labs and testing sites should [be treated as biohazardous waste](https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dls/locs/2020/waste_management_guidance_for_sars-cov-2_point-of-care_testing.html). Rules on how to dispose of the waste vary by state, contact your local health department or COVID task force with any questions. --- This post, [Can your at-home COVID-19 test go in the trash?](https://ktla.com/news/coronavirus/can-your-at-home-covid-19-test-go-in-the-trash/), was shared by KTLA on February 3, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [5 Top Safety Issues for Hospitals to Address in 2022](https://wastemedic.com/2022/01/20/5-top-safety-issues-for-hospitals-to-address-in-2022/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** As the healthcare industry enters the pandemic’s third year, many leaders are working to reinvigorate staff and patient safety efforts. Below are five of the most pressing safety issues for hospitals and health systems to address in 2022, based on expert insights, research findings and trends reported in the past year. 1\. **Foundational safety work.** First and foremost, healthcare organizations must ensure they have a strong foundation to refine safety efforts and sustain improvements, according to Patricia McGaffigan, RN, vice president of safety programs for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Ms. McGaffigan equated it to building a house — you wouldn’t add more rooms onto a foundation that isn’t solid. One way leaders can strengthen the foundation for care that is safe, person-centered and equitable is by using IHI’s “[National Action Plan to Advance Patient Safety”](http://www.ihi.org/Engage/Initiatives/National-Steering-Committee-Patient-Safety/Pages/National-Action-Plan-to-Advance-Patient-Safety.aspx) as a roadmap to reinvigorate safety efforts, she said. As part of this work, leaders must ensure they have a strong culture of safety at their organizations. A 2021 report from the Leapfrog Group found hospitals’ cultures of safety have significantly decreased amid the pandemic, with many healthcare workers reporting that they are not comfortable speaking up about potential errors, according to Erica Mobley, vice president of administration at the Leapfrog Group. “It’s really critical that the systems are still in place for people to be able to speak up, for the right training to happen and to continue to build a culture of safety, regardless of what’s happening in hospitals,” she said. Ms. McGaffigan recommended healthcare leaders use [this blueprint](http://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/Publications/Leading-a-Culture-of-Safety-A-Blueprint-for-Success.aspx) from IHI and the American College of Healthcare Executives to assess the current state of their organization’s safety culture and plan future priorities. 2\. **Supporting the healthcare workforce**. Purposeful efforts to protect and support the workforce should be a crucial priority for healthcare leaders this year, according to Ms. McGaffigan. Leaders must reinforce their commitment and accountability to eliminate harm to the workforce, and that view of harm should not only include physical safety but psychological safety, joy, well-being and healthy work environments, she said. As the proportion of temporary staffing increases during the pandemic, leaders should also keep safety at the forefront of every workforce decision. Ms. McGaffigan said IHI’s National Action Plan contains various resources and strategies on promoting workforce safety. In December, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality also introduced new workplace safety supplemental items that can be used as part of its “Hospital Surveys on Patient Safety Culture,” which can help leaders capture and act upon insights on patient and workforce safety. 3\. **Integrating equity into safety work.** Another important focus for healthcare leaders this year should be how to prioritize and ingrain health equity into safety and quality work. “Safety challenges arise because there is a lot of unwanted variation in systems,” Ms. McGaffigan said. “Inequities are a form of unwanted variation, and they are inextricably linked to safety.” This work should start at a leader’s own organization, by taking a look at their own workforce’s experience and beliefs with respect to equity. One example is to integrate sociodemographic data into the analysis of workforce safety reports and incidents so leaders have a better understanding of who they are happening to, Ms. McGaffigan said. From there, leaders should focus on ingraining equity into core safety work. For example, by adding an equity lens when conducting root cause analyses, leaders can understand not only why an error occurred but if there are other interpersonal, institutional or structural factors that contributed to the harm. 4\. **Diagnostic harm**. Diagnostic accuracy is another important area for leaders to watch. Staffing shortages, chaotic work environments and high levels of clinician stress and fatigue amid the pandemic may increase the risk for diagnostic errors, such as missed or delayed diagnoses, or diagnoses that are not effectively communicated to the patient. At present, no national data is available to quantify the pandemic’s effect on diagnostic harm. However, diagnostic errors were already one of the most sizable care quality challenges hospitals were facing prior to the pandemic, Ms. McGaffigan told Becker’s last year. 5\. **Healthcare-associated infections.** A September 2021 [CDC report](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/infection-control/pandemic-fueled-big-jump-in-healthcare-associated-infections-cdc-finds.html) found HAIs increased significantly in 2020 after years of steady decline. Pandemic-related challenges, including staffing shortages and high patient loads, have hindered hospitals’ ability to follow standard infection control practices, CDC researchers said in the report. In response to the report, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology [urged](https://apic.org/news/statement-from-apic-president-ann-marie-pettis-bsn-rn-cic-fapic-about-hai-increases/) healthcare facilities to assess their infection prevention programs and ensure they have the appropriate level of personnel and resources needed to protect patients and staff. Ms. Mobley of the Leapfrog Group said better surveillance and reporting of infections to the CDC and National Healthcare Safety Network is also needed in 2022 to help get back on track with this work. --- This post, [5 Top Safety Issues for Hospitals to Address in 2022](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/patient-safety-outcomes/5-top-safety-issues-for-hospitals-to-address-in-2022.html), was shared by Becker’s Hospital Review on January 3, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Unions: 2021 Hosted a Record Number of Workplace Safety Complaints vs. Hospitals](https://wastemedic.com/2022/01/20/unions-2021-hosted-a-record-number-of-workplace-safety-complaints-vs-hospitals/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Newly totaled data from 2021 shows Washington healthcare workers filed a record number of workplace safety complaint forms, an increase touted by healthcare worker unions as reason for safe-staffing standards legislation. Members of UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and the Washington State Nurses Association filed 8,649 safety complaint forms in 2021 – the total number of forms submitted between workers of all three unions in 2019 was 2,865. These forms detail staffing complaints and violations, inadequate equipment, and patient and staff safety concerns, and the unions are claiming they add to the urgency for passing safe staffing standards in Olympia this session. “We would welcome hospital executives to support the kind of workforce development investments they’ve talked about to increase the number of new healthcare workers we’re training to enter the field,” said Jane Hopkins, RN, executive vice president of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. “People are quitting because of dangerous staffing practices that have gone ignored for far too long. There’s no use in increasing our workforce if they’re just going to burn out within a year. We need to recruit more healthcare workers to the bedside, but we also need to make sure they can do their jobs safely.” Morale polls among healthcare workers in the state are suggesting widespread burnout amid the stresses of the pandemic, and the unions are warning of a dangerous exodus of nurses and other workers on the horizon. In a December 2021 poll of 1,200 healthcare workers, 49 percent said they were likely to quit in the next few years. Among those likely to quit, 71% said short-staffing was one of the biggest reasons. [In a recent study from the University of Washington](https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11606-021-07252-z.pdf), 60% of nurses interviewed said burnout made them less likely to remain in healthcare in the long term. Additionally, as [reported in the Puget Sound Business Journal](https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/12/16/covid-burnout-health-care-study.html), “61% of healthcare workers didn’t feel their employer cared about them, and 65% said administrators tuned-out suggestions for care made by bedside staff.” This week, [legislators in Olympia filed bipartisan bills](https://www.rentonreporter.com/news/widespread-burnout-among-healthcare-workers-prompts-change-at-hospitals/) to create statewide safe staffing standards including SB 5751 and its companion bill HB 1868. UFCW 21, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and the Washington State Nurses Association are supporting this legislation as a necessary way to improve morale and working conditions for the healthcare workforce. “For the last two years we’ve heard from healthcare workers how unsafe, understaffed and unsupported they feel in our hospitals,” said Faye Guenther, president of UFCW 21. “Across Washington, hospital executives have been able to afford tens of millions of dollars in bonuses during the pandemic but somehow can’t find the resources to fully staff their departments. Healthcare workers and patients are paying the price.” --- This post, [Unions: 2021 Hosted a Record Number of Workplace Safety Complaints vs. Hospitals](https://www.auburn-reporter.com/northwest/healthcare-workers-unions-say-2021-hosted-a-record-number-of-workplace-safety-complaints-against-hospitals/), was shared by the Auburn Reporter on January 13, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Family Medicine Practice Notifies Patients of Data Breach 1 Year Later](https://wastemedic.com/2022/01/20/family-medicine-practice-notifies-patients-of-data-breach-1-year-later/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Entira Family Clinics, a family medicine practice based in Minnesota, sent data breach notification letters to impacted individuals [via](https://apps.web.maine.gov/online/aeviewer/ME/40/647d1a9f-f142-4ee2-9f9b-ee54a1f2262a.shtml) the Maine Attorney General’s Office on January 13, 2022. The Maine Attorney General’s Office said that the breach impacted nearly 200,000 individuals associated with the family medicine practice. In the letter, Entira wrote that it had “recently discovered” a data breach that occurred within Netgain Technology, a cloud hosting provider. However, Netgain discovered the breach in late 2020 and subsequently notified impacted organizations. It is important to note that Entira’s letter does not mention when the breach occurred or when it was notified of the incident. “Netgain is a third-party entity that offers hosting and cloud IT solutions primarily for the healthcare and accounting industry. Entira, along with thousands of other healthcare entities, retained Netgain for online hosting of its environment, including cloud services and e-mail. Netgain was recently the target of a cybersecurity incident,” the letter stated. “Upon discovery, we worked with our information technology (IT) support team and engaged a law firm specializing in cybersecurity and data privacy to investigate further. We have also stayed in close communication with Netgain and its breach counsel regarding Netgain’s incident response and forensic investigation.” The Netgain breach affected hundreds of thousands of individuals in total and [impacted](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/data-of-3.3m-20-20-hearing-care-patients-hacked-from-cloud-database) Allina Health’s Apple Valley Clinic, San Ysidro Health, SAC Health Systems, San Diego Family Care, and Elara Caring, among others. “Based on the results of this investigation, we have determined that information, including your name, address, social security number and medical history, were accessed by an unknown party that is not authorized to handle or view such information,” the letter continued. “At this time, Entira does not have any evidence to indicate that any of your personal information has been or will be misused as a result of this incident. Nevertheless, Entira decided to notify you of this incident out of an abundance of caution.” Entira said it is working to improve its security practices and alter its policies relating to information life ccycle management. The family practice also performed a security audit of the Netgain environment. In addition, impacted individuals are eligible for complimentary credit monitoring through IDX. Netgain is facing multiple class-action lawsuits regarding the data breach. Although Entira’s notification said it had no evidence of data misuse, a [lawsuit](https://dd80b675424c132b90b3-e48385e382d2e5d17821a5e1d8e4c86b.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/external/netgain-lawsuit-complaint-1-14-21.pdf) filed against Netgain in May 2021 alleged that data exfiltration was involved. Under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule, organizations that suffered a healthcare data breach are required to report the breach to HHS and impacted individuals within 60 days of the incident. --- This post, [Family Medicine Practice Notifies Patients of Data Breach 1 Year Later](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/family-medicine-practice-notifies-patients-of-data-breach-1-year-later), was shared by Health IT Security on January 18, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Walmart Sued for Illegal Toxic Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2022/01/20/walmart-sued-for-illegal-toxic-waste-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** California officials have sued Walmart for allegedly dumping hazardous waste improperly at municipal landfills over the past six years.Since February 2015, the retail giant has illegally disposed of waste including alkaline and lithium batteries, insect killer sprays and other pesticides, aerosol cans, toxic cleaning supplies, electronic waste, latex paints, and LED lightbulbs, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, joined by the district attorneys for 12 counties, said in the [complaint](https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Walmart%20Complaint.pdf). According to results from Walmart’s own inspections, the California Department of Justice estimates the company unlawfully disposes of approximately 159,600 pounds – or more than one million items – of hazardous waste in California each year. “When one person throws out a battery or half-empty hairspray bottle, we may think that it’s no big deal. But when we’re talking about tens of thousands of batteries, cleaning supplies, and other hazardous waste, the impact to our environment and our communities can be huge,” Bonta said in a news release. Walmart has more than 300 stores in California. In 2010, the California attorney general reached a $25 million settlement against the company for illegally disposing of hazardous waste. “Despite the injunctive terms Walmart agreed to as part of the settlement, inspections beginning in 2015 found that Walmart was continuing to conduct operations in California in violation of state laws,” the state said. Walmart disposes of waste from its stores, pharmacies, and auto repair centers in compactors. According to the suit, California investigators conducted 58 inspections of compactors taken from Walmart stores and, in each and every single case, found dozens of items classified as hazardous waste and medical waste. “Instead of trying to come into compliance with the law, Walmart claims that its corporate sustainability achievements and its past criminal and civil penalty payments fulfill its compliance responsibilities,” according to the state. A Walmart spokesman called the suit “unjustified” and accused California of “demanding a level of compliance regarding waste disposal from our stores of common house-hold products and other items that goes beyond what is required by law.” --- This post, [Walmart Sued for Illegal Toxic Waste Disposal](https://www.cfo.com/risk-compliance/2021/12/walmart-sued-for-illegal-toxic-waste-disposal/), was shared by CFO on December 21, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Biochem Owner Accused of Mismanaging Medical Waste: ‘The Most Egregious Violations We Have Seen’](https://wastemedic.com/2022/01/20/biochem-owner-accused-of-mismanaging-medical-waste-the-most-egregious-violations-we-have-seen/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** [Biochem Technical Services LLC](https://www.clickondetroit.com/topic/Biochem/) (Biochem) and its owner, Raoul Keith Mangrum Jr., are accused of violating the state public health code involving mismanagement of medical waste. The waste includes body tissue samples, contaminated bandages and laboratory equipment. A complaint was filed in Oakland County Circuit Court on Dec. 10 on behalf of the [Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy](https://www.clickondetroit.com/topic/EGLE) (EGLE), Materials Management Division. EGLE alleges that Mangrum removed medical waste from his clients’ facilities and stockpiled the waste instead of arranging for proper disposal. According to a release, EGLE has documented violations of several other state requirements, including operating without authorization and failure to keep adequate records. The complaint aims to bar Mangrum and Biochem from collecting, transporting, storage and disposing of medical waste. It also hopes to recover costs to dispose of medical waste. EGLE said Biochem and Mangrum continued to operate in violation of the law, despite EGLE’s previous enforcement actions. Biochem’s medical waste registration was revoked and it was criminally prosecuted. In 2015, Mangrum pleaded guilty to one felony count of infectious waste littering in [Wayne County](https://www.clickondetroit.com/topic/Wayne_County/). Mangrum was sentenced to 60 days in the Wayne County Jail, to be served on weekends, followed by probation for two years and 120 hours of community service. He was also required to pay $3,000 to the Wayne County Environmental Protection Fund. EGLE revoked Biochem’s authorization to manage medical waste in 2019. “Mr. Mangrum’s actions are the most egregious violations we have seen under Michigan’s medical waste law,” said Elizabeth M. Browne, director of EGLE’s Materials Management Division. “Businesses involved in managing medical waste have an obligation to do their work in a way that protects Michigan residents. EGLE is committed to holding Mr. Mangrum accountable and protecting public health and the environment.” --- This post, [Biochem Owner Accused of Mismanaging Medical Waste: ‘The Most Egregious Violations We Have Seen’](https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/01/10/biochem-owner-accused-of-mismanaging-medical-waste-the-most-egregious-violations-we-have-seen/), was shared by Click On Detroit on January 10, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Detroit Man Apologizes for Stockpiling Medical Waste in Storage Units](https://wastemedic.com/2022/01/20/detroit-man-apologizes-for-stockpiling-medical-waste-in-storage-units/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A Detroit man who is being sued by authorities for stockpiling medical and laboratory waste in rental storage units apologized when contacted by phone this week, saying he was overwhelmed by the business he started. “I didn’t do any of what I did maliciously. I was just trying to make some money,” said Raoul Mangrum Jr., who, as owner of Biochem Technical Services LLC, allegedly violated state waste disposal laws in a manner that drew strong condemnation from Michigan environmental regulators this week. “I did the wrong things because I let the business get over my head,” Mangrum told MLive. “That’s the gist of it. I apologize. It was wrong for me, wrong for my company, wrong for the state — wrong for the community all the way around and I apologize.” “I do take responsibility for my actions,” he said. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) disclosed a lawsuit against Mangrum this week in a [news release](https://www.michigan.gov/egle/0,9429,7-135-3308_3323-575325--rss,00.html), in which the agency denounced the Detroit business owner’s waste mismanagement and public health code violations that date back several years. EGLE wants a judge to order reimbursement of $53,000 in state cleanup and disposal costs and bar Mangrum from doing further business in medical waste collection and disposal. “Mr. Mangrum’s actions are the most egregious violations we have seen under Michigan’s medical waste law,” said Elizabeth M. Browne, director of EGLE’s Materials Management Division. “Businesses involved in managing medical waste have an obligation to do their work in a way that protects Michigan residents. EGLE is committed to holding Mr. Mangrum accountable and protecting public health and the environment.” According to a September lawsuit filed in Oakland County Circuit Court, Mangrum collected sharps, body tissue samples, contaminated bandages, laboratory equipment and other medical waste items from doctor’s offices, laboratories and funeral homes. Instead of taking the items to a landfill or incinerator, he allegedly cached them in local storage units. The state claims Mangrum stored the waste under aliases and ignored orders to properly dispose of it. Mangrum allegedly stored medical waste at a Public Storage facility on West Eight Mile Road and a U-Haul facility on Eight Mile Road in Southfield, as well as frozen sea lampreys from a laboratory at the Detroit Cold Storage facility in Livonia. According to the state’s complaint, inspectors found the waste in May and June of 2019 and revoked Mangrum’s business license shortly thereafter. The state cleaned up and removed the waste items the following summer. The state says Mangrum has a history of violating medical waste laws. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of infectious waste littering following a 2013 fire at an abandoned warehouse on Martin Street in Detroit that Mangrum bought for $1,000. As crews fought the blaze, needles, scalpels, blood vials and filled biohazard bags [wound up outside on the sidewalk and accessible to the public](https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2015/04/22/detroit-fire-smokes-hazardous-litterer/26221025/). Mangrum also previously stored medical waste at Schaefer Lyndon Self Storage in Detroit, a commercial building on Fort Street and in a residential garage on Monica Street, EGLE said. Mangrum was sentenced to 60 days in the Wayne County Jail and paid $3,000 to the Wayne County Environmental Protection Fund after the fire, EGLE said. Despite the fire and littering conviction, Mangrum was apparently able to renew his Medical Waste Producer license with the state in 2017, according to the complaint. A message left with EGLE staff was not returned on Thursday. When contacted by phone on Thursday, Jan. 13, Mangrum said he was not aware he was being sued, although he admitted to receiving unopened correspondence from the state. In its release, EGLE says he was served with a complaint Dec. 10. Oakland County Circuit Court [records](https://courtexplorer.oakgov.com/OaklandCounty/SearchCases/ViewAction?CaseNo=OtpDXcZg7%2BXk%2F6VKR7TITQ%3D%3D) show his case is scheduled for a trial on July 7 and discovery began this week following case status conferences. Mangrum said he’s no longer working in the waste industry. He characterized his actions as being the result of poor decisions and said he’s trying to resolve his obligations. “All I can do is be honest. I don’t see why this is newsworthy,” he said. “But I was a young man that started a company and got up over my head and wasn’t practicing proper business practices. I did a lot of the wrong things. And I was prosecuted. I was fined. I did time. I eventually hope to pay back the state for the money they charged me for essentially the cleanup of where I was storing. I’m trying to repair my life from that venture in other ways and eventually get back to taking care of the state for what they say I’m obligated for.” --- This post, [Detroit Man Apologizes for Stockpiling Medical Waste in Storage Units](https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/01/detroit-man-apologizes-for-stockpiling-medical-waste-in-storage-units.html), was shared by M Live on January 13, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Providers Want More Training, Resources on Managing Medical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2022/01/20/providers-want-more-training-resources-on-managing-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Healthcare providers and administrators want more training and resources on waste management, a new survey has found. The survey was conducted by Stericycle, a provider of medical waste management, reaching 500 healthcare workers, 350 of whom are clinicians and 150 of whom are administrators. The findings were put into [Stericycle’s first report](https://www.stericycle.com/en-us/resource-center/original-research/healthcare-workplace-safety-report?utm_source=Press+Release&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=HWSTR2021) on healthcare workplace safety. More than half of providers and administrators feel their organization should spend more labor and funds on biohazardous waste disposal. Waste that is improperly disposed of can contribute to feelings of burnout and stress, which undermines providers’ sense of safety at work, the survey found. The vast majority also believe COVID-19 has made pharmaceutical management more challenging, especially in at-home environments where there is an increased risk for drug diversion. More than a third of providers who work in at-home care settings said they lack adequate tools to properly dispose of biohazardous waste. Most providers (more than 50%) also believe that improperly disposed of pharmaceutical waste is a major contributor to the opioid crisis, and believe that has worsened during the pandemic. “One of our biggest challenges is frontline caregivers’ lack of knowledge on where and how waste is disposed. Especially with the substantial amounts of travel nurses, many are not well-versed on our local disposal protocols,” an environmental safety and materials management expert at a leading nonprofit health system was quoted as saying in the report. While 3 out of 4 administrators feel their organization is doing enough to reduce its environmental footprint through waste management, just over half of providers agree. Similarly, while 71% of administrators say their organization has explicit sustainability goals, just over half of providers agree. “Our findings underscore that healthcare providers and administrators understand how the health and safety of a care environment impacts patient care,” Cory White, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Stericycle, [said in a press release.](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-stericycle-report-reveals-trends-provides-actionable-insights-for-improving-healthcare-workplace-safety-301458706.html) “It is clear, medical waste management is critical for creating a safe and efficient care environment for healthcare workers and patient health and well-being.” Stericycle recommends that to mitigate the challenges providers face, organizations need to invest in improving the health and safety of their environments through effective waste management and increased training opportunities. Organizations should also consider their waste management partners and prioritize those that reduce the burden on providers. They may also consider communicating their environmental sustainability goals broadly across the organization so all staff can contribute to those efforts. --- This post, [Providers Want More Training, Resources on Managing Medical Waste](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals/report-stericycle-waste-management-workplace-safety), was shared by Fierce Healthcare on January 13, 2022. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Former NY Hospital Employee Charged with HIPAA Violation](https://wastemedic.com/2021/12/24/former-ny-hospital-employee-charged-with-hipaa-violation/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** New York-based Huntington Hospital began [notifying](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211124006159/en/Huntington-Hospital-%E2%80%93-Notice-of-Unauthorized-Access-to-Personal-Information) 13,000 patients of a data breach that exposed protected health information (PHI) and resulted in a former employee being charged with a HIPAA violation. Huntington Hospital discovered on February 25, 2019, that a night shift employee was improperly accessing electronic medical records without role-based authorization. Further investigation revealed that the employee accessed PHI continually from October 2018 to February 2019. The hospital immediately suspended the employee, and he was later terminated. Following instruction from law enforcement, Huntington Hospital delayed notification of the incident until November 24, 2021. The former employee may have accessed names, birth dates, addresses, internal account numbers, telephone numbers, medical record numbers, diagnoses, medication information, lab results, and names of healthcare providers. Investigators found no evidence that Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, or insurance information was compromised. “Huntington Hospital has a robust compliance program that includes ongoing training of its employees, implementation of security tools to monitor access to medical record applications, and audits of medical record access,” the hospital’s notice explained. “The hospital has taken additional steps to prevent this type of incident from occurring in the future, including bolstering access controls and targeted re-training of staff on the importance of protecting patient confidentiality.” Huntington Hospital is offering all impacted patients free identity theft protection services for one year. The former employee was charged with a criminal HIPAA violation. “This notice is being provided in accordance with the media notice requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, as amended by Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act,” the hospital noted. “Huntington Hospital has notified impacted patients and will notify relevant regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.” HHS’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) typically enforces the HIPAA Privacy and Security rules by investigating complaints and conducting compliance reviews. If OCR finds determines that a person committed a civil violation, it may impose civil money penalties. However, if OCR discovers a possible criminal violation, it [refers](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/compliance-enforcement/enforcement-process/index.html) the complaint to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Criminal HIPAA violations can be handled in different ways depending on the level of severity. Covered entities and specific individuals who knowingly obtain or disclose PHI may face a fine of up to $50,000 as well as up to one year of imprisonment for violating the Administrative Simplification Regulations, [according](https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/hipaa/hipaa-violations-enforcement) to the American Medical Association (AMA). If the offense was committed under false pretenses, penalties may be increased to a $100,00 fine and up to five years in prison. Individuals or covered entities with the intent to sell, transfer, or use PHI for commercia advantage or personal gain can face up to $250,000 in fines and up to ten years in prison. On the civil side, OCR [recently settled](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/ocr-settles-20th-hipaa-right-of-access-case-with-nebraska-hospital) its twentieth HIPAA Right of Access Case with a Nebraska children’s hospital for allegedly violating HIPAA by not providing timely access to PHI. --- This post, [Former NY Hospital Employee Charged with HIPAA Violation](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/former-ny-hospital-employee-charged-with-hipaa-violation), was first shared by Health IT Security on November 30, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Why OSHA Will Start Fining Workplaces Up to $13,653 in 2022](https://wastemedic.com/2021/12/24/why-osha-will-start-fining-workplaces-up-to-13653-in-2022/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The [Fifth Circuit Court shot down the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard back in November](https://www.inc.com/suzanne-lucas/osha-wont-enforce-covid-rules-pending-court-prepare-anyway.html), and many people thought it was never to return. But, the Sixth Circuit court brought it back last Friday, and OSHA declared it would begin enforcement on January 10, 2022. Any business that fails to comply with Biden vaccine mandate, which affects companies with at least 100 employees, may face fines. For a [serious violation](https://www.osha.gov/memos/2021-01-08/2021-annual-adjustments-osha-civil-penalties), a fine can cost as much as $13,653 per incident. If your business acts in “good faith,” however, and you’re doing your best to get this up to date, the agency says it will give you until February 9, 2022. If you have 100 or more employees and you’re not prepared with an implementation plan, you’d better spend this holiday season figuring out how to track weekly testing. #### How to prepare By January 10, you need to have the following in place, according to [Employment Lawyer and partner with Wickers Herzer Panza, Jon Hyman](https://www.ohioemployerlawblog.com/2021/12/coronavirus-update-12-20-21-oshas-vax.html#more): **You need your ETS-compliant policy by then.** You may already have a Covid safety policy, but this one will need to comply with the OSHA ETS. If you didn’t bring it into compliance earlier, now is the time to start. **You need to collect vaccination data by then.** You need to confirm which employees have been vaccinated (right now, two shots are still considered fully vaccinated). You cannot just trust that they have been–you need to see the documentation. It is not a HIPAA violation to ask to see someone’s vaccination card. **You need to require masks for the unvaccinated by then.** My strong recommendation is to buy disposable masks for people who work on-site. Yes, this is a cost, but clean, fresh masks will be better at protecting people than the same cloth mask that someone has worn for three weeks straight. #### If you mandate vaccines You have the option of mandating vaccinations for all your employees. Because it takes three to four weeks between doses and two weeks after the second dose to be considered fully vaccinated, your employees need to go out and get that first shot as soon as possible. OSHA won’t surprise visits or punish people working toward compliance until February 10, but that time will come quickly. Remember, even with mandatory vaccination rules, people can have a legitimate health and religious exemptions. Make sure that’s in your policy. #### For unvaccinated employees Your unvaccinated employees (whether they have religious or health exemptions or not) must take a Covid test weekly. You have to document the testing and keep records. If you have three unvaccinated employees, this will not be difficult. If you have 300, it might turn into a logistical nightmare. Employees can use the self-testing kits, but they cannot self-certify. So they will need to administer them at the office with someone watching to certify whether the test is negative or positive. (If someone tests positive, they need to go home immediately.) To save on costs, [you can use pool testing](https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets2/faqs). This is where you combine samples and run a single test. If the test is negative, then everyone is negative. If it comes back positive, then everyone in the pool retests. #### Fines if you do not comply This isn’t just a nice suggestion from OSHA. OSHA can fine you up to $13,653 for each violation and up to $136,532 for willful repeated violations. Either get your business ready, or get your checkbook out. #### What about the Supreme Court? [Georgia and other plaintiffs have already filed an appeal with the Supreme Court](https://www.11alive.com/article/news/politics/osha-vaccine-test-mandate-supreme-court-georgia-ag-chris-carr/85-91986cbd-2d74-473d-a663-e6afbd5284b7). Will they hear it? It seems like an obvious thing for them to take up, but it’s doubtful they will hear anything before the ETS goes into effect on January 10. In other words, even if it goes to the Supreme Court and the Court blocks the ETS, you’ll need to implement it for January 10. You’re free to cross your fingers and hope but prepare anyway. ***Correction:** An earlier version of this article misstated the penalty for noncompliance. OSHA can fine companies up to $13,653 per serious violation.* --- This post, [Why OSHA Will Start Fining Workplaces Up to $13,653 in 2022](https://www.inc.com/suzanne-lucas/why-osha-will-start-fining-workplaces-up-to-in-new-year.html), was first shared by Inc. Magazine on December 20, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [OSHA: What To Expect In 2022](https://wastemedic.com/2021/12/24/osha-what-to-expect-in-2022/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** COVID-19 created great upheaval throughout the economy and the legal compliance world as well. The pandemic has been a great disruptor and has brought rules, regulations and related agency guidance that have served to overwhelm even the most conscientious and attentive employer. The welcomed arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, and now the perhaps less welcome OSHA vaccine mandate, simply add to an employer’s compliance burden. While OSHA is busy attempting to implement its vaccine/testing mandate, it also has numerous other significant matters in the works of which employers in the construction industry should be aware. These include new rule drafting and several national and regional emphasis programs, which illustrate OSHA’s current priorities. ##### THE VACCINE MANDATE Pursuant to a directive from President Biden, in October 2021, OSHA issued an emergency temporary standard implementing a mandate for all employers with more than 100 employees. This mandate requires that employees of such employers be vaccinated for COVID-19 or submit to regular testing. OSHA has also expressed interest in issuing a permanent standard and potentially expanding to include smaller employers. Emergency temporary standards have a long history in the OSHA Act going back to the earliest established standards after the agency was created by the 1970 statute. While the court process plays out, it seems the success of the federal government in defending the standard will largely rely on whether OSHA did its homework to justify skipping the usual regulatory process. While the further implementation of the standard remains somewhat uncertain, employers throughout the economy would be well advised to develop compliance policies in coordination with employment counsel. OSHA appears poised to aggressively enforce the standard which could entail significant penalties. It is notable that while 22 states have federally approved State-operated OSHA programs, those states have a legal obligation to implement standards at least as stringent as the Federal standard, and OSHA has authority to withdraw approval of State programs that don’t comply. ##### HEAT STRESS EMPHASIS PROGRAM AND NEW STANDARD At least 384 workers have died from job-related heat stress in the last decade. OSHA’s Acting Director James Frederick has stated that heat safety is a priority for the current administration. On September 21, 2021, OSHA initiated enhanced measures to protect workers from hot environments to reduce ambient heat exposure. The agency announced that it will be developing a national emphasis program, based in large part on a long-standing emphasis program developed in OSHA’s Region VI (Texas and continuous states) to prioritize inspections of exposure to heat-related hazards. OSHA also began the rulemaking process to develop workplace heat standards, building on Region VI’s guidance. Additionally, OSHA is forming a National Advisory Committee on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention to better identify the challenges impacting worker safety. OSHA has now implemented an intervention and enforcement initiative to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and death while working in hazardous hot environments, prioritizing activities occurring where the heat index exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. OSHA has tasked its Area Directors to institute the following: 1\. Prioritize inspections of heat-related complaints, referrals and employee-reported illnesses and initiate an onsite investigation where possible. 2\. Instruct compliance safety and health officers to conduct interventions (i.e., providing heat posters, wallet cards, trainings) or opening inspections when they observe employees performing strenuous activities in hot conditions. 3\. Expand the scope of other inspections to address heat-related hazards where worksite conditions or other evidence indicates present hazards. OSHA took a significant step toward adopting a federal heat standard in October 2021 by issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on heat injury and illness prevention in indoor and outdoor work settings. ##### OTHER OSHA NATIONAL EMPHASIS PROGRAMS IMPACTING CONSTRUCTION Other OSHA National Emphasis Programs affecting construction include: 1\. Communicating [OSHA Fatality Inspection Procedures to Victim’s Family ](https://www.osha.gov/enforcement/directives/cpl-02-00-166) (CPL 02-00-153), a new program implemented Summer 2021. 2\. [Combustible Dust](https://www.osha.gov/combustible-dust/standards) (CPL 03-00-008), a long-standing program intended to abate combustible duty hazards including explosion prevention and mitigation controls. 3\. [Lead Exposure](https://www.osha.gov/enforcement/directives/cpl-03-00-009) (CPL 03-00-009), another long standing program to devise a system for measuring lead exposure during inspections. 4\. [Trenching and Excavation (CPL 02-00-161)](https://www.osha.gov/enforcement/directives/cpl-02-00-161) with continued emphasis on reducing or eliminating workplace hazards with trenching and excavation operations. ##### REGIONAL EMPHASIS PROGRAMS In addition to national emphasis programs, each of OSHA’s 10 regions may have their own area specific emphasis programs. There are a number of regional emphasis programs (REPs) which may have a significant impact on work in the construction industry: 1\. Noise hazards in the workplace is part of a REP in seven of OSHA’s 10 regions, including the entire country east of the Mississippi and the Pacific Northwest. 2\. Fall hazards are getting special attention in all federal OSHA regions except for the Kansas City region and the South Pacific islands. 3\. Cranes in construction are getting special attention in the New England, Pacific Northwest and Texas (and contiguous states) regions (I, VI and X). 4\. Demolition is the subject of REPs in the regions stretching from New York south to Virginia and west to Minnesota (II, III and V). Similarly, Nebraska and Kansas have emphasis programs on commercial and residential construction following severe weather events. 5\. Asbestos abatement in the Rocky Mountain region VIII. 6\. Heavy highway and bridge construction are subject to an REP in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, as are construction worksites generally. Changing administrations always bring a change in the tone of federal agencies. Construction employers can expect the Biden administration to continue to emphasize working cooperatively with employers but should also expect vigorous enforcement of an increasing number of regulations and guidelines. --- This post, [OSHA: What To Expect In 2022](https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/health-safety/1143976/osha-what-to-expect-in-2022), was shared by Mondaq on December 21, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [COVID-19: Research Unmasks the Environmental Impact of PPE](https://wastemedic.com/2021/12/24/covid-19-research-unmasks-the-environmental-impact-of-ppe/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The [COVID-19](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/coronavirus) pandemic has impacted all areas of life. People, organizations, and governments have tried to adapt behavior to stay safe and minimize the risk of infection. One particular area of focus has been protection — most commonly via the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face masks and gloves. When people use PPE correctly, they can reduce their risk for severe illness or injury. However, it is also critical to consider how PPE impacts the environment. A recent [studyTrusted Source](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-021-00824-1) in the journal *Nature Sustainability* found that litter from masks, gloves, and wipes has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. The study recommends that policies related to pandemics should incorporate measures to manage PPE waste. This may help reduce the negative environmental impacts from the mismanagement of PPE. The uses of personal protective equipment The [Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)](https://www.osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment) notes that PPE can help prevent illness and injury. People will use different types of PPE based on the situation and need for protection. The [Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/general-hospital-devices-and-supplies/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control) helps regulate how manufacturers make PPE to ensure it works correctly. PPE can help prevent infectious materials from getting on a person’s skin, eyes, and nose. When people correctly use PPE, it can help reduce the risk of spreading an illness from one person to another. Examples of PPE include masks, gloves, face shields, goggles and protective clothing, such as gowns. The [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fhcp%2Fdisposition-hospitalized-patients.html) currently recommends that healthcare professionals treating people with COVID-19 wear N-95 masks, gowns, gloves, and eye protection such as face shields or goggles. The CDC also has general recommendations related to mask use by the general public. Currently, it recommends that all people over the age of 2 wear masks in indoor public spaces. While the CDC’s main focus has been on vaccination, it still promotes activities such as mask-wearing. For example, in a recent [Facebook post](https://www.facebook.com/cdc/posts/261070686054377), the CDC discusses a study demonstrating vaccine effectiveness. The agency advocates the following: > “Protect yourself and your community by becoming fully vaccinated, receiving your booster dose when recommended, and engaging in recommended prevention steps (like wearing masks or physical distancing in indoor public places where spread is high or substantial).” Other countries have developed similar recommendations regarding masks throughout the pandemic. ### COVID-19, PPE, and the environment The study’s researchers looked at the changes in litter levels regarding recommendations and announcements from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the policies and legislation adopted by 11 countries. Researchers collected data from France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand about litter levels from September 2019 through October 2020. They used the “Litterati” app to collect their data, specifically measuring the level of litter from masks, gloves, and wipes. Since the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic on January 30, 2020, the researchers observed an increase in litter related to all types of PPE. The amount of waste related to gloves recorded an initial spike and then a decline to about double pre-pandemic levels. There was also a gradual increase in litter from wipes from March through August. The amount then declined to about double pre-pandemic levels. The primary point of interest was the increase in litter from face masks. The litter from masks increased 84 times compared to pre-pandemic levels. Before the pandemic, there was almost no litter related to masks. Study author [Dr. Keiron P. Roberts](https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/persons/keiron-roberts) explained to *Medical News Today*: > “For the 11 countries studied from September 2019 to October 2020, we reported \[an over\] 80-fold increase in the proportion of masks as collected litter. This represents an almost \[8,400%\] increase.” Researchers were then able to look at the adoption of specific COVID-19 policies in different countries and how these policies correlated with the increases in PPE litter. One resource was the Oxford University Coronavirus Government Response Tracker. They specifically looked at countries’ policies related to mask-wearing and travel restrictions related to lockdowns. They found the litter from masks increased after the introduction of mask legislation. “Where mask legislation was present, we observed a significant increase in the proportion of mask litter. The report helps to support the anecdotal accounts we saw all too often last year and gives some justification as to why these items began to be more visible,” Dr. Roberts told MNT. ### Reusable PPE and correct disposal will be key Overall, the study provides evidence that the use of PPE can impact the environment, infrastructure, and people, particularly when people do not dispose of used PPE correctly. This could lead to the following consequences:littered PPE could spread SARS-CoV-2 to others shortly after removal; it can clog sewage systems and pollute areas, such as streams and rivers; it can serve as a choking hazard or entanglement issue for animals; it can help spread pathogens and pollution. The researchers acknowledge that their study risks observational bias and other possible errors, such as the lack of a standard method for collecting litter items. But their findings overall show an increase in litter related to COVID-19 and PPE use. As the use of masks will likely continue, the risk for mask litter will remain, the study points out. For that reason, the researchers encourage the adoption of policies and behaviors that can help reduce litter from PPE. For example, agencies and governments can encourage reusable items where possible and provide appropriate disposal bins in areas where single-use masks are required. Dr. Roberts offered the following recommendation: > “Moving forward, and in light of tightening restrictions and mask requirements across the world, we need to ensure continued mask use while preventing them from becoming litter. This is a dual responsibility of governments and the public. With governments providing strong messaging and education on disposing masks and other items, as well as supporting businesses to help customers and patrons bin their masks after use, \[they will essentially help\] to provide the facilities in the right place to do the right thing.” However, Dr. Roberts ultimately noted that the responsibility lies with people making smart choices and choosing not to litter. --- This post, [COVID-19: Research Unmasks the Environmental Impact of PPE](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-research-unmasks-the-environmental-impact-of-ppe), was first shared by Medical News Today in December 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [California Sues Walmart for Alleged Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2021/12/24/california-sues-walmart-for-alleged-illegal-hazardous-waste-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** California will join 12 district attorneys in suing Walmart, alleging the retail giant has repeatedly violated state laws against hazardous waste disposal over the past six years. In a press conference Monday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) accused the company of disposing of materials such as lithium and alkaline batteries, LED lightbulbs and pesticides in disposal sites that are not equipped for them. “We’re not talking about a few batteries. … Walmart’s own audits found that the company is illegally disposing of hazardous waste in California at a rate of more than 1 million items,” Bonta said. The complaint follows a 2010 settlement between Walmart and the California Attorney General’s Office, in which the company agreed to pay $25 million to settle similar allegations. State investigators inspected trash compactors from Walmart locations across 13 counties on 58 occasions from 2015 to 2021, according to Bonta’s office. During every inspection, they found dozens of items classified as either hazardous or medical waste, along with records containing personal consumer information, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges violations of several state laws, including the Hazardous Waste Control Law, the Medical Waste Management Act, the Customer Personal Information Law and the Unfair Competition Law. Bonta’s office was joined in the lawsuit by the state Department of Toxic Substances Control, as well as the district attorneys of Alameda, Fresno, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Solano, Tulare and Yolo counties. “No corporation is too big to follow the law and this lawsuit should serve as a warning to the state’s worst defenders we will hold you accountable,” Bonta said Monday. In a statement to The Hill, a Walmart spokesperson said the company has fully complied with the terms of the 2010 settlement. “We worked with the California Attorney General, District Attorneys, and the Court to build and maintain our comprehensive hazardous waste compliance programs,” the spokesperson said, noting that in 2018 the court agreed on their compliance. “Yet, as the Court was prepared to relieve Walmart of its obligations under the settlement, the Attorney General’s office launched a new investigation with new rules in hopes that Walmart would enter another settlement requiring another substantial financial payment.” --- This post, [California Sues Walmart for Alleged Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal](https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/586638-california-sues-walmart-for-alleged-illegal-hazardous-waste), was first shared by The Hill on December 20, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [The Environmental Cost of Getting Sick](https://wastemedic.com/2021/12/24/the-environmental-cost-of-getting-sick/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** As we’ve all paid a lot more attention to avoiding illness the past couple of years, we’ve also had to think about some new kinds of waste. We’re figuring out how to [recycle disposable masks](https://earth911.com/living-well-being/ecobreathe-recyclable-face-mask/) and properly [dispose of cloth masks](https://earth911.com/living-well-being/can-face-masks-be-recycled/) to avoid [PPE pollution](https://earth911.com/inspire/ppe-use-protects-us-against-coronavirus-but-its-harming-the-oceans/). We worry whether all those little plastic bottles of hand sanitizer will end up [polluting the ocean](https://earth911.com/inspire/infographic-plastic-waste-oceans/) and if [cloth masks expose](https://earth911.com/living-well-being/washing-cloth-face-masks/) us to toxins. It’s almost enough to make you want to take your chances against infection. But even if there’s an environmental cost to staying well, it’s important to keep it in perspective. Let’s take a look at the environmental cost of getting sick. ### Disposable PPE If you feel bad about using disposable masks to prevent infection in daily life, just think how many single-use masks and gloves are used for a single doctor visit. It’s [estimated](https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/resources/COVID-19/PPE/PPE-assumptions) that a single intensive care hospital worker will use 10 simple masks per day, and change gloves with each patient encounter, generating a total of 340 individual gloves daily. In an outpatient setting, a healthcare worker may use 50 gloves and at least two simple masks per day. During normal years, hospitals use about [5,000 to 6,600 N95 masks](https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/virus-masks-ppe/) per year; in a pandemic, the number is 10 times higher. ### Hospital Waste There is a lot more to hospital waste than PPE; hospital waste includes everything from [disposable straws](https://earth911.com/how-and-buy/bracelet-straw-combo-helps-reduce-plastic-consumption/) and trays of [food waste](https://earth911.com/inspire/your-food-waste-has-global-impact/) from bland, half-eaten meals. Think about the waste generated from a single injection. First, there is the single-use swab to sterilize the injection site. The medication will be packaged in small, sterile containers, as will the single-use plastic syringe, its needle, and the bandaid. [Sterile medical packaging](https://www.packagingdigest.com/smart-packaging/pursuit-sustainable-medical-packaging) is less efficient by necessity, requiring extra layers of packaging, which is mostly made up of unrecyclable plastic. The needle must be disposed inside of a sturdy plastic sharps container. Medical [sharps waste](https://www.stericycle.com/en-us/resource-center/blog/sharps-needles-disposal-faqs) must be handled by a special medical waste management company. When it’s full, the container must be sterilized before being sent to a landfill or incinerator. Neither the plastic container nor the metal needles can be recycled. One [hospital case study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC99328/) found an environmental footprint 739 times the facility’s actual size. Health care facilities can generate up to [25 pounds of waste](http://www.sustainabilityroadmap.org/topics/waste.shtml) per day per patient, adding up to nearly 7,000 tons of waste per day across the country. Hospitals are also energy hogs, requiring intensive versions of the same systems used in homes: brighter lighting in operating rooms; increased air exchange and filtration and decreased temperature variation in HVAC systems. Medical machinery from X-ray machines to heart rate monitors all draw electricity. An [average U.S. hospital](https://esource.bizenergyadvisor.com/article/hospitals) uses 31 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and 103,600 Btu of natural gas per square foot annually (compared to [about 5 kWh](https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=97&t=3) per square foot per year in an average, 2,300-square-foot home). ### Biohazards and Other Special Wastes About [15% of hospital waste](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-care-waste) is infectious, toxic, or radioactive. Regulated medical waste includes sharps (needles and razors), biohazards (items that are potentially contaminated with infectious matter), and radioactive waste (from diagnostics and therapeutic treatments, including for cancer). Hospitals generate a pound of biohazardous waste per patient per day. Disposing of regulated medical waste costs up to [10 times more than disposing](http://www.sustainabilityroadmap.org/topics/waste.shtml) of municipal solid waste and up to 30 times more than recycling. ### Dangerous Disposal [Proper disposal](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-care-waste) of regulated wastes and other hazardous chemical wastes, such as cleaning products, is not easy. Landfill disposal of untreated wastes increases the risk of contaminating drinking, surface, and groundwater. But treating medical waste requires the use of chemical disinfectants that themselves present environmental risks. Although [incineration](https://earth911.com/business-policy/how-incineration-works/) prevents the release of medical wastes into the environment, it is not without its own environmental drawbacks. [Recycling medical waste](https://earth911.com/business-policy/recycle-medical-equipment-reduce-waste/) is a promising option for waste reduction, but it is not yet widespread, and sterilization is still a water- and energy-intensive process. Even if you don’t have to go to a hospital, getting sick is costly. You might go through [cloth handkerchiefs](https://earth911.com/inspire/maven-moment-handkerchiefs/) faster than you can wash them and have to resort to disposable tissues (maybe try [tree-free tissue](https://earth911.com/eco-tech/napkins-and-tissues-made-from-sugar-cane-not-trees/)) when you have a cold. Once you feel better, disposing of [leftover medications](https://earth911.com/living-well-being/national-prescription-drug-take-back-day/) can be challenging. ### Be Well Of course, there are a lot of ways for [hospitals to reduce waste](http://www.sustainabilityroadmap.org/topics/waste.shtml). Nearly half of hospital waste is paper and cardboard, which is recyclable. Just as other businesses do, hospitals can establish recycling programs and protocols for the proper separation of wastes. They can install solar panels and take energy efficiency measures from insulation to lights that automatically switch off in unused rooms. But there is not much a patient can do to support those actions. So, if your own health is not already motivation enough, try to stay healthy for the planet. --- This post, [The Environmental Cost of Getting Sick](https://earth911.com/health/the-environmental-cost-of-getting-sick/), was first shared by Earth 911 on December 20, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Pharma & Climate Change: How Can Companies Make Meaningful Contributions?](https://wastemedic.com/2021/11/23/pharma-climate-change-how-can-companies-make-meaningful-contributions/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *The industry is rarely mentioned among the chief planet polluters — and companies are intensifying their sustainability efforts to make sure it stays that way.* In August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a body of scientists convened by the United Nations, issued a long-anticipated report. You probably heard about it: Based on more than 14,000 studies and approved by the government of every U.N. member nation, the IPCC report is the most comprehensive summary to date on the science of climate change. Chief among its findings was that humans have heated the planet by 1.1 degrees Celsius since the 19th century, and that even if emissions were sharply cut today, another 1.5 degrees of warming is likely already locked into the system. This would put a billion people around the world at risk of regular life-threatening heat waves. “Things are unfortunately likely to get worse than they are today,” one of the report’s authors told *The New York Times.* That sounds bad and, well, it is. But the IPCC report essentially just confirmed, if in harrowing terms, what was already widely known about Earth’s climate. It also reiterated the possibility that humanity can still prevent even more catastrophic outcomes with a coordinated effort among nations and industries. The pharmaceutical industry is rarely mentioned among the sectors most responsible for polluting the planet. Most of the blame — and thus most of the public pressure — is directed at energy, construction and transportation companies. But big pharma should not be immune to criticism. In December 2018, two researchers at Ontario’s McMaster University found that not only is pharma a significant contributor to global warming, it’s actually dirtier than the automobile industry, emitting 13% more megatons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) despite being 28% smaller. The study, which was published in the *Journal of Cleaner Production*, was the first peer-reviewed attempt to quantify pharma’s overall carbon footprint. Previous analyses had been narrower (one looked at pollution caused by drug manufacturing alone) or much broader (a 2009 report measured the environmental impact of the entire U.S. healthcare sector). Nonetheless, the McMaster study was damning of pharma’s climate impact, finding that the industry would need to reduce emissions intensity by 59% by 2025 in order to comply with the reduction targets set out in the Paris Agreement. In order to make fair comparisons among companies of wildly different sizes, the McMaster researchers measured emissions intensity: metric tons of CO2e emitted per $1 million of revenue in 2015. They found that emissions intensity varied greatly between companies, regardless of their size. For example, Eli Lilly emitted 5.5 times more CO2e per million than Roche. Procter & Gamble’s emissions were five times greater than Johnson & Johnson’s, even though the two companies generated the same level of revenue and sell similar lines of products. That variability contains a hopeful truth. It is possible, right now, for pharma companies to do better when it comes to sustainability. Indeed, while the industry as a whole is far away from meeting the Paris targets, some of the largest companies were already in voluntary compliance with them in 2015, including Amgen, Johnson & Johnson and Roche. What’s more, those three companies were also the ones with the highest level of profitability and revenue growth in the whole sector. Roche, Johnson & Johnson and Amgen showed revenue increases of 27.2%, 25.7% and 7.8%, respectively, between 2012 and 2015, while managing to reduce their emissions by 18.7%, 8.3% and 8.0%. In other words, sustainability and growth aren’t mutually exclusive. As Lotfi Belkhir, one of the McMaster report’s authors, wrote in an article summarizing the findings: “If those performance levels are achievable by some, why can’t they be achieved by all?” One major problem is that current guidelines for reporting environmental impact are voluntary and unstandardized. Of the 200-plus pharma companies McMaster University analyzed for its report, only 25 of them reported their 2015 emissions. But in recent years, as biopharma companies seek to shore up their bona fides as responsible corporate citizens, there has been some progress on the sustainability front. Sanofi recently joined RE100, a global initiative in which companies commit to 100% renewable energy by 2050 (in France, all of Sanofi’s sites are already fully renewable-powered). Early last year, AstraZeneca unveiled its “Ambition Zero Carbon” strategy, which aims to eliminate emissions from its global operations by 2025 and to be carbon neutral across its entire supply chain by 2030. And in June, AbbVie became the latest large pharma company to commit to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which sets emissions targets in line with the Paris Agreement. Of the 26 pharma, biotech and life sciences companies with firm SBTi commitments, 14 have signed on this year alone, including Pfizer, Charles River Laboratories and Illumina. And then there’s Novo Nordisk, which committed to SBTi in 2018. With its Circular for Zero initiative, the Danish multinational pharma giant aims to zero out emissions from its global operations, including its supply chain, by 2030. Circular for Zero is far from the company’s first environmental push, according to Katrine DiBona, corporate VP of global public affairs and sustainability. “It goes back 20 years, starting with windmills in Denmark and turning off the lights,” she says. “We’re on a completely different scale now.” DiBona leads a team of 65 colleagues in developing sustainable business strategies, conducting data and trend analysis and mobilizing internal and external stakeholders. The company’s environmental platform has several pillars, from emissions, water and energy consumption and waste management to travel and distribution. Last year, it became the first pharma company in the RE100 initiative to have 100% green power at every one of its production sites across the world. The company got there using a combination of solutions, including solar in the U.S., biomass fuel in France and, yes, wind power in Denmark. To create true and meaningful change, DiBona says, pharma companies need to set clear and ambitious targets, integrate them into strategic aspirations and hold suppliers to account. More than 80% of Novo Nordisk’s emissions come from its supply chain, DiBona says, identifying that fact as a big reason the company last year said it would require its suppliers to use green power by 2030. Already 25% of emissions from Novo Nordisk’s direct suppliers are covered by renewable power commitments. “We’re generating rings in the water,” DiBona says. DiBona is particularly proud of the company’s progress with plastics. Every year, Novo Nordisk produces about 550 million plastic insulin pens, most of which end up in garbage cans. “When you look at our footprint, it’s a big part of it,” DiBona says. To begin addressing this, last year the company piloted a take-back program. At pharmacies in three large cities in Denmark, patients picking up their medicine could return used plastic pens. The parts were then upcycled: Some were used to make office chairs in collaboration with a Danish design firm, while glass from the insulin vials was melted down to create lamps. DiBona says the take-back program will expand to other countries soon. Another company trying to close the loop on plastic waste is Stericycle. The compliance company specializes in collecting and disposing of controlled substances, medical waste, biohazardous material and sharps. Through its Sharps Management Service, Stericycle provides reusable sharps containers to hospitals, pharmacies and clinics, then picks them up, cleans them in a high-temperature, high-pressure process and ships them back out. The containers can be used a couple hundred times. Last year, the program diverted an estimated 104 million pounds of plastic from landfills, according to Stericycle’s latest corporate social responsibility report. In recent years, Stericycle has also brought in new leadership from large logistics companies to improve its routing efficiencies. There’s an obvious, if often overlooked, benefit to this type of streamlining, and it goes back to the correlation between the greenest and highest-growth pharma companies in the McMaster University study. Improving sustainability is not just good for corporate image; it can also help the bottom line. “Sustainability is about doing the right thing that makes the right business decision,” says ​​Jennifer Koenig, VP of environmental, social and governance for Stericycle. “You can make lots of environmentally correct decisions, but if they cost so much that you can’t be profitable, that’s not sustainable.” In a warming planet with more extreme weather, strengthening resiliency and efficiency throughout the corporate product chain will become more necessary. Just look back to 2017, when Pfizer’s manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico were wiped out during a devastating hurricane season, resulting in a loss of an estimated $195 million in inventory. For Novo Nordisk’s DiBona, the next phase of progress won’t truly begin until solutions are implemented industrywide. “With the take-back program, we appreciate what we can do as one company with one brand of device,” she explains. “But if this were an industry solution — imagine how we could scale that to a much bigger degree?” Eventually, sustainability will just be integrated into every strategy decision a company makes. New environmental initiatives will no longer be heralded by press releases; they’ll just be the way of doing business. “Progress” on this front is only measurable now because the pharma industry — all industries, really, and the species as a whole — is in the early phase of a profound shift, and the clock is ticking. The only question is how much agency they, and we, will have in determining what that looks like. “It’s an interesting dynamic. By going for big impact, you can actually run the risk of being less visible,” DiBona says. “Maybe silence is actually a good sign. Let’s see if that’s how it turns out.” [From the November 01, 2021 Issue of MM+M – Medical Marketing and Media ](https://www.mmm-online.com/print-issue/november-01-2021/) --- This post, [Pharma & Climate Change: How Can Companies Make Meaningful Contributions?](https://www.mmm-online.com/home/channel/features/pharmas-climate-plan/), was first shared by Medical Marketing & Media (MM&M) on November 4, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Mental Health Patients Using Telehealth Share Security, HIPAA Concerns](https://wastemedic.com/2021/11/23/mental-health-patients-using-telehealth-share-security-hipaa-concerns/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Patients who accessed mental health services in the last year are concerned about the security of those sessions and the safety of their sensitive personal information, according to a recent survey by healthcare technology vendor DrFirst. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health and Human Services relaxed enforcement of telehealth use on platforms not typically allowed under The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The measure fueled use of telehealth, and in some instances, is expected to continue long after the pandemic ends. The new survey follows a [recent](https://www.scmagazine.com/analysis/mobile/states-behavioral-telehealth-stymied-by-privacy-security-challenges) HHS Office of the Inspector General audit that showed the majority of state Medicaid providers leveraging telehealth, particularly for behavioral health, struggled with multiple privacy and security challenges. According to the release, the majority of the 1,000 surveyed U.S. patients who accessed [mental health services through telehealth platforms](https://www.scmagazine.com/analysis/remote-access/covid-19-drives-renewed-fda-va-focus-on-telehealth-medical-device-security) last year expressed similar concerns with the security of the platform. One-quarter of respondents did not use telehealth amid the pandemic. Ninety-two percent shared concerns about telehealth security, with 35% of patients saying their telehealth appointment did not meet HIPAA security requirements. Nearly half (43%) said they were worried their personal information could be compromised and 14% were concerned they’re be connected to someone who was not a healthcare professional Another 35% were concerned their session would be hacked. It should be noted, the beginning of the pandemic saw a drastic uptick in the use of Zoom — and related[ “Zoom-bombing” attacks ](https://www.scmagazine.com/news/security-news/vulnerabilities/zoom-fixes-meeting-id-flaw-allowing-unauthorized-entry)that enabled nefarious actors to access private meetings due to overlooked privacy issues. One-third of the respondents who reported not using telehealth said it was due to not having an appropriate device or connectivity, while 14% attributed it to concerns about the session being hacked. Another 45% said it was their personal preference. “Even though the government relaxed enforcement for security rules early in the pandemic, healthcare providers should take every possible step to protect patients’ sensitive information,” said Colin Banas, M.D., chief medical officer for DrFirst, in a statement. “Providers who are still using technology that doesn’t meet HIPAA requirements owe it to their patients to switch to a secure platform as a long-term solution,” he added. Despite the risks, the majority of patients said they would continue to use telehealth for mental health in the future. As such, it’s important providers review their telehealth implementations to ensure the platforms are HIPAA-compliant and to keep communications secure. --- This post, [Mental Health Patients Using Telehealth Share Security, HIPAA Concerns](https://www.scmagazine.com/analysis/application-security/mental-health-patients-using-telehealth-share-security-hipaa-concerns), was first shared by SC Media on November 2, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [How to Keep Sharps Safety a Cut Above](https://wastemedic.com/2021/11/23/how-to-keep-sharps-safety-a-cut-above/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *No health care worker is immune from the dangers of handling sharps. Physicians hold a rate just under that of nurses, mostly related to use of scalpels, but are less likely to report these injuries.* Occupational risk of sharps injuries transcends health care from local and community settings to a global stage. Although often preventable, sharps injuries occur in high-income countries at an alarming rate, and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with higher endemic rates of blood-borne pathogens and/or limited resources pose a setting of increased risk for this professional hazard. In response to this often unrecognized or underreported issue, the International Sharps Injury Prevention Society (ISIPS) has designated the month of December as International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month. This calendar designation offers recognition of sharps safety as a global health issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the importance of this global perspective of occupational risk by offering data sets that disclose 1.5 million new cases of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C from 2019 to 2020. Coupled with this data, the WHO data sets also identified disruption to health care services for prevention, detection, and treatment of HIV and hepatitis in the setting of the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240027077). Although rates of HIV have slowly trended down in the United States over the past decade, rates have increased in LMICs. This offers an acute demonstration of disparities in health care access and resources. Global politics compound the problem of health care inequities and occupational risk of sharps injury. Mass migration and civil unrest hinders access to health care as well as accurate current communicable disease trends. HIV and hepatitis can easily escape detection in this population, and receiving countries may struggle with availability of sharps safety products for vaccination at border crossings. The ISIPS website offers an extensive listing of available sharps safety [products and manufacturers](http://isips.org/safety-products/safety-product-categories/). Unfortunately, health care disparities may prevent the use of the identified safety-engineered products. However, not all products are created equal. The International Safety Center EPINet data unveils that 30.2% of 975 sharps injuries occurred with use of a sharps safety device. The safety mechanism was properly activated in approximately [10% of 290 cases](https://internationalsafetycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Official-2016-NeedleSummary.pdf). This same report identifies that needle stick injuries (NSIs) with use of disposable syringes account for 27% of sharps injuries, and that it is nurses who incur the highest occupational risk in this category. Additional data in this report identifies intramuscular and subcutaneous injections as the primary source of NSIs. The data set predated the COVID-19 pandemic, which potentiated an increased risk of NSIs with mass vaccination in unfamiliar and nontraditional settings, such as tents or large arenas. Future considerations in safe injection practices for mass vaccination during a pandemic might include dissolvable microneedle dermal patches. A method of vaccine administration such as this may improve vaccination rates among needle-phobic clientele. In addition, vaccination efforts could be enhanced in LMICs with fewer required resources for large volume [transport and storage](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8066809/). No health care worker is immune from the dangers of handling sharps. Physicians hold a rate just under that of nurses, mostly related to use of scalpels, but are less likely to report these injuries. The actual number of all sharps injuries for all healthcare professionals may easily be double that of which is reported. #### Exposure Control In the United States, the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act was borne from the Safe Needles Save Lives campaign, launched by the American Nurses Association, and was enacted in November 2020. This law mandated that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revise the OSHA blood-borne pathogens standard to include safety-engineered sharp devices. Their vision also included the requirement that hospitals develop a blood-borne pathogen exposure control plan with annual updates and a requirement for a sharps injury log to track and trend occurrences to identify contributing factors. This standard offers a global model of prevention to also include use of personal protective equipment and work [practice controls](https://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/pdf/Neelestick%20Saftety%20and%20Prevention%20Act.pdf). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contributes to a global model of sharps injury prevention with a comprehensive workbook to guide design, implementation, and evaluation of a sharps injury prevention program. Federal and state regulatory guidelines are presented as well as the cost of sharps injuries. The workbook user is offered operational guidance to include a multidisciplinary approach to selection of safety-engineered needles and other sharp devices. Embedded tool kits guide the user through the steps of operations, with the goal of establishing a culture of safety. Data analytics for assessing sharp injury prevention interventions are presented methodically, offering uncomplicated learnings to even the [novice learner](https://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/index.html). Environmental factors, such as lighting and noise, predispose the health care provider to these injuries. Even non-direct patient care employees, such as environmental or food service personnel, may be at risk when a direct care provider does not properly dispose used sharps. Sharps safety is not limited to just health care settings or health care workers. Persons in the community may require the use of lancets or needles and syringes for monitoring and treatment of diabetes or other medical conditions. Municipal workers in waste management and/or recycling may also be at risk for sharps injuries. Children and other community members might incur a sharps injury when devices are not properly disposed. It is critical that home care patients are educated about proper disposal of lancets and needles in sharps containers that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that community regulations are followed for disposal of container at the fill level. Other countries may have similar designated sharps containers as determined by regulatory authorities. In resource-limited countries or communities, external supports are required to safely manage sharps. Nations that align with WHO may serve as external resources. The designated International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month of December coincides with closure to the calendar year, and for many health care and political organizations, marks the end of a fiscal year. This offers an opportune time to assess local, national, and international resources and engage health care and political stakeholders in sharps injury prevention measures for the coming year. Finally, raising awareness on the importance of global health care equity is of paramount importance in reducing sharps injuries. #### About the Author JENNY HAYES, MSN, RN, CIC, CAIP, CASSPT, has 15 years of experience as an infection preventionist, serving both in-patient and ambulatory care populations in multidisciplinary settings. She is an infection preventionist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. --- This post, [How to Keep Sharps Safety a Cut Above](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/how-to-keep-sharps-safety-a-cut-above), was first shared by Infection Control Today on November 12, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Know Your PHI vs. Personally Identifiable Information Policy for HIPAA Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2021/11/23/know-your-phi-vs-personally-identifiable-information-policy-for-hipaa-compliance/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Know the differences between personally identifiable information policy and PHI for staying aligned with HIPAA and avoiding violations.* The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act) sets forth [four tiers of penalties](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr/privacy/hipaa/administrative/enforcementrule/enfifr.pdf) for violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA. They range from $100 to $50,000 per violation depending on the offense, making it a must to distinguish between personal health information (PHI) and personally identifiable information (PII) policy. Not only can this type of consequence do damage to a practice financially, but it can also hurt its reputation within the community — sometimes irreparably. Taking the necessary actions to protect your patients’ protected health information or PHI requires first understanding what data is to be protected. It also involves knowing how PHI is different from personally identifiable information or PII, as well as when the two intertwine. #### What is PHI? The [U.S. Department of Health & Human Services](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers/index.html) explains that information that falls under the umbrella of PHI includes: Information within your medical records that has been placed there by a member of your healthcare team (doctors, nurses, etc.); Any conversations you’ve had with your health care team about your medical care; Information that your health insurance company has input in their computer system about you; Billing information; “Most other health information” about you that is stored by entities bound by HIPAA laws (healthcare providers and clearinghouses, health plans, and their business associates). Most of these categories are fairly vague, which can open the door to some confusion. Though, the [HIPAA Journal](https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-is-considered-phi/) offers a much clearer definition of what falls under PHI, which it indicates includes lab test results, health history information, diagnoses, treatments, insurance information, and even allergies. #### PHI vs personally identifiable information policy: the differences Although PHI and PII are often used interchangeably, they are two very different terms. The [Department of Homeland Security](https://www.dhs.gov/privacy-training/what-personally-identifiable-information) reports that personally identifiable information is, in part, “any information that permits the identity of an individual to be directly or indirectly inferred, including any information that is linked or linkable to that individual…” Information that falls under sensitive PII are social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial records, criminal history, and medical records. Based on this definition, PHI is a subcategory of PII. Though, there are times when the two intersect. Understanding this, and being able to recognize when it occurs, is important to keeping your practice from committing a potentially expensive and reputationally damaging HIPAA violation. #### When PHI and PII intersect [*HealthITSecurity*](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/key-differences-between-phi-and-pii-how-they-impact-hipaa-compliance) shares that, although some personally identifiable information policy on its own is not necessarily protected under HIPAA, there may be instances where it can be categorized as PHI. That would prevent the information protection from being released. For example, a patient’s address and telephone numbers are typically PII. However, if either of these data points is paired with that patient’s diagnosed health condition or their designated treatment plan, the original PII data now falls under PHI. Essentially, if PII is paired with PHI and, therefore, could be used to identify a specific patient, that PII becomes PHI and is protected under HIPAA. #### Staying HIPAA-compliant Keeping your practice [HIPAA-compliant](https://www.chiroeco.com/hipaa-compliant-website/) requires taking all actions possible to keep your patient’s PHI safe and secure, especially when transferring that data to outside agencies such as their insurance providers. One way to protect a patient’s health records and medical information is by encrypting the data when transmitting it out of your office. This scrambles the information so it cannot be read if it does happen to be intercepted. Only the receiving entity will know what it says because they have the program necessary to return the information to its readable form. Using security software can also help protect your patients’ PHI by making your system more impenetrable by hackers. Not only is this important from a patient security standpoint, but [Cybercrime Magazine](https://cybersecurityventures.com/60-percent-of-small-companies-close-within-6-months-of-being-hacked/) reports that 60% of small businesses will close within six months of being hit by a hacker. So, stopping this type of attack can reduce the chance that you’ll wind up closing your doors for good. [HealthIT](https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-security-safeguards-are-designed-prevent-electronic-health-records-being-hacked) indicates that electronic health record ([EHR](https://www.chiroeco.com/ehr-and-patient-satisfaction/)) systems can help protect PHI by encrypting data and by making that data harder to access. Examples of the latter include setting passwords and using PIN numbers to enter the system, locking out anyone who doesn’t have the necessary permissions. --- This post, [Know Your PHI vs. Personally Identifiable Information Policy for HIPAA Compliance](https://www.chiroeco.com/personally-identifiable-information-policy/), was first shared by Chiropractic Economics magazine on November 16, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Health App Companies May Be Surprised FTC Is Watching Them](https://wastemedic.com/2021/10/28/health-app-companies-may-be-surprised-ftc-is-watching-them/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Companies with health apps that collect information from customers should understand a recent policy statement from the FTC about the health breach notification rule. They may be surprised the rule applies to the data they collect and they need to prepare for possible enforcement actions, say WilmerHale cybersecurity and privacy attorneys.* The Federal Trade Commission recently issued a [policy statement](https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/2021/09/statement-commission-breaches-health-apps-other-connected-devices) related to its health breach notification rule. This “statement” by the FTC comes a few months after the agency reached a settlement with Flo Health, a mobile app that allegedly impermissibly disclosed sensitive health data about millions of users. As part of that settlement, the FTC noted that it would be reviewing the health-breach rule and its applicability to companies that disclose sensitive health information without proper authorization. This policy statement indicates that the FTC will likely be taking an aggressive approach toward enforcing the rule and will likely interpret its authority under the rule broadly going forward—in ways that likely are unexpected for many in the industry. #### What Is the Health Breach Notification Rule? The rule, which went into effect as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, requires “vendors” of “personal health records” containing identifiable health information and “PHR related entities” to notify consumers and the FTC following a breach of security involving “unsecured” information (which is defined to essentially mean information that is not encrypted or destroyed). As the FTC noted in its policy statement, the rule is intended to create obligations for companies that process sensitive health information but are not otherwise subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Notice to consumers must be made within 60 calendar days of discovery of the breach. Notice to the FTC must be made within the same time period, unless the breach involves more than 500 people, in which case the FTC must be notified within 10 days. If a breach of security involves more than 500 residents of a particular state or territory, a company must also notify the relevant media outlets of that jurisdiction within 60 days. (The law also requires third-party service providers of vendors and PHR related entities to provide notice of a breach of security to their clients within 60 days). In terms of applicability, the rule defines a vendor of personal health records as an entity that offers or maintains a personal health record, which is further defined as “an electronic record of PHR identifiable health information on an individual that can be drawn from multiple sources and that is managed, shared, and controlled by or primarily for the individual.” PHR-identifiable health information is defined broadly to include health information that identifies someone or could reasonably be used to identify someone. A “PHR related entity,” meanwhile, is defined as an entity that: 1) offers products or services through the website of a vendor of personal health records or of a HIPAA covered entity that offers individual health records; or 2) accesses information in a personal health record or sends information to a personal health record. Violations of the rule are treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the FTC Act and could result in violations of to $43,792 per violation daily. #### What’s New in the Recent FTC Policy Statement? In addition to indicating to companies that the FTC is paying attention to this issue, its recent policy statement also indicates that the FTC is willing to interpret its authority under the rule broadly. For example, the FTC made clear that a business that collected information from a combination of consumer inputs and application program interfaces would be considered vendor of personal health records under the rule (even if such a company would not traditionally be thought of as a direct-to-consumer health record). This means that an app that collected information directly from a consumer but also had the technical capacity to collect information from the consumer’s smart watch would be covered under the rule. This scope would go beyond how many in the industry have thought of a “personal health record.” Additionally, while the rule has normally been considered relevant in the context of data breaches, the FTC stated that a health app that discloses users’ sensitive health information without their authorization would also be subject to the rule. This is the approach that a few commentators and two FTC commissioners wanted the agency to take in the [Flo Health case](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/period-tracking-app-flo-settles-ftc-data-sharing-allegations), where the allegations involved Flo Health sharing data with advertising and analytics companies in violation of Flo Health’s own public facing representations. This policy statement indicates that the FTC is willing to enforce unpermitted disclosures under the health breach notification rule beyond situations that might typically be considered a breach of security. #### How Can Companies Comply? The first step toward compliance is for companies to understand what data they collect that may be subject to the rule. For health apps and connected device companies that process identifiable health information, this means understanding what information (if any) is subject to HIPAA and thus exempt from the scope of the law (though that information would be subject to HIPAA’s breach notification requirements). They also need to understand what information falls outside of HIPAA and, as a result, may be regulated under the FTC’s jurisdiction. Companies that have previously thought of themselves as not subject to the rule (because they are not direct to consumer health records) need to reevaluate their position in light of the recent FTC policy statement and assess whether they collect identifiable health information that can be drawn from multiple sources. Companies subject to the law can also mitigate their potential risk by implementing appropriate security practices that are proportionate to the sensitivity of the information that they process. Taking reasonable security steps, such as implementing encryption at rest, can help ensure data is not at risk and that relevant legal obligations are not triggered. In fact, the FTC has provided an example in [guidance](https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-ftcs-health-breach-notification-rule) it has issued stating that losing a laptop containing only encrypted personal health records would not require notification under the law. Finally, in the event of a breach of security, a company subject to the law needs to evaluate its notification obligations under the law and ensure that any notice it provides under the health breach notice rule comply with the law’s timing, content, and method requirements. Companies should note that notice under the rule may be required in addition to any notice obligations a company may have under state law. --- This post, [Health App Companies May Be Surprised FTC Is Watching Them](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/health-app-companies-may-be-surprised-ftc-is-watching-them), was first shared by Bloomberg Law on October 28, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Miami Nurse Fired After Sharing Photos of Baby with Birth Defect Online](https://wastemedic.com/2021/10/28/miami-nurse-fired-after-sharing-photos-of-baby-with-birth-defect-online/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Sierra Samuels was let go Sept. 15 for HIPAA violations, hospital says A nurse in Miami was fired last month after she posted pictures of a baby with a birth defect on social media. Sierra Samuels was relieved of her duties on Sept. 15 at Jackson Memorial Hospital where she worked since 2016, most recently serving in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), according to an *[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-nurse-fired-after-posting-photos-baby-born-birth-defect-n1280627)* report. She was accused of making derisive comments in the online post about the newborn, which also raised privacy concerns. “My night was going great then boom!” the caption read in one post seen by the outlet’s investigations team. “Your intestines posed to be inside not outside baby! #Gastroschisis,” read another message alongside another photo. The photos were shared on Samuels’ Instagram, according to *[WSVN](https://wsvn.com/news/local/jmh-fires-nicu-nurse-who-posted-photos-of-baby-with-birth-defect-on-instagram/)*. Her Instagram profile is now private. Gastroschisis is a condition in which intestines are visible outside of the body via a hole in the abdominal wall. Jackson Memorial spokesperson Lidia Amoretti stated that the hospital found out about Samuels’ actions on Sept. 8. She was accused of mocking the infant and later put on administrative leave. By posting the photos without parental consent, Samuels was in violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Samuels, who had posted several photos of herself on the job, ultimately posted two photos of the newborn baby from inside the NICU, according to [*WSVN*](https://wsvn.com/news/local/miami-dade/nicu-nurse-at-jmh-accused-of-posting-pictures-of-newborn-with-birth-defect-on-instagram/). *WSVN* reports a Jackson Health System spokesperson issued a statement about Samuels’ actions: “Protecting the privacy of our patients is always a top priority at Jackson Health System. Any potential privacy breach is taken seriously and thoroughly investigated,” the statement read. “As soon as we learned of this potential breach, we immediately placed this employee under administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.” More than 1,800 babies are estimated to be born with gastroschisis each year, according to the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ](https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/gastroschisis.html)(CDC). It requires surgery for the abdominal wall to be repaired and to place the organs back inside the body. However, babies who suffer from the defect, even after surgery, have difficulty absorbing nutrients, eating and digesting food. --- This post, [Miami Nurse Fired After Sharing Photos of Baby with Birth Defect Online](https://news.yahoo.com/miami-nurse-fired-sharing-photos-132637975.html), was first shared by Yahoo! News on October 3, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [How Harm Reduction Can Help Win the Fight Against Opioids](https://wastemedic.com/2021/10/28/how-harm-reduction-can-help-win-the-fight-against-opioids/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Last year, [nearly 70,000](https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2021-07-14-cdc-drug-overdose-deaths-294-2020) people in the United States died of opioid-related overdoses, up from 49,860 in 2019—a rise driven by synthetic opioids. Despite three years of aggressive enforcement-based attempts to target the trafficking of these drugs, opioids increasingly dominate illicit markets across the country. The current approach is failing both to reduce supply and to prevent deaths. Furthermore, it has health and criminal justice consequences of its own, especially in communities of color. It’s time for a different response. Harm reduction can be that solution, helping people mitigate the risks associated with certain behaviors. Most Americans already engage in some version of it, such as wearing seatbelts, and it is among the most effective ways to reduce the potential negative consequences of substance use. When it comes to opioids, harm reduction primarily aims to decrease infectious disease transmission and reduce overdose risk through a variety of strategies: providing sterile needles and syringes; making fentanyl test strips or naloxone, an overdose reversal drug, widely available; and promoting medication-assisted treatment, widely accepted as the “gold standard” therapy for opioid-use disorder, in place of abstinence-only recovery. Unfortunately, although both red and blue states have been hammered by the opioid crisis, lawmakers from West Virginia to Indiana continue to resist this life-saving approach. These legislators are missing the far-reaching benefits of harm reduction policies. Beyond helping individuals who misuse substances, it keeps communities and first responders safer; saves taxpayers money; and connects people with treatment and other supportive services. #### An Argument for Medication Assisted Treatment Although opponents worry that harm reduction enables drug use and increases crime, numerous studies show that it does neither. In fact, medication-assisted treatment (MAT)—in which substances such as buprenorphine help mitigate cravings and withdrawal symptoms—is better at reducing long-term use than abstinence-based alternatives. Furthermore, just engaging with syringe services programs increases people’s likelihood of entering detox. However, treatment resources are limited: of the two million people in the U.S. with an opioid use disorder, a majority want help, yet only [26 percent](https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/04/30/more-outpatient-treatment-needed-for-opioid-use-disorder) are able to access treatment in a given year. Thus, it’s key that harm reduction leads people to engage in fewer criminal and disruptive activities, even if they continue to use. For example, syringe exchange programs and strategically placed sharps containers encourage proper syringe and needle disposal, keeping dangerous equipment out of parks and playgrounds. When syringe possession is legal, people are more willing to admit they possess paraphernalia, reducing first responders’ and police officers’ risk of occupational needlestick injuries and improving community-law enforcement relations. Being on MAT cuts patients’ likelihood of overdosing or engaging in criminal activity, and when the treatment is available in jails and prisons, drug-related recidivism rates consistently fall below[ 50 percent](https://www.nashp.org/states-may-soon-have-to-provide-medication-assisted-treatment-to-inmates-heres-how-to-fund-it/), compared to 77 percent in the absence of such programs. These health and social benefits have financial payoffs that should make their implementation feasible and appealing. Opioid use disorder and fatal overdoses cost the United States an estimated [$1.02 trillion](https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/health-econ-cost-of-injury/index.html) in 2017. Harm reduction services and policies can drastically reduce that economic burden. #### Syringe Services are Cost Effective Syringe services programs—which are legal in more than 30 states—have been called one of the most cost-effective public health interventions ever funded since their inception in the 1980s. Every dollar spent on syringe services programs saves taxpayers about $27 in healthcare expenses alone. Meanwhile, [MAT](https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0955395914003119?token=E86A121AF13262E87571068AD2E1E830D0D59C36DFE6A21FEF5DB325BD560F65C50B86BC968B71A3EB647F79BD109370&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20210927194100) promises a [four](https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/dist/b/53559/files/2020/10/What-is-MAT_final2.pdf) to [ten](https://lawenforcementactionpartnership.org/our-issues/harm-reduction/#easy-footnote-bottom-9-861)-fold return on investment, and [several studies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2219559/) suggest [heroin-assisted treatment](https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/working_papers/WR1200/WR1263/RAND_WR1263.pdf) is even more cost-effective, likely because of increased declines in patients’ criminal activity. While savings from individual interventions varies, more comprehensive programs are generally deemed the most [cost-effective](https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0955395914003119?token=E86A121AF13262E87571068AD2E1E830D0D59C36DFE6A21FEF5DB325BD560F65C50B86BC968B71A3EB647F79BD109370&originRegion=us-east-1&originCreation=20210927194100). Criminal justice professionals in the U.S. increasingly recognize the impact of substance use disorders and harmful overcriminalization. To combat this, stakeholders—including lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, police and other criminal justice professionals—must help design and support policy that promotes community health while mitigating the disparate harms that substance misuse and enforcement-first strategies enact on their constituencies. Harm reduction is an evidence-based solution that proves we can save lives without endangering or impoverishing our communities. The approach reduces suffering, frees up resources and helps build a safer society for all. ***Lieutenant Diane M. Goldstein (Ret.)*** *is a 21-year veteran of law enforcement who served as the first female lieutenant for the Redondo Beach Police Department in California. She is the executive director for the* [*Law Enforcement Action Partnership*](https://lawenforcementactionpartnership.org/)*, a group of criminal justice professionals that work to advance justice and public safety solutions. She is a guest columnist for many media organizations, and is recognized as a subject matter expert on criminal justice and drug policy.* ***Stacey McKenna, Ph.D.,*** *is a medical anthropologist and senior fellow in Integrated Harm Reduction at the R Street Institute. She researches and writes about practical ways people and policy can mitigate the risks associated with a range of behaviors, including sex and both licit and illicit drug use.* --- This post, [How Harm Reduction Can Help Win the Fight Against Opioids](https://thecrimereport.org/2021/10/28/how-harm-reduction-can-help-win-the-fight-against-opioids/), was first shared by The Crime Report on October 28, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Violence Against Healthcare Workers is Surging. How Hospitals Are Responding...](https://wastemedic.com/2021/10/28/violence-against-healthcare-workers-is-surging-how-hospitals-are-responding/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Violence against health care workers has surged amid increased Covid-19 hospitalizations and widespread misinformation about vaccines and treatments—leading some hospitals to implement new security measures, such as panic buttons, to protect their employees. #### Health care workers face increased violence Violence against health care workers has become more widespread since the pandemic began, the *Washington Post* reports. A February report from the **Insecurity Insight** and the **University of California, Berkeley**‘s **Human Rights Center** found that more than 1,100 threats or violent acts against health care workers and facilities occurred worldwide in 2020, with around 400 of those attacks related to Covid-19. According to Susie Keller, CEO of the **Idaho Medical Association**, misinformation and the overwhelming numbers of Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations were to blame for increased hostility toward health care providers. “Misinformation is causing people to not get vaccinated, and then when they get very sick, misinformation is increasing animosity toward health care providers because they believe lies about what is the proper treatment for Covid,” Keller said. Separately, Caiti Bobbitt, a spokesperson for **Kootenai Health** in Idaho, said some of the hospital’s employees are too scared to go to the grocery store in their scrubs due to hurtful rumors and accusations from people angry about the pandemic. “Our health care workers are almost feeling like Vietnam veterans, scared to go into the community after a shift,” Bobbitt said. Brian Whitlock, president of the **Idaho Hospital Association**, confirmed similar incidents have occurred across the state. “We’ve had reports of physical violence, verbal abuse, demands for alternative treatment that are not acceptable or approved,” he said. “And those become very difficult conversations to have as the patient continues to decompensate.” Health care workers in Missouri have also faced increased aggression and violence from disgruntled patients and their family members. According to data from **Cox Medical Center Branson**, the number of “security incidents” at the hospital increased from 94 in 2019 to 162 in 2020. In addition, the number of assaults increased from 40 to 123, and the number of injuries to health care workers increased from 17 to 68 during the same period. “To see that these numbers are doubling, tripling, and continuing to go up especially the physical … it’s very unnerving,” Angie Smith, the hospital’s patient safety facilitator, said. Similarly, hospitals in Texas have reported an increasing number of assaults on their workers, with officials saying they believe the incidents are also largely motivated by a surge in Covid-19 hospitalizations, *AP/Modern Healthcare* reports. According to Jane McCurley, chief nursing executive for **Methodist Healthcare System**, the hospital’s employees have been “cursed at, scream at, threatened with bodily harm, and even had knives pulled on them.” #### Hospitals introduce measures to protect their workers In response to the growing violence, many hospitals are implementing new measures to help protect their workers. For instance, Cox Medical Center Branson plans to add panic buttons to the identification badges of up to 400 employees. According to the hospital, staff members can use the button to alert security guards if they are having trouble with a patient or someone else. The button will activate a tracking system to help security find the staffer who needs help. Ashley Blevins, a nurse at the hospital, said, “It’s nice we have the chance to press our button and security knows exactly where we are and if we end up having to chase a patient down they’ll know where our last location is.” A similar system was tested at **CoxHealth**‘s Springfield hospital last year, *AP/Modern Healthcare* reports, and Alan Butler, the health system’s director of safety and security, said the panic buttons “fill a critical void.” “Personal panic buttons are one more tool in the battle to keep our staff safe and further demonstrate this organization’s commitment to maintaining a safe work and care environment,” Butler said. States and other organizations are also working to provide resources to protect health care workers. For instance, the **Idaho Department of Health and Welfare** and the **Idaho State Police** have plans to increase security at hospitals if needed, and the **Missouri Hospital Association** offers training to help workers recognize and de-escalate potentially dangerous situations. However, many providers say they are more concerned about people who are spreading misinformation rather than patients who believe it. “We’re not frustrated with the misinformed,” Whitlock said. “We’re frustrated with those who propagate the misinformation because it’s costing people their lives.” Separately, Keller said physicians are “not mad at the patients, they’re angry at the folks who are spreading the misinformation—those folks absolutely bear responsibility for the deaths and disability we’re seeing.” ([*AP/Modern Healthcare*](https://www.modernhealthcare.com/labor/misinformation-leads-animosity-toward-healthcare-workers), 9/29 \[1\]; [*AP/Modern Healthcare*](https://www.modernhealthcare.com/labor/covid-related-attacks-prompt-hospital-issue-panic-buttons), 9/29 \[2\]; Mark, [*Washington Post*](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/09/30/health-care-workers-panic-button-missouri/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_national), 9/30) --- This post, [Violence Against Healthcare Workers is Surging. How Hospitals Are Responding…](https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2021/10/01/patient-animosity), was first shared by Advisory Board on October 1, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Healthcare Organizations Remain at Risk Despite Proper HIPAA Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2021/10/28/healthcare-organizations-remain-at-risk-despite-proper-hipaa-compliance/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Patients expect their healthcare providers to meet compliance regulations and keep their valuable information safe. Though, if you are HIPAA compliant, it doesn’t necessarily mean your data is secure. This article discusses the details of proper email security when it comes to HIPAA compliance.* Ensuring high quality patient care is the top priority for healthcare providers. As a result, hospitals and private practices aim to optimize the patient experience by operating as efficiently as possible. That said, as it relates to email exchanges, organizations might unknowingly sacrifice another element of the patient experience: security. Although healthcare providers might be sending HIPAA compliant emails, they cannot fully eradicate factors outside their control. However, by recognizing the gap between HIPAA compliance and complete email security, along with protecting themselves from security threats, healthcare organizations can identify potential issues and implement strategies to keep protected health information (PHI) safe. #### **HIPAA Compliance Does Not Equal Security** While healthcare companies should strive to achieve total HIPAA compliance, the reality is that compliance does not equal security. Threats that undermine data security and jeopardize PHI, such as human error and cybercriminal activity, exist both inside and outside the organization regardless of best efforts by providers. A data breach can lead to a HIPAA violation with a fine of up to $1.5M if an investigation finds that the healthcare provider was negligent in following HIPAA guidelines. With email being a top threat vector year after year, breaches can happen, even if an organization is doing its best to be HIPAA compliant. That’s because HIPAA regulations outline what must be done but not the “how.” Too often this leaves it open-ended on what would be considered “reasonable” when it comes to creating safeguards for PHI, especially technical safeguards, when it comes to email. That can create gaps for many organizations that do not have dedicated resources to ensure PHI is secured, especially as data becomes more digital and cloud based. More robust security frameworks like HITRUST CSF, ISO and SOC2 provide better guidance for creating a strong security posture. In reality, HIPAA compliance is less about making sure data breaches never happen; but more about reducing the risk of a breach occurring. Having the proper policies and practices in place minimizes risk and allows covered entities to react appropriately should there be an incident. Healthcare organizations that meet HIPAA compliance requirements, like limiting the number of staff members with access to PHI and encrypting their email, greatly reduce the risk of a HIPAA violation. Providers must vigilantly keep abreast of potential threats since the landscape is constantly changing and preventing HIPAA violations relies heavily on proper security measures. Organizations that establish and maintain proper safeguards to combat email security breaches ensure the long-term health of their practices, avoid HIPAA fines and earn their patients’ trust. #### Human Error Contributes to Healthcare Breaches A sure-fire way to lose patient trust is by falling victim to a threat through human error. Sending unencrypted email, accidentally sharing PHI with an unintended recipient or falling for a phishing email are all avoidable mistakes. While organizations traditionally focus on eliminating external threats, human error can be just as dangerous. Healthcare professionals try to prevent unauthorized access to PHI. Still, the fast-paced and high-stress nature of the industry cultivates an environment that leaves organizations exposed to email or network security breaches, even from the inside. In an attempt to reduce human error, the HIPAA Privacy Rule requires healthcare organizations to adequately train employees and maintain strict policies to secure patient information. While unique to each healthcare organization, these policies often focus on mobile device usage, credential sharing and the ability to recognize and block malicious emails. Despite proper organizational training and policies, breaches caused by human error can — and will — still occur. In fact, human error accounted for nearly [30% of healthcare breaches](https://www.ibm.com/security/data-breach) in 2020 alone. #### Cybercriminals Pose a Growing Existential Threat In contrast, cybercriminals represent external threats to patient data. The Covid-19 pandemic provided an ideal situation for hackers to steal patients’ electronic health records and then demand ransoms for their safe return. Crowded hospitals have stretched healthcare employees thin. They have been required to adapt to new and unfamiliar technology, or they might have started relying on email more than ever before to maintain patient care. Without an easy-to-use HIPAA compliant email solution that protects inboxes from malicious messages, this can lead to successful phishing attacks and malware infections. Unfortunately, successful attacks are a daily occurrence. A rise in remote work has created additional risks as improperly secured remote networks can enable cybercriminals to steal patient information swiftly and secretly. Ransomware, in particular, has become an existential threat as victims end up needing to spend money to recover PHI, pay fines and repair their damaged reputations. A recent [IBM study](https://newsroom.ibm.com/2021-07-28-IBM-Report-Cost-of-a-Data-Breach-Hits-Record-High-During-Pandemic) found that the average breach costs an organization $$4.24 million. Despite the need to keep bad actors at bay, organizations often fail to establish a watertight security defense because of the constantly changing security landscape. In email specifically, not properly securing inbound and outbound messages opens the door for cybercriminals to steal valuable patient information. And as technology advances further, so will their techniques. #### Strategies to Enhance Security Healthcare professionals have to do all they can to prevent cybercriminals from stealing patient data. Yet securing your systems from internal and external threats can feel like a never-ending battle. When one weakness is resolved, another one arises. However, there is a lot that covered entities can do to mitigate risk. A resilient cybersecurity strategy requires a broad approach that encompasses several elements, including: - Timely and continuous training to ensure your staff has the proper knowledge to avoid human error - Updating policies to ensure your organization is keeping up with the industry standard - Adopting new technologies to remove the human element wherever possible - Securing both inbound and outbound email to avoid sending unencrypted PHI and to prevent successful email hacks - Employing secure password policies to keep bad actors at bay - Patching and updating networks to cover new security holes as they occur - Increasing cloud network security so employees can safely work remotely A vital part of your email security strategy is email encryption. It must be part of your healthcare cybersecurity game plan. Under HIPAA, encryption is an “addressable” way to secure email rather than being required. However, since there is no other effective method to secure email besides encryption, it is de facto a requirement. If you consider a security breach a significant issue (as you should), email encryption — especially when emails include PHI — is a must. Partnering with a [HITRUST CSF certified](https://hitrustalliance.net/product-tool/hitrust-csf/) email security provider is one of the safest ways to protect PHI since it demonstrates a company’s commitment to healthcare data security. An email security platform should enable blanket encryption both in transit and at rest. Encryption won’t seal off every opportunity for a data breach, but it will prevent unauthorized users from accessing information shared via email, including PHI. The best inbound email security solutions will avoid the risk of human error by blocking malicious messages from even entering the inbox, being proactive versus reactive like most spam filtering solutions Without maintaining HIPAA compliance and implementing effective strategies to combat threats to PHI, healthcare organizations cannot protect patient data. Healthcare providers must do their part to provide optimized patient experiences while simultaneously creating an environment that secures PHI in the process. --- This post, [Healthcare Organizations Remain at Risk Despite Proper HIPAA Compliance](https://medcitynews.com/2021/10/healthcare-organizations-remain-at-risk-despite-proper-hipaa-compliance/), was first shared by the MedCity News on October 1, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [OSHA Reveals Top 10 Safety Violations for Fiscal Year 2021 at NSC Safety Congress & Expo](https://wastemedic.com/2021/10/15/osha-reveals-top-10-safety-violations-for-fiscal-year-2021-at-nsc-safety-congress-expo/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced its preliminary Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2021. NSC *Safety+Health* Associate Editor Kevin Druley introduced Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, who presented the list virtually during the 2021 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, the world’s largest annual gathering of safety professionals. Fall Protection (1926.501) remains at the top of the list for the 11th year in a row, followed by Respiratory Protection (1910.134) and Ladders (1926.1053). Hazard Communication, which spent the last several years at number two, moved to the fifth spot on this year’s list. “Throughout the pandemic workplace safety has become more important than ever,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC president and CEO. “Although incredible advancements are made in safety each year, the OSHA Top 10 list reminds us that we must continue to pinpoint areas where we can improve so we can better prioritize workplace safety in the future world of work.” The Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for FY 2021 are: 1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 5,295 violations 2. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,527 3. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,026 4. Scaffolding (1926.451): 1,948 5. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 1,947 6. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 1,698 7. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,666 8. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,452 9. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 1,420 10. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,113 A more in-depth analysis of the Top 10 violations for 2021 will be published in the December edition of *[Safety+Health magazine](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3320652-1&h=1009592109&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.safetyandhealthmagazine.com%2F&a=Safety%2BHealth%C2%A0magazine)*, a National Safety Council publication. **About the National Safety Council** The [National Safety Council](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3320652-1&h=627677725&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsc.org%2F&a=National+Safety+Council) is America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate – and has been for over 100 years. As a mission-based organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the workplace, roadway and impairment. We create a culture of safety to not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace so they can live their fullest lives. --- This post, [OSHA Reveals Top 10 Safety Violations for Fiscal Year 2021 at NSC Safety Congress & Expo](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/osha-reveals-top-10-safety-violations-for-fiscal-year-2021-at-nsc-safety-congress--expo-301398314.html), was first shared by the National Safety Council on October 12, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [The 3 Most Common HIPAA Violations](https://wastemedic.com/2021/09/29/the-3-most-common-hipaa-violations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Keeping up with [HIPAA regulations](https://reciprocity.com/the-complete-guide-to-hipaa-compliance-2019/) is crucial for every business. While common violations of [HIPAA laws](https://www.legalscoops.com/what-is-hipaa-and-what-is-its-purpose/) vary from one company to another, the bottom line is that these violations relate to the loss or damage of HIPAA-protected health information. Protected health information includes any demographic data used to identify patients, such as names, home addresses, phone numbers, date of birth, email addresses, social security numbers, insurance IDs, facial photos, and other health care records. Even though these violations can occur at several touchpoints, the[ American Medical Association](https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/hipaa/common-hipaa-violations-physicians-should-guard-against) report found that the common violators of these regulations are hospitals, private health practices, pharmacies, outpatient centers, and health plans. #### What is HIPAA Violation? HIPAA violations describe acts against the[ Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act](https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html), passed in 1996. The HIPAA act is landmark legislation used to guide healthcare administration, prevent wastage, healthcare fraud, and employee compliance. Since its adoption, there have been multiple notable updates that ensure that healthcare data and patient privacy is protected. Recent updates include the HIPAA Security Rule, HIPAA privacy rule, HIPAA Breach Notification Rule, and the HIPAA Omnibus Rule. Along with the updates, there are more than a hundred ways that healthcare providers and other data handlers can violate HIPAA regulations. Therefore, it is essential for everyone who can access Protected Health Information to undergo rigorous HIPAA training to avoid committing these violations. #### 3 Common HIPAA Violations **Snooping on Healthcare Records:** Snooping on family, friends, co-workers, and other peoples’ health records is a common HIPAA violation committed by most employees. In addition, accessing patients’ health records for reasons that differ from those permitted by the Privacy Rule Treatment violates patient privacy. If discovered, this violation can lead to termination of employment contract and criminal charges. In addition, Healthcare organizations can also face financial penalties for failing to prevent this violation. **Loss of Devices:** Loss/stolen or failing to encrypt company devices is another common HIPAA violation. A good example is a 2016 case where an iPhone with a significant amount of protected health information was stolen, including SSNs and medications. To worsen the situation, the phone had no password and wasn’t encrypted. While the case was settled and the company tried to fix the situation, this didn’t prevent patient information from being misused. Therefore, while preventing theft of company devices is impossible, you can avoid information leaks by encrypting stored data. **Failing to Train Employees:** All organizations should ensure that their staff is updated on HIPAA regulations. Unfortunately, most practices overlook or ignore training their employees on various ways of achieving HIPAA compliance. Companies should remember that employee HIPAA training isn’t a recommendation but a requirement of HIPAA laws. #### How HIPAA Violations are Uncovered HIPAA-covered organizations identify most HIPAA violations after conducting internal audits. In most cases, employers identify and report employees who have breached HIPAA provisions. Conscious employees who realize that they have violated these regulations can also self-report. Patients and health plan members can also file complaints. Formal complaints of HIPAA violations are made to the[ civil rights HHS office](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html), the primary enforcer of these regulations. The OCR then launches an investigation into these reports with over 500 records. The agency also conducts regular audits on all HIPAA-covered organizations and businesses. State attorneys can also launch investigations after formal complaints of HIPAA violations have been made. #### HIPAA Violation Penalties While this might appear as a simple matter, HIPAA violation penalties can sometimes be severe. Individuals can also be fined for these violations apart from healthcare providers, clinics, and health plans. That said, penalties for HIPAA violations are of two types. They include; ##### Civil Penalties Civil penalties are given to individuals who violate HIPAA regulations without malicious intent. This usually occurs if the violation is due to forgetfulness or the individual is unaware that their actions were wrong. The penalties are as follows: If the person was unaware that their actions violated HIPAA provisions, they are fined $100 for every violation. If the person has a reasonable explanation for their actions and didn’t willingly violate the regulations, they attract a minimum fine of $1,000. If the person acted with intentional neglect and fixed the violation afterward, they are fined no less than $10,000 for every violation. If the person acted intentionally and didn’t fix the issue after, they are fined no less than $50,000 for every issue. While these penalties for civil violators seem severe, they worsen if the violator knew what they were doing or had malicious intent. ##### Criminal Penalties Criminal penalties are harsher compared to civil violations. They include: A minimum fine of $50,000 and up to a one-year jail term for individuals who deliberately acquire and discloses protected information without permission. Individuals can also be fined for these violations $100,000 and up to 5 years jail term for individuals who commit HIPAA violations under pretense. A $250,000 fine and ten years jail term for individuals who commit HIPAA violations for personal benefits. #### Conclusion Understanding various HIPAA violations is just the beginning. To avoid these violations, you should know how to abide by HIPAA laws. As such, every business should have a strategy for maintaining HIPAA compliance. --- This post, [The 3 Most Common HIPAA Violations](https://www.legalscoops.com/the-3-most-common-hipaa-violations/), was first shared on LegalScoops on September 21, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Children’s hospital agrees to pay $80,000 to resolve potential violation of HIPAA standard](https://wastemedic.com/2021/09/29/childrens-hospital-agrees-to-pay-80000-to-resolve-potential-violation-of-hipaa-standard/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, has agreed to pay $80,000 to settle a potential violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s [Privacy Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/index.html), according to a [news release](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/compliance-enforcement/agreements/chmc/index.html?language=es) from the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In May 2020, a parent filed a complaint with the office alleging that the center, which provides pediatric health care services, had failed to provide her with timely access to her daughter’s medical records. The center provided some records but did not provide all of them despite the parent’s multiple requests, the complaint alleged. The Office for Civil Rights investigated and found that the center’s failure to provide timely access was a potential violation of the HIPAA right of access standard, which requires a covered entity to act on a request within 30 days of receipt, or within 60 days if an extension is applicable. The Office for Civil Rights said it is the resolution of its 20th investigation in its HIPAA Right of Access Initiative. The office created this initiative to support individuals’ right to timely access of their health records at a reasonable cost under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. “Generally, HIPAA requires covered entities to give parents timely access to their minor children’s medical records, when the parent is the child’s personal representative,” said Robinsue Frohboese, J.D., Ph.D., acting Office for Civil Rights director, in the news release. “\[The\] Right of Access Initiative supports patients’ and personal representatives’ fundamental right to their health information and underscores the importance of all covered entities’ compliance with this essential right.” In addition to the financial settlement, the center will undertake a corrective action plan that includes one year of monitoring, according to the r[esolution agreement and corrective action plan](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/compliance-enforcement/agreements/chmc-ra-cap/index.html). For additional information on the office’s privacy and security rules, visit the office’s [website](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html). --- This post, [Children’s hospital agrees to pay $80,000 to resolve potential violation of HIPAA standard](https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2021-archive/september/childrens-hospital-agrees-to-pay-to-resolve-potential-violation-of-hipaa-standard), was first shared on the American Dental Association (ADA) website on September 21, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [This is the new issue of WMW](https://wastemedic.com/2021/09/29/this-is-the-new-issue-of-wmw/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** It feels a little cynical to come to final conclusions about effects of the global COVID-pandemic while the world is still in the midst of rampant infection waves. For the treatment of health care waste, however, we can at least come to an interim conclusion, because the epidemiological and technological facts are clear. While the whole world realized with a sigh of relief, that the virus is rarely transmitted via objects – and medical waste is hence less infectious as initially feared, high income countries were confronted primarily with operational problems: Being used to high volumes of HCW and equipped with well-established collection systems, dedicated service providers and an appropriate infrastructure, there was only an increase in volume to manage – especially in hot zones at peaks of infection waves. Lower income nations – however, were experiencing something new: Waste volumens that were exploding – being on par with high income regions. Countries that normally generate half a kilo of HCW now had to handle waste volumes of up to 8 kg per patient. It is obvious that these volumes cannot be disposed of properly with the existing collection-, handling- and disposal-infrastructure. To help building such an infrastructure and to come up with suitable innovations for those regions has to be one of the main targets in the near future. However, it cannot be said that developed countries had absolutely nothing to learn. The sudden increase in volume has exposed the vulnerabilities in the material flow of health care waste. Experiencing bottlenecks with external service providers, some health care facilities began to examine (and appreciate) on-site-treatment solutions. With a quite stunning side effect: A study found that using on-site solutions reduced a hospital’s CO2 footprint to one-fifth of its original level and decreased the volume of residual waste left over following on-site treatment to around one fourth compared to incineration. Innovations, like the one in the field of micro-units for on-site treatment of health care waste, are therefore a growing market. In a couple of years, history books will tell how this global emergency drove the global technological innovation: The story of how it boosted digitization (how many online-meetings did you have today?), how it strengthened the innovation in automation and robotization and how it led to a medical breakthrough that occurs only every few decades (the mRNA technology). Maybe the books will also tell a tale of innovation in the field of waste management. Its up to us to make it happen! --- This post, [This is the new issue of WMW](https://waste-management-world.com/a/3-this-is-the-new-issue-of-wmw), was first shared on Waste Management World on September 20, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Missouri hospital to give staff panic buttons to protect them from violent patients](https://wastemedic.com/2021/09/29/missouri-hospital-to-give-staff-panic-buttons-to-protect-them-from-violent-patients/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A Missouri hospital will be equipping its staff with panic buttons to protect them from violent patients following a startling rise in assaults, administrators said. Cox Medical Center Branson, located about 44 miles from Springfield, said it was implementing the added protection after violent assaults by patients tripled in the last year. According to hospital data, total assaults rose from 40 to 123 and total injuries climbed from 17 to 78. Assaults leading to injury increased from 42.5 percent to 63 percent, according to officials. “When Public Safety response is critical and it’s not possible to get to a phone, person panic buttons fill a critical void,” [said](https://www.facebook.com/coxhealth/posts/10158231132932592) Alan Butler, who oversees public safety efforts at CoxHealth’s six hospitals and more than 80 clinics. “Personal Panic Buttons (PPBs) are one more tool in the battle to keep our staff safe and further demonstrate this organization’s commitment to maintaining a safe work and care environment.” The hospital first began using panic buttons last year in certain areas at Cox South due to incidents of workplace violence. The hospital will now expand the program to hundreds of employees at Cox Medical Center Branson. Nurse Ashley Blevins told NBC affiliate [KYTV](https://www.ky3.com/2021/09/20/cox-medical-center-branson-adding-panic-buttons-employee-badges-after-reports-increased-staff-assaults/) of Springfield that in the last year staff has been spit on, verbally harassed, and, in some cases, attacked. “Working in the emergency department, a lot of times our patients are becoming increasingly violent lately,” she said. “So it’s nice that we have the chance to press our button and security knows exactly where we are. And if we end up having to chase a patient down, they know where our last location is.” Blevins said she thinks the Covid-19 pandemic and hospitals being overwhelmed has played a part in the increase in assaults. “They come in here and then they have to sit in here because everywhere’s full,” she said about the patients. “We have no placements to put anybody and that’s just frustrating on the patients, it’s frustrating on us. I think that’s increasing a lot of violence. “ The panic buttons were financially backed by the Skaggs Foundation, a charity in Branson. The foundation awarded the hospital a grant of more than $132,000. Skaggs Legacy Endowment Grant Committee Chairman Nita Jane Ayres said backing the program was a no-brainer. “This project protects our No. 1 resource – our health care workers,” Ayres said in a [statement](https://skaggsfoundation.org/combatting-workplace-violence-cox-branson-receives-grant-for-personal-panic-buttons-ppbs/). “Our health care workers already sacrifice so much but their safety should never be sacrificed.” The foundation said the money will help roughly 400 workers in the emergency room and inpatient rooms receive a panic button on their badge. When the button is pressed, a personal tracing system will be activated and security is notified. A pop-up alert will also appear on hospital computers which shows the worker’s exact location using a wireless system throughout the hospital. The tracing system will be updated if the employee moves after pushing the button, the foundation said. Cox Medical Center Branson plans to begin using the panic buttons by the end of the year. --- This post, [Missouri hospital to give staff panic buttons to protect them from violent patients](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/missouri-hospital-give-staff-panic-buttons-protect-them-violent-patients-n1280245), was first shared on NBS News on September 28, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Is Asking Hospital Visitors for Proof of Vaccines a HIPAA Violation? 7 Things to Know](https://wastemedic.com/2021/08/26/is-asking-hospital-visitors-for-proof-of-vaccines-a-hipaa-violation-7-things-to-know/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Hundreds of hospitals have [mandated](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/hospitals-health-systems-mandating-vaccines-for-workersjune17.html) that their employees provide proof of vaccination. Other hospitals have begun to request hospital visitors [show](https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/coronavirus/vaccination-proof-required-for-uc-san-diego-hospital-visitors/2689073/) evidence they’ve been inoculated. Here’s why these do not violate HIPAA rules, according to an Aug. 4 *[Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/vaccine-proof-requirements-not-hipaa-violation-explained-2021-8)* report. Seven things to know: **1.** Some Americans have expressed concerns that being asked to provide proof of vaccination status violates HIPAA. However, what HIPAA protects is very narrow. In 1996, President Bill Clinton signed HIPAA into law. The law [prevents](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/why-hipaa-is-widely-misunderstood.html) certain people and organizations, including healthcare providers, insurers and health data clearinghouses, from sharing a patient’s medical records without their explicit consent. **2.** HIPAA would not be violated if a hospital staff member requests to see a visitor’s vaccination status because HIPAA doesn’t [protect](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/does-a-vaccine-passport-violate-hipaa-experts-weigh-in.html) medical information that a patient, employee or hospital visitor shares about themselves. HIPAA only applies to how covered entities protect the health information they receive. **3.** What are HIPAA violations? [Disclosing](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/5-most-common-hipaa-violations-physicians-should-watch-for.html#:~:text=5%20most%20common%20HIPAA%20violations%20physicians%20should%20watch,than%20the%20minimum%20necessary%20protected%20health%20information.%20) patients’, employees’ or visitors’ protected health information to outside entities is a HIPAA violation. Failing to implement reasonable safeguards to protect health information is also a HIPAA violation. **4.** “Once they get the data, they have to protect it,” Jeff Drummond, a healthcare regulatory lawyer who has been working with HIPAA for nearly 20 years, told Dallas-based WFAA. “They have to notify you if there’s a breach, but other than that, that’s the end of their obligation under either HIPAA or Texas state law.” **5.** Misinformation surrounding HIPAA is sometimes perpetuated when public officials decline to share their vaccination status and cite HIPAA as the reason why. In July, when reporters asked Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., if she was vaccinated, she said the question was a violation to her HIPAA rights, Insider reported. **6.** Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was asked to disclose his vaccination status during a press conference. He said “I don’t necessarily think that’s exactly important. … I think that’s HIPAA.” **7.** These claims perpetuate misinformation surrounding anti-vaccine narratives, Tara Kirk Sell, PhD, an assistant professor of health security at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health, told [*The New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/article/hipaa-law.html). “The misinterpretation of what it’s all about just adds to this firestorm of anti-vaccine sentiment.” --- This post, [Is asking hospital visitors for proof of vaccines a HIPAA violation? 7 things to know](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/is-asking-hospital-visitors-for-proof-of-vaccines-a-violation-of-hipaa-7-things-to-know.html), was first shared on Becker’s Hospital Review on August 10, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Eco-Friendly PPE: The Inventors Working to Solve the COVID-19 Plastic Waste Problem](https://wastemedic.com/2021/08/26/eco-friendly-ppe-the-inventors-working-to-solve-the-covid-19-plastic-waste-problem/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** From surgical masks and gloves to disposable hospital gowns and aprons, the COVID-19 pandemic is creating a mountain of plastic medical waste that is polluting the land and sea — alarming doctors and environmentalists alike. One young entrepreneur in Mexico has now invented a range of reusable PPE (personal protective equipment) she hopes will stop metric tons of single-use medical wear ending up in landfill, incinerators, and waterways — and save hospitals a fortune. Tamara Chayo said disposable PPE not only caused environmental damage, but could spread the virus which survives up to three days on plastics — a particular concern in countries where medical waste management is poor. “Most of my family are doctors and nurses. They think, OK, I’m saving humans, but I’m not saving the planet,” Chayo told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “And if everything is thrown away it will create more disease, so it becomes a never-ending cycle.” Chayo, a 21-year-old chemical engineering student, co-founded [MEDU Protection](https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmeduprotection.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7CSamuel.Baugh%40thomsonreuters.com%7C3ee3d06fb19b488b2b2f08d94dd43218%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C637626396031574624%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Mdhqzh43hUtM8ti%2B%2BPtOgS3bmntN5R39dVv%2FEe75SwY%3D&reserved=0) in mid-2020 to develop a sustainable suit to protect health professionals treating COVID-19 patients at a time when PPE was in short supply. The garments are made from a fabric similar to the coating used on surfaces in viral research laboratories. Chayo says a doctor can use four disposable gowns a day whereas her PPE can be worn all day and washed 50 times without losing its protective properties — meaning each garment saves 200 plastic items from landfills and incinerators. “I’m really excited about this,” said Chayo, many of whose family members have been working on the COVID-19 front line. “We’re not just making medical apparel; we want to create a movement for a greener medical industry.” #### “Planet-Saving PPE” MEDU’s garments are embedded with QR technology which informs health workers, via a smartphone app, how many times an item has been washed. After 50 wears, the PPE is returned to MEDU which disinfects it and converts it into cotton scrubs and bags for packaging its products. Chayo, who plans to expand to the United States and France, estimated reusable medical apparel could slash hospital PPE spending by 90%. Approximately 129 billion disposable masks, mostly made from plastic microfibres, and 65 billion disposable gloves have been used every month during the pandemic, according to a [study](https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpubs.acs.org%2Fdoi%2F10.1021%2Facs.est.0c02178&data=04%7C01%7CSamuel.Baugh%40thomsonreuters.com%7C3ee3d06fb19b488b2b2f08d94dd43218%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C637626396031574624%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=61AbUyVyT20vVGWyz%2BHKzYFKMSBC3t0OiUgQY77%2BKTY%3D&reserved=0) in the journal Environmental Science and Technology. The United Nations estimates about 75% of plastic generated by the pandemic — including medical waste and packaging from home deliveries during lockdowns — will likely end up in landfills or the sea. The production of plastic which uses fossil fuels as a base material — and its incineration when discarded — is also a significant driver of climate change. Tom Dawson, founder of [Revolution-ZERO](https://www.revolution-zero.com/), which has developed a range of “planet-saving PPE” in Britain, said the pandemic had reversed recent progress on cutting plastic use. While there was “phenomenal” interest in reusable PPE, he said there were obstacles to its adoption. When the pandemic struck many governments stockpiled disposable PPE which they are supplying free, meaning hospitals have no economic incentive to buy reusable products. Another problem is the lack of clinical grade laundries which have disappeared as hospitals switched to disposable PPE. #### Masks Into Bricks From Britain to India, entrepreneurs are also looking at how to recycle plastic PPE — turning it into everything from toolboxes to bricks. In Wales, [Thermal Compaction Group (TCG)](https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tcgsolutions.co.uk%2F&data=04%7C01%7CSamuel.Baugh%40thomsonreuters.com%7C3ee3d06fb19b488b2b2f08d94dd43218%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C637626396031584582%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=1fgykCRyDLbDXCfpVHbSlRwms%2Bl9r3VH7AiZAkveR40%3D&reserved=0) makes machines about the size of a large American fridge that melt down hospital gowns, masks, hairnets, tray wraps, and ward curtains into plastic bricks. The plastic can be used to manufacture anything from school chairs to 3D printer filament and yarn for clothing. “It takes what’s designated as a single-use product and actually turns it into a multi-use product,” said TCG managing director Mat Rapson. The temperature inside TCG’s Sterimelt and Curtainmelt machines exceeds 300 degrees Celsius (572 degrees Fahrenheit), killing COVID-19 and other pathogens. Five UK hospitals have begun using the machines with more placing orders. TCG is also liaising with distributors in Canada, Australia, and Hungary among other countries. About 6,500 kilograms of CO2 emissions are saved for every 10,000 kilograms of material processed, Rapson said — mostly due to savings on transporting and incinerating the waste. #### Recycle Man In India, entrepreneur Binish Desai is turning PPE into grey bricks and construction panels to build low-cost housing and schools. Desai, 27, who started making bricks from waste as a teenager, has invented a new brick made from disinfected and shredded masks and other PPE mixed with paper mill waste and binder. The entrepreneur, nicknamed “The Recycle Man of India,” said the bricks were three times stronger than earth bricks, twice the size, and almost half the cost. Some of the masks are collected from “eco-bins” installed in hospitals, restaurants, and other public places. Desai, whose story is being turned into a film by a major Indian production company, is looking to expand to Britain, the United States, Canada, and Brazil. The entrepreneur, who founded [Eco-Eclectic Technologies](https://www.binishdesai.com/eetech) in 2016, initially plans to export his bricks to Brazil, but eventually wants to build a plant there to process local waste. “We believe in micro social enterprise so instead of having one big factory we have multiple factories across India so we create local jobs as well as recycle local waste,” he said. Desai believes India — with its tradition of recycling and a less established throwaway culture than many Western countries — can become a global leader in zero waste technology. “Attitudes are changing — absolutely,” he said. “The pandemic has made us far more aware of how much waste we’re generating and that it’s not sustainable.” --- This post, [Eco-Friendly PPE: The Inventors Working to Solve the COVID-19 Plastic Waste Problem](https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/covid-19-masks-ppe-plastic-waste/), was first shared on [Global Citizen](https://www.globalcitizen.org/) on July 29, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Follow These 5 Steps to Ensure HIPAA Compliance When Texting Patients](https://wastemedic.com/2021/08/26/follow-these-5-steps-to-ensure-hipaa-compliance-when-texting-patients/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *As long as providers remain HIPAA-compliant, they will be able to text patients with ease and see all the benefits that it brings — including stronger patient loyalty, more revenue, and more referrals.* Many people, and that includes patients, prefer to text because it’s quick, easy, and convenient. Texting is incredibly effective for medical practices for things like scheduling, ongoing care, and more. You should be texting, but you have to make sure you’re staying compliant with HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, while you do it. This is especially true when texting about a patient’s care that may include personal health information (PHI). By implementing these five best practices, providers can remain compliant with HIPAA while also satisfying patients eager for convenient care. But before we even get to the list below, let’s address the biggest potential HIPAA foul providers can make when texting patients: Never text them from a personal device that’s untethered from a HIPAA-compliant system. Data sent directly from a personal device can be intercepted by the wrong eyes too easily. If you’re going to text with patients, you’d be best served by implementing a practice-wide texting software solution (more about this in Step 4). **1. Establish a list of authorized employees who can access patient conversations.** You need to determine who has access control here––specifically who should and who shouldn’t be viewing patient conversations. An authorized employee would ideally include healthcare practitioners, as well as office administrators and front desk workers who are in charge of scheduling and communicating with patients. Billing and collections department personnel don’t necessarily need to see patient conversations with nurses. So, it’s important to determine which of your staff should actually have access to patient conversations, and who should be sending or managing those conversations day-to-day. Each department should have its own dashboard to communicate with patients. Within a HIPAA-compliant texting platform, physicians’ practices and hospitals can assign all authorized users their own dashboards so that conversations can be kept separate. What matters most is making sure that patients know who they’re communicating with, and making sure that manager or administrator can tell who said what to whom and when. You also need to make sure that messages are encrypted and secure—but we’ll cover that more in a minute. **2. Make sure that patients are opted-in to receive text messages.** Patients want to text with providers, and so a “paper trail” of opt-ins need to be created. Texting without their consent can become a liability and violation of HIPAA standards. The easiest way to ensure that patients are opted-in is to request their consent when they’re filling out paperwork in your office. The question can be: “Would you like to receive updates via SMS?” Alternatively, by implementing an online SMS chat on your website, patients can be encouraged to text providers themselves. This way, patients can reach out to you on your website with any questions they may have. SMS Chat increases the chances of patients reaching out and booking appointments, which of course boosts provider revenue. Patients need to opt-in to receive texts but it’s also recommended that providers get express permission from patients to share PHI before texting them about their care. **3. Request proof of identity before sending and receiving text messages.** It’s important to make sure that the text is going to the right patients. So providers need to confirm their identity by asking for simple credentials, such as their date of birth. Keep contact information current by requesting patients to update their paperwork when they come into the office in person. If providers haven’t seen patients in a while, this is also a great excuse to re-engage them via text. You might reach out to confirm their name or address or see if they want to schedule their next visit. **4. Implement a secure, encrypted text messaging platform.** HIPAA regulations for texting are all about security and encryption. Providers need to make sure that messages are permanently recorded, searchable, and encrypted. In other words, make sure you keep patient records without other parties being able to access them. Personal smartphones won’t cut it. It’s going to take extra layers of security to maximize protection—layers you can only get with a HIPAA-compliant, secure text messaging platform. Once a system-wide platform is implemented providers can use their own devices to text patients as long as they are using the encrypted platform. Tampered or destroyed messages can leave PHI at risk, as well as your practice. Patient information is sacred, and should always be treated accordingly. This can be ensured through an encrypted text messaging platform as well as avoiding the risk of data breaches. **5. Use texting as a way to send advice and pro tips.** Through texting, providers can engage patients outside of their appointments. This demonstrates that the care team truly cares about patients’ wellbeing even when they don’t have any immediate appointments scheduled. This also helps to build patient loyalty for a provider group. In fact, texts have a 99% open rate, compared to only 5% of calls answered and 15% of emails opened. It’s cheaper to have patients continuously come back rather than trying to find new ones. A 5% increase in customer retention can increase profits by 25%-95%, whereas acquiring new customers costs 5X-25X more. Allow patients to opt-in to a text subscriber list so that they can receive pro tips from you. At the end of their appointment, providers can send them a link to a review page along with an option to opt-in to your subscriber list. You can also verbally tell them about it, and ask them to subscribe then. *“Hey, \[Patient\]! Would you mind leaving us a review? \[Link\] If you want to receive texts from us about everyday care, text CARE back to this number!”* Send patients things like infographics, tips to educate them on the importance of care—depending on what each practice or group specializes in. Small nudges like this can go a long way for providers’ practices. As long as providers remain HIPAA-compliant, they will be able to text patients with ease and see all the benefits that it brings—including stronger patient loyalty, more revenue, and more referrals. --- This post, [Follow These 5 Steps to Ensure HIPAA Compliance When Texting Patients](https://medcitynews.com/2021/08/follow-these-5-steps-to-ensure-hipaa-compliance-when-texting-patients/), was first shared on [MedCityNews](https://medcitynews.com/) on August 17, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [15 Years Later, Walgreens’ HIPAA Violation Case Raises Questions](https://wastemedic.com/2021/08/26/15-years-later-walgreens-hipaa-violation-case-raises-questions/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Newly obtained internal emails revealed that OCR may not have known that its investigation into a Walgreens HIPAA violation was still open 10 years later.* Following a 2006 HIPAA violation investigation by Indianapolis news station *WTHR*, CVS and Rite Aid reached settlements with HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and paid a combined $3.25 million in fines. CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens were all found exposing protected health information (PHI) by improperly disposing of records in unsecured dumpsters. But while CVS and Rite Aid reached settlements within a few years, OCR’s investigation into Walgreens lasted for over a decade and resulted in no fines or penalties. New [documents and internal emails obtained by WTHR](https://www.wthr.com/article/news/investigations/13-investigates/internal-emails-raise-questions-about-governments-investigation-into-walgreens-privacy-breach/531-f01fafdf-724d-4318-87ea-3da49a9df807) revealed that OCR may not have known that its investigation into Walgreens was still open 10 years later. All three pharmacy chains were caught violating the same law. But miscommunication and lapses in the government’s investigations may have resulted in Walgreens escaping consequences while CVS and Rite Aid resolved the allegations with hefty settlements. The findings raised questions about how OCR handles its HIPAA violation cases and whether the appropriate parties are facing the consequences of potentially jeopardizing patient safety. *WTHR’s* [investigation](https://www.wthr.com/article/news/investigations/13-investigates/part-one-prescription-privacy/531-811d33f4-344c-4614-922d-a9e75a5fa1b4) kicked off with a robbery. Someone disguised as a pharmacy worker knocked on the door of Bloomington, Indiana resident Marjorie Kerr and stole her medication. The perpetrator had found Kerr’s address and prescription records inside a pharmacy dumpster. Investigative journalists searched pharmacy dumpsters across central Indiana and found easily accessible PHI. When the investigation gained traction, investigators found a recurring trend in cities across the country. By 2009 and 2010, CVS and Rite Aid paid their respective fines, but OCR said nothing about Walgreens. When asked about the status of the investigation, OCR told WTHR that the case was still open. “These investigations, we never know how long they’re going to take,” Leon Rodriguez, former OCR director, told *WTHR* in 2011. “I’ve been here long enough to know sometimes, for perfectly legitimate reasons, an investigation can take five years and even more. And there are times when the reasons are not legitimate.” In 2016, OCR again told *WTHR* that the case was still open. *WTHR* asked why the case remained open and were met with silence. The news outlet finally received a response after seven weeks, abruptly stating that the case had been closed following an in-depth investigation that resulted in Walgreens taking voluntary compliance actions. *WTHR* pointed out that the other pharmacy chains had also taken corrective actions, but paid millions in fines while Walgreens walked away unscathed. Documents obtained this summer, almost five years after *WTHR* filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), provided little insight into the case’s sudden closure. Following *WTHR’s* request for information, OCR public affairs specialist Roxanne Beharry sent an email saying, “This reporter is requesting information on why the case has been opened for the last 10 years without resolution… Can you please advise me on how to respond?” Illiana Peters, OCR’s senior advisor for HIPAA compliance, responded: “I thought this case had been closed. Do you have the transaction number? I will ping the Midwest Region on it and get back to you.” The agency then announced that the case had been closed and did not respond to WTHR’s questions about why the investigation stretched on for over a decade. OCR agreed to re-open *WTHR’s* FOIA request to search for additional information. Walgreens now requires staff to dispose of PHI in dumpsters that are not publicly accessible. The investigation exposed inconsistencies with HIPAA enforcement that could send the wrong message to bad actors and patients impacted by the violations. --- This post, [15 Years Later, Walgreens’ HIPAA Violation Case Raises Questions](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/15-years-later-walgreens-hipaa-violation-case-raises-questions), was first shared on [Health IT Security](https://healthitsecurity.com/) on August 23, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Healthcare Industry’s Compliance With OSHA ETS Now Required](https://wastemedic.com/2021/08/26/healthcare-industrys-compliance-with-osha-ets-now-required/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *An Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) went into effect in early June 2021, and compliance with most of the provisions was required by July 6. The final set of provisions (pertaining to training, ventilation, and barriers) wasn’t mandated until July 21. With some exceptions, the ETS applies to all settings where any employee provides healthcare or healthcare support services.* #### Who’s covered **Healthcare services.** Services provided to individuals by professional healthcare practitioners (e.g., doctors, nurses, emergency medical personnel, oral health professionals) for the purpose of promoting, maintaining, monitoring, or restoring health are covered. The services can be delivered through various means, including hospitalization, long-term care, ambulatory care (e.g., treatment in physicians’ offices, dentists’ offices, medical clinics), home health and hospice care, emergency medical response, and patient transport. They also include autopsies. **Healthcare support services.** Also covered are services facilitating the provision of healthcare services, including patient intake/admittance, patient food services, equipment and facility maintenance, housekeeping services, healthcare laundry work, medical waste handling functions, and medical equipment cleaning/reprocessing services. #### What isn’t covered The ETS doesn’t apply to the following tasks and locations: Provision of first aid by an employee who isn’t a licensed healthcare provider; Dispensing of prescriptions by pharmacists in retail settings; Nonhospital ambulatory care settings where 1) all nonemployees are screened before entry and 2) people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections aren’t permitted to enter; Well-defined hospital ambulatory care settings where 1) all employees are fully vaccinated, 2) all nonemployees are screened before entry, and 3) people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases aren’t permitted to enter; Home healthcare settings where 1) all employees are fully vaccinated, 2) all nonemployees are screened before entry, and 3) people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections aren’t present; Healthcare support services not performed in a healthcare setting where direct patient care occurs (e.g., off-site laundry, off-site medical billing); Telehealth services performed outside of a setting where direct permit care occurs. #### What’s required The ETS spells out numerous requirements for healthcare services settings. Here is a nonexhaustive list: **COVID-19 plan.** Healthcare services must develop and implement a COVID–19 plan for each workplace. If the employer has multiple workplaces that are substantially similar, its infection plan may be developed by workplace type rather than individual workplace so long as all required site-specific information is included. If the employer has more than 10 employees, the COVID–19 plan must be written. **Designated safety coordinators.** Employers must designate one or more workplace COVID–19 safety coordinators to implement and monitor the infection plan. The coordinator(s) must be knowledgeable about how the infection control principles and practices apply to the workplace and employee job operations. The identity of the safety coordinator(s) must be documented in any written COVID–19 plan. They must have the authority to ensure compliance with all aspects of the plan. **Hazard assessment.** Employers must conduct a workplace-specific hazard assessment to identify potential hazards related to COVID–19. They must seek the input and involvement of nonmanagerial employees and their representatives, if any, in the hazard assessment and the development and implementation of the plan. **Personal protective equipment (PPE).** Employers must ensure each employee wears a face mask over the nose and mouth when indoors or occupying a vehicle with other people for work purposes. They must provide a sufficient number of masks to each employee to comply with the requirement and ensure each changes them (1) at least once per day, (2) whenever they are soiled or damaged, and (3) more frequently as necessary (e.g., patient care reasons). There are exceptions to when a face mask is required. **Training.** Employers must ensure each employee receives training in a language and at a literacy level the individual understands, so at least the following information is comprehended: COVID-19 facts, including how the virus is transmitted (including presymptomatic and asymptomatic transmission), the importance of hand hygiene, other ways to reduce the risk of spreading the infection, the disease’s signs and symptoms, risk factors for severe illness, and when to seek medical attention; Employer-specific policies and procedures on patient screening and management and PPE; Tasks and situations in the workplace that could result in an infection; Workplace-specific policies and procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 that apply to the employee’s duties; Workplace-specific policies and procedures for cleaning and disinfection; Available sick leave policies, any COVID-19-related benefits, and the identity of the safety coordinator(s). Additional training is also required under certain circumstances. **Ventilation.** Covered employers owning or control buildings or structures with an existing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system must be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and design specifications. Maintain and replace all air filters as necessary to ensure the system’s proper function. Clean and maintain all other aspects of the system to make sure it’s functioning properly. **Physical barriers.** At each fixed work location outside of direct patient care areas (e.g., entryway/lobby, check-in desks, triage, hospital pharmacy windows, bill payment) where each employee isn’t separated from all other people by at least six feet of distance, the employer must install cleanable or disposable solid barriers, except where the employer can demonstrate it isn’t feasible. The barrier must be sized (e.g., height and width) and located to block face-to-face pathways between individuals based on where each person would normally stand or sit. The barrier may have a pass-through space at the bottom for objects and merchandise. Physical barriers aren’t required in direct patient care areas or resident rooms. #### OSHA ready to enforce ETS OSHA has already issued inspection procedures for the ETS, meaning area offices and compliance officers already have written directions on how to enforce it. Therefore, covered employers should ensure they’re in full compliance immediately. As a reminder, the ETS specifically prohibits retaliatory conduct. --- This post, [Healthcare Industry’s Compliance With OSHA ETS Now Required](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2021/08/healthcare-industrys-compliance-with-osha-ets-now-required/), was first shared on [EHS Daily Advisor](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/) on August 18, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [U.S. Healthcare Regulation: A Brief Overview of HIPAA](https://wastemedic.com/2021/07/29/u-s-healthcare-regulation-a-brief-overview-of-hipaa/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Keep in mind that it’s not just doctors and nurses that need to comply with the law. Anyone selling products or services to anyone in the healthcare industry must be aware of the HIPAA rules and requirements.* HIPAA is made up of different sections, called Titles, with Title I and Title II being the most important. Title I focuses on the portability part of the law, ensuring that insurance plans aren’t denied when workers switch or get laid off from their jobs. The health insurance portability part has had the biggest impact on some people’s lives. However, for those in healthcare administration or IT, it is Title II that keeps them up at night. Title II focuses on the accountability part of the law’s name. Title II mandates that anyone who comes into contact with an individual’s medical records must take active steps to keep the data private and secure. The people and organizations who fall under the law’s umbrella, often termed as covered entities, do not just include obvious candidates like doctors and nurses, but also IT vendors or third-party billing companies and anyone who touches patient information. On that note, let’s take a look at the most important rules of this law. #### The HIPAA Privacy Rule The HIPAA Privacy Rule was developed in 2003 and set restrictions for how Protected Health Information (PHI) should be developed. It imposed a balancing act on covered entities. At one end of the spectrum, it understands that for the healthcare system to function properly, PHI needs to be accessed by various individuals, organizations, and other entities. On the other end of the spectrum, it mandates that patient’s medical record and personally identifiable information remains secured and private. The solution to this problem is the HIPAA Minimum Necessary Standard. The Privacy Rule’s minimum necessary standard requires that individuals who have access to PHI have only what they need to perform their jobs but nothing beyond that. To comply with the HIPAA Privacy Rule, providers must take reasonable administrative steps that range from designating a privacy officer to training staff members on Privacy Rule requirements to providing patients with the Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP). The Privacy Rule also mandates that patients themselves can access their own medical records and may even make copies or amendments upon request. #### The HIPAA Security Rule The [HIPAA Security Rule](https://www.cloudapper.com/hipaa-compliance-management/hipaa-security-rule-requirements/?utm_source=Generator%2520Research&utm_medium=blog%2520post&utm_campaign=U.S.%2520Healthcare%2520Regulation%2520-%2520A%2520Brief%2520Overview%2520of%2520HIPAA%2520) can be quite extensive and arduous to follow. Covered entities, as well as business associates, must implement appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect PHI in electronic forms (ePHI). The safeguards must be reasonable and appropriate in congruence with the practice or business functions. Examples of administrative measures include workforce training and risk analyses, physical safeguards include installing CCTV cameras, and technical measures like implementing cybersecurity software solutions. The overall objectives should be to: Ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all ePHI handled or transmitted; Protect against reasonably anticipated threats to the security or integrity of the information; Protect against reasonably anticipated but impermissible uses or disclosures; Ensure workplace compliance. The good thing is the Security Rule does not mandate any specific measures. Instead, organizations have the flexibility to apply appropriate safeguards depending on the size, environment, and technical aspects of their business. But this flexibility also brings with it ambiguity for organizations as to whether their implementations are truly HIPAA compliant. #### HIPAA Compliance Besides a bulk of that is involved in meeting the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rule, there are also some other minor requirements as well. Such as all covered entities must have a National Provider Identifier and adhere to the Transaction and Code Set Standards for electronic data interchange. Due to the complexity of the HIPAA Privacy and Security requirements, there are software packages that can help your company in compliance with the law. Some compliance solution providers even offer customized solutions to your company’s needs as well as resources like [training and certification](https://www.cloudapper.com/hipaa-training-compliance-management-application/?utm_source=Generator%2520Research&utm_medium=blog%2520post&utm_campaign=U.S.%2520Healthcare%2520Regulation%2520-%2520A%2520Brief%2520Overview%2520of%2520HIPAA%2520). Keep in mind that it’s not just doctors and nurses that need to comply with the law. Anyone selling products or services to anyone in the healthcare industry must be aware of the HIPAA rules and requirements. This may even include lawyers, computer programmers, cloud service providers, or anyone that may come into contact with medical records. --- This post, [U.S. Healthcare Regulation: A Brief Overview of HIPAA](https://www.legalreader.com/u-s-healthcare-regulation-a-brief-overview-of-hipaa/), was first shared on [Legal Reader](https://www.legalreader.com/u-s-healthcare-regulation-a-brief-overview-of-hipaa/) on June 30, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Everything You Should Know About the HIPAA Enforcement Rule](https://wastemedic.com/2021/07/29/everything-you-should-know-about-the-hipaa-enforcement-rule/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** With the regular and much needed update to critical standards such as [HIPAA](https://www.tripwire.com/solutions/compliance-solutions/hipaa-compliance), auditors and compliance experts need to be continuously on their toes to review and acquaint themselves with these new developments. [One of the latest such updates](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/index.html) is the Health Information Portability and Accountability ([HIPAA](https://www.tripwire.com/solutions/compliance-solutions/hipaa-compliance/)) Enforcement rule, which has caused quite a stir in the industry due to confusion about its applicability. To set certain things clear, HIPAA Enforcement will not be applicable as long as organizations value the privacy and security of the Protected Health Information (PHI) of their customers while also abiding by the HIPAA compliance requirements. For businesses in the healthcare industry, HIPAA compliance is essential. HIPAA Enforcement Rules apply when an organization fails to follow the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules. There are significant consequences for HIPAA violations. HIPAA is enforced through various enforcement actions dictated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR). #### What is the HIPAA Enforcement Rule? HHS has set specific rules for HIPAA Compliance. The enforcement rule includes directives for compliance, investigation, and penalties for violations. It also details the procedures and monetary fines for imposing civil penalties on Covered Entities that violate any HIPAA requirements. The Office of Civil Rights within HHS is tasked with the responsibility of investigating the violation. Based on the investigation, the OCR determines if the Covered Entity or the Business Associate was in compliance with the HIPAA Security and Privacy Rule or [whether the rule was violated](https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/healthcare/what-does-hipaa-safe-harbor-bill-mean-for-your-practice/). OCR reviews the information, and evidence is gathered for each case. If the evidence indicates that the Covered Entity was not compliant, OCR will attempt to resolve the case with the Covered Entity through voluntary compliance, corrective action, and/or resolution agreement. #### How does the HIPAA Enforcement Rule Work? HIPAA enforcement takes place at the Federal and State Government levels. HIPAA Enforcement applies when there is a breach or non-compliance with HIPAA Rules. These rules include the HIPAA Privacy Rule, the Security Rule, the Breach Notification Rule, and the HIPAA Omnibus Rule. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights receives complaints about non-compliance, and it investigates the matter. Accordingly, based on the investigation findings, enforcement action can be taken concerning any of the HIPAA Rules, and the OCR may levy penalties and fines. The OCR investigation may at times result in the entity taking voluntary steps to improve its compliance. The OCR may also provide assistance by advising and explaining the expected terms for resolving the violation. #### What does the HIPAA Enforcement Rule include? Covered Entities and Business Associates must comply with HIPAA Rules to [avoid enforcement penalties](https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/healthcare/respond-unintentional-hipaa-violation/). Understanding the rules and correctly implementing compliance measures are crucial. What exactly are the HIPAA Compliance Rules that Covered Entities and Business Associates must comply with? **Privacy Rules** – The [HIPAA Privacy Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/index.html) is a set of requirements that must be implemented by the Covered Entity to protect PHI data. It applies to Health Plans, Healthcare Clearinghouses, and Healthcare providers that conduct certain healthcare transactions electronically. The Rule requires appropriate safeguards in place to ensure: Privacy of the health information; Setting of limits and conditions on the use of such information; Setting controls on access to PHI; Setting limits on disclosure of PHI data. The Privacy Rule also gives patients the right over their health information, including the right to examine and obtain a copy of their health records as well as to request corrections. In order to achieve this, Covered Entities are required to have the necessary procedures and processes in place to execute such requests. **Security Rules –** The [HIPAA Security Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/index.html) is a set of security requirements and standards for protecting PHI data when stored or in transit. This would also include securing the PHI data whether in physical or electronic form. The safeguards required to be implemented within the security rule by both Covered Entities and Business Associates include: Technical safeguards – Protecting electronic data by using encryption; Administrative safeguards – Policies and procedures for PHI protection, management, and storage; Physical safeguards – Physical security such as access control security. **Breach Notification Rules –** The [HIPAA Breach Notification Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/breach-notification/index.html) sets out [clear requirements](https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/featured/hipaa-breach-notification-what-need-know/) for organizations’ response in the event of a data breach. If the breach involves 500 or fewer individuals, the Secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) must be notified within 60 days. However, in case of a breach involving 500 or more individuals, the incident must be reported to the Secretary of the HHS within 60 days of discovery. The affected victims must also be notified about the data breach. **Omnibus Rules –** The [HIPAA Omnibus Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/combined-regulation-text/omnibus-hipaa-rulemaking/index.html) mandates the implementation of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH). This was introduced as the fourth rule to strengthen the privacy and security protections of PHI Data under HIPAA. This extends the reach of HIPAA obligations to Business Associates and their Subcontractors. This rule includes modification in the breach notification standard, expands patient rights to access and to restrict disclosure of PHI, imposes new rules governing uses and disclosures of PHI, provides clarity on enforcement approach, and addresses obligations under the Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). #### Who enforces the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules under HIPAA Compliance? HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules are enforced by the HHS Office for Civil Rights. The 2009 incorporation of the HITECH Act into HIPAA gave the State Attorneys General the power to assist OCR in the enforcement of HIPAA. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also has some enforcement powers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have also participated in HIPAA enforcement to varying extents. ##### HIPAA Enforcement Rule Penalties & Procedures The HIPAA Enforcement Rule includes adhering to the HIPAA Privacy, Security, Breach Notification, and Omnibus Rules. Non-compliance with the HIPAA Rules gives the HHS OCR the right to hold businesses accountable with fines and other penalties for noncompliance: **Civil money penalties** – Companies may be fined up to $1,500,000 over a year across all individual fines, which breaks down into four categories: $100 – $50,000 if the entity committed a violation but “did not know;” $1,000 – $50,000 if the entity had “reasonable cause” for violation; $10,000 – $50,000 dollars for companies’ “wilful neglect” with correction; $50,000 flat for companies’ “wilful neglect” without correction. **Criminal penalties** – Companies may be subject to criminal penalties for intentional non-compliance and fraud violations. These include: $50,000 and up to one-year imprisonment for intentional misuse of (e)PHI; $100,000 and up to five years imprisonment if false pretenses are involved; $250,000 and up to ten years imprisonment for violations committed for personal gain. The severity of the fine or penalty incurred will most likely depend on numerous factors. As stated previously, the HHS has discretion to resolve an issue without levying a fine or to reduce a fine to a lower-tier offense. Non-compliance with HIPAA has significant consequences. Businesses will not just have to bear the financial losses; they will also incur reputational damage and other business costs. Worse yet, severe violations can even result in criminal penalties. For these reasons, businesses must vigorously ensure HIPAA Compliance to avoid these difficulties. Even in case of a breach incident, the organization must approach an experienced compliance consultant to guide them through the process and ensure immediate resolution. No matter the type of HIPAA violation under which the business entity falls, when subject to enforcement action, the organization must act quickly and carefully to limit penalties or at the very least mitigate the risk and liability for a breach. **About the Author** *Narendra Sahoo ([PCI](https://www.tripwire.com/solutions/compliance-solutions/pci-dss-compliance/) QSA, PCI QPA, CISSP, CISA, and CRISC) is the Founder and Director of* [*VISTA InfoSec*](https://www.vistainfosec.com/)*, a global Information Security Consulting firm based in the US, Singapore & India. Mr. Sahoo has more than 25 years of experience in the IT Industry, with expertise in Information Risk Consulting, Assessment, and Compliance services. VISTA InfoSec specializes in Information Security audit, consulting, and certification services which include GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, NESA, MAS-TRM, PCI DSS Compliance and Audit, PCI PIN, SOC2, PDPA, and PDPB, to name a few. Since 1994, VISTA InfoSec has worked with organizations across the globe to address the Regulatory and Information Security challenges in their industry. VISTA InfoSec has been instrumental in helping top multinational companies achieve compliance and secure their IT infrastructure.* --- This post, [Everything You Should Know About the HIPAA Enforcement Rule](https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/healthcare/everything-you-should-know-about-the-hipaa-enforcement-rule/), was first shared on [Tripwire](https://www.tripwire.com/) on July 26, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Green PPE is Gaining Traction Globally](https://wastemedic.com/2021/07/29/green-ppe-is-gaining-traction-globally/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Innovators and entrepreneurs across the world are pioneering solutions to address the pandemic related plastic waste explosion.* The Covid-19 pandemic threatens to undo decades worth of progress achieved by the recycling industry in tackling global plastic pollution. Demand for plastic has risen, with the production of surgical masks, medical gowns, face shields, safety glasses, protective aprons, plastic shoes and gloves now proliferating. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, 1,6 million tonnes of plastic were generated globally, according to a study (‘Covid pollution: impact of Covid-19 pandemic on global plastic waste footprint’) conducted in February 2021. The mentioned PPE (‘personal protective equipment’) is manufactured from single-use plastics. These are not biodegradable and liable to contaminate oceans, threatening to entangle and subsequently suffocate wildlife living in aquatic areas. ### Reusable medical gear A Mexican entrepreneur has developed a range of reusable PPE to tackle the Covid pollution problem. The intention behind her product is not only to limit the amount of single-use medical wear destined for incineration, landfill or waterways but also to help curb virus spread within local populations. (Disposable PPE does not only have an adverse environmental impact but could serve to spread the Covid-19 virus, seeing as it can survive up to three days on plastic surfaces.) According to Tamara Chayo, the 21-year-old chemical engineering student who pioneered the green PPE solution, a doctor can wear these ‘green’ garments up to 50 times without the material losing its protective capabilities. Usually, a doctor has to switche out plastic gowns containing PPE four times within the course of a day-each garment envisioned by Chayo therefore saves 200 plastic items from being incinerated or dumped on landfills. After 50 wears, the reusable medical apparel can be returned to MEDU Protection, Chayo’s medtech company, which then disinfects it and converts it into cotton scrubs and bags for packaging its products. In order to ascertain the status of their PPE, medical professionals can track each wash via smartphone due to embedded QR technology contained in the gowns. MEDU Protection plans to export its product line to the US and France, thereby reducing hospital PPE spend by 90%. “We’re not just making medical apparel, we want to create a movement for a greener medical industry”, Tamara Chayo said. ### PPE sourced bricks Biomedical pandemic waste is also being processed for construction. From Britain to India, entrepreneurs are investing in the conversion of PPE into everything from toolboxes to bricks. Cardiff based green business Thermal Compaction Group (TCG) converts hospital gowns, masks, hairnets, tray wraps and ward curtains into plastic bricks. Said plastic can be used to craft yarn, 3D printer filament and chairs, amongst other things. “It takes what’s designated as a single-use product and actually turns it into a multi-use product,” said TCG managing director Mat Rapson. TCG’s Sterimelt and Curtainmelt machines melt down PPE at 300°C, killing pathogens such as Covid-19. According to TCG’s managing director Mat Rapson, for every 10,000 kg of material processed by the bespoke machinery, 6500 kg of carbon emissions are saved. Currently, five UK hospitals have placed orders with TCM, with more following. The company is also in talks with distributors in other countries such as Hungary, Canada and Australia. Indian entrepreneur Binish Desai is charting a similar path. Popularly dubbed as ‘The Recycle Man of India’, Desai has developed a method to turn PPE into bricks that are more durable as well as economically viable than conventional offerings. These new bricks, used for building low-cost housing and schools, are made from disinfected and shredded masks and other PPE mixed with paper mill waste and binder. The founder of Eco-Eclectic Technologies, whose story is being turned into a film by a major Indian production company, is looking to expand to Britain, the United States, Canada and Brazil. Desai wants to promote India as a global leader in zero-waste technology. “Attitudes are changing – absolutely,” he said. “The pandemic has made us far more aware of how much waste we’re generating and that it’s not sustainable.” ### The scope of the Covid-19 plastic crisis According to a study contained in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, each month, since the onset of the pandemic, 129 billion disposable masks and 65 billion disposable gloves were generated. 75% of Covid-19 related plastic waste- ranging from biomedical waste to commercial packaging-is set to end up in landfills or marine environments, the UN finds. Carbon derived single-use plastic production accounts for the emission of a significant proportion of greenhouse gases. --- This post, [Green PPE is Gaining Traction Globally](https://waste-management-world.com/a/green-ppe-is-gaining-traction-globally), was first shared on [Waste Management World](https://waste-management-world.com/) on July 26, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Where's All This Waste Going? The Environmental Impact of Vaccinations in the Time of COVID-19](https://wastemedic.com/2021/07/29/wheres-all-this-waste-going-the-environmental-impact-of-vaccinations-in-the-time-of-covid-19/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased vigilance over the proper disposal of vaccine-related materials, such as vials, needles, syringes, and bandages.* Pharmacy-based immunizations have become standard over the past 2 decades in the United States, a service that has positively affected every community.1 More than 280,000 pharmacists have been trained to administer vaccines in the United States since 1996, and since 2016, more than 25% of adults have received influenza vaccinations in pharmacies.1 As immunization advocates who educate the public on vaccine-preventable diseases and champion all patients remaining healthy, pharmacists also work with other health care providers to facilitate the administration of vaccines. As frontline health care workers often serving their communities as a point of reference for health issues, pharmacists play a fundamental role in health education programs and disease prevention schemes, with the ability to tailor information according to their community and, where necessary, provide special training to their staff.2 Immunization administration requires many elements, including vaccine vials, needles, syringes, and adhesive bandages.3 The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased vigilance over the proper disposal of these materials as well as the necessity of using protective personal equipment (PPE).4 It is important to know the regulations for the proper disposal of items used during immunizations. For example, there must be a safe method to dispose of used needles and syringes, so sharps disposal containers should be present at all times during the immunization process.4,5 Different requirements for the disposal of empty or partially empty vaccine vials, as well as of PPE, which can be disposed of either as medical waste or in the regular trash depending on certain guidelines, are explained further in this article.4 Safe and compliant disposal is required and regulated by state and federal agencies.4 The regulatory requirements section of this article provides an overview of the relevant training and conditions. **VACCINE VIALS** Disposal requirements for empty vaccine vials are dependent upon the state in which the waste is generated. Some states allow disposal via trash, and others require sharps containers. If allowed, unused vials may be returned to the manufacturer, otherwise disposal options depend on the vaccine formulation. Full or partially used vials containing preservatives such as thimerosal (usually found in multidose vials) must be managed as a federally hazardous waste when the concentration of mercury is equal to or greater than 0.2 mg/L.7,8 Vials containing residual, preservative-free (ie, non-Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulated \[nonhazardous\]), live attenuated formulations should be disposed of as biohazardous waste. Disposal of preservative-free non-live attenuated vaccines depends on state requirements.8 **SHARPS** The safe use and disposal of sharps under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Standard,9 as well as individual state rules on medical waste management, applies to immunizers working within the pharmacy and at off-site clinics. These rules require the immediate disposal of sharps waste into sharps disposal containers (see table) that are placed in visible locations and within easy horizontal reach.5,10 Once sharps disposal containers are filled to the premarked three-quarters line, the lids must be securely fastened prior to removing the container from the workplace.6 Some states require the maintenance of a medical waste management plan, which may require specified storage or labeling or sharps disposal container locations throughout a facility.11 ![figure image](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/0vv8moc6/pharmacytimes/d16f6a0b89872304146da9ad998d69413d25a371-1220x348.png/Screen%20Shot%202021-07-16%20at%2010.16.55%20AM.png?fit=crop&auto=format)Pharmacists who administer vaccinations at off-site immunization clinics where sharps disposal containers may travel between locations must comply with the Materials of Trade regulations of the Department of Transportation (DOT).12 These allow the transport of sharps in disposal containers as a part of doing business without having to register with the state as a medical waste transporter as long as the disposal container is closed, secured against movement during transport, and protected from damage.12 If using a mail-back system for sharps collection, the shipping box can serve as the outer packaging.12 Following proper protocol for sharps waste greatly reduces the risk of accidental needlesticks and facilitates the quick, safe replenishment of containers throughout the vaccination season. **PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT** Many pharmacies and pharmacy clinics have incorporated PPE as a standard precautions tool to reduce the risk of disease transmission. The CDC recommends that pharmacy staff who interact with the public, while either immunizing or performing diagnostic tests, should use respirators or medical face masks as opposed to cloth face coverings.13 Such single-use PPE should be carefully removed and properly discarded after use.14 OSHA’s BBP Standard requires that items contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials be disposed of via a red biohazard bag or container,10 whereas some disposable PPE items, such as gowns, that are not deemed to be contaminated may be disposed of in the regular trash.14 **REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS** OSHA’s BBP Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) was first issued in 1991 to protect employees from occupational hazards posed by exposure to microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease in humans.15 Employers must assess employee exposure to such contaminants using an exposure determination based on which job classifications entail specific duties and procedures with a reasonable expectation for exposure. They also must identify which waste streams in their workplace pose exposure risks. Depending upon the tasks their staff perform, pharmacies should have documentation of training on BBP and sharps safety, as well as medical waste management plan training if required by their respective state and/or organization.15,16 Compliant management of medical waste is not limited only to OSHA oversight but to other federal entities, including the DOT and Environmental Protection Agency. Health care facilities that have direct pickup of regulated medical waste (ie, sharps disposal containers and used health care materials) must ensure that employees involved in the packaging of that waste also have DOT hazmat training.17 **CONCLUSIONS** As pharmacists continue to administer immunizations and educate their communities, disposal of medical waste continues to be regulated to ensure the safety of these communities. The results of a study published in 2018 found that people see their pharmacist up to 10 times as often as their primary care doctor.18 With the number of pharmacists growing every year and vaccinations remaining among the Health People 2030 goals, communities will keep benefiting from pharmacist-administered immunizations.19 ***Kathryn Kane-Neilson, BS, CT (ASCP),** is a clinical specialist of regulatory compliance at Sharps Compliance, Inc, in Houston, Texas.* ***Robin Watson, MPH, MS,** is a senior director of sales at Sharps Compliance.* **REFERENCES** 1\. Rosado H, Bates I, Pyzik O, Sousa Pinto G, Besan on L. An overview of current pharmacy impact on immunisation: a global report. International Pharmaceutical Federation. 2016. Accessed May 27, 2021. https://www.fip.org/files/fip/publications/FIP\_report\_on\_Immunisation.pdf 2\. Petrelli F, Tiffi F, Scuri S, Nguyen CTT, Grappasonni I. The pharmacist’s role in health information, vaccination and health promotion. Ann Ig. 2019;31(4):309-315. doi:10.7416/ai.2019.2264 3\. Supplies you may need at an immunization clinic. Immunization Action Coalition. March 2019. Accessed May 27, 2021. https://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3046.pdf 4\. Shaw G. Navigating PPE waste disposal during a pandemic. Pharmacy Practice News. April 20, 2021. Accessed May 18, 2021. https://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Policy/Article/04-21/Navigating-PPE-Waste-Disposal-During-a-Pandemic/63065 5\. Stop Sticks Campaign: sharps injuries: sharps disposal. CDC. Updated February 26, 2019. Accessed May 3, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/nora/councils/hcsa/stopsticks/sharpsdisposal.html 6\. Sharps disposal containers. FDA. Updated April 28, 2021. Accessed May 25, 2021. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safely-using-sharps-needlesand-syringes-home-work-and-travel/sharps-disposal-containers 7\. Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit. CDC. March 4, 2021. Accessed May 7, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/storage/toolkit/storage-handling-toolkit.pdf 8\. PharmEcology provides disposal guidelines for the 2016-2017 flu season. PharmEcology. October 11, 2016. Accessed May 7, 2021. https://www.pharmecology.com/News/Details/20 9\. Bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention. OSHA. Accessed May 27, 2021. www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/index.html 10\. OSHA fact sheet: OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standard. OSHA. January 2011. Accessed January 12, 2021. https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data\_BloodborneFacts/bbfact01.pdf 11\. Harris J. How state medical waste regulations differ. Sharps Compliance. April 5, 2017. Accessed May 18, 2021. https://blog.sharpsinc.com/statemedical-waste-regulations-differ 12\. Materials of Trade Exceptions. CFR 173.6 (2011). Accessed May 10, 2021. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2011-title49-vol2/xml/CFR-2011-title49-vol2-sec173-6.xml 13\. Using personal protective equipment (PPE). CDC. Updated August 19, 2020. Accessed January 12, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/using-ppe.html 14\. Interim infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare personnel during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. CDC. Updated February 23, 2021. Accessed May 5, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html 15\. Bloodborne pathogens. OSHA. Accessed May 3, 2021. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030 16\. Training requirements in OSHA standards. OSHA. 2015. Accessed May 10, 2021. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha2254.pdf 17\. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Hazmat transportation training requirements. Department of Transportation. October 1, 2016. Accessed April 7, 2021. https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/hazmat-transportation-training-requirements 18\. Tsuyuki RT, Beahm NP, Okada H, Al Hamarneh YN. Pharmacists as accessible primary health care providers: review of the evidence. Can Pharm J (Ott). 2018;151(1):4-5. doi:10.1177/1715163517745517 19\. Healthy People 2030. Infectious disease. Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed May 3, 2021. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/infectious-disease --- This post, [Where’s All This Waste Going? The Environmental Impact of Vaccinations in the Time of COVID-19](https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/where-s-all-this-waste-going-the-environmental-impact-of-vaccinations-in-the-time-of-covid-19), was first shared on [Pharmacy Times](https://www.pharmacytimes.com/), on July 16, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Famous Cases of HIPAA Violations](https://wastemedic.com/2021/06/27/famous-cases-of-hipaa-violations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Humans are naturally curious creatures. Simply put, wondering about our world and the other people living in it is basic human nature. For some people, celebrities are mere commodities, but for others, they’re modern marvels. Some people can’t help but be curious about the lives of the rich and famous—all the while, the itch to snoop and snitch on celebs is detrimental for those employed in health care. HIPAA laws are privacy laws in the health care industry that grant the right to protection of a patient’s health information. Basically, sneaking a quick peek at another’s medical records—which most employees have no business or privilege to know—is one of the common [risks contributing to HIPAA violations](https://www.oshamanual.com/compliance101/article/the-risks-contributing-to-hipaa-violations). Nonetheless, numerous illegal instances have occurred, completely ignoring or overlooking these rights to utter privacy. Here are a few famous cases of people who violated HIPAA and the legal consequences that followed. #### Britney Spears Britney Spears has been in the spotlight for decades, and there’s no denying that the singer’s high level of fame gave way to misfortune. When she gave birth to her son in 2005, several UCLA employees faced disciplinary action for sneaking a peek at her medical records. Oops, they did it again in 2008 when Ms. Spears was admitted to the psychiatric unit at a UCLA medical center in Los Angeles. At the time, over a dozen employees snooped on her personal evaluation files and ended up being fired or receiving a suspension. #### Michael Jackson One of the most famous cases of people who violated HIPAA has to do with the late King of Pop himself, who dealt with paparazzi, trashy tabloids, and the media circus all his life. After Mr. Jackson’s death in 2009, unauthorized staff members at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles viewed the megastar’s death certificate over 300 times. The UCLA Health system received a fine of hundreds of thousands of dollars by 2011 for these grave violations of HIPAA privacy laws. #### Kim Kardashian The famous reality star gave birth to her daughter in June 2013. While the American socialite was in the hospital at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, at least five workers viewed her medical records inappropriately out of their pressing celeb curiosity. The employment termination of these staff members was justifiable for taking “keeping up with the Kardashians” too far. Honest mistakes involving HIPAA violations can occur daily in the health care system, but these instances shed light on the growing lack of privacy for higher-profile individuals. Insider threats play a concerning role in many organizations today, and kicking curiosity to the curb in the workplace is merited when private and sensitive information is involved. --- This post, [Famous Cases of HIPAA Violations](https://www.sdentertainer.com/lifestyle/famous-cases-of-hipaa-violations/), was first shared on San Diego Entertainer Magazine, on June 23, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Businesses Administering COVID-19 Vaccine Are at Risk for Mishandling Biomedical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2021/06/27/businesses-administering-covid-19-vaccine-are-at-risk-for-mishandling-biomedical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** On April 30, 2021, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s enforcement office issued a memorandum titled “[Strengthening Enforcement in Communities with Environmental Justice Concerns](https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2021-04/documents/strengtheningenforcementincommunitieswithejconcerns.pdf "Strengthening Enforcement in Communities with Environmental Justice Concerns").” In light of the Biden administration’s recent focus on environmental justice and other social responsibility initiatives within environmental regulation, there is heightened scrutiny around compliance with environmental requirements; therefore, supermarkets, box stores, and other commercial businesses administering COVID-19 vaccines should consider the reputational risk of improper handling and disposal of medical wastes. Biomedical waste, red waste, or medical waste are potentially infectious because they contain blood and other bodily fluids. Used needles and bandages, surgical gloves, blood-stained cotton swabs, and nose swabs are examples of biomedical waste. Companies that are hosting and administering COVID-19 vaccines and handling a surge in biomedical waste are required to have a biomedical waste disposal plan that includes employee training and hiring of a properly licensed regulated waste hauler. The Biden administration may well pursue aggressive enforcement of existing regulations to protect against water pollution. Red waste often ends up in the oceans, contributing to red tide. This waste typically comprises used needles and vials and poses significant health risks to children at the beach. To avoid reputational damage associated with environmental enforcement action, and because the improper handling of red waste can result in significant federal and state fines, COVID-19 vaccination providers should review their biomedical waste handling practices to ensure compliance. Finally, irrespective of any consulting agreement that may provide for indemnification for the mishandling of biomedical wastes, companies should evaluate their potential for joint and several liability for the mishandling of biomedical wastes under applicable federal and state regulations. --- This post, [Businesses Administering COVID-19 Vaccine Are at Risk for Mishandling Biomedical Waste](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/businesses-administering-covid-19-vaccine-are-risk-mishandling-biomedical-waste), was first shared on The National Law Review, on June 15, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [CVS Exposes Over a Billion Health Records in an Unsecured Cloud Database Leak](https://wastemedic.com/2021/06/27/healthcare-giant-cvs-exposes-over-a-billion-health-records-in-an-unsecured-cloud-database-leak/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Healthcare giant CVS exposed over a billion health records via a misconfigured cloud database leak. The Woonsocket, Rhode Island-based health services provider owns CVS Pharmacy, CVS Caremark, and Aetna. Website Planet’s security researcher Jeremiah Fowler discovered the [database leak](https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/cvs-health-leak-report/) while conducting routine internet scanning for exposed cloud databases. Fowler said the database did not have any authentication mechanisms or an access password. #### Exposed health records could help attackers target users The 204 GB leaked database contained just over a billion records, including visitor and session IDs, device information (whether iPhone, iPad, or Android), and event and configuration data. The leaked database also contained multiple records for medications, including COVID-19 vaccines and CVS products for cvshealth.com and cvs.com. They also exposed the backend logging service blueprints that could allow hackers to understand how the data is stored. Fowler noted that the health records were marked for “production” and the company recorded what visitors searched possibly for analytics and user experience. Fowler noted that attackers could match customer IDs with email addresses submitted during the search functionality. “Hypothetically, it could have been possible to match the Session ID with what they searched for or added to the shopping cart during that session and then try to identify the customer using the exposed emails,” Fowler said. For some mysterious reason, website users submitted their email addresses instead of the search query on both websites. Fowler explained that users could have inadvertently submitted their emails believing they were logging in instead of conducting a search query. The total number of exposed health records was difficult to determine, given that Fowler did not download the data to protect the privacy of the victims. “The number of records would time-out or break my browsing tool when I tried to get a total number of emails … In a small sampling of records there were emails from all major email providers,” Fowler explained. Fowler informed the healthcare giant of the database leak, which was secured on the same day on March 21, 2021. #### Database leak attributed to a third-party vendor CVS spokesman acknowledged the database leak but attributed it to a third-party vendor, noting that only “non-identifiable CVS Health metadata” was exposed. “We immediately investigated and determined that the database, which was hosted by a third-party vendor, did not contain any personal information of our customers, members, or patients. We worked with the vendor to quickly take the database down. We’ve addressed the issue with the vendor to prevent a recurrence, and we thank the researcher who notified us about this matter,” he said. However, attackers could use the information to craft convincing phishing messages targeting website users whose emails and medical searches were exposed in the database leak. Fowler also noted that the data could also be used to cross-reference for other actions. He blamed human error for the database leak and users inadvertently typing their email addresses in the search bar. CVS is hardly the first health services provider to expose patient health records through database misconfiguration. In 2019, UW medicine exposed 1 million confidential health records through a misconfigured database leak. #### Problem with database leak Pravin Rasiah, VP of Product at [CloudSphere](https://cloudsphere.com/) says that healthcare systems entrusted with sensitive health records must be hypervigilant in protecting the data they collect. “Patient records, visitor sessions, and logging information are all at risk. Leaving a database exposed without a password or authentication to prevent unauthorized entry is a surefire way to put this highly sensitive data in jeopardy.” He added that the lack of proper awareness of user access could create a loophole for cybercriminals to exploit. “To ensure data remain secure, a governance platform with the ability to provide real-time updates within the cloud landscape is vital. With holistic visibility into complex deployments, user access, and security guardrails in place to identify and remediate potential misconfigurations, healthcare organizations can properly secure and protect their patients’ information.” PJ Norris, Senior Systems Engineer at [Tripwire](https://www.tripwire.com/), said that cloud misconfigurations were far too common. He noted that exposed databases on internal networks could remain unnoticed, thus preventing unauthorized public access, unlike cloud systems directly connected to the Internet. “Organizations should identify processes for securely configuring all systems, including cloud-based storage, like Elasticsearch and Amazon S3. Once a process is in place, the systems must be monitored for changes to their configurations. These are solvable problems, and tools exist today to help.” Commenting on the CVS data leak, David Pickett, Senior Cybersecurity Analyst at [Zix | AppRiver](https://appriver.com/) says that organizations must ensure that entities accessing sensitive customer information have proper security measures in place. “Companies that house personal information for millions of customers need to reflect on their current password practices and ensure they are building the safest habits to protect their company and customers from cybercriminals. In this case, the database was not protected by a password and had no authentication requirements.” He noted that implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides an extra layer of security by requiring users to confirm their identity, after entering their password through additional means such as unique codes sent to their phones or email addresses or through an authentication app. “It’s getting easier for cybercriminals to breach even the most complex password, which is why implementing 2FA is critical. Another component to be mindful of when working with third-party vendors that have access to company data is reviewing and understanding what the vendor agreement encompasses for security practices. These solutions will help to prevent companies from becoming another statistic in a long list of companies who have had data exposed online.” “Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a misconfiguration has exposed massive amounts of data online without any password protection or authentication controls in place,” says Jasen Meece, CEO of [Cloudentity](https://cloudentity.com/). “To prevent misconfigurations, organizations must implement identity and access management (IAM) controls on their databases and all other resources within their network to ensure every point of entry is secured.” He also recommended the Zero Trust approach based on user contexts (who, what, where, when, etc.) to continuously authorize users along the way before granting them access. --- This post, [Healthcare Giant CVS Exposes Over a Billion Health Records in an Unsecured Cloud Database Leak](https://www.cpomagazine.com/cyber-security/healthcare-giant-cvs-exposes-over-a-billion-health-records-in-an-unsecured-cloud-database-leak/), was first shared on CPO Magazine, on June 24, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [OSHA Considerations for Employers in Year Two of the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://wastemedic.com/2021/06/27/osha-considerations-for-employers-in-year-two-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *All employers should review and implement the all-industries guidance, and healthcare employers should take steps now to implement the ETS.* All employers should be mindful of the health and safety of their workforce and worksites, including reviewing and evaluating updated COVID-19 guidance issued by OSHA for all industries, and its Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) applicable only to healthcare employers. Both of these pronouncements were issued by OSHA on June 10, 2021. In this article, we discuss both items, together with other OSHA matters for employers to consider in year two of the COVID-19 pandemic. The genesis for the ETS and the guidance for all industries came one day after President Biden’s inauguration when he asked OSHA to consider whether any emergency temporary standards on COVID-19 were necessary. As of mid-June 2021, nearly 56 percent of the adult U.S. population was fully vaccinated, and more than 65 percent had received at least one dose. The seven day average of new COVID cases has been steadily decreasing since April. These facts likely caused OSHA to take this dual approach, wherein it issued binding compliance obligations in its ETS only to healthcare employers, and issued non-binding “guidance” to all other employers. Businesses soon will be largely shielded from COVID-19 liability lawsuits in 30 states, covering more than half the U.S. population. While details vary by state, the liability measures generally set a higher bar for plaintiffs to clear in a COVID-19 exposure lawsuit, such as showing the business’ actions or lack of safeguards amounted to gross negligence or willful misconduct. While these liability shield laws do not directly impact OSHA enforcement, many employers will consider the issues hand-in-hand. Separate from the ETS and the all-industries guidance, in March 2021, OSHA announced a COVID-19 National Emphasis Program (“NEP”) “to ensure that employees in high-hazard industries or work tasks are protected from the hazard of contractive SARS-CoV-2.” This NEP targets specific industries including healthcare, meat processing, grocery stores, warehousing and storage, restaurants, temporary help services and correctional institutions. Under the NEP, employers in these industries are at increased risk of an OSHA inspection and should take measures to implement OSHA’s all-industries guidance, or in the case of healthcare employers, the ETS. In both the all-industries guidance and ETS, OSHA has placed significant emphasis on whether employees are vaccinated. In the all-industries guidance, OSHA states that “most employers no longer need to take steps to protect their fully vaccinated workers who are not otherwise at-risk from COVID-19 exposure,” unless otherwise required by the ETS, public transportation requirements, or federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations. OSHA also stated it will not enforce 300 log recording requirements for adverse effects from an employer-mandated vaccine because the agency said it was concerned that requiring employers to list adverse reactions was hurting vaccination efforts. #### OSHA’s Updated COVID-19 Guidance This guidance is applicable to all employers. It focuses on several recommended interventions to protect unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers, and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including: **Grant time off for employees to receive the vaccine.** For many employers, this is not a new or groundbreaking recommendation, as many have already implemented programs in which employees can devote job-protected leave to obtaining the vaccination or receive extra paid time off for vaccination purposes. Instruct workers to **stay home** if they are infected with or show symptoms of the COVID-19 virus or are unvaccinated and have close contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19. **Implement physical distancing for unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers in all communal areas.** OSHA emphasizes that although requiring employees to keep six feet of distance can reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, it is not a guarantee of safety, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. The implication is that employers should go beyond merely advising employees to socially distance and instead proactively limit the number of unvaccinated or otherwise at-risk workers in one place at any given time. **Provide unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers with face coverings or surgical masks, unless their work task requires a respirator or other PPE.** OSHA reiterates that unvaccinated workers need not wear face coverings if outdoors, unless they are at-risk or otherwise required by applicable federal, state or local requirements. If an employer determines that PPE is also necessary to protect unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers, that PPE must be in accordance with relevant mandatory OSHA standards. Employers may need to provide reasonable accommodations for those individuals who are unable to wear or have difficulty wearing certain types of face coverings due to a disability or who need religious accommodation. **Educate and train workers** on your COVID-19 policies and procedures using accessible formats in language they understand. **Suggest that unvaccinated customers, visitors or guests wear face coverings.** OSHA cannot regulate non-employees; however, employers contemplating whether to encourage unvaccinated customers, visitors or guests to wear face coverings should consider that making no statement on this topic could be viewed by OSHA as not adequately protecting unvaccinated or at-risk employees. **Maintain ventilation systems.** As employers invite workforces back into physical spaces, they should consult with contractors about the status of ventilation systems, given the risk of virus transmission indoors. **Perform routine cleaning and disinfection.** OSHA recommends following the CDC’s cleaning and disinfection protocols if someone in the work area within the past 24 hours is suspected of or confirmed of having COVID-19. **Record and report COVID-19 infections and deaths.** OSHA’s mandatory rules require employers to record work-related COVID-19 illness on OSHA’s Form 300 logs if: (1) the case is a confirmed case of COVID-19 illness; (2) the case is work-related; and (3) the case involves one or more relevant recording criteria. Also, employers must report to OSHA each work-related COVID-19 fatality within eight hours of learning of the fatality and each work-related COVID-19 in-patient hospitalization within 24 hours. **Implement protections from retaliation** and set up an anonymous process for workers to voice concerns about COVID-19-related hazards. #### OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard Most healthcare employers have already implemented measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in their facilities, including following CDC guidance. The ETS, which is applicable only to healthcare employers, adopts many CDC recommendations and includes several additional requirements. The ETS requires healthcare employers to conduct a hazard assessment, to develop and implement a **COVID-19 plan** for each workplace and to engage non-managerial employees in development of the plan. **Patient screening** should include limiting and monitoring points of entry, and screening all individuals entering the facility. Develop and implement policies and procedures to adhere to **standard and transmission-based precautions** in accordance with CDC guidelines. When it comes to **personal protective equipment (PPE)**, healthcare employers must provide and ensure employees wear face masks when indoors and when occupying a vehicle with other people while working; provide respirators and other PPE for employees exposed to others with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 virus; and allow for the voluntary use of respirators instead of face masks (under what OSHA calls its “mini respiratory protection program”). The number of employees present during **aerosol-generating procedures** should be limited to essential staff only, the procedure should be performed in an existing negative-pressure patient-care room if available, and the patient room should be cleaned and disinfected after the procedure. Ensure that employees are separated by six feet unless such **physical distancing** is not feasible or is required by the job. **Implement barriers** such as transparent acrylic glass to block face-to-face pathways at fixed work locations outside of direct patient care areas (e.g., entryway/lobby, check-in desks, triage, hospital pharmacy windows and bill payment). **Clean and disinfect** patient care areas, medical equipment and high-touch surfaces. Meet certain HVAC **ventilation requirements** for healthcare employers who own or control their buildings. Employers must **screen employees** each day and each shift, which can be accomplished through self-monitoring by the employee for COVID-19 symptoms. In the event of a COVID-19 exposure, healthcare employers are required to **notify** other employees who were in close contact with the infected individual and remove them from the workplace within 24 hours, unless the exposed employee was wearing a respirator. A significant new requirement of the ETS is that employers must **compensate employees** removed from work due to the employee’s own COVID-19 diagnosis, certain symptoms or close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 up to $1,400 per week (less for employers with fewer than 500 employees). Employers must provide reasonable time and paid leave for **vaccinations** and vaccine side effects. They must **train** employees on COVID-19 workplace policies and procedures. **Anti-retaliation** protections should be implemented, including informing employees of their rights and protections specific to the ETS. **Report to OSHA** each work-related COVID-19 fatality within eight hours of learning of the fatality and each work-related COVID-19 in-patient hospitalization within 24 hour #### OSHA and a Future Infection Disease Protocol The Biden administration also announced its intent to revive a stalled occupational safety rule that would protect workers against all airborne infectious diseases, not just COVID-19. This rule initially was proposed in 2010 but never finalized. We expect a new rule to incorporate what OSHA and the CDC have learned from the ongoing pandemic. It is unlikely we would see a draft version of an infectious disease rule before October 2021, followed by a comment period. If enacted, the rule could require employers to protect workers from hazards such as tuberculosis, drug-resistant staph bacterial infections and severe acute viral respiratory infections, according to OSHA’s summary of the rulemaking. All employers should review and implement the all-industries guidance, and healthcare employers should take steps now to implement the ETS. --- This post, [OSHA Considerations for Employers in Year Two of the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://ohsonline.com/articles/2021/06/24/osha-considerations-for-employers-in-year-two.aspx), was first shared on OH&S Magazine, on June 24, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Is It a HIPAA Violation to Ask About a COVID Vaccine? Here’s What Experts Say](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/30/is-it-a-hipaa-violation-to-ask-about-a-covid-vaccine-heres-what-experts-say/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Asking someone about their [COVID-19 vaccination](https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus) status can be a touchy subject. While some are happy to chat about being vaccinated, others want to keep that information private. Some, including Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, have [claimed](https://twitter.com/nicholaswu12/status/1394776219519000583 "(opens new window)") that being asked about their vaccination status is a HIPAA violation. But others have said that’s not actually true. So what’s really going on here? Read on for what you need to know. #### What is HIPAA, again? You’re probably at least familiar with HIPAA on some level, or at least have had to sign a form about HIPAA compliance when you’ve gone to your doctor’s office. But most people are fuzzy on the specifics of the law. HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. It’s a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge, the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html "(opens new window)") (CDC) explains. There are some other elements to it, including the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which implements the requirements of HIPAA, and the HIPAA Security Rule, which protects a subset of information covered by the Privacy Rule. The Privacy Rule standards are what most people are concerned with. This addresses the use and disclosure of your health information—aka your “protected health information”—by entities that are subject to the Privacy Rule. These people or organizations are called “covered entities,” and they include health plans, health care clearing houses, and health care providers, according to the [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/index.html "(opens new window)"). The Privacy Rule also has standards for a person’s right to understand and control how your health information is used. Basically, the goal is to help make sure that your health information is properly protected, while allowing for the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care and to protect the public’s health and well-being. So, your doctor talking to your local pharmacist about a medication prescribed for you is not a HIPAA violation when you sign forms allowing for it, but your doctor disclosing details about your health condition to their friends at happy hour—and using your name—is. The Security Rule essentially means that covered entities need to work hard to protect your private health care data. #### What does HIPAA do? As a whole, HIPAA helps protect your personal health care information *under certain circumstances and situations*. (Note the italics: That’s going to come up later.) “HIPAA is important because it protects all of us from someone knowing personal medical information that we might want to keep private,” Gloria Bachmann, MD, associate dean of women’s health and director of the Women’s Health Institute at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, tells *Health*. It keeps your doctor from calling up your work and telling your boss that you’re pregnant, you have diabetes, or that you’re being treated for diabetes. (Not that your doctor would do that anyway, but you get the point.) #### So, is it a HIPAA violation to be asked if you’ve been vaccinated? Nope. “It is not a violation of federal law for an employer to ask an employee about their vaccination status,” Larry Stuart, an employment lawyer in the Houston-based law firm [Stuart PC](https://www.stuartpc.com/ "(opens new window)") and an adjunct professor at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University, tells *Health*. The same goes for businesses and their patrons. “\[HIPAA\] in no way prohibits business owners and other individuals from asking people if they have been vaccinated,” [Alan Meisel](http://bioethics.pitt.edu/people/alan-meisel-jd "(opens new window)"), a professor of law and bioethics at the University of Pittsburgh, [told *USA Today* via email](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/05/19/fact-check-asking-vaccinations-doesnt-violate-hipaa/5165952001/ "(opens new window)"). “In fact, it doesn’t even prohibit health care entities mentioned above from asking people if they have been vaccinated.” The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), too, which administers and enforces laws against workplace discrimination, “has taken the position that an employer can ask that question lawfully, and require an answer to it,” Stuart says. Things get a little trickier when it comes to a business or employer asking *why* someone is not vaccinated. “If someone has a medical disability that would prevent them from getting vaccinated, they may need to be accommodate by the American Disabilities Act,” Stuart says. And, if a person has a religious exemption, that may also need to be accommodated. All of that said, none of this is even covered under HIPAA. “That only applies if a doctor has personal health information and discloses it,” Stuart says. “It’s not covered by HIPAA if an employer asks for your vaccination status.” If your employer asked your doctor for the information, though, it *would* be information protected by HIPAA. That said, just because someone asks about your vaccination status, it doesn’t mean you have to disclose it to them. But in that situation—say, if a business asks if you’re vaccinated because they require it for entry—that business is well within its rights to deny you entry, should you refuse to disclose your vaccination status. Basically, the bottom line here: It’s not a violation of HIPAA for any employer or business to ask if you’ve been vaccinated—and while you don’t have to divulge that information, be prepared to be denied entry to a store or workplace, if you choose not to. *The information in this story is accurate as of press time. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it’s possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the* [*CDC*](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html "(opens new window)")*,* [*WHO*](https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus "(opens new window)")*, and their local public health department as resources.* --- This post, [Is It a HIPAA Violation to Ask About a COVID Vaccine? Here’s What Experts Say](https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/is-it-a-hipaa-violation-to-ask-about-covid-vaccine), was first shared on Health.com (part of the Meredith Health Group), on May 27, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Why Clinical Lab HIPAA Settlement Is Significant](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/30/why-clinical-lab-hipaa-settlement-is-significant/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A federal $25,000 [HIPAA](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/hipaa-hitech-c-282) settlement with a clinical laboratory is significant because it calls for a wide-ranging corrective action plan. And the enforcement action is unusual because it’s the result of a compliance review of a covered entity not directly tied to the data breach that triggered the investigation. Under the settlement, Peachstate Health Management LLC, a Georgia-based clinical laboratory company, must implement comprehensive reforms of its HIPAA Security Rule compliance program and designate an independent entity to monitor that compliance for three years. #### Expansive Demands “The corrective action plan is extensive. … Requiring an independent monitor is rare in HIPAA settlement agreements,” says regulatory attorney Paul Hales of the law firm Hales Law Group. “The settlement payment is very small in light of the wide scope of Peachstate’s HIPAA violations described by OCR,” he adds. “Despite the low settlement amount, the terms of the corrective action plan are strong and confirm OCR’s commitment to HIPAA enforcement.” [Privacy](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/privacy-c-151) attorney David Holtzman offers a similar assessment. “The breadth and the scope of Peachstate’s mitigation program made a part of the settlement is one of the most expansive in recent memory,” he says. “The indication is that OCR’s investigation found that the lab operator had not implemented basic measures required under the HIPAA Security Rule. This organization has a long road ahead under the terms of its three-year corrective action plan that will be overseen by an independent monitor.” #### Compliance Review The [Department of Health and Human Services](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/05/25/clinical-laboratory-pays-25000-settle-potential-hipaa-security-rule-violations.html) said its settlement with Peachstate Health Management, which does business as AEON Clinical Laboratories and is owned by AEON Global Health, stems from an Office for Civil Rights investigation into a breach reported in January 2015. The [breach](https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/breach-notification-c-327) was reported by the Department of Veterans Affairs as involving the VA’s telehealth services program managed by its business associate, Authentidate Holding Corp., or AHC. HHS OCR says it initiated a compliance review of AHC in August 2016to determine its compliance with the HIPAA privacy and security rules related to the VA breach. OCR says that during the compliance review, it learned that AHC and Peachstate had entered into a “reverse merger” in January 2016, under the [tax-free exchange](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2016/01/28/805562/13164/en/Authentidate-and-AEON-Clinical-Laboratories-Complete-Merger-to-Form-Innovative-Healthcare-Technology-Company.html), a wholly owned subsidiary of AHC merged with Peachstate. As a result of the merger, OCR says it opened a compliance review into the clinical laboratories of Peachstate to assess their compliance with the HIPAA rules. #### Multiple Failures OCR’s compliance review of Peachstate found potential violations of a number of HIPAA provisions, including failure to: Conduct an accurate and thorough enterprisewide HIPAA security [risk assessment](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/risk-assessment-c-44); Implement security measures sufficient to reduce risks and vulnerabilities to a reasonable and appropriate level as identified in its risk analysis; Implement hardware, software or procedural audit mechanisms that record and examine activity in information systems that contain or use electronic protected health information; Maintain documentation of policies and procedures to comply with the HIPAA Security Rule standards. “Clinical laboratories, like other covered health care providers, must comply with the HIPAA Security Rule,” said Robinsue Frohboese, acting OCR director. “The failure to implement basic security rule requirements makes HIPAA-regulated entities attractive targets for malicious activity, and needlessly risks patients’ electronic health information,” she said. HHS OCR did not disclose details about the VA breach that launched the agency’s HIPAA investigation. HHS OCR also did not immediately respond to Information Security Media Group’s request for additional information. #### Correction Actions In addition to a financial settlement, OCR’s [resolution agreement](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/peachstate-ra-cap.pdf) with Peachstate includes a comprehensive corrective action plan that requires the organization to: Conduct an enterprisewide risk analysis; Develop and implement a security risk management plan; Develop, implement and distribute to its workforce written policies and procedures to comply with the HIPAA standards; Provide HIPAA training for each workforce member who has access to PHI; Designate an individual or entity to be a monitor to review the entity’s compliance with the corrective action plan. #### AEON Statement In a statement provided to ISMG, AEON Global says the company is “pleased this matter had come to an agreeable end with Peachstate’s adoption of a corrective active plan designed to provide assurance of Peachstate’s continued monitoring and securing of its ePHI duties.” #### Broad Enforcement Authority The settlement with Peachstate illustrates OCR’s “broad enforcement authority to initiate compliance reviews. … Legal risk exists for all entities that may be affiliated with an entity experiencing a breach,” says privacy attorney Iliana Peters of the law firm Polsinelli. “For example, OCR has settled cases involving parent companies of HIPAA-covered entities, and covered entity clients of business associates, and now we have this settlement involving an entity related to a business associate,” she notes. HIPAA compliance at related entities can become an enforcement issue for OCR, she adds. “Due diligence related to data privacy and security, including HIPAA, as part of any merger or acquisition is crucial in our current environment,” she says. “Entities that do not have robust conversations with transaction targets about their data privacy and security posture, any security incidents experienced in recent history and any ongoing litigation or regulatory investigations related to privacy and security incidents cannot accurately assess the liability related to the transaction and may ultimately regret it.” ##### Other Settlements The settlement with Peachstate is OCR’s seventh HIPAA enforcement action so far in 2021. Five of the other settlements involved patients’ rights to access their medical records (see: [*HHS Issues Another HIPAA ‘Right of Access’ Settlement*](https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/hhs-issues-another-hipaa-right-access-settlement-a-16295)). OCR’s largest settlement so far this year – $5.1 million – was announced in January with [Excellus Health Plan](https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/excellus-health-plan-hit-51-million-hipaa-settlement-a-15777). That settlement stemmed from a hacking incident reported in 2015 that affected 9.3 million individuals. --- This post, [Why Clinical Lab HIPAA Settlement Is Significant](https://www.govinfosecurity.com/clinical-lab-hipaa-settlement-significant-a-16748), was first shared on GovInfoSecurity.com, on May 26, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [OCR Announces Settlement with Clinical Lab for Alleged HIPAA Violations](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/30/ocr-announces-settlement-with-clinical-lab-for-alleged-hipaa-violations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) this week announced a settlement with Peachstate Health Management LLC (aka AEON Clinical Laboratories) following a compliance review that uncovered alleged violations of HIPAA. The settlement includes a $25,000 payment to OCR by Peachstate, a corrective action plan, and three years of monitoring by OCR. OCR initiated a compliance review of Peachstate in December 2017 to determine its compliance with HIPAA following a report of a data breach by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The notification alleged that the data breach was caused by the VA’s vendor, which was subsequently acquired by Peachstate. According to OCR’s press release, “OCR’s investigation found systemic noncompliance with the HIPAA Security Rule, including failures to conduct an enterprise-wide risk analysis, implement risk management and audit controls, and maintain documentation of HIPAA Security Rule policies and procedures.” OCR further stated, “This settlement reiterates OCR’s commitment to ensuring compliance with rules that protect the privacy and security of protected health information.” --- This post, [OCR Announces Settlement with Clinical Lab for Alleged HIPAA Violations](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/ocr-announces-settlement-clinical-lab-alleged-hipaa-violations), was first shared on The National Law Review, on May 27, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [‘Still some way to go’ to protect nurses from sharps injuries, warns RCN](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/30/still-some-way-to-go-to-protect-nurses-from-sharps-injuries-warns-rcn/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Pandemic pressures, alongside staff fatigue and stress, are the most likely causes of a “high incidence” of sharps injuries among nurses in the past year, a report from the Royal College of Nursing has suggested. The fact that not all nurses have access to safer sharps or appropriate training and education could also be a contributing factor, said the report, which is based on responses from more than 7,500 RCN members. The report, called Blood and Body Fluid Exposures in 2020, was written by an RCN working group that was led by a New Zealand-based consultant microbiologist, Terry Grimmond. According to the survey results, during the their career, 96% of college members had experienced a blood and body fluid exposure risk and 63% had experienced a sharps injury. Meanwhile, in the past year, 15% of respondents said they had experienced a sharps injury, up from 10% in the RCN’s 2008 survey on the same issues. When this previous survey was commissioned, the RCN led a subsequent campaign for the safer use of needles in health and care settings. In 2013, following its campaign, new safer sharps regulations were introduced to try to reduce sharps injuries. The RCN commissioned the 2020 survey, which was carried out in November and December last year, to track what the situation was like now. But the college said the latest findings suggested that there was “still some way to go to protect all parts of the nursing workforce”. The survey also suggested that a quarter (25%) of mental health unit staff sustained sharps injuries in the last 12 months, as did 22% of care and nursing home staff, as well as 18% of nursing staff who worked in patients’ homes. Meanwhile, 18% of acute staff had experienced a sharps injury in the past year, while 17% of general practice staff had the same. In addition, the results revealed that more than a quarter of nursing staff (27%) felt fatigue was a contributing factor to their most recent sharps injury – the most popular reason cited. More than one in 10 (12%) said staffing levels had contributed to their injury, while 25% cited a lack of safety equipment and 9% said the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) had been a factor. A further 9% reported a lack of training and education, and 21% cited a lack of space. Overall, the RCN said there was a concerning lack of training, as 25% of those surveyed said they had no training on safe sharps use and 21% had not received any education on reporting sharps injuries. According to the report, at their last sharps injury, 35% of staff were using a safer sharp. The report authors said the reason for the “high incidence” of sharps injuries in 2020 was “difficult to ascertain as the UK has little BBFE data available, however, it is likely related to Covid-19 workloads, fatigue, and stress”. “That not all members have access to safer sharps, device training and BBFE education, may be a contributing factor to the high incidence, and also needs investigation to ascertain if reduced access is due to ‘not available from employer’ or ‘not taken up by employee’,” the report added. Results also indicated that “preventative measures by employers are not protecting” nursing staff against BBFE, noted the authors. Of those who experienced a sharps injury, 29% said it happened before a procedure, 26% during a procedure and 21% during disposal. Meanwhile, 11% cited improper disposal, 8% said it happened after device activation and 5% during device activation. Almost half (49%) of injuries were with a sterile needle. Concerningly, results also showed that after injury, less than half of respondents (48%) attended a follow-up meeting and 40% reported not receiving any medical advice. A further 82% said they perceived the disease risk from sharps injuries as “low to nil”. Jude Diggins, RCN interim director of nursing, policy and public affairs said: “These findings suggest the pandemic has highlighted a problem that has not been fully tackled yet. “Most sharps injuries can be prevented and there are legal requirements on employers to take steps to prevent healthcare staff being exposed to infectious agents from sharps injuries.” Rose Gallagher, RCN professional lead for infection prevention and control, added: “All nursing staff who work with sharps should have training in how to use them safely. “In 2013 new regulations were brought in to reduce sharps injuries but these findings suggest there is still some way to go to protect all parts of the nursing workforce.” She added: “We now need to see greater efforts for better reporting and training to not only prevent injuries but to ensure there are stronger procedures to follow-up and protect nursing staff after injuries.” The report closed with a list of recommendations including calls on organisations to review sharps injuries data and prevention policies annually, while evaluating with users the safest sharps devices available. It also recommended that semi-auto or auto safety-mechanism devices should be adopted where appropriate and that all standard devices should be removed from an organisation once they were replaced by safer devices. --- This post was first shared on Nursing Times, [‘Still some way to go’ to protect nurses from sharps injuries, warns RCN](https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/workforce/still-some-way-to-go-to-protect-nurses-from-sharps-injuries-warns-rcn-21-05-2021/), on May 21, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Does a Vaccine Passport Violate HIPAA? + More on Vaccine Passports](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/02/does-a-vaccine-passport-violate-hipaa-more-on-vaccine-passports/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Private companies are developing vaccine passports, and businesses across the U.S. are debating whether to mandate them. The following articles on vaccine passports have been published by *Becker’s Hospital Review:* 1. [**Fauci: US won’t mandate vaccine passports**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/digital-transformation/fauci-us-won-t-mandate-vaccine-passports.html)Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, [told *Politico*‘s “Dispatch” podcast](https://politico-dispatch.simplecast.com/episodes/a-one-on-one-with-dr-fauci-QsA_SU_O) that the federal government will not mandate COVID-19 vaccine passports for businesses or events, but private companies will decide whether they adopt those tools. 2. [**Does a vaccine passport violate HIPAA? Experts weigh in**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/does-a-vaccine-passport-violate-hipaa-experts-weigh-in.html)HIPAA protects a patient’s personal health information, leaving many concerned that a vaccine passport would violate those protections. 3. [**Florida governor outlaws COVID-19 vaccine passports: 3 details**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/florida-governor-outlaws-covid-19-vaccine-passports-3-details.html)Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis [signed](https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EO-21-81.pdf) an executive order April 2 prohibiting the use of COVID-19 vaccine passports in the state. 4. [**COVID-19 vaccine passports raise ethics concerns: 5 details**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/covid-19-vaccine-passports-raise-ethics-concerns-5-details.html)Governments are debating the idea of requiring COVID-19 vaccine passports, raising ethical concerns about those who would get left behind, like minority communities or older adults. 5. [**Four obstacles facing digital COVID-19 vaccine passports**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/digital-transformation/4-obstacles-facing-digital-covid-19-vaccine-passports.html)Questions are being raised about how digital vaccine credentials will be developed, made accessible and used. Here are four obstacles facing vaccine passports, such as counterfeits and privacy. --- This post was first shared on Becker’s Health IT, [Does a Vaccine Passport Violate HIPAA? + More on Vaccine Passports](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/does-a-vaccine-passport-violate-hipaa-4-other-vaccine-passport-articles.html), on April 6, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Why the COVID-19 Waste Management is Complicated](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/02/why-the-covid-19-waste-management-is-complicated/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The COVID-19 pandemic instantly increased demand for some types of medical waste management, such as the disposal of personal protective equipment and testing supplies. Waste management companies met this challenge last year, but it required a lot of flexibility, they said. This year, health care providers have to dispose millions of needles and empty vaccine vials. But a shortage of sharps containers, the plastic buckets in which clinicians throw away old syringes and vials, is a problem. #### Reacting of future needs Waste managers are also trying to predict the pandemic’s long-term effects on medical waste management and reshape their companies to meet future needs. The US company Stericycle, one of the country’s largest medical waste management operators, reported that the pandemic slightly increased the demand for medical waste management. “Elective surgeries have been completely closed and yet we’re still able to see growth,” CEO Cindy Miller said on a February conference call. “We’ve got an uptick from COVID, whether it’s the testing and the vaccinations and all of that.” The pandemic brought medical waste outside of the normal health care setting. Testing and vaccine clinics opened up in parking lots, and waste management companies have had to adapt. Testing at long-term care facilities generated lots of waste, and cleaning companies started asking for help with coronavirus-related jobs. Now county health departments need help getting rid of used syringes. Medical waste manager Sharps Compliance, with its biggest customers pharmacies, installed more cleaning equipment and added warehouse space last year to increase its capacity. CEO David Tusa expects that to pay off this spring. “While the COVID-19-related orders we’ve received today are very significant, we do believe we’re just getting started as the country works to immunize Americans against the virus,” he said on a January conference call. #### Mass vaccination sites Jim Anderson, Stericycle’s VP of product management and innovation, wrote in an email that patients usually get vaccines in doctors’ offices or pharmacies. For COVID-19 vaccines, mass vaccination sites and hospitals are playing a bigger role. CEO Miller said the pandemic has also made waste management less of a commodity. Previously, health care providers cared primarily about price. Now, she said, they’re looking for a company that can help them respond to the twists and turns that come along with a pandemic. “The pandemic certainly brings a lot of regulation, a lot of uncertainty to many of those smaller, independent doctor facilities,” Miller said on the Stericycle conference call. “We’ve enhanced our consulting services. We’ve targeted it toward what’s happening today and what do people need to be aware of as opposed to just a package deal of just the basics.” However, the fundamentals of waste management haven’t changed. In an email, Anderson wrote that the current vaccine rollout is similar to immunization efforts during the flu season. “However, unlike other vaccines, the development and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine can change very quickly as new versions become available, and this may vary by states,” he wrote. “The sheer number of COVID-19 vaccinations and the ever-shifting information of when vaccines will be available has made vaccination administration and waste management challenging.” David Skinner, executive vice president of business development at the medical waste company Daniels Health, agreed. Daniels Health saw an increase in demand, but Skinner said the main challenge has been reacting quickly. “Operationally, it’s the same,” Skinner told FreightWaves. “We just have to set up a lot of sites at very quick notice, for people who needed assistance to set up a COVID vaccination waste stream.” #### Sharps container shortage As the demand for needle disposal is spiking, some health care providers are having trouble ordering sharps containers. A fire at a chemical plant serving two major manufacturers, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) and Cardinal Health, disrupted the supply of resin needed to make sharps containers. In emails, representatives from both companies said the fire has made it harder to meet demand, but they’re working to address the problem. Meanwhile, competitors are stepping in. OakRidge Products, which makes plastic items for health care and other industries, has seen a surge in new customers. Daniels Health, which provides reusable sharps containers, has also seen increased interest after the fire. OakRidge CEO Conor O’Malley said sharps container sales were already up by about 20% before the fire, which he attributed to the vaccine rollout. “Our production facilities are super busy, but we’re managing to take in every order that comes in,” O’Malley told FreightWaves. --- This post was first shared on Waste Management World, [Why the COVID-19 Waste Management is Complicated](https://waste-management-world.com/a/why-the-covid-19-waste-management-is-complicated), on March 15, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [HIPAA, the Health Privacy Law That’s More Limited Than You Think, Explained](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/02/hipaa-the-health-privacy-law-thats-more-limited-than-you-think-explained/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The first thing you should know about HIPAA is that it’s HIPAA, not HIPPA. There is only one P, and that P doesn’t stand for “privacy.” “People make up what that acronym stands for,” Deven McGraw, co-founder and chief regulatory officer of the medical records platform Ciitizen and former deputy director for health information privacy at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR), told Recode. “More often than not, \[they think it’s\] Health Information Privacy Protection Act: HIPPA. Yeah, that law does not exist.” Both the misspelling and the widespread belief that HIPAA confers a strict set of privacy protections to any and all health data — and that everyone is subject to those laws — are common and understandable mistakes: HIPAA is pronounced like “hippo” but with an “a,” and most patients only come across it when signing the notice of privacy practices that the law mandates their health care providers have them sign. Plus, most people consider their health information to be very sensitive and assume their lawmakers have put the appropriate guardrails in place to keep it as private as possible. But HIPAA’s privacy rules are more limited than they may realize. “HIPAA has great branding because everyone knows it, even if they spell it wrong,” Lucia Savage, chief privacy and regulatory officer at Omada Health and former chief privacy officer at HHS’s Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, told Recode. “What is not well understood is its limits. It’s very specifically a law that regulates information that is collected because a person is seeking health care.” Normally, the misunderstanding would be an innocuous if annoying one. But the pandemic has helped bring health privacy issues to the fore. As with many other things over the past year, we’ve moved many of our health interactions online. Some of those may not be covered by HIPAA, but many people simply assume they are. And as the pandemic became increasingly politicized, many people cited HIPAA as an excuse to get out of mask mandates and to declare vaccine passports to be illegal. Neither of these assertions is true, but that hasn’t stopped many people from making them — even though using them to avoid public safety measures could be harmful to everyone. “It sure seems to have gotten worse in the Covid era, because the misinformation that’s being promulgated through social media channels is wildly off-base and yet asserted with such a high level of confidence that people believe it,” McGraw said. The perception that HIPAA is solely a health privacy law that everyone is subject to has become so common that there’s now a Twitter account to document it. A few months into the pandemic, [Bad HIPPA Takes](https://twitter.com/BadHippa) — the misspelling is an intentional nod to how often people who claim to know the law get the acronym wrong — emerged. It was created by an anonymous former health care provider who told Recode they were sick of seeing rampant misinformation about HIPAA and concerned that it could cause harm. The Bad HIPPA Takes account creator says some of the most common HIPAA inaccuracies over the past year have been about wearing masks, contact tracing, mandatory temperature checks, and, now, vaccine passports. “There is a massive amount of confusion about who and what HIPAA actually applies to,” they said. “The sheer volume of bad information about it is nearly insurmountable.” Suffice it to say, Bad HIPPA Takes has plenty of material to draw from for its more than 11,000 followers. But actually informing the general public about what HIPAA does is another matter. “Trying to get people to understand what a Covered Entity or Business Associate is in 280 characters is not an easy task,” the person who runs the account said. “I can write the words, but of course this platform doesn’t lend itself well to considered, nuanced discussion.” ### What HIPAA actually does So what does that one P stand for if not privacy? Portability, obviously. HIPAA is short for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The 1996 law’s origins lie in creating federal standards for digitizing medical claims data and records (“accountability”) and allowing employees to have health insurance coverage, including for preexisting conditions, when they changed jobs (that’s the “portability”) — rights they did not have before the Affordable Care Act. The privacy provision that most of us associate HIPAA with today wasn’t actually the focus of the law at the time. “When Congress was passing this law, they realized that there was going to be this massive digitization of health data, and there might need to be privacy protections for that,” McGraw said. It took a few years to work those out, so HIPAA’s privacy rules weren’t issued until the end of 2000, and didn’t fully take effect until 2002. They were most recently [updated](https://www.hipaajournal.com/2013-hipaa-guidelines/) in 2013. There are several elements to HIPAA, including provisions to prevent health care fraud, simplify and standardize medical records, rules for pre-tax employee medical savings accounts, and to ensure continuous health insurance coverage for employees who lost or changed their jobs. For the purposes of this explainer, we’re focusing on the privacy rule, which falls under its [administrative simplification](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hipaa-simplification-201303.pdf) section. HIPAA only applies to what are called “[covered entities](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/covered-entities/index.html).” Those are, essentially, health care providers (doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies, for instance), health insurers, and health care clearinghouses (which process medical data). It also covers their “business associates,” or contractors who have to handle medical records in some way to do work for those covered entities. Those parties are required to follow certain protocols to keep your protected health information secure and private. And that’s why your health care provider or insurer might require you to communicate with them through secure, HIPAA-compliant channels and patient portals, or take other steps to verify your identity before discussing protected health information with you. HIPAA’s privacy rule also requires that health care providers give you, the patient, a [notice of their privacy practices](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr/privacy/hipaa/npp_layered_hc_provider.pdf) and allow you to access your own medical records. In fact, a lot of HIPAA complaints from patients aren’t about privacy violations but about lack of access to medical records. If you think your HIPAA rights have been violated, you can complain to the HHS [Office of Civil Rights](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html). But — and this is another common misconception, as indicated by the above tweets — you can’t sue the alleged offender yourself. The Office of Civil Rights takes action, if warranted, for instance by issuing fines or even criminal penalties to offenders. ### What HIPAA doesn’t do It’s important to note that medical privacy didn’t begin with HIPAA, and it’s not the only health privacy law out there. There are other laws that protect [certain](https://www.aidslawpa.org/alpp-services/confidentiality-of-hiv-related-information/#:~:text=State%20and%20federal%20laws%20prohibit,with%20HIV%20is%20still%20pervasive.) types of health information: Some [states](https://consumercal.org/about-cfc/cfc-education-foundation/cfceducation-foundationyour-medical-privacy-rights/confidentiality-of-medical-information-act/) have their own stricter medical privacy laws, or things like the Americans With Disabilities Act, which mandates that employers must keep disability-related medical information about their employees confidential. And the concept of doctor-patient confidentiality has existed for a long time — it’s part of the Hippocratic Oath (which is not a law) — and that trust is a necessary part of good medical care. “If I’m the doctor and you’re the patient, you come to me, you might tell me some really secret things,” Savage said. “And I need to know that to give you the right care and diagnose you properly.” At the same time, many of us freely give away our health information to [all kinds of places](https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/non-covered_entities_report_june_17_2016.pdf) and people who have no real legal obligation to keep that information private or secure. With the internet, there are more ways to do that than ever. “I think generally, when you’re talking about interactions with the health care system, the likelihood that they’re protected by HIPAA is very strong,” McGraw said. “Now, where those things break down: Obviously, if you’re recording your steps on a Fitbit or you’re using a nutrition app, that’s not going to be covered by HIPAA.” That therapist appointment you tweeted about? Your vaccine Instagram selfie? Your membership in a Facebook support group for people who have herpes? The period tracker app on your phone? The heart rate monitor on your wrist? Browsing WebMD for information about your recent lupus diagnosis? The mail-order DNA test? The Uber trip you took to the emergency room? That’s all health information, most of it is directly tied to you, it can be sensitive, and none of it is covered by HIPAA (unless protected health information is shared with a covered entity, as is the case with [some digital health services](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/health-care-provider-apps-are-private-but-fitness-apps-not-so-much)). And then we’ve got the organizations that handle health data but aren’t covered by HIPAA, including most schools, law enforcement, life insurers, and even [employers](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/employers-health-information-workplace/index.html). They may be covered by other privacy laws, but HIPAA isn’t one of them. And right now, even some things that actually are covered by HIPAA have been given a temporary enforcement waiver due to the pandemic. The Office of Civil Rights will [not be enforcing](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html) its rule requiring health care providers to use HIPAA-compliant portals for telehealth, [nor will it require](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/01/19/ocr-announces-notification-enforcement-discretion-use-online-web-based-scheduling-applications-scheduling-covid-19-vaccination-appointments.html) covered entities to use HIPAA-compliant systems to schedule vaccines — an issue that arose when some health services’ sign-up portals crashed and the services turned to Eventbrite. Eventbrite is a good service for getting a lot of people signed up for an event in high demand, but it’s not HIPAA-compliant. The Office of Civil Rights told Recode that enforcement discretion will remain in effect “until the Secretary of HHS determines that the public health emergency no longer exists.” All this is to say that if you go to Starbucks (not a covered entity) and refuse to wear a mask because you say you have a health condition, it is not a HIPAA violation if the barista asks you what that condition is, nor is it a HIPAA violation if Starbucks refuses service to you. If your doctor were to walk into that Starbucks and broadcast your health information to anyone within earshot without your permission, *that* would be a HIPAA violation. It would also be a good time to consider changing doctors. Fortunately, HIPAA allows you to request your medical records and bring them to a new provider. And if someone else happened to record your doctor’s outburst and put it on TikTok, that’s not a HIPAA violation, even though it does include information that was once protected by HIPAA. “The protections don’t cling to the data and protect it all the way downstream,” McGraw said. Additionally, someone asking if you’ve been vaccinated is not a HIPAA violation. In fact, it’s not a HIPAA violation for anyone to ask about any health condition you may have, though it might be considered rude. A business requiring you to show proof that you’ve been vaccinated before you can enter is not a HIPAA violation. Your employer requiring you to be vaccinated and show proof before you can go to the office is not a HIPAA violation. Schools requiring that students get certain vaccinations before they’re allowed to attend is not a HIPAA violation. Oh, and vaccine passports — which the Biden administration has [already said](https://www.vox.com/recode/22349266/vaccine-passports-vaccination-record-commpass-walmart-walgreens) it has no plans to mandate and which have been around for decades, [if not longer](https://www.npr.org/2021/04/08/985253421/the-history-of-vaccine-passports-in-the-u-s-and-whats-new) — are also not HIPAA violations. Let’s look at New York’s Excelsior Pass. To use it, you are voluntarily giving the app permission to access your health records, and, as the app’s disclaimer [clearly states](https://epass.ny.gov/terms): “\[T\]he website is not provided to you by a health care provider, so, as such, you are not providing protected health information for health care treatment, payment, or operations (as defined under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)).” That’s not to say there might not be other, non-HIPAA violations at play here. Certain anti-discrimination laws limit what medical information employers and businesses can require their employees or customers to provide, and they are mandated to make reasonable accommodations for qualifying health conditions. But even those other laws do not, as we’ve seen, mean that businesses [have to allow unmasked people](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-warns-inaccurate-flyers-and-postings-regarding-use-face-masks-and) in their establishments or that they can’t require employees to get vaccinated (unless they have a medical or religious reason why they can’t be). ### Closing the health privacy law gap So HIPAA isn’t the all-inclusive health privacy law so many people assume it is, but that mass assumption suggests that such a law is both wanted and needed. HIPAA has a lot of gaps that a privacy law can and should fill. The pandemic has only made this more apparent. “People are fairly protective of their health information,” Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), told Recode. “They just assume it would be covered because it’s absurd that it’s not.” Experts believe this coverage must come from comprehensive federal privacy laws that include provisions for sensitive information, like health data, or for what could be considered sensitive uses of data. “What we need is for Congress to pass a comprehensive privacy law that sets limits on what the companies can use this data for, how long they can keep it, who they can disclose it to, and doesn’t put the burden of dealing with that on the individual,” Fitzgerald said. “The burden needs to be on the company that’s collecting the data to protect it and to minimize its use.” Savage said people who are concerned with health privacy laws might find a more productive use of their time in contacting their legislators to advocate for the health privacy laws they believe they are entitled to. “For individual legislators to move on something, they have to understand why it’s important,” Savage said. “And that’s where the human stories come in. Even just an email to your legislator saying, ‘I had this thing happen and I was really worried, it made me vaccine-hesitant. Can you please fix this?’” Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) is one of several lawmakers who have pushed for better health privacy protections during the pandemic, including as a co-sponsor of the Public Health Emergency Privacy Act, a bill that was introduced in both houses of Congress in 2020 and reintroduced in early 2021. It would protect digital health data collected for the purpose of stopping the pandemic (for instance, by contact tracing apps or vaccine appointment booking tools) from being used for unrelated purposes by the government or private businesses. “HIPAA provides some protections for our health information, but technology has advanced must faster than our laws,” DelBene told Recode. “The Public Health Emergency Privacy Act shows how we can protect consumers’ information during the pandemic, but I believe we need to go further since this issue permeates every part of our digital lives.” DelBene recently introduced the Information Transparency and Personal Data Control Act, which includes added protections for sensitive information like health data. It’s one of what will likely be several consumer privacy bills introduced this session, any one of which could give Americans better health privacy protections. That is, of course, assuming any of them actually pass. In the meantime, well, at least we have the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which can — and has — gone after apps and websites that violated their own privacy policies, [including a period tracker app](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/01/developer-popular-womens-fertility-tracking-app-settles-ftc). And while Bad HIPPA Takes is no fan of how the law has been misinterpreted to erroneously declare that vaccine passports are illegal, they are concerned with where individual privacy (not HIPAA) rights stop and where a business’s property rights begin when it comes to those passports. “If you live in rural America and Walmart is your only grocery store, do you just have to shop online forever, at additional cost and expense, because they decide to require vaccination to enter their stores?” they asked. “What if you are in that situation and are unbanked? The so-called digital divide could make things worse for a lot of people in the short term if implementation of a vaccine passport system is done recklessly.” That’s not a HIPAA take, but it is a take worth considering. --- This post was first shared on Vox, [HIPAA, the Health Privacy Law That’s More Limited Than You Think, Explained](https://www.vox.com/recode/22363011/hipaa-not-hippa-explained-health-privacy), on April 20, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Navigating PPE Waste Disposal During a Pandemic](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/02/navigating-ppe-waste-disposal-during-a-pandemic/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The increase in the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and its use during the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a rise in medical waste as institutions dispose of gowns, gloves, masks, face shields and shoe covers that have been exposed to the virus. “There definitely is more regulated medical waste being generated, and a lot of it is derived from PPE,” said Rudy Vingris, the health care business development manager at Waste Management Sustainability Services. The challenge, he noted, “is that there isn’t a national standard that applies across the board to determining what types of COVID-19–related PPE should be regulated as medical waste. It’s up to individual states.’ The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the CDC released guidance specific to COVID-19 waste, which determined that the virus is a Category B infectious substance. This means PPE and other medical waste generated in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 can be managed in the same way as other waste related to Category B infectious substances, in contrast to the more hazardous Category A infectious waste generated in the management of diseases such as Ebola. “This classification means that, unless the PPE is grossly contaminated with blood or bodily fluids to the extent it could lead to an infection, it is technically just trash and can go to the solid waste stream,” Vingris said. However, given that COVID-19 is a highly communicable disease, treating exposed PPE as ordinary waste rather than hazardous medical waste gives some people pause. “The University of Nebraska Medical Center has done studies on surface and air contamination associated with the virus, and has found measurable concentrations in the air and on surfaces where patients have been,” said Fred Massoomi, PharmD, the senior director at Visante (*[Sci Rep](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69286-3)* 2020;10\[1\]:12732). “We know this is a virus that likes to linger. So, while some systems are managing COVID-related PPE as routine waste, others are treating it as biohazard waste that gets autoclaved or incinerated, depending on how they classify it.” **Clues From the States** Many states have issued their own guidance statements on managing PPE exposed to the coronavirus. New Jersey, for example, clarifies that “PPE and cleaning materials (e.g., wipes, rags) contaminated with blood, excretion, exudates, or secretions from humans who have COVID-19 are considered regulated medical waste,” whereas materials that are not contaminated in that way can be disposed of as ordinary waste. California allows for some discretion in its regulations on PPE: “If the facility determines that any PPE should be disposed of \[as solid waste\], used gloves, face masks, coveralls, etc., should be placed in a lined container, preferably with a lid/cover. Tightly close off the bag before disposing the solid waste items into the … waste bin for pickup by the waste management company.” Disposal of regulated medical waste is, of course, much more costly than solid waste. “It’s more expensive by probably an order of magnitude of 10 times or more, although not as expensive as something like RCRA \[Resource Conservation and Recovery Act\] waste that we would see in an oncology pharmacy,” Vingris said. “So is it breaking the budget? No, but it is definitely something that folks have had to adapt their planning and budget for as part of overall waste management.” Furthermore, “as hospitals and pharmacies set up vaccination centers, they will also be generating even more waste that is definitely considered regulated medical waste, such as sharps containers. That is definitely going to drive up costs at these institutions.” --- This post was first shared on Parmacy Practice News, [Navigating PPE Waste Disposal During a Pandemic](https://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Policy/Article/04-21/Navigating-PPE-Waste-Disposal-During-a-Pandemic/63065), on April 20, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [How Much Excess Medical Waste is Created by COVID-19 Vaccinations?](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/02/how-much-excess-medical-waste-is-created-by-covid-19-vaccinations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** In any given year, vaccines are given out and needles and syringes have to be disposed of. But what about this year? How much excess medical waste is created by COVID-19 vaccinations? In short, it’s a lot. Naomi Friesz, a nurse, has been doling out shots on the frontlines since they were made available. She said Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health, alone, has given out thousands, likely tens of thousands more doses this year than any other year she knows of. So, where does it all go? “For the vaccinations, what we’re looking at is the syringes and needles are handled as regulated infectious waste,” Diana Trussell, Solid Waste Program manager, said. Trussell oversees the Division of Waste Management at the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. “…So specifically, they’ll typically go into a sharps container,” she said. This is a statewide policy, according to Trussell. “If it’s not handled appropriately, we would be putting our landfill operators more at risk,” she said. Trussell says no complaints have been made from North Dakota landfills at this point. Once the sharps disposal containers are full, they are locked up and stored away until there are enough to be picked up on a truck and shipped to the eastern side of the state. “On a normal basis they came probably every couple of months,” Friesz said. She is also the Immunization Coordinator for Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health. “Now it’s probably been more, every two to three weeks that we’ve had to have them come. And actually, we’ve had them send, you know, like maybe four boxes, instead of just the two that we would normally be sending,” she added. So, what happens to the piles of medical waste once it’s picked up? “They’re burned in an incinerator facility,” Friesz said. “We do have an autoclave in Valley City and what that does is it will render it non-infectious, and that’s through pressure and temperature,” Trussell said. “…But also, they need to become non-sharp, so that can happen through grinding.” “…Then they can be disposed of at the landfill,” she said. “But typically, a lot of it is handled out of state.” Ultimately, it’s the same process with the COVID-19 vaccine as any other. “It works. It’s fine, it works,” Friesz said. Trussell says the supply chain is set up to accommodate this large of a volume. An exact amount increase in COVID-19 vaccine medical waste is unclear right now, but Trussell expects to see a spike in the Regulated Infectious Waste Report for 2021. That will be released next year. Trussell adds, once these needles and syringes are disinfected and no longer sharp, they are just like any other waste in our landfills. She says although there’s a larger quantity of these this year, they are still small enough not to cause any additional environmental concern. --- This post was first shared on Chicago’s Very Own WGN TV, [How much excess medical waste is created by COVID-19 vaccinations?](https://wgntv.com/news/how-much-excess-medical-waste-is-created-by-covid-19-vaccinations/), on April 15, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Arbour Hospital Pays OCR $65K Over HIPAA Right of Access Violation](https://wastemedic.com/2021/03/31/arbour-hospital-pays-ocr-65k-over-hipaa-right-of-access-violation/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *The $65,000 settlement with Arbour Hospital is the seventeenth made by OCR under its HIPAA Right of Access Initiative, an agency compliance priority.* The Department of Health and Human Services [announced](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/03/24/ocr-settles-seventeenth-investigation-in-hipaa-right-of-access-initiative.html) it reached a $65,000 settlement with Massachusetts-based Arbour Hospital, which resolved potential violations of the HIPAA right of access standard. It’s the seventeenth enforcement action taken under the OCR’s Right of Access Initiative. Launched in 2019 as an agency enforcement priorit, the effort is designed to support the right of patients to access their medical records in a timely fashion and in a desired format. HIPAA requires covered entities and relevant business associates to provide patients with timely access to their protected health information within a designated record set, with few exceptions. Providers must send requested records within 30 days, or within 60 days if an extension is applicable. For Arbour Hospital, the enforcement action stems from a patient complaint filed with OCR in July 2019. The patient alleged that he requested records from the hospital beginning on May 7, 2019 and had yet to receive them at the time of the complaint, nearly two months later. OCR responded by providing Arbour Hospital with technical assistance on right of access requirements. But several weeks later, the patient again notified OCR that he still had not received his requested records. HHS launched an investigation into the incident and found the patient sent Arbour Hospital a signed, written request for his medical records and that the hospital failed to respond to the request in a timely manner. As a direct result of the investigation, the patient received the requested records on November 1, 2019, more than five months after his initial request. “Healthcare providers have a duty to provide their patients with timely access to their own health records,” Acting OCR Director Robinsue Frohboese, said in a statement. “OCR will hold providers accountable to this obligation so that patients can exercise their rights and get needed health information to be active participants in their health care,” she added. In addition to the $65,000 civil monetary penalty, Arbour Hospital has agreed to adhere to a [corrective action](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/arbour-racap.pdf) plan that includes two years of monitoring from OCR. The hospital is required to develop and maintain written access policies and procedures to address the right of access requirements to comply with the HIPAA Privacy Rule that governs PHI. At a minimum, the policies must include protocols for training all hospital staff and business associates involved with receiving or fulfilling access requests to ensure compliance with the policies and procedures. Training must occur within 60 days of HHS approval. Arbour Hospital will also need to develop a process for reviewing business associate performance in regards to access requests, as well as terminating business associate relationships that fail to meet the hospital’s right of access policies. The hospital will also need to assign a leader to be responsible for reviewing and maintaining business associate agreements, specifically as it pertains to access responsibilities. Despite HIPAA’s right of access rule, many [providers](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/ciitizen-significant-improvement-in-hipaa-right-of-access-compliance) fail to fully comply. An [OCR audit](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/ocr-healthcare-hipaa-compliance-report-finds-phi-security-failures) recently found 89 percent of providers failed to comply with right of access requirements. To further its prioritization, OCR has made right of access compliance a key priority. In the last six months alone, the agency has applied enforcement actions against eight separate providers for potential access violations, including a $160,000 settlement with [Dignity Health](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/dignity-health-to-pay-ocr-160k-for-hipaa-right-of-access-failure). HHS has also proposed changing the [HIPAA ](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/hhs-extends-comment-period-for-hipaa-privacy-rule-changes)rule to further enhance patient access rights. --- This post was first shared on Health IT Security, [Arbour Hospital Pays OCR $65K Over HIPAA Right of Access Violation](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/arbour-hospital-pays-ocr-65k-over-hipaa-right-of-access-violation), on March 25, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Ways to Dispose of Medications Safely and Legally](https://wastemedic.com/2021/03/31/ways-to-dispose-of-medications-safely-and-legally/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** According to a survey done in 2017, which is conducted on a large sample of Americans by Consumer ­Reports, about 30% of Americans did not clean out their medicine cabinets for over a year and nearly 20% have not done so in the last 3 years. Additionally, most Americans do not know [how to clean](https://www.fagronsterile.com/newsroom/spring-cleaning-2020) their medicine cabinets correctly. Those unused and expired medicines not only add clutter to our closets but also may cause accidental poisonings and harm the environment. So, let’s go through this article to learn the proper methods of drug disposal. #### What do we mean by the disposal of medication? The disposal of medication is a method to safely discard any drugs. Here are the steps to take when discarding undesirable drugs: **The decision,** regarding what needs to be done to the unwanted drugs as they can be harmful. **Approval,** from the concerned authority of the country. **Planning,** in terms of budget, essential expertise, manpower, professional time, space, equipment, material, and available disposing options. **Forming work teams,** comprising pharmacists and medical employees. **Health and safety of work teams,** such as proper protective gear, including boots, gloves, masks, and caps for their safety. **Sorting,** to distinguish the drugs into separate categories, in which different discarding procedures are assigned. **Proper Disposal,** based on circumstances to formulate the easiest, safest, and most practical choices. **Security,** with the use of controlled drugs like narcotics and psychotropics. Necessary measures must be taken to stop diversion during the sorting of drugs from dumps. #### Get rid of unwanted medications at home: **Return Medications:** many pharmacies and hospitals have programs that take back unused drugs. **Disposal Kiosk:** In almost all the states, there are Walgreens’ free, anonymous, ­secure kiosks that allow the disposal of any medication. **Trash Them:** before throwing the drugs into the trash, people must take the following steps: Make the medicines unappealing: It is advisable to mix any unwanted medicines with something unappealing to keep people and animals at bay. Protect: Collect all the unwanted or expired medicines and put them in a sealed container. Get rid of it: throw it (sealed container) in the trash. Delete personal details: A marker can be used to erase all personal data from the used containers. Usually, all the medicines, whether prescribed ones or over-the-counter, can be disposed of into the household trash unless otherwise specified on the label. Flushing: If none of the above choices are feasible and or for drugs, like opioids, the FDA recommends flushing them down the toilet. Still, one of the best ways to dispose of medication is to bring it to a take-back location, pharmacy, hospital, or health department near you. Additionally, even when it’s already empty you must always keep medications in a locked medicine cabinet to protect them from children and pets until you are ready to dispose of them. According to the FDA, if there are no drug take-back programs nearby, there are a few drugs that could be flushed down via the toilet. #### Disposal methods based on their category **Discarding semi-solids, solids, and powder:** They should be dumped by utilizing various techniques like waste encapsulation, waste inertization, medium, and high-temperature incineration respectively. **Discarding Liquids:** Readily biodegradable organic material, like liquid vitamins, non-toxic solutions of different concentrations of certain salts, amino acids, lipids, or glucose, may be diluted and flushed into a sewer. **Discarding Ampoules:** Ampoules are made up of glass and can be broken down on a concrete or drum using a hammer. Protective gear, such as boots, clothing, goggles, and gloves should be worn before breaking them. The broken glass should be collected carefully and placed in a container that’s specifically designed for sharp objects. The container should then be sealed, and then disposed of according to the local guidelines. Do not burn them as there is a risk of will explosion. **Discarding** **Anti-infective drugs:** They should not be eliminated in an untreated form. As most of them are hazardous, they are best incinerated or encapsulated. Liquid anti-infective drugs are first diluted in water and left for two weeks, then disposed of in the sewer. **Discarding controlled substances:** All medications that could be used by drug addicts are usually destroyed under the supervision of the police in some jurisdictions. **Disposal of controversial drugs**: Controversial drugs are those associated with substance abuse and prohibited drugs, which must receive special attention at their disposal. In some countries, the police might seize such drugs as contraband, and then destroy them. The disposal of such drugs is challenging for governments. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has provided a list of medications that could be flushed down the toilet if no other options are available. These medications include controlled substances that are dangerous to pets and other people in the home. They should be disposed of immediately when no longer needed. For example, Dilaudid (hydromorphone hydrochloride) tablets, fentanyl patches, and morphine sulfate oral solution. **Discarding Antineoplastics:** As we know, antineoplastic drugs can kill or stop the growth of living cells, which is why they are used in the chemotherapy of [cancer](https://www.gilmorehealth.com/cancer-latest-facts-types-causes-symptoms-prevention-risk-factors-and-treatments/). If the unwanted drugs are discharged into the environment, they can have very serious effects, such as killing bacteria in the sewage, aquatic life, and various life forms. Hence, they must be safely disposed of. At first, such drugs should be separated from other pharmaceuticals and kept separately in marked containers. Then, they can be safely packaged and returned to the supplier for disposal. **Discarding Disinfectants:** Disinfectants do not have an expiry date, so they can be stored and gradually used over time; there is no real need to dispose of them. However, they must be stored safely. Flushing down disinfectants is not recommended as they may kill the bacteria in the sewers that are needed to break down waste. Certain disinfectants like Lysol with strong bactericidal and antiviral activity may still be useful even after their expiration dates and could still be used for general cleaning purposes. It is unwise to dispose of large quantities of disinfectant into watercourses since the disinfectants will damage aquatic life. Nevertheless, a small quantity of diluted disinfectant may be flushed down the sewer under the supervision of a pharmacist. The quantities are strictly controlled to set limits. **Discarding needles and syringes:** It is important to appropriately discard syringes and needles to prevent cuts or punctures. They can be destroyed by doing these steps: Instantly put the used needles or syringes into a sharps disposal container. Keep those containers in a safe place–out of reach from children and animals. Never overfill sharp-discarding container. When traveling, always take a travel-size sharp discarding bottle. The sharp disposal containers can be obtained by contacting the pharmacy that dispensed the injectable medicine. Injectable products include needles and pen needles, syringes, autoinjectors and pens (pre-filled devices), vials containing an injectable product, insulin medicines, etc. How to dispose of sharp medical instruments may vary from country to country, so one should follow the local guidelines. The patient could also try to get a sharps disposal container that could be returned after use for proper disposal. In the case this option is not available, the used sharps should be dropped at special collection sites. **Discarding inhalers:** If the Inhaler commodities are discarded inappropriately, it can be risky. It’s also dangerous if they are thrown into a fire or punctured during disposal. One can call their local trash disposing center to know the best technique used in their locality to discard inhalers or any aerosol products. People should read instructions on the labeling and follow local regulations and laws regarding the disposal of aerosol products. Still, some inhalers can be disposed of or recycled. #### References “[Biomedical Waste: Its Effects and Safe Disposal](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295549974_Biomedical_Waste_Its_Effects_and_Safe_Disposal)“, Environmental Waste Management, CRC Press, pp. 95–108, 2016-04-19, doi:10.1201/b19243-8, ISBN 978-0-429-08348-8, retrieved 2020-12-31 “[Pharmaceutical Waste Compliance For Healthcare Facilities](https://www.state.nj.us/dep/enforcement/1%20RCRA%20Pharmaceutical%20Waste%20-%20Best%20Management%20Practices%20-Vona%205-17-12.pdf)” (PDF). The Official WebsiteHealthcaretate of New Jersey. Jaseem, Mohammed (2017). “[An Overview of Waste Management in Pharmaceutical Industry](https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/2017/vol6issue3/PartC/6-2-9-174.pdf)” (PDF). The Pharma Journal. “[Unused Pharmaceuticals in the Healthcare Industry: Interim Report](https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-11/documents/unused-pharms-health-care_interim-report_2008.pdf)” (PDF). The United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of the Commissioner. “[Consumer Updates – How to Dispose of Unused Medicines](https://www.fda.gov/files/about%20fda/published/How-to-Dispose-of-Unused-Medicines-(PDF).pdf)“. fda.gov. --- This post was first shared on Gilmore Health News, [Ways to Dispose of Medications Safely and Legally](https://www.gilmorehealth.com/ways-to-dispose-of-medications-safely-and-legally/), on March 25, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Combating Patient-Generated Violence with Safe Hospital Design](https://wastemedic.com/2021/03/31/combating-patient-generated-violence-with-safe-hospital-design/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The mission of why healthcare exists is to heal and restore health, but that can be difficult to accomplish if the built environment is not designed with security in mind. A safe environment is a major contributor to healing, yet violence generated by patients and visitors is increasing at astonishing rates. Improving security and safety in healthcare begins with design. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while under 20% of all workplace injuries happen to healthcare workers, these same workers suffer 50% of all assaults across all U.S. industries. In 1996 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), created the first-ever guidance on the Prevention of Workplace Violence in the Healthcare and Social Work Setting (OSHA #3148). Updated over the years, it is still the only document OSHA has produced that focuses on the security component of safety. For those not as familiar with the phenomena of violence in healthcare, the bottom line is that aggressive and disruptive behavior continues to be on the rise across every facet of healthcare in the U.S., from hospitals large and small to residential long-term care facilities, to stand-alone ambulatory surgery centers and orthopedic care sites, to home health and hospice. The issue of patient-generated violence extends beyond the U.S. to our friends north of the border in Canada, and healthcare delivery systems across Europe, Australia and Asia – all are facing similar challenges with how to combat the growing and concerning issue. The reality of our current world is that hospital staff (nurses and doctors in particular) are victims of violence every day! The sad truth is that on any given day, many staff members in healthcare are assaulted by a patient or visitor. This escalating violent behavior is found among patients in the emergency department, ICU, as well as on general medical-surgical floors. This is not just an issue found only with behavioral health patients or instigated by gang members or meth addicts. It is commonplace to hear of disruptive patient behavior from those young and old alike, stemming from all walks of life. No healthcare facility is immune. No community, large or small, is unaffected. Why violence is happening reflects our community, with increased alcohol and substance abuse (read: opioid crisis), and a staggering reduction in psychiatric treatment facilities over the last 25 years. Have you noticed billboards in your community advertising the average ED wait time at your local hospital? The American Hospital Association recently reported nearly half of all U.S. hospital-associated medical care is delivered by emergency departments – prolonging wait times and serving to raise the already high temperature of emotions and growing frustration when seeking emergency care. Add in the societal fatigue associated with COVID-19 and the new screening protocols and visitor restrictions introduced since our fight with the pandemic have only served to turn the temperature of emotions up even higher. The emotional toll is having an impact on the industry – so many physicians and nurses have experienced or witnessed violent acts, including biting, scratching, spitting, kicking, and punching. Nearly 50% of emergency physicians say they have been assaulted. In a 2018 American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) / Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) survey of its members, 70% of emergency nurses report being hit or kicked on the job. There are countless accounts of patients throwing objects, including chairs. Others have yanked out IV’s and threatened to fling blood at providers. There are so many other instances of verbal and emotional abuse. This must be balanced with the increased regulatory pressure to reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals or force to manage such behavior. Arguments can be made for use of force (restraints) or chemical restraints, but the fact remains, that the use of force often places greater risks to patients, care providers and security staff alike. A former CEO of a large hospital shared services organization was fond of saying *‘form follows finance’*; the estimated impact of proactive and reactive violence response efforts is estimated to cost U.S. hospitals and health systems approximately $2.7B annually. And when you add in the impact of turnover due to those leaving the industry because they do not feel safe or have been injured on the job, the budgetary impact is believed to be significantly higher. #### How Can Hospitals Be Protected? All of this has generated concern for hospital administrators, care providers and healthcare security practitioners alike. However, budgets to make major changes or add large volumes of security officers or other security risk mitigations are diminishing. So, how can healthcare be better protected? One important answer is to incorporate the principles of safe design features into the healthcare environment. In June 2020, the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) published the 3rd edition of “*Security Design Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities*”. This edition was developed using the expertise of a multidisciplinary team with experience in various aspects of planning and design, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), compliance, and development of healthcare facility security and emergency management programs. The new edition places considerable attention on its updated guidance to help combat violence in healthcare (harm-to-staff and harm-to-self) using the built environment. Specific emphasis was placed on the design of high-risk patient/observation rooms that may be used for disruptive or aggressive patients, those at risk for elopement, and forensic (prisoner) patient treatment. Specific guidance was created in the new edition for locked emergency psychiatric section of the Emergency Department (also referred to as Crisis Intake Center). Additionally, new guidance was developed for emerging areas within the healthcare environment including Stand-Alone Emergency Departments and Behavioral Health patient care settings as well as Urgent Care and Ambulatory Surgical Care facilities. A new chapter was created for Residential Long-Term Care facilities that address securing the various settings that may be used in providing residential care. The Security Design Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities (SDGHF) are intended to assist security practitioners, design professionals, building owner representatives, and planning leaders in making informed decisions related to the application of proven and effective security principles into each new construction and renovation project. #### Build Security Into the Initial Design Starting with the security vulnerability assessment led by a qualified healthcare security professional, a healthcare project’s security risks are best addressed upfront and early on during design. This simple step has been proven to help healthcare organizations cost-effectively address the safety and security of new or renovated space. Many industry insiders believe this important step will help lower operational protection costs by up to 30%. Beyond significantly lowering operational costs for security, the payback of designing security features into a new healthcare facility or renovated space early can also be felt in the substantial improvement in patient and staff safety as well as overall satisfaction with the healthcare organization. This is achieved by managing both the real and perceived security concerns. Think about it, if patients, visitors, and staff feel safe walking from the external grounds and parking areas, or even nearby transit facilities, their confidence in the organization is bolstered. They are more able to focus on their reason, their need, for coming to the healthcare facility. The idea of integrating security into design planning can be easy to overlook with the thinking that video surveillance and access control can be added after the design is complete. However, the security design guidance provided goes well beyond just camera and card reader placement; it includes defining zones of protection, addressing horizontal and vertical circulation routes, as well as the control and restriction of access that address the physical separations provided between general public areas, waiting areas, and restricted-access areas. These security considerations should be made prior to major decisions in the design being established. Special considerations are given to controlling access and implementing other safeguards that protect staff, especially when treating patients whose clinical needs require specialized security or who may pose a security threat. Examples include establishing clear site lines – making sure there are a few blind spots as possible while establishing clear views of patient care rooms (read: no hidden corners in a room where a patient or family can hide from view). Designing interview bereavement, and treatment rooms to reduce the potential for staff being trapped by the patient or visitors during highly emotional or escalating situations. Emphasis is placed on departments and rooms serving patients of high-risk to include embedding ligature- and tamper-resistant safeguards to minimize the concern for suicide safety – a current hot topic with hospital accrediting agency The Joint Commission. Several are specific to a behavioral health unit but are also important considerations in the emergency department, intensive care units and medical-surgical units where a patient with an elevated risk for suicide or violence may be placed. Additionally, important guidance is provided for patient care areas specifically, to include the safe and smart design of nurses’ stations, triage, and other public-facing workstations as well as waiting rooms serving the organization and care needs of higher security risk patients. The reception or unit clerk desk is a great example, there should be a clear distinction from the waiting area and protected with a design that prevents unwanted access and is of sufficient height, strength, and depth to make it difficult for someone to jump over the desk or assault an employee. Some aspects of the design considerations are commonsensical but are often not considered until after the design has been finalized. An example is the placement of the security office and head-in systems for related security equipment and technology. The positioning of the office can be of significant deterrent value, setting the tone for how important safety and security is to the organization. The ability to greet patients can be a very effective psychological deterrent and effectively serve to prevent aggressive behavior from occurring. Other matters include the consideration for metal screening – especially space for queuing, equipment, searches, and storage of prohibited/confiscated items. This includes consideration for a different pathway out of the public area so that patients and visitors do not have to pass back through the detection and search area when they leave. #### Addressing IAHSS Principles A principle embedded in the IAHSS guidance document is to prevent security flaws from being designed into a project. Ideally, to minimize expensive change orders and undesirable retrofitting. Retrofitted security features are almost always more obvious and less effective than security features designed in at the early stages. There are some instances when it is nearly impossible to alter a design after-the-fact due to conflicts with local building and life safety codes or cost-prohibitive retrofitting expenses. Not to mention, add-on security features often take away from the desired look and feel of the new project. The worst-case scenario occurs when appropriate security features are “value-engineered” or left out entirely, and an adverse security event happens. When this occurs, security features are added back at a much greater expense and usually less aesthetically pleasing, than if incorporated into the original design. By addressing potential security vulnerabilities and risks upfront in the planning and design phases, organizations can have a significant impact on the safety of staff, patients, and visitors alike as well as better protect the assets of their new capital investment. A tenant of the Guidelines is to proactively consider security design principles and mitigation in lieu of being forced to react to security and violence concerns and unwanted liability after the fact. It will save the organization the complication, expense, and resource drain that all add up when security thinking comes after the basic planning designs are in place. IAHSS Security Design Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities, 3rd Edition, can be acquired at [www.iahss.org/designguidelines.](http://www.iahss.org/designguidelines) --- This post was first shared on Security Info Watch, [Combating Patient-Generated Violence with Safe Hospital Design](https://www.securityinfowatch.com/healthcare/article/21209099/combating-patientgenerated-violence-with-safe-hospital-design), on March 2, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [5 Most Common HIPAA Violations Physicians Should Watch For](https://wastemedic.com/2021/03/31/5-most-common-hipaa-violations-physicians-should-watch-for/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Hospitals are the most common violators of HIPAA privacy regulations, followed by private practices, outpatient facilities, pharmacies and health plans, according to a March 3 report from the [American Medical Association](https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/hipaa/common-hipaa-violations-physicians-should-guard-against). HHS’ Office for Civil Rights, which is responsible for enforcing HIPAA privacy rules, regularly tracks the compliance issues most often alleged in HIPAA complaints. The five most common HIPAA compliance issues, as compiled by the HHS’ Office for Civil Rights: 1. Impermissible uses and disclosures of protected health information 2. Lack of safeguards of protected health information 3. Lack of patient access to their protected health information 4. Lack of administrative safeguards of electronic protected health information 5. Use or disclosure of more than the minimum necessary protected health information --- This post was first shared on Becker’s Health IT, [5 Most Common HIPAA Violations Physicians Should Watch For](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/5-most-common-hipaa-violations-physicians-should-watch-for.html), on March 3, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Ramping Up for COVID-19 Vaccine Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2021/03/31/ramping-up-for-covid-19-vaccine-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Good news: the COVID-19 vaccine schedule is moving along in the U.S. and expected to pick up substantially very soon. Over 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered from December 2020 until mid-March 2021, and the Biden administration is aiming to see that three million vaccines are administered per day by April. But a rapid ramp-up will mean a tsunami of vaccine-related waste, mainly needles. There are similarities in how this material and other hazardous medical wastes are managed. But what’s different than with other vaccines, such as for the flu, is that the development and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine could change very quickly as new versions become available. Adding to this challenging dynamic is that some vaccines will require two doses. So, there will be much higher volumes generated at one time. Stericycle is among medical waste management companies who is already dealing with COVID-19 vaccine waste and is bracing to deal with a lot more of it. But it’s positioned to deploy quickly, says Cory White, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Stericycle. “Our waste management network is designed to scale capacity to meet fluctuating demand to support hospitals, retail pharmacies, nursing homes, and mass vaccination sites through the initial vaccine rollout and subsequent waves of vaccinations. “From the company’s inception, our purpose has been to promote health and to safeguard the environment. In fact, we’ve helped protect team members, healthcare workers, patients, and communities through past outbreaks … and other states of emergency like Ebola, H1N1,” White says. In addition to supporting health care providers and pharmacies, Stericycle is offering medical waste management expertise to regulatory agencies, vaccine manufacturers, and distributors, focused on compliant sharp disposal practices and methods to reduce needlestick injuries. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that medical waste from COVID-19 should be managed as a Category B waste (infectious substance not in a form that causes permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal diseases). Generators of this material should follow the treatment and disposal methods used for most potentially infectious medical waste. This usually means utilizing autoclaving, which leverages high-pressure steam and high temperatures to kill pathogens prior to disposal. Incineration may be used with certain materials, like full or partial vaccine vials (also known as residual doses). The process typically starts at the vaccination site, with healthcare workers disposing of used needles in sharps containers, which are either picked up or mailed back to a permitted medical waste facility for treatment. That’s where medical waste companies like Stericycle perform the autoclave process to render the waste noninfectious before it’s landfilled or goes to a mass burn or waste-to-energy (WTE) facility. If it moves on to a WTE plant, the residual ash is landfilled. While Stericycle’s medical waste management work has expanded, it first launched specifically to respond to a syringe tide in the late 1980s. Concerning volumes of hypodermic syringes and other medical waste were washing up on beaches in the Northeast, putting the health and safety of communities at risk. “Today, we are bracing for a different type of syringe tide from the COVID-19 vaccine. We have taken several measures. We assembled a cross-functional task force dedicated to scaling up our operations. We built a granular, state-level forecast to better understand the vaccine rollout across distribution channels. We modeled various scenarios in terms of time to vaccinate and vaccination rates to prepare our operations. And we purchased additional containers; added shifts to our fulfillment center for mail back kits; placed additional containers across the country based on projected needs; and tailored solutions to different channels, sites of care, and immunization volumes,” White says. Earlier during the pandemic Stericycle supported medical waste disposal in some of the hardest-hit areas of the U.S. partnering with temporary quarantine and treatment facilities in nearly 40 states, including the Javits Center, USNS Comfort hospital ship, USNS Mercy hospital ship, and Chicago’s convention center, McCormick Place. The medical waste management company works with regulatory agencies, including CDC, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Department of Transportation (DOT), as well as state regulatory agencies, to help customers navigate the vaccine rollout and inform them of regulatory changes as they occur. White has this advice for vaccine waste generators: “While most COVID-19-related waste is sharps, other materials may also require special handling and disposal. This could include empty vaccine vials, which are recommended to be placed into a sharps container to mitigate potential diversion or illicit use. Full or partially full vaccine vials should also be managed as regulated medical waste or nonhazardous pharmaceutical waste. Additionally, vaccine packaging can be disposed of as regulated medical waste. However, one should check the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions for properly disposing of packaging waste.” White goes on to explain that personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves, as well as items such as gauze, cotton balls, and bandages should be disposed in “regular trash” containers unless considered potentially infectious materials, which would designate them for regulated medical waste containers. Elise Paeffgen, an attorney at Alston and Bird in Washington, DC, has this advice for both generators and waste management professionals: “COVID-19 vaccine waste streams are not unique. Generators, haulers, and processors should follow existing state laws applicable to vaccine wastes and guidance from vaccine manufacturers. And generators should comply with their waste hauler’s acceptance policy. A waste minimization plan is key, and generators should have a plan and standard operating procedures in place to maximize the use of usable vaccines and doses and ensure proper storage conditions.” As far as whether there are differences in how each manufacturer’s product is managed, Paeffgen says cold chain storage is critical for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines but that dry ice disposal should not raise concerns. It’s not medical waste. It can be left at room temperature in a well-ventilated area. Generators who need more information, including hospitals, retail pharmacies, mass vaccination sites, and vaccine distributors can tap into Stericycle for help understanding compliant waste classification, as well as to understand disposal and reverse distribution processes. --- This post was first shared on Waste 360, [Ramping Up for COVID-19 Vaccine Waste](https://www.waste360.com/medical-waste/ramping-covid-19-vaccine-waste), on March 23, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Make the workplace safer for health care employees](https://wastemedic.com/2021/02/27/make-the-workplace-safer-for-health-care-employees/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The [deadly gunfire](https://www.startribune.com/1-dead-four-wounded-after-shooting-at-buffalo-health-clinic-67-year-old-gunman-jailed/600020966/) that erupted at a Minnesota medical clinic earlier this month sharpened the pangs of a Louisiana man’s grief even as it hardened his resolve to better protect health care workers from workplace violence. Gene Sausse owns a small business in New Orleans. He’s also the brother of a nurse who died almost two years ago in Baton Rouge from injuries sustained on the job. When a patient attacked another nurse, [Lynne Sausse Truxillo](https://obits.theadvocate.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=lynne-sausse-truxillo&pid=192413473&fhid=5630), 56, rushed to help and was beaten. Sausse went looking for answers in the dark days after his sister’s death. The clinic shooting in Buffalo, Minn., sadly illustrated what he found: Health care workers face a far higher risk of workplace violence. The incidence also [increased significantly](https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/workplace-violence-healthcare-2018.htm) from 2011 to 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “I was shocked to find out how often it occurs,” said Sausse, who was inspired to become an advocate. “We need to be protecting what we can and doing what we can, instead of this violence being an open secret in health care. Anybody can be the next victim.” Just 26 states, including Minnesota, have laws on the books targeting health care workplace violence prevention. Of the existing laws, many confer protection only to a small sector of the workforce, such as emergency room doctors, noted a recent American Journal of Managed Care [article.](https://www.ajmc.com/view/the-persistent-pandemic-of-violence-against-health-care-workers) With 24 states lacking any such law, Congress clearly has work to do. Lawmakers should move swiftly to replace this ragged patchwork of regulations with stronger, comprehensive safeguards. Sausse quickly saw the need for federal action and connected with [Rep. Joe Courtney](https://courtney.house.gov/), D-Conn. In late 2019, a bill authored by Courtney — [H. R. 1309](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1309?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr1309%22%5D%7D), the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act — easily cleared the House, but the Senate did not act on a related bill. That’s unfortunate. The Courtney bill would have taken a systemic approach to protecting workers by directing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration “to issue enforceable requirements for maintaining safety and preventing violent attacks against this workforce within 42 months,” Courtney wrote in a [2020 commentary](https://www.modernhealthcare.com/opinion-editorial/taking-legislative-action-reduce-workplace-violence-healthcare) published in Modern Healthcare. “OSHA has long had guidelines for employers in hospitals and other healthcare settings, but employers aren’t required to follow them.” If the bill is enacted, health care employers would be required to have violence prevention plans, provide training and promptly investigate incidents. Retaliation or discrimination against employees who report threats would also be prohibited. Courtney told an editorial writer that Congress has the discretion to step in and push OSHA to act. There’s a precedent. When AIDS emerged as a public health crisis, Congress passed legislation pushing OSHA to swiftly set national standards for handling bloodborne pathogens to protect workers. Courtney plans to introduce his violence prevention bill again soon. It deserves broad support in both chambers. “The story in Minnesota is sadly just another example of why this is the time” to act, Courtney said. The bill’s passage is far from assured. While nursing organizations supported it, the hospital industry opposed the measure. A 2019 [letter](https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2019/06/education-labor-committee-hr-1309-workplace-violence-prevention-health-care-social-service-workers-act-6-13-2019.pdf) to Congress from an American Hospital Association executive said hospitals already have safety plans in place and that new standards were not needed. Among those voting against Courtney’s bill in 2019: Minnesota Republican Reps. Tom Emmer and Jim Hagedorn. Rep. Pete Stauber, also a Republican, voted for it. High-profile support from Stauber again would be timely and appropriate. Emmer and Hagedorn need to rethink their opposition. Sausse backs the Courtney legislation, too. The difference between OSHA guidelines and requirements is “a world apart,” the New Orleans man said, and remedying the gap is “a matter of life and death. You hear about health care workers being heroes now with COVID. Well, put your money where your mouth is and get this done. My sister was a true hero, and she lost her life because she was caring for other people.” --- This post was first shared on Star Tribune, [Make the workplace safer for health care employees](https://www.startribune.com/make-the-workplace-safer-for-health-care-employees/600025558/?refresh=true), on February 20, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Top challenges to HIPAA compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2021/02/27/top-challenges-to-hipaa-compliance/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA is a challenging Act for thousands of companies in the United States. It sets the standard for sensitive patient data protection in the country. If your organization deals with sensitive healthcare data, ensuring HIPAA compliance is vital. In December 2020, the HHS had found organizations non-compliant with HIPAA in [69% of its investigations](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/compliance-enforcement/data/numbers-glance/index.html). So, even though compliance with the Act is time-consuming, it is also vital. But there are several HIPAA compliance challenges that you need to win in doing so. Data collection and protection is a crucial matter. HIPAA focuses on the security of patient’s data. So, it would help if you did not leave anything unnoticed to avoid a hefty fine and a hit to your reputation. Following that, we have a list of top challenges in HIPAA compliance that you need to overcome. **1.Cybersecurity Challenges** Hackers are always ready to hack your data. So, it becomes all the more important to ensure cybersecurity. Breaching of cybersecurity can be fatal, considering the havoc it can create on your reputation. There are a few HIPAA compliance areas relating to cybersecurity. The Privacy Rule instructs both covered entities and their business associates (BAA) to limit PHI’s access and exposure to only those who need it as part of their jobs. The safest way to prevent such breaches and create a secure connection is using [HIPAA compliant clouds](https://www.scnsoft.com/healthcare/hipaa-compliant-clouds). Thus, you can ensure data safety. But one must also learn that HIPAA states that data be stored and remains available when it is needed for a while. The time of such preservation differs in states. It also mandates that it be “permanently” destroyed or deleted when its storage is no longer necessary. It means that you delete the data and not put it in the recycle bin of your computer. Doing that would be considered a HIPAA violation. Keeping the data in recycle bin or trash also increases the chances of data-stealing. **2.Technical Challenges In HIPAA Compliance** Technical challenges are one of the most crucial ones in HIPAA compliance. So, having total control over it is necessary to keep your data protected. But what are the technical perils, and how do they threaten your status? There are several factors to take care of, such as access control, audit control, etc. To leak data, one has to access it. So, you should ensure total control of the authorization. It also depends on what sort of systems you use and where you store your data. So, ensure that only the authorized personnel have access to [e-PHI](https://www.virtru.com/blog/what-is-ephi/). It would be best if you also controlled how your data is being used. With audit control, you can see who else is accessing your data and making changes to it. So, authorization plays a vital part in HIPAA compliance. Giving control to a trusted person, therefore, should be one of your priorities. **3.Device Security** Along with who can control or access the e-PHI, you must also have an eye on the device that can access it. Being the administrator, one must always ensure the safety of the devices with access to the PHIs. There are two ways of doing that. Many companies provide their staff with well-encrypted systems. Providing them with your system ensures the protection level. If you allow your employees to bring their phone or laptop, make sure those are well encrypted. To do that, you would need proper employee training. Negligence in this area often leads to data breaches. To avoid such HIPAA compliance issues, make sure your employees have adequate training. **4.Risk Analysis Challenges** One of the significant HIPAA compliance challenges is that of risk assessment. This assessment identifies the possible vulnerabilities that may exist in your security measures. The OCR and the ONC offer a downloadable [Security Risk Assessment (SRA) tool](https://www.healthit.gov/topic/privacy-security-and-hipaa/security-risk-assessment-tool) for HIPAA. You can use this tool to checklist the standards and manage your risk assessment plan. **Conclusion** These challenges may seem a lot, but they are crucial if you want to run your organization without paying hefty fines. Being HIPAA compliant is simple if you can overcome these challenges. This guide will help you to safeguard your organization from the clutches of the law. --- This post was first shared on HealthTech Zone, [Top Challenges to HIPAA Compliance](https://www.healthtechzone.com/topics/healthcare/articles/2021/02/17/448037-top-challenges-hipaa-compliance.htm), on February 17, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is going to create a massive waste management problem](https://wastemedic.com/2021/02/27/the-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-is-going-to-create-a-massive-waste-management-problem/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** An unintended consequence of COVID-19 safety procedures has been a surge in trash, from face [masks](https://www.fastcompany.com/90520661/masks-gloves-and-other-coronavirus-waste-are-starting-to-fill-up-our-oceans) to [gloves](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.est.0c02178) to, now, the discarded syringes and needles from COVID-19 vaccines. If laid end to end, the needles from the number of vaccine doses needed to inoculate the entire U.S. population—about 660 million—would create enough waste to wrap around the Earth 1.8 times, according to [OnSite Waste Technologies](https://www.onsitewaste.com/), a medical waste disposal company. It’s certainly worthwhile trash to create, but with the vaccine rollout in full effect, and President Joe Biden’s goal to deliver 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days underway, companies that manage medical waste are having to handle this uptick. Each needle, syringe, vial, and packaging joins the waste from approximately 198 million doses of influenza vaccine the CDC produced for this season, says Jim Anderson, vice president of product management and innovation at medical waste disposal company Stericycle, in a statement. “Fortunately, this waste isn’t being generated all at once, but rather in phases as the vaccine is rolled out across priority groups,” he notes. “Additionally, while the industry may see an influx of sharps waste, that volume is being offset by declines in waste volume in other areas such as elective procedures.” Medical waste such as masks or needles isn’t something people thought about before 2020, says Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, whose work focuses on pandemic preparedness. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, this issue has become more visible. “There’s so much personal protective equipment being worn by the general public in terms of masks that people are worrying about it and \[wondering\] are those masks being disposed of appropriately?” he says. And regarding biohazard waste “in terms of the needles and syringes,” he adds, “there clearly is going to be an uptick in that type of waste.” At least we know how to dispose of needles, he adds, especially considering how many children get vaccinated each year. So what will happen to all the added waste from COVID-19 vaccines? The normal medical waste disposal process goes like this: Hazardous or infectious medical waste gets put in sharps containers and picked up from healthcare facilities and transported to processing centers to be autoclaved, meaning it’s sanitized with high-pressure steam in an autoclave machine, before it’s sent to landfill alongside other trash. Along with the needles and syringes, glass vaccine vials go into sharps containers, as they can’t be recycled. Other waste, such as the box that held the vial trays and general packing materials, may be sent back to the manufacturer (Pfizer actually [requires this](https://www.cvdvaccine-us.com/images/pdf/HH1114697_XXX_C20_PGS_Materials_ReturnInstructions.pdf) to help “fulfill its commitment to reusable resources”). When waste isn’t picked up by a disposal company right away, it has to be stored on-site. That means the added volume of all this waste could still pose challenges for small healthcare facilities, which, unlike large hospitals, may not have space. For those offices, OnSite Waste Technologies says it has a solution with its TE-5000 machine. That machine can get filled up with needles just like a sharps box, and then it heats up those needles for 90 minutes at 380 degrees, sterilizing and also melting down the items to reduce their total volume. “When we’re done processing it, it goes from a full container down to a very small brick of plastic and needles that are encapsulated,” says OnSite CEO Brad Barnes. “We’re reducing the wasteload before it leaves the facility, and when we’re done with our technology, that percent that is left is now municipal waste and can be thrown directly into the trash.” Barnes says the machine can reduce waste volume by 80%, which means less volume in landfills and a smaller carbon footprint because of fewer truck trips to haul away the waste. OnSite, a Newport Beach, California-based startup, secured $3.5 million in venture capital funding in October, bringing its total funding to $8.5 million. Barnes is realistic that his device won’t disrupt the entire medical waste market, at least not for hospitals. But for clinics and smaller facilities, he thinks a new way of disposing of this waste could make a difference, especially amid the pandemic. Eventually, OnSite hopes to be able to recycle that brick of plastic that comes out of its machines. As for the other pounds of COVID-19 vaccine discards that won’t be melted down into such bricks, they may just end up in landfills. One day, Adalja says, we may get our vaccines through patches—which could eliminate the medical waste that comes with injections, according to the [CDC foundation](https://www.cdcfoundation.org/stories/tiny-patch-makes-huge-impact-changing-game-vaccination)—but those haven’t yet been approved for commercial use. In the meantime, the COVID-19 vaccines are injectables, and that means needles, syringes, and vials will pile up—but for now, it’s worth it. “The benefit of the vaccine outweighs any concerns about that type of medical waste that’s being generated,” Adalja says. --- This post was first shared on Fast Company, [The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is going to create a massive waste management problem](https://www.fastcompany.com/90601079/the-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-is-going-to-create-a-massive-waste-management-problem), on February 5, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Unmasking the pandemic’s pollution problem](https://wastemedic.com/2021/02/27/unmasking-the-pandemics-pollution-problem/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Tanveer Adyel began to notice the trash in March. This was early in the COVID-19 [pandemic](https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/scientists-say-outbreak-epidemic-pandemic). He saw latex gloves and blue, disposable masks littering his garden and street. Other types of personal protective equipment, or PPE, including face shields, were also among the trash. Soon, he spotted lots of thin plastic bags from grocery stores. Those bags had been banned in his state the previous year. Adyel is an engineer at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He studies the impact of tiny pieces of plastic — called [microplastics](https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/scientists-say-microplastic) — on the environment. Melbourne city workers tried to keep up by emptying overflowing trash cans. The problem, however, has continued to grow. People produce, consume and throw out a lot of stuff. In 2018, U.S. residents alone sent some [146 million tons of garbage](https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials#R&Ctrends) to landfills. That’s a little more than 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) per person, every day. Environmental groups now warn that COVID-19 is exaggerating this trash problem. Reports from around the world suggest [coronavirus](https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/explainer-what-is-a-coronavirus) pollution is becoming a global issue. In Hong Kong, for instance, surgical masks and gloves litter hiking trails and wash up on beaches. Clean-up crews on beaches in the United Kingdom have reported surges in discarded takeout containers and hand-sanitizer bottles. Cities such as Aspen, Colo., have reported a flood of cardboard boxes. It has grown as people stay home and rely on delivery services like Amazon. By April, many U.S. cities had [reported](https://swana.org/docs/default-source/advocacy-documents/senate-epw---final-swana-testimony---june-17-2020.pdf?sfvrsn=c3af10a2_2) dramatic increases in demand for trash pickups and recycling. COVID-19 began as a public-health crisis. It still is. As of late January, more than 2 million people had died. Some 100 million had been diagnosed with the infection. But now the pandemic is driving an environmental problem, too. “Everyone has to focus first on how to survive, of course. And PPE can save us,” Adyel acknowledges. “People are using this to protect themselves. And it’s a great achievement. But we can definitely see a problem in the environment — and it will last for years.” #### Piles of cardboard boxes The pandemic completely changed how many people shop. Some spent less money. Often, people switched to buying products online that could be delivered to their homes. As a result, people spent less money at in-person stores during the first half of 2020 than they did the year before. That’s according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. “Online shopping is becoming a vital part of how Americans engage in social distancing,” points out Heidi Brock. She leads the American Forest & Paper Association. Based in Washington, D.C., it includes most U.S. companies that make paper products, including cardboard boxes. During the pandemic, Brock notes, companies have produced about 4 percent more of the material used to make cardboard boxes. In-person stores don’t need as much cardboard as last year, she says. The extra is going to home deliveries. Cardboard boxes are made to be recycled. Their fibers can be “used at least seven times to make new paper products,” Brock explains. In fact, paper has the highest recycling rate in the United States. Last year, more than two-thirds of all U.S. paper was recycled. But the pandemic may cut that rate. The Solid Waste Association of North America, or SWANA, includes companies involved in trash and recycling. These centers often require workers to stand together to sort through materials. That can increase a risk of COVID-19 transmission. In June, SWANA reported that many local governments had paused recycling programs in the spring of 2020. Those closures likely sent more cardboard and other recyclable materials to landfills. Some facilities temporarily closed to install new plexiglass barriers and other protective devices. Many of these have now reopened. #### Medical waste land — and sea Medical waste presents a more complex problem. The virus that causes COVID-19 was [first detected in the large city of Wuhan](https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/virus-emerges-china-spreading-globally-wuhan-coronavirus), China. This also was among the first places to report big pollution problems. Before the outbreak, Wuhan hospitals and clinics [produced](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7383137/pdf/main.pdf) nearly 41,000 kilograms (45 U.S. tons) of medical waste. This includes anything tainted with germs, including PPE. But between February 15 and March 15, when COVID-19 infections peaked there, Wuhan produced almost 224,000 kilograms (247 tons) per day. That’s about the same weight as 100 extra-large pickups. More than 20 other cities in China faced a similar problem. Before the pandemic, U.S. hospitals in the United States produced about 2.3 million kilograms (2,500 tons) of medical waste per year. If these hospitals followed the same pattern as in Wuhan, they would produce a year’s worth of waste in only two months! Medical waste isn’t just a trash problem. Some experts estimate that more than 5 million people die every year from diseases spread through medical waste. This is especially true in low-income countries. And those numbers came from before the new pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is usually transmitted from person to person. However, [one study](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmc2004973) that included scientists with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Hamilton, Montana, found that this virus can live on cardboard for about a day. It can live on plastic for up to three days. Plus, plastic is the main ingredient in almost all PPE equipment. Many hospital gowns, masks, face shields and gloves contain it. (That includes the thin, soft, single-use masks that almost feel like paper or cloth.) Plastic decomposes over hundreds of years. That means the same PPE that today is washing up in gardens, overflowing in landfills and sinking in the ocean could be a problem for our great-great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren. And their grandchildren as well. #### Plastic is not fantastic The plastic problem is not limited to medical wastes. “COVID-19 has changed our patterns of consumption,” says Joana Prata. An environmental researcher, she works at the University of Aveiro, in Portugal. During the pandemic, people have bought more packaged foods and takeout meals. To try to avoid contamination by the virus, she says, people have used plastic grocery bags once and then thrown them away. Even before the pandemic, though, the world had a [plastic](https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/scientists-say-plastic) problem. Some 5 trillion pieces of plastic float in the [world’s oceans](https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/polluting-microplastics-harm-both-animals-and-ecosystems). According to [a study](https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/7/e1700782) published in 2017, only 9 percent of all plastic ever made has been recycled. About 12 percent has been incinerated. The rest — 79 percent — remains in landfills or in nature. But COVID-19 isn’t helping. Because the virus can live on plastic for up to three days, most protective equipment should be used only once before being thrown away. Prata and her team [estimate](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.0c02178) that the world now uses some 129 billion face masks and 65 billion gloves every month. As many cities have come out of lockdown, Prata notes, some are restarting their recycling programs — including for plastic. At the same time, many places still require protective masks. “And disposable masks remain popular,” she says. “Large quantities are being used on a daily basis around the world.” We won’t know the extent of the pollution problem until after the health crisis has passed, Prata says. But the scale of contamination is going to be big. Like Adyel, she studies how microplastics affect the environment. As masks, gloves, shields and gowns break down, they’ll produce a deluge of tiny plastics. Those plastics can be poisonous to wildlife and hard to clean up. “This high consumption has not yet been addressed,” she says. “It leaves a lot to be studied in the post-pandemic.” #### Behavior modification Scientists have proposed a number of ways to confront the growing pollution problem, Adyel notes. One solution is burning. In Wuhan and elsewhere, much of the PPE and medical waste has been incinerated. But medical waste may be infectious. So it has to be burned in special containers that release heat without sending solids into the air. Some cities now recommend people wear reusable types of PPE, says Prata. And many engineers have developed new technologies for recycling or reusing plastic PPE. At Texas A&M University, in College Station, for instance, researchers have converted a storage container into a PPE sterilizer. It works by bathing the masks in plasma, which is an electrically charged gas. Studies have shown that plasma quickly kills coronavirus particles. Other new systems [are using heat](https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/tackling-the-novel-coronavirus-calls-for-novel-ideas) to do the same thing. However, Adyel remains grim in his forecast. High-tech sterilizing approaches might work but only on small batches. The pandemic’s plastic pollution problem may be too big, he says, to be fixed in such small ways. Meanwhile, burning can create other environmental problems. It can increase [greenhouse gases](https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/explainer-co2-and-other-greenhouse-gases), for instance, or throw other pollutants into the air. Prata, in Portugal, agrees that the plastic wastes made of PPE and packaging will be an environmental challenge. But she sees an even bigger problem looming. The biggest challenge, she suspects, “will be reversing the new habits.” During the pandemic, people have become re-accustomed to single-use plastics. Governments have relaxed regulations on plastic-bag use and recycling. These behaviors and policies may be hard to reverse. Prata says she hopes people learn valuable lessons from the COVID-19 crisis. Cities can prepare ways to keep recycling centers open during future crises. Engineers can develop safe new ways to get rid of medical wastes. There are things individuals can do, too. Some communities run citywide projects to clean up waste (though not medical waste). Brock says it’s important for people to get back in the habit of recycling everything that can be recycled, including cardboard. “Remove any non-paper packing materials, break boxes down flat, keep them dry and clean and place them in the recycling bin,” she says. She also offers advice on the age-old debate over pizza boxes: Recycle it, she says. “Grease and cheese are not an issue for recycling,” she says. “Simply remove the leftover pizza, and put the box in the bin.” This won’t be the world’s last pandemic. That’s why Prata hopes scientists and policymakers can learn from it. In new crises, she says, we can learn to forge new solutions. “We need to produce better plans and strategies on how to deal with emergencies,” she says, without getting in the way of long-term environmental goals. #### Citations **Journal**:​ T.M. Adyel. [Accumulation of plastic waste during COVID-19](https://science.sciencemag.org/content/369/6509/1314/tab-article-info). *Science*. Vol. 369, Sept. 11, 2020. doi: 10.1126/science.abd9925. **Journal**:​ ​​J.C. Prata et al. [COVID-19 Pandemic Repercussions on the Use and Management of Plastics.](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.0c02178) *Environmental Science & Technology*. Vol. 54, July 7, 2020, p. 7760. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02178. **Journal**:​ N van Doremalen et al. [Aerosol and surface stability of HCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-2) compared to SARS-CoV-1](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmc2004973). *The New England Journal of Medicine*. Vol. 382, April 16, 2020, p. 1564. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2004973. **Journal**:​ R. Geyer, J.R. Jambeck and K.L. Law. [Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made](https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/7/e1700782). *Science Advances*. Vol. 3, July 19, 2017, p. e1700782. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.1700782. --- This post was first shared on Science News for Students, [Unmasking the pandemic’s pollution problem](https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/covid-19-pandemic-pollution-problem-masks-ppe-plastic-cardboard), on January 28, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [OCR Lifts HIPAA Penalties for COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling: 5 Details](https://wastemedic.com/2021/01/31/ocr-lifts-hipaa-penalties-for-covid-19-vaccine-scheduling-5-details/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** HHS’ Office for Civil Rights [will not impose](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/01/19/ocr-announces-notification-enforcement-discretion-use-online-web-based-scheduling-applications-scheduling-covid-19-vaccination-appointments.html) penalties for potential HIPAA violations of healthcare providers and their business associates who use online or web-based scheduling applications to coordinate COVID-19 vaccine appointments. #### Five Details ONE: OCR on Jan. 19 announced its enforcement discretion, which is effective immediately and has a retroactive date of Dec. 11, 2020. TWO: The enforcement discretion aims to help speed up the vaccination process for HIPAA-covered entities, which must quickly schedule a mass amount of patient visits for COVID-19 vaccines. THREE: OCR is lifting penalties associated with online and web-based scheduling apps when “used in good faith and only for the limited purpose of scheduling individual appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency,” according to the news release. FOUR: The enforcement action does not include appointment scheduling tech that connects directly to the EHR. FIVE: The notification does encourage healthcare providers and business associates to continue using safeguards that protect the privacy and security of individuals’ protected health information, such as encryption tech and enabling all privacy settings. --- This post was first shared on Beckers Hospital Review, [OCR Lifts HIPAA Penalties for COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling: 5 Details](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/ocr-lifts-hipaa-penalties-for-covid-19-vaccine-scheduling-apps-5-details.html), on January 20, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [PPE Waste Disposal a Growing Pandemic Challenge](https://wastemedic.com/2021/01/31/ppe-waste-disposal-a-growing-pandemic-challenge/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The increase in the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and its use during the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a corresponding burden on the other end: a rise in medical waste as institutions dispose of gowns, gloves, masks, face shields and shoe covers that have been exposed to the virus. Are there different waste disposal requirements for COVID-19-contaminated PPE? How should your pharmacy and institution be handling this kind of waste? “While we have not seen data quantifying how much additional PPE waste material there is, we do hear from the industry that there is more regulated medical waste being generated, and a lot of it is derived from PPE,” said Rudy Vingris, the healthcare business development manager at Waste Management Sustainability Services, in Houston. “One of the problems that we have is that there isn’t really a national standard that applies across the board when it comes to determining what COVID-19-related PPE is regulated medical waste and what has to be treated as such. It’s up to individual states.” The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the CDC released guidance specific to COVID-19 waste, which determined that the COVID-19 virus is a Category B infectious substance. This means PPE and other medical waste generated in the treatment of patients with COVID-19, and those suspected of having COVID-19, can be managed in the same way as other waste related to Category B infectious substances, in contrast to the more hazardous Category A infectious waste generated in the management of diseases such as Ebola. “This classification means that, unless the PPE is grossly contaminated with blood or bodily fluids to the extent it could lead to an infection, it is technically just trash and can go to the solid waste stream,” Vingris said. However, given that COVID-19 is a highly communicable disease, treating exposed PPE as ordinary waste rather than hazardous medical waste gives some people pause. “The University of Nebraska Medical Center has done a number of studies on surface and air contamination associated with the virus, and has found measurable concentrations in the air and on surfaces where patients have been,” said Fred Massoomi, PharmD, senior director at Visante (*[Sci Rep ](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69286-3)*[2020;10\[1\]:12732](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69286-3)). “We know this is a virus that likes to linger. So, while some systems are managing COVID-related PPE as routine waste, others are treating it as biohazard waste that gets autoclaved or incinerated, depending on how they classify it.” **State-by-State Variation** Many states have issued their own guidance statements on managing PPE exposed to the coronavirus. New Jersey, for example, clarifies that “PPE and cleaning materials (e.g., wipes, rags) contaminated with blood, excretion, exudates, or secretions from humans who have COVID-19 are considered regulated medical waste,” whereas waste that is not contaminated in that way can be disposed of as ordinary waste. California gives its health care facilities discretion in determining what PPE is and is not medical waste versus solid waste, but the state offers recommendations for handling of COVID-19-exposed solid waste. “If the facility determines that any PPE should be disposed of \[as solid waste\], used gloves, face masks, coveralls, etc., should be placed in a lined container, preferably with a lid/cover. Tightly close off the bag before disposing the solid waste items into the solid waste bin for pickup by the solid waste management company.” Vingris acknowledged that “a lot of the PPE now going into what is called regulated medical waste technically wouldn’t meet that definition and wouldn’t have to be managed that way. But in many cases, local health departments and hospital infection control professionals and other hospital staff have adopted stricter disposal requirements than what is required by existing regulations.” Disposal of regulated medical waste is, of course, much more costly than solid waste. “It’s more expensive by probably an order of magnitude of 10 times or more, although not as expensive as something like RCRA \[Resource Conservation and Recovery Act\] waste that we would see in an oncology pharmacy with hazardous pharmaceutical waste,” Vingris said. “So is it breaking the budget? No, but it is definitely something that folks have had to adapt their planning and budget for as part of overall waste management.” Furthermore, “as hospitals and pharmacies set up vaccination centers, they will also be generating even more waste that is definitely considered regulated medical waste, such as sharps containers. That is definitely going to drive up costs at these institutions.” --- This post was first shared on Specialty Pharmacy Continuum, [PPE Waste Disposal a Growing Pandemic Challenge](https://www.specialtypharmacycontinuum.com/Covid-19/Article/01-21/PPE-Waste-Disposal-a-Growing-Pandemic-Challenge/62338), on January 25, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Safety and Health Procedures in Medical Waste Management](https://wastemedic.com/2021/01/31/safety-and-health-procedures-in-medical-waste-management/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *Medical waste materials are highly dangerous, and they must be treated with the utmost care.* The health care system is integral to the well-being of a country. Hospitals, clinics, diagnostic laboratories, pharmacies, and other similar institutions all work together to ensure everyone is in good health. But keeping us in tip-top shape does have a toll on the environment, and public health and safety. As health workers strive to keep everyone healthy, these health care institutions generate a lot of potentially hazardous medical waste that needs to be disposed of correctly. #### General Tips on Managing Medical Waste According to [collected data on medical waste](https://www.actenviro.com/medical-waste-disposal-guide/), US hospitals generate almost 6 million tons of medical waste per year. Due to the dangerous nature of such wastes, stringent and specific protocols need to be implemented in order to handle them safely. Unsafe handling can be dangerous not just to personnel in charge of dealing with those wastes but also to the public who might get exposed to infectious maladies through improper disposal. Federal and local regulations are in place to curb out the risk. For medical waste generators, they need to follow these regulations and procedures for proper and safe medical waste disposal. ***Properly segregate wastes into respective bins*** Medical wastes fall into different kinds. Such wastes are categorized and placed in their respective waste bins. Categorization is important because each has its own way of safe disposal. Through proper segregation, medical waste disposal personnel would know which bin contains what kind of waste and, therefore, how it should be dealt with. As such, different bins must be designated and labeled for: sharps wastes (used needles, scalpels, syringes, pipettes, glass slides, broken bottles, etc.); pharmaceutical wastes (expired drugs and vaccines); infectious waste (wastes contaminated with blood and body fluids, Petri dishes with cultured bacteria, materials that have been in contact with highly infectious patients in isolation wards, etc.); pathological waste (human tissue samples, organs, body fluids); cytotoxic waste (waste containing cytostatic or genotoxic materials often used in cancer therapy); chemical waste (waste that contains chemical substances such as laboratory reagents, expired disinfectants, broken thermometers, acids, and bases, etc.); radioactive waste (waste from radioactive sources such as X-ray films, liquids used in radiotherapy, etc.); general wastes (ordinary wastes that do not pose any biological, chemical, physical, or radioactive hazards such as paper, plastic containers, pens, etc.) Keep these containers out of reach of the general public. Only authorized medical personnel should have access to these disposal bins. ***Labels must be clear*** Remember that each type of medical waste must be placed in its own container. Thus, container labels must not be tampered with, covered, removed, or defaced. The labels should be clearly marked with the [biohazard symbols](https://www.safetysign.com/biohazard-signs), danger symbols, and other important information based on federal and state regulations. For easier identification, each type of medical waste disposal bin is designated with a specific color: sharps waste container – yellow or red with a biohazard symbol; pathological or cytotoxic waste container – yellow with a biohazard symbol; infectious waste container – yellow with biohazard symbol and the words “highly infectious”; chemical, pharmaceutical, or radioactive waste container – brown marked with a danger symbol; general waste container – black. ***Medical waste bins must be of high quality*** When purchasing medical waste bins, they must be high-quality, sturdy, leak-proof, impact-resistant, and sealable. Inspect each container for small holes and cracks in which liquid or gaseous wastes might leak through. Do not scrimp on container quality. We also recommend getting ones with contactless lids or foot-lever lid-opening mechanisms so personnel won’t have to touch the lids when they put in waste material. Virtually all medical waste disposal bins come with liners. Use those liners for added protection. When full, the liner’s opening must be twisted and tied close. When it comes to sharps waste, there’s a possibility that sharps may puncture the lining. This is why there are specific, puncture-resistant for sharps waste. ***Put on safety gear*** When handling medical waste, personnel should wear rated [protective gear](https://www.osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment). These include but are not limited to thick gloves, safety goggles, boots, and safety aprons. Other types of wastes may require more specialized gear such as hazmat suits. ***Collect on-site medical waste regularly*** Federal regulations state that containers may be filled up to a maximum of 45 pounds. However, don’t let the container accumulate waste materials to that point. As such, regular collection of medical waste should be done on a regular basis; as a rule of thumb, at least once a day. To prevent possible contamination and exposure, assigned personnel should collect medical waste during non-busy times where there’s less foot traffic, usually early in the morning or late at night. ***Store medical waste in a secure and dedicated facility*** Accumulated medical waste may be stored on-site for a specified time until it can be taken off-site. If so, it’s important to have a clean, safe, and secure facility for such medical wastes. Only authorized and duly trained personnel can access the storage facility. Each type of medical waste should have its own area or compartment in the facility. These areas should be free from pests, covered and sheltered from sunlight, completely separate from any food storage, well-lit, and has good ventilation. The facility should also be waterproof and equipped with effective drainage. Finally, there should be a washing station nearby so authorized personnel can wash after handling wastes. Finally, there should be an easy way for dedicated medical waste disposal vehicles to access the facility. A ramp, bridge, or some other structure or equipment should make loading the medical waste to the vehicle safe and easy. ***Documentation should be done diligently*** Federal and state regulations require that the journey of medical wastes from generation to destruction must be documented. Thus, makes sure that the details of the medical waste pathway are recorded and documented. The waste generator and the contracted medical waste transportation service provider should have a list of protocols that they should follow in case of medical waste spillage or potential exposure due to untoward accidents. #### Conclusion Medical waste materials are highly dangerous, and they must be treated with the utmost care. The tips above generally ensure proper and safe handling. However, specific protocols may vary based on the facility’s own regulations, local government rules, or state regulations. --- This post was first shared on Legal Reader, [Safety and Health Procedures in Medical Waste Management](https://www.legalreader.com/safety-and-health-procedures-in-medical-waste-management/), on January 22, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [HIPAA explained: definition, compliance, and violations](https://wastemedic.com/2021/01/31/hipaa-explained-definition-compliance-and-violations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *This landmark law imposes stringent privacy and security mandates on health care providers—and most of their IT vendors.* #### HIPAA summary: What is HIPAA? HIPAA (the *Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act*) is a law passed in 1996 that transformed many of the ways in which the healthcare industry operated in the United States. The law had many important and far-reaching effects, but from the perspective of IT pros, its most important provisions are mandates that health care providers keep any personally identifiable medical information *private* and *secure*. These mandates have made the modern world of electronic medical records safer for patients, but also impose a number of sometimes onerous regulations on medical providers and their IT partners, with [annual compliance costs estimated at $8.3 billion a year](https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/hipaa-what-cost). #### What are the key components of HIPAA? HIPAA is broken down into sections, called *titles,* with Titles I and II being the most important. Title I covers the *portability* part of the name of the law; it ensures that, in most cases, people moving from one group health insurance plan to another can’t be denied benefits based on pre-existing conditions. For most people, this health insurance portability has had the biggest impact on their lives. For those in IT or health care administration, however, it’s Title II, which covers the *accountability* part of the law’s name, that keeps them up at night. Title II mandates that anyone who deals with individuals’ medical data take active steps to keep that data private and secure. The people and organizations who fall under the law’s umbrella—*covered entities,* in HIPAA-speak —include not just obvious candidates like doctor’s offices and hospitals, but anyone who touches patient information, such as third-party billing services and IT vendors. #### HIPAA history Like many wide-ranging U.S. federal laws, HIPAA outlines broad principles to guide government regulations, but leaves the details of those regulations to the relevant agency in the executive branch—the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in this case. While the law was passed in 1996, the sets of regulations covering the law’s topics—called *rules*—were rolled out by HHS over the next few years. [Accountable has the details](https://www.accountablehq.com/post/history-of-hipaa), but here’s a short time timeline. (We’ll be diving more deeply into these rules in subsequent sections of this article.) In 1998, HHS proposed the **Security Rule,** which aimed to improve the protection of health-related information that’s shared amongst different health care providers and other entities. This rule was only finalized in 2003 and went into effect in 2005. In 1999, HHS proposed the **Privacy Rule,** which specified the standards needed to keep health information private, defined what pieces of protected health information (PHI) were covered by the law, and gave individuals the right to access their own health-related information. This rule was implemented, with some modifications, in 2003. In 2005, to address instances where covered entities were not complying with the Security and Privacy Rules, HHS proposed the **Enforcement Rule,** which allowed the department to investigate complaints and issue fines. In 2009, Congress passed the **HITECH Act,** with the aim to encourage healthcare providers to make more use of electronic health records (EHRs). Later that year, HHS rolled out the **HITECH Enforcement Act Rule** to protect these records within the existing HIPAA framework, which dramatically increased the costs of noncompliance. Also in 2009, HHS issued the **Breach Notification Rule,** which laid down disclosure notification rules for covered entities whose systems are hacked. In 2013, the **HIPAA Omnibus Rule** came into effect, making a number of tweaks to existing rules, the most important of which was the extension of the Privacy and Security Rule provisions to *business associates* of covered entities. Business associates don’t deal directly with patients but still have access to PHI, and can range from software vendors to transcriptionists, lawyers, and accountants. By far the most important developments here are the Privacy and Security Rules, since the other rules mostly either enforce or extend those rules. Let’s dive into those two rules in more detail. #### The Security Rule: How does HIPAA provide security? In order to comply with the HIPAA Security Rule, covered entities must maintain “reasonable and appropriate” safeguards to protect PHI. These safeguards must include *administrative* measures like risk analyses and workforce training, *physical* safeguards like workplace access controls, and *technical* implementations like cybersecurity software controls. The overall goals should be to: - Ensure the [confidentiality, integrity, and availability](https://www.csoonline.com/article/3519908/the-cia-triad-definition-components-and-examples.html) of all PHI handled or transmitted - Protect against reasonably anticipated threats to the security or integrity of the information - Protect against reasonably anticipated but impermissible uses or disclosures - Ensure workplace compliance The rule does not mandate any specific measures to be taken to implement these goals, and gives covered entities some flexibility to determine how best to go about all this based on their size, environment, and technical means. However, this flexibility also brings with it ambiguity for covered entities as to whether their security plans truly meet HIPAA’s standards. (For more details, check out [HHS’s summary of the rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/laws-regulations/index.html).) #### The HIPAA Privacy Rule The HIPAA Privacy Rule imposes a balancing act on covered entities. On one hand, it recognizes that, in order for the health care system to function, PHI needs to be handed off between various individuals, organizations, and companies. On the other, it mandates that patients have the right for their medical and personally identifying information to remain private. The Privacy Rule’s solution to this conundrum is the *Minimum Necessary Standard.* In essence, any individual working for a covered entity should have access to the PHI they need to do their job—but nothing beyond that. Obviously this is easier said than implemented in practice, and again this ambiguity drives anxiety over compliance. Accountable lists [a number of concrete steps](https://www.accountablehq.com/post/the-hipaa-privacy-rule) that covered entities can take to meet the mandates of the privacy rule, along with the specific information that falls under the umbrella of the law. Most of the steps companies need to take are administrative and range from designating a privacy officer to training employees on Privacy Rule requirements to supplying patients with privacy notices. One major mandate of the HIPAA Privacy Rule is that patients themselves have the right to access their own medical information. In addition, they can dispute data or request alterations, and proactively request restrictions on sharing of that data. For a more in-depth look, check out [HHS’s summary of the rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html). #### HIPAA compliance When you hear the phrase *HIPAA compliance* used in the tech industry, generally that refers to the technical and administrative measures necessary to comply with HIPAA Title II, and the bulk of that work involves meeting the requirements of the Security and Privacy Rules, as outlined above. There are some other more minor requirements as well: all covered entities must have a [National Provider Identifier](https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Administrative-Simplification/NationalProvIdentStand) and adhere to the [Transaction and Code Set Standards](https://www.texmed.org/template.aspx?id=1599) for electronic data interchange. Artificial intelligence applications address today’s healthcare challenges with data-driven insights that can help providers significantly boost the quality of patient care while combatting rising… In practice, the complex and ambiguous nature of the Security and Privacy Rules has spawned a cottage industry of vendors willing to offer compliance help. A wide of variety of software packages promise to help you keep your company in compliance with the law, and if you need more handholding, there’s a thriving consultancy business as well. Often the two are combined, with software vendors customizing solutions to your company’s needs and providing resources like training or verification along with it. Keep in mind that, due to the extension of HIPAA’s reach to business associates of health care providers, it’s not just doctors and insurance companies that need to be HIPAA compliant. If you’re selling products or services to anyone in the health care industry, you’ll need to be able to assure your customers that your offerings are HIPAA compliant. That’s why everyone from [computer programmers](https://www.thirdrocktechkno.com/blog/complete-hipaa-compliance-checklist-for-software-development/) to [cloud service providers](https://www.csoonline.com/article/3252089/is-your-cloud-service-provider-ready-for-hipaa.html) needs to be aware of HIPAA mandates. #### HIPAA training Getting staffers up to speed on their HIPAA duties is another requirement that has spawned a whole ecosystem of providers. 3i International has a good outline of [what sort of internal training HIPAA requires](https://www.3i-intl.com/2020/05/12/hipaa-compliance-training-whats-required-for-your-organization/), and Abyde explains [who needs to receive that training](https://abyde.com/requirements-for-hipaa-training/). If you’re in the market for a training partner, Threat Stack has a [comprehensive list of training resources](https://www.threatstack.com/blog/50-best-hipaa-training-resources), while Atlantic.net provides rates its [top 10 HIPAA training companies of 2020.](https://www.atlantic.net/hipaa-compliant-hosting/top-10-hipaa-training-companies-in-2020/) #### HIPAA violations HIPAA violations may come to light in a number of ways. Ideally, they would be caught and rectified by an organization’s internal auditing processes. (Indeed, HIPAA mandates audits and risk assessments for precisely this reason.) But they may often become public in ways more catastrophic for the organization—revealed by an internal whistleblower or customer complaint, for instance, or sniffed out by state or federal regulators. (HHS’s Office for Civil Rights is the main enforcer of HIPAA’s regulations). *HIPAA Journal* provides a list of [a number of common types of HIPAA violations](https://www.hipaajournal.com/common-hipaa-violations/), with real-world examples, that makes instructive reading. Many of them are quite straightforward—one health system filmed patients without their consent, for instance, and another disclosed a patient’s PHI in a press release. There are also cases like Anthem’s $16 million fine for failure to adequately protect its systems in the wake of a [massive hack](https://www.csoonline.com/article/2881532/anthem-how-does-a-breach-like-this-happen.html). Somewhat more obscure are the “process” violations of HIPAA regulations that come to light only in the aftermath of a data breach, at which point the punishment for breaking HIPAA rules is piled on top of the crisis caused by the breach’s aftermath. For instance, a pair of incidents in 2013—a vacationing doctor’s unencrypted laptop being stolen and a spreadsheet with patient data uploaded to a noncompliant cloud server—exposed the PHI of more than 7,000 patients at Oregon Health and Science University. In a settlement with HHS, OHSU [paid $2.7 million in HIPAA fines](https://www.hipaajournal.com/oregon-health-science-university-ocr-2-7-million-for-2013-data-breaches-3504/) because they hadn’t implemented an enterprise-wide risk analysis that might have prevented both incidents. The stakes are very high, which is why you need to make sure you do things correctly. Be prepared! --- This post was first shared on CSO Online, [HIPAA explained: definition, compliance, and violations](https://www.csoonline.com/article/3602903/hipaa-explained-definition-compliance-and-violations.html), on January 25, 2021. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Waste Management](https://wastemedic.com/2021/01/14/sars-cov-2-mrna-vaccine-waste-management/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** As the country ramps up with administering the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine, questions are beginning to arise about disposing of waste from vaccine administration. The following represent general recommendations for managing waste from administering the SAR-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. In general, disposal of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine related wastes should follow the same processes for other vaccine related wastes. However, not all states are the same – if a state has more stringent requirements than described below, follow the state laws! In addition, if the CDC or vaccine manufacturer require management different than the guidance below, follow those recommendations. Last, please be sure to follow your waste hauler’s Waste Acceptance Policy. The following containers should be used for each of the waste products: **Sharps container:** Used syringes/needles and empty vaccine vials, where required by rule or policy **Pharmaceutical waste container:** Remaining doses of vaccine. The vaccine is not a hazardous waste and, as such, does not need to be managed as a hazardous waste pharmaceutical. The SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine does not contain any viral material, attenuated or otherwise; vials containing residual liquids may be disposed of according to state or end disposal facility requirements for non-hazardous pharmaceuticals or regulated medical waste/red bag **Red bag:** Vial trays (please note this is a requirement of Pfizer, see link below for more info) and grossly contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE). In some states, unused doses of vaccine may also be disposed of in the red bag. However, this should be carefully evaluated to comply with state regulation, hospital protocols, and landfill/disposal policy **Trash:** PPE such as masks, gowns and gloves that are not contaminated as well as items such as cotton balls, alcohol wipes, bandages and polystyrene (Styrofoam®) packaging that is not required to be returned to manufacturer **Recycling:** Cardboard packaging that is not returned to the manufacturer can be recycled **Return to manufacturer:** Follow vaccine manufacturers’ instructions for return of any “cold box” shipping materials and tracking devices. In the case of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the temperature-monitoring device, foam lid, dry ice pod, and the box that held the vial trays should be returned **Other:** Dry ice should be allowed to sublimate (change from solid to gas) in an open, well-ventilated area. It should be kept in the original container. (Dry ice in an enclosed space can lead to build-up of carbon dioxide which can result in a potential for suffocation) References Pfizer-BioNTech, Shipping and handling guidelines, retrieved December 18, 2020. [https://www.cvdvaccineus.com/images/pdf/Shipping\_and\_Handling\_Guidelines.pdf](https://www.cvdvaccineus.com/images/pdf/Shipping_and_Handling_Guidelines.pdf) Pfizer-BioNTech, The S.T.E.P.S. to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccination, retrieved December 18, 2020. --- This information was made available from the [National Waste & Recycling Institute](https://wasterecycling.org/healthcare-waste-institute/) from December 2020. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [OSHA Gathers More than $3.5 Million in Coronavirus Penalties](https://wastemedic.com/2020/12/29/osha-gathers-more-than-3-5-million-in-coronavirus-penalties/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through Dec. 3, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations arising from 263 inspections for violations relating to the coronavirus, resulting in proposed penalties of more than $3.5 million, the DOL said in a Dec. 11 press release. Inspections have led the agency to cite employers for failures to: implement a written respiratory protection program; provide workers with a respirator fit test, training on the proper use of a respirator and personal protective equipment; report an illness or fatality; record an illness on OSHA record-keeping forms; comply with the general duty clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. We’ve gathered news on OSHA citations from the DOL website, *SHRM Online* and other trusted media outlets. **Review OSHA and CDC Guidelines** Although OSHA hasn’t issued any COVID-19-related standards, the agency has issued citations based on existing standards, such as those for respiratory protection, and released guidelines for limiting workers’ exposure to the coronavirus. OSHA recommends that employers periodically check the agency’s website, as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, for updates. ([OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/)) Two North Jersey Hospitals Fined In November, OSHA fined Montclair Hospital and St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark $13,494 and $25,601, respectively, for alleged coronavirus violations. The companies were cited for failing to implement a written respiratory program; failing to provide a respirator fit test or training on the proper use of a respirator or personal protective equipment; failing to report an illness or fatality; and failing to comply with other OSHA regulations, such as proper record-keeping. ([northjersey.com](https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/11/16/osha-fines-8-nj-companies-including-two-hospitals-covid-failures/6314652002/)) Employers Must Investigate Whether Coronavirus Infections Are Work-Related All employers must determine whether employees who have COVID-19 contracted it at work. If the employee caught the coronavirus at work or while performing work-related activities, the employer must record the illness on the OSHA Form 300. ([SHRM Online](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/coronavirus-work-related-determinations.aspx?_ga=2.39365155.1641629413.1607958193-1500963456.1602108623)) OSHA’s COVID-19 Reporting Obligations Clarified Employers will rarely have to report COVID-19-related hospitalizations due to the virus’s lengthy incubation period, according to OSHA’s clarification on the reporting rules for work-related hospitalizations and fatalities. Under OSHA’s interpretation, employers must more frequently report COVID-19-related deaths and must continue to record numerous COVID-19 cases among their employees. ([SHRM Online](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/coronavirus-osha-reporting-obligations.aspx)) OSHA May Issue COVID-19 Standards Under Biden Administration Employers can expect increased enforcement by OSHA under the Biden administration and possible emergency temporary standards to combat the spread of COVID-19. The hiring of more OSHA inspectors is also likely. ([SHRM Online](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/coronavirus-osha-may-issue-covid-19-standards.aspx?_ga=2.141050546.1641629413.1607958193-1500963456.1602108623)) Many States Require COVID-19-Related Workplace Safety Training Employers should review applicable state laws in addition to federal guidelines, as many states now require employers to provide employees with COVID-19-related workplace safety training. Even in states where training is not explicitly required, employers should consider providing training that is consistent with guidelines from OSHA and the CDC. Employers that provide up-to-date training can demonstrate their concern for employee safety and minimize the risk of government enforcement actions and employee litigation. ([SHRM Online](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/state-and-local-updates/pages/covid-19-workplace-safety-training-rules-and-recommendations.aspx?_ga=2.141050546.1641629413.1607958193-1500963456.1602108623)) --- This post, [OSHA Gathers More than $3.5 Million in Coronavirus Penalties](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/osha-gathers-coronavirus-penalties.aspx), first appeared on [https://www.shrm.org](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/osha-gathers-coronavirus-penalties.aspx). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [OSHA to Target Workplaces with Highest Injury and Illness Rates](https://wastemedic.com/2020/12/29/osha-to-target-workplaces-with-highest-injury-and-illness-rates/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is updating its inspection program that directs agency enforcement resources to establishments with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses. The [Site-Specific Targeting (SST) Directive](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/1vo4CL9YPoHPgEKmlIYpwHj?domain=lnks.gd "Site-Specific Targeting (SST) Directive") is OSHA’s primary targeting program for non-construction establishments with 20 or more employees. The agency selects establishments based on injury and illness data employers submitted on Form 300A for calendar years 2017-2019. The new directive replaces Site-Specific Targeting 2016, and includes the following significant changes: - The creation of a new targeting category for establishments indicating consistent injury and illness rate increases over the three-year data collection period, and - Allows records only inspections to occur when a compliance safety and health officer determines incorrect data led to an establishment’s inclusion in the program. This change ensures OSHA will conduct a full inspection only when the employer has an actual elevated injury and illness experience. In addition to the SST program, OSHA implements both national and local emphasis programs to target high-risk hazards and industries. Learn more about these [emphasis programs](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/Jw_RCM8E9pH5LEXRvIqPZ4a?domain=lnks.gd "emphasis programs"). OSHA’s [On-Site Consultation Program](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/LVSoCNkE8qiNQv7Ewu3-8mW?domain=lnks.gd "On-Site Consultation Program") offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small- and medium-sized businesses to identify workplace hazards, provide advice for compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing and improving safety and health programs. On-Site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit [www.osha.gov](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/96U4COYEZruAgqn0Es938PF?domain=lnks.gd "OSHA webpage"). The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights. --- This post, [OSHA to Target Workplaces with Highest Injury and Illness Rates](https://www.waste360.com/safety/osha-target-workplaces-highest-injury-and-illness-rates), first appeared on [https://www.waste360.com](https://www.waste360.com/safety/osha-target-workplaces-highest-injury-and-illness-rates). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [NWRA urges governors to include waste and recycling workers as part of states’ COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans](https://wastemedic.com/2020/12/29/nwra-urges-governors-to-include-waste-and-recycling-workers-as-part-of-states-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-plans/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The [National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA)](https://wasterecycling.org/) announced Dec. 2 that it has [sent letters ](http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=a63fHltB-2FWGBgfmU-2BLImQb4awuUUonEUoRz2A1lwAuZaSYuFJYqlGxHNnJS3Kj-2BR-2BbiKH2puKVclvE02oC8-2B4JZ-2Fkd65j4feynKOeFzvO39GniKSHtFTalKDmWGsuHqthdSRFyTa3Ft6gdR7f6tunw-3D-3Dk8FW_oGQoeRzMHx8dkS0bx-2BEwTzL2mgboMscEkxuD7JoBAb-2BDIA3yNfCPDItEES906O5nYxBb64uV1Qh1exWxsucEt0Zm6ek8bKFyKFI-2FgeSQTui86-2F-2FEp4QCYJM89ADOkmZKvu8w0zgOIrI0Fe-2BCYM7fkLFabihyvMJ-2FCzjLozcvjquKxn1r6rBlEHsS2DpX3Q-2BIROQmPytjsHQXqZvuLnI3H4yKeTe5dRwuAeYbthyJLbUwT-2FhhabUT6cM8Yrc4cgi0I1WYGrR6GvJ6n8l2vDf-2FoR0WNZcsjcFyGFsK9PafC2iNHUSnuQZQa3HjiHDcN1eWnnL7nDkxA0zsdCt85Gy7U-2FEwyTQJVaoYc-2BuGVrRw1wEGLxP0hP-2F0ej2SaLpulIMLzsaFgCJukZxGUMg2nFDtoA-3D-3D)to the nation’s governors urging them to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/index.html) on including waste and recycling industry personnel as a part of their states’ vaccine distribution plans, including specialty medical waste workers who provide collection and management services within healthcare settings. “The waste and recycling industry provides a critical service that is essential to preventing the spread of disease and illness in society. The delivery of these services impacts all healthcare, residential, commercial and industrial properties on a daily basis, necessitating them to receive prioritization,” NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith says. “We also have member companies that provide services for the healthcare sector, picking up and managing medical waste and sharps waste. They go into hospitals, emergency rooms, long-term care facilities and doctors’ offices as well as pharmaceutical and research facilities. We believe these specialty waste workers providing services within these healthcare settings should receive the vaccine immediately following its distribution to primary healthcare workers.” NWRA has consistently advocated for the waste and recycling industry to receive the COVID-19 vaccine after healthcare workers. At the request of NWRA, the [Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Administration ](https://www.cisa.gov/)classified waste collection workers as essential under five different “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” categories. NWRA previously sent a [letter](http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=a63fHltB-2FWGBgfmU-2BLImQWtLNR-2BkKbY9iYx54T8k90nKXTCt5bfnUYsSzXPNFiO6cVi0Rh-2FMq3Em4lkjHGEQfU5aHSq5KnyqFiPcuHO9FBNENylrgfln9k3BRHMz8DzuQC-2B6YshLVwZBqljj3uLIQU-2F708OGIbR37RA1sFQGQvo-3D6Omx_oGQoeRzMHx8dkS0bx-2BEwTzL2mgboMscEkxuD7JoBAb-2BDIA3yNfCPDItEES906O5nYxBb64uV1Qh1exWxsucEt0Zm6ek8bKFyKFI-2FgeSQTui86-2F-2FEp4QCYJM89ADOkmZKvu8w0zgOIrI0Fe-2BCYM7fkLFabihyvMJ-2FCzjLozcvjquKxn1r6rBlEHsS2DpX3Q-2BIROQmPytjsHQXqZvuLnI3H0GWY0slHnXJ5wfsKURsNXQf-2Fw0tf02g3oB81BotBKekFahfewMYcxG6rfy-2BQjoWTqj2XcqeGcZS07LaOC1FXvcAAbhzaIsGRNbvL9TUDEgLZarzZKfuFk2USUCtK-2F7pJGejZUR8m2glQd6dd744tIa4JhYNLR7-2Fv1k48SJd5KzJ0fUw-2FMQk-2FdujDSbYB4-2F5XA-3D-3D) to the CDC urging the agency to accept the recommendation of the ACIP that essential workers, as identified by DHS, should receive a COVID-19 vaccine after healthcare workers. Waste and recycling workers were also placed on the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s [COVID-19 vaccine priority list](http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=a63fHltB-2FWGBgfmU-2BLImQb4awuUUonEUoRz2A1lwAua5KLdYHdaQhWSOya4OpowKmRybkxhxPj1TaHpRgWIi9K-2FWlfy-2F48WMZQw5J-2BZgT2vsP4omhlCnegR-2Bl7bkM3-2FBrzicdn1Avy8hqWI-2B88XJcYN8LANfxyHIbAqiJRPJ-2FSY-3DEA3L_oGQoeRzMHx8dkS0bx-2BEwTzL2mgboMscEkxuD7JoBAb-2BDIA3yNfCPDItEES906O5nYxBb64uV1Qh1exWxsucEt0Zm6ek8bKFyKFI-2FgeSQTui86-2F-2FEp4QCYJM89ADOkmZKvu8w0zgOIrI0Fe-2BCYM7fkLFabihyvMJ-2FCzjLozcvjquKxn1r6rBlEHsS2DpX3Q-2BIROQmPytjsHQXqZvuLnI3H-2FgedSqjhaudcbChb4SfkdWZeW9vrwqdnOcT0hG-2F98AhJFK7McU01Hsbsr2tIW-2FdxjyVZGXxc-2BaphcyFrJISx3TJjcd4Qz42Lr0VEslInEg-2BGArW9rRfmwAq2BPkNnJuk5iaagiu8cmzB7NIkVRk9B58DpskyBZp0J0LzQUs-2FgGfDXMoMejWzgW8oDnbl5PDEA-3D-3D) in response to a request from NWRA. --- This post, [NWRA urges governors to include waste and recycling workers as part of states’ COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans](https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com/article/nwra-waste-workers-covid-vaccine/), first appeared on [https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com](https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com/article/nwra-waste-workers-covid-vaccine/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Health Privacy, Security Priorities in Biden Administration](https://wastemedic.com/2020/12/28/health-privacy-security-priorities-in-biden-administration/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Look for the Biden administration to put health data privacy and security on the front burner next year. As attorney general for California, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Designate Xavier Becerra developed a track record as a proponent of consumer privacy initiatives. Most recently, his office developed and implemented the regulations for the roll-out of the California Consumer Privacy Act. He also took an active role in new laws addressing privacy and security aspects for direct-to-consumer genetic testing and testing companies. So, if he’s confirmed as HHS secretary, Becerra could lead the charge on privacy and security issues on the national level. If past history is a guide, however, the new administration likely won’t appoint a new director for the HHS Office for Civil Rights, which enforces [HIPAA](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/hipaa-hitech-c-282), until late in 2021. In the meantime, the director role will likely be filled on an acting basis with senior career leaders in the agency. Here’s a look at what’s likely to be on OCR’s agenda in 2021. #### Information Blocking The 21st Century Cures Act’s [information blocking and interoperability regulations](https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/hhs-delays-data-sharing-regulation-deadlines-a-15277) require healthcare providers and health plans to provide patients quick access to their health information through third-party mobile or internet software applications. The applications that are selected by patients to [access](https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/identity-access-management-c-446) their health information are not subject to HIPAA’s privacy and security standards. The regulations make it much more difficult for covered entities to exercise discretion when requested to disclose patient information to third parties. Current OCR Director Roger Severino appeared to be largely on the sidelines during the development and implementation of the information blocking and interoperability regulations. HHS’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ adoption of standards undercut the HIPAA Privacy Rule’s standards for disclosure of protected health information while expanding an individual’s rights to access their health information. OCR recently announced [proposed modifications to the HIPAA Privacy Rule](https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/hhs-reveals-proposed-changes-to-hipaa-privacy-rule-a-15571) that adjust patient access to PHI. The proposals also would loosen standards for when a covered entity could disclose patient information without first obtaining authorization while removing caps that place limits on the scope of the data disclosed under the [privacy](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/privacy-c-151) rule. I expect these recent proposals to modify the HIPAA Privacy Rule to undergo a long period of review, with further modifications likely. It’s possible that OCR’s proposed modifications to HIPAA could be withdrawn if the Biden administration issues a blanket withdrawal of all proposed rulemaking. Also, the April compliance dates for the information blocking and interoperability regulations could be further delayed due to the ongoing [coronavirus](http://covid19.inforisktoday.com/) public health emergency. In the meantime, be on the lookout for action by the incoming HHS secretary to address the calls by some for stronger consumer privacy and security standards, as well as requirements to account for how third-party apps used by consumers to collect their data from healthcare providers and health plans share patients’ health information. #### HIPAA Enforcement Look for 2021 to be a year when OCR continues to exercise its HIPAA enforcement muscle – but not at the pace seen in 2020. OCR has been on a tear, settling 20 cases in 2020 with resolution agreements and corrective action plans. Thirteen of these [enforcement actions](https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/hhs-issues-another-settlement-on-patient-access-to-records-a-15647) have cited violations of the Privacy Rule’s standards requiring healthcare providers give individuals access to or copies of their health information. The other settlements involve unauthorized disclosure of health information – breaches – whose root cause was found to be a failure to comply with various provisions of the Security Rule’s requirements to safeguard protected health information. Over the years, OCR has collected more than $130 million in HIPAA penalties from covered entities and business associates. And behind the scenes, the agency has closed hundreds of other compliance reviews that forced organizations to take actions to update their compliance policies or safeguards for protecting health information. The common denominator for many of the cases in which there was a settlement was that the organization suffered one or more [breaches](https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/breach-notification-c-327) affecting more than 500 individuals. The enforcement actions came about when investigations into the root cause of the breach found systemic, often profound, failures of organizational programs to safeguard protected health information. And most often cited was failure to perform an information security [risk assessment](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/risk-assessment-c-44) or to have a risk management plan to address gaps in the safeguards for information systems – required actions under the HIPAA Security Rule. #### Legislative Action While OCR has enjoyed bipartisan support from Congress in holding healthcare organizations accountable for their failure to have adequate safeguards in place to protect patient information from unauthorized disclosures, efforts to excuse some healthcare entities from compliance reviews and enforcement actions are gaining steam. A last-minute flurry of pre-holiday Congressional activity resulted in the passage of legislation that amends the HITECH Act to require OCR to take into consideration when making compliance reviews, regulatory audits or enforcement actions whether a covered entity or business associate has implemented viable security practices, such as use of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (see: [*Bill Spells Out New Factors to Weigh in Setting HIPAA Fines*](https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/bill-spells-out-new-factors-to-weigh-in-setting-hipaa-fines-a-15640)). HHS rulemaking will be required to implement the legislation that is sure to change the landscape of future enforcement and compliance audit efforts. #### HIPAA Audits? In 2016 and 2017, OCR conducted HIPAA compliance audits of approximately 166 covered entities and 41 business associates, measuring how organizations had adopted policies and performed processes on selected provisions of the HIPAA privacy, security and breach notification rules. But OCR didn’t publish its [audit findings](https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/at-last-results-hipaa-compliance-audit-program-revealed-a-15634) until Dec. 17 of *this year*. Although the HITECH Act mandates OCR to conduct audits for HIPAA compliance, there have been no such audits since 2017. Look for OCR to consider a reboot of the audit program first by looking for a contractor to handle the demands of examining HIPAA compliance. We could see a new and improved permanent audit program launched late in the year or early 2022. --- This post, [Health Privacy, Security Priorities in Biden Administration](https://www.govinfosecurity.com/blogs/health-privacy-security-priorities-in-biden-administration-p-2983), first appeared on [https://www.govinfosecurity.com](https://www.govinfosecurity.com/blogs/health-privacy-security-priorities-in-biden-administration-p-2983). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [How does HIPAA affect medical devices?](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/24/how-does-hipaa-affect-medical-devices/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Concern for protecting and safely handling private health information continues to grow, especially with the reliance on electronic transmission. Federal regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provide guidelines to help ensure that healthcare providers, institutions and their business partners protect patient records. While it’s clear what health entities should do to ensure private health data safety, the role of medical devices in this effort is less well understood. #### Understanding protected health information (PHI) Numerous medical devices can collect and transmit data. For example, m-health devices monitor vital signs, transmit patient records to doctors and allow remote examinations on mobile phones, tablets, and other portable medical devices. These devices often carry personal records such as patient names, phone numbers, addresses, insurance information, Social Security numbers and health information. HIPAA’s privacy rule requires the protection of private health information, which applies to covered entities, hybrid entities and business associates. HIPAA also has a security rule to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of health information. And it creates standards for administrative, technical and physical safeguards for private patient information. These standards include: 1. **Confidentiality** — A patient’s private health information must not be disclosed to a third party unless the patient authorizes it. 2. **Integrity** — The data should be valid, and the users of the information should trust its reliability. 3. **Availability** — The data should be available for use, especially in life-or-death situations. #### Covered entities HIPAA defines healthcare providers, medical clearinghouses and health plans as covered entities. These are individuals and organizations that transmit health information electronically. The transmission may be for claims, payments, treatments and operations. #### Hybrid entities HIPAA defines hybrid entities as organizations that perform covered and non-covered functions. For example, a university may have a medical center that transmits patient information electronically and runs other operations. #### Business associates According to HIPAA, business associates are organizations that run operations on behalf of a covered entity. If your business includes the disclosure of private patient information, you’re a business associate. This includes processing claims, consulting, accounting, legal matters, financial services and data management, among others. #### How does HIPAA affect manufacturers? For device manufacturers, compliance begins with understanding user needs. If you’re creating devices for use by covered entities, the device design must support information protection. HIPAA requires that health organizations and providers create policies to protect private information and achieve compliance. As these entities strive to achieve compliance, your device must support their quest by incorporating features that ensure the safety of patient data and HIPAA compliance. #### Ensuring medical device HIPAA compliance There is no defined requirement for medical devices under HIPAA. Manufacturers need to study the compliance environment and create devices that help covered entities achieve compliance. Here are some guidelines: 1. Read the HIPAA rules and understand what counts as PHI and how you can protect it. Consider discussions with covered entities to address grievances when it comes to HIPAA compliance. 2. Include security features that control access to information according to the covered entity’s rules. For example, enabling password features to access a system, tracking the users through personal IDs, and encrypting internal and external transmissions. 3. Consider providing transmission options that conceal patient names while providing relevant information such as patient health history and room numbers to ensure privacy and availability. 4. Consider incorporating advanced privacy measures such as biometric authentication through fingerprints for critical data. 5. Sign a business associate agreement with the covered entity you’re in contract with. This agreement should demonstrate that you understand how to follow the privacy and security rules. The documents should also show how you plan to protect, use and disclose PHI in your hands. 6. Create a stable workflow that ensures all data is captured and secured correctly. This ensures the reliability of data and keeps the information secure from the source to the storage. 7. Understand which operating systems and software are in use and check for upgrades and compatibility issues that may affect PHI safety. Frequent security patches may be necessary to ensure security. #### Protecting yourself from HIPAA violations As a device manufacturer, your company stands to lose should you remain noncompliant. PHI exposure often comes with investigations, loss of business, lawsuits and compensation to affected clients. Understanding HIPAA compliance, incorporating control features and securing your information pipeline are vital to your business. *Jordan MacAvoy is VP of marketing at Reciprocity. He previously served in executive roles at Fundbox and Intuit, via its acquisition of the SaaS marketing and communications solution Demandforce.* *The opinions expressed in this blog post are the author’s only and do not necessarily reflect those of Medical Design and Outsourcing or its employees.* --- This post, [How does HIPAA affect medical devices?](https://www.medicaldesignandoutsourcing.com/how-does-hipaa-affect-medical-devices/), first appeared on [https://www.medicaldesignandoutsourcing.com](https://www.medicaldesignandoutsourcing.com/how-does-hipaa-affect-medical-devices/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [6 Tips on How to Respond to Reviews Under HIPAA Guidelines](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/24/6-tips-on-how-to-respond-to-reviews-under-hipaa-guidelines/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Customer loyalty is the ultimate goal of any business. Everyday companies should not only try to provide excellent service but also try to turn a dissatisfied customer into a happy one. But how can one calm down an angry patient without violating HIPAA regulations? Sounds like this poses an additional challenge to healthcare providers. In this article, [PissedConsumer.com](https://www.pissedconsumer.com/) tells you about the most common HIPPA violations and gives tips on how to respond to online reviews in accordance with HIPAA requirements. Healthcare companies, more than companies in any other area of business, need to build trustworthy, reliable, and loyal relationships with their clients. But they have something very important to consider while communicating with their patients, especially online, on public platforms: HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act that was adopted in 1996). This Act is aimed at securing the privacy of individuals’ health information that is held or transferred in an electronic form. The list of institutions that should comply with HIPPA regulations include: 1. medical centers, clinics, and hospitals; 2. private practices; 3. outpatient providers; 4. hospices and adult care providers; 5. pharmacies; 6. laboratories; 7. health plans and insurance providers. #### Why Is HIPAA Compliance Important for Healthcare Providers? Or, in other words, what consequences can HIPAA violations have for them? HIPAA violations are infamous for substantial fines that can go up to $5.5 million. Such significant HIPAA violation penalties may be particularly threatening to small private practices. Moreover, healthcare institutions can also be punished with sanctions or loss of license. There are many real HIPAA violation examples and following fines that speak louder than words. For instance, in April 2017 CardioNet had to settle potential noncompliance with the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rule. The company was obliged to pay $2.5 million as HIPAA violation penalties and to draft a corrective action plan. A similar issue happened to Memorial Healthcare System (MHS). This medical organization had to pay the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) $5.5 million to settle potential violations of HIPAA in February 2017. The protected health information (PHI) of 115,143 individuals was impermissibly accessed by MHS’s employees and disclosed to the physician office staff. Another case of HIPAA violation took place in November 2017, according to Digital Guardian. Lahey Hospital and Medical Center (Lahey) agreed to pay $850,000 in HIPAA violation penalties and to adopt a corrective action plan so as to settle potential violations of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. And these HIPAA violation examples are not so rare. Nevertheless, businesses operating in the medical field have to keep up with modern technological advances to succeed in customer service and to meet HIPAA requirements. #### 5 Most Common HIPAA Violations The entities that deal with people’s medical records have to always be on guard. They should not only be able to protect the data from unauthorized disclosures, but also to ensure integrity and availability of patient’s information upon request. Moreover, medical institutions also need to train their staff according to HIPAA requirements. Regardless of all these preventive measures, the most common HIPAA violations are still rather common and occur frequently over the years. Take a look at the 5 most common HIPAA violations. **1. Disclosure or use of protected health information (PHI) without authorization.** Employees can accidentally share an individual’s private information with their colleagues or friends. The leak of data can happen if medical workers text their data via insecure telecommunication channels and expose them to hackers or mishandle patient’s records, so other medical staff members or patients can see it. Last but not least is online posts, comments on different social media networks, review platforms, and blogs. Their customer service representatives can unintentionally breach an individual’s privacy and share his/her PHI. **2. Absence or lack of technical safeguards to protected health information.** This type of HIPPA violation poses one of the biggest dangers to any healthcare entity. Unfortunately, company security systems quite often turn out to be unable to protect their patients’ medical records and can be easily accessed by cybercriminals. Or health information can go public if employees access data through their home computers or any other unprotected computers. **3. Inability for patients to access their protected health information.** Medical institutions can fail to provide patients’ records upon request which can cause HIPAA complaints. Like, for example, this consumer shared a review about CareNow: > *…Furthermore, they have no respect for HIPAA they refuse to release your complete records cover to cover and the records you do got are blacked out hiding full detailed information…* Even though this type of HIPAA violation seems minor, it can lead to quite costly settlements. **4. Lost or stolen devices.** Theft of cell phones, tablets, laptops, flash drives, and other devices with PHI in them can result in HIPAA violation penalties. Even if this HIPAA breach is considered incidental, this fact doesn’t lessen the sum of payments a violating organization has to cover. To prevent this from happening, management and employees must take respective security measurements. **5. Illegal or excessive access to patient’s files by employees.** It is also a quite common type of HIPAA violation when staff members access patient’s records without authorization. Especially, if employees are patient’s friends, relatives, or if a patient is a celebrity. Such curiosity can be seriously punished with substantial fines or even imprisonment. An organization can be penalized not only for a committed crime but also for a potential threat to an individual’s medical data and for the lack of a respective action plan. To avoid possible noncompliance with the HIPAA regulations, an organization should trace all the updates and dynamics in the Security and Privacy Rules. #### 6 Tips on How to Respond to Reviews Under HIPAA Guidelines The HIPAA restrictions are not the ground to ignore your patients’ HIPAA complaints. You just need to be more careful than other businesses when communicating with your clients. To succeed in this communication and to get the maximum for your company, you need to keep in mind some tips. **1. Respond quickly.** It is what your disgruntled customers expect from you first of all. But remember that HIPAA will not forgive impulsiveness. It might be an expensive mistake. Double-check everything you write to your customers publicly. Re-check the tone and phrases you use to respond to HIPAA reviews. **2. Be patient, polite, and helpful.** Bad things happen and patients CAN BE unhappy with your services. So, be ready that an angry client might express himself/herself in an aggressive way. But this behavior shouldn’t affect your attitude. Be objective and don’t take it personally. Think about the answers to the following questions: Why did it happen, and why did the patient feel this way? Is there something you could have done to prevent it? Have you or your colleagues already heard about it? Should you consider a change or improvement? Remember, that your “weapon” is patience and friendliness. Admit the mistake and take full responsibility for it. At first, it will soothe the person and make him/her open for further interaction. Your main goal is to take the conversation off-line and dispute the question mentioned in a HIPAA review face-to-face. **3. Comply with the “confidentiality” rule.** Since you can’t disclose a patient’s information in any way, you should create responses that will correspond to HIPAA requirements. You shouldn’t acknowledge that the person that was referred to your healthcare entity is your patient. Even if he/she publicly admitted it. It means that replies like: > *We apologize that you’ve experienced some issues with our company. But we’d love to take the chance to make it right.* are not the best answer because you publicly recognize this person to be your patient. Your answers to HIPPA reviews on media sources have to be totally impersonal but not “robotic”. It means that you have to create at least several templates. But you also need to leave some space to refer to a particular problem. For example, when a person is dissatisfied with some company policies or rules and you need to explain to them to eliminate conflict. Moreover, all the responses should be written in such a way, so that to encourage your customer to discuss the matter offline. **4. Take the dispute offline.** It’s the main goal of resolving any medical issue online. In an offline conversation, you can find out as many details as possible to help you fix the issue faster and not to violate HIPAA regulations. Also, it’s necessary to make the conversation more personal and to make your customer feel cared about and important. **5. Try to get as many details as possible.** Even if a customer hasn’t provided you with them. The information you collect is needed to make the right unbiased and empathic decision. You have to get answers to the basic questions: how/where/when it happened, who was involved, what actions were made to settle the issues. In turn, give as many details as possible to your customer regarding how you are going to resolve his/her problem and when it is going to happen. **6. Follow up.** Reach out to a person in several days to make sure that your customer’s HIPAA complaint has been addressed and resolved. Keep in mind that you must always provide the best customer service. Thanks to follow-ups and collected feedback, you will know for sure whether you’ve fully met your customers’ needs. Remember that such close Company – Customer communications help not only to turn a disgruntled consumer into a loyal one but to identify possible flaws in your business and to prevent them from happening in the future. HIPPA poses a real monetary danger to medical businesses if they do not meet its requirements. But knowledge and law-abiding behavior and business strategies have always been the best tools to avoid any legal issues. Be aware, stay updated and your medical entity will be perfectly safe. --- This post, [6 Tips on How to Respond to Reviews Under HIPAA Guidelines](https://customerthink.com/6-tips-on-how-to-respond-to-reviews-under-hipaa-guidelines/), first appeared on [https://customerthink.com](https://customerthink.com/6-tips-on-how-to-respond-to-reviews-under-hipaa-guidelines/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [17 HIPAA settlements in 2020](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/24/17-hipaa-settlements-in-2020/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** 2020 has been a busy year with HHS’ Office for Civil Rights, from Premera Blue Cross’ $6.85 million settlement, the second largest in OCR history, to numerous right of access case resolutions. Here are 17 hospitals, health systems and health plans that have agreed to HIPAA settlements so far this year. 1\. Steven Porter, MD, a gastroenterologist in Ogden, Utah, [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/utah-physician-agrees-to-100k-hipaa-violations-settlement.html) in March to pay OCR $100,000 to settle a potential HIPAA violation related to a data breach stemming from a dispute with a business associate. OCR determined that Dr. Porter failed to conduct a risk analysis when the breach was reported. 2\. Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/lifespan-pays-over-1m-to-settle-hipaa-charge.html) in July to settle a potential HIPAA violation related to a stolen laptop for just over $1 million. Lifespan reported the breach in April 2017 as affecting 20,431 individuals, and OCR found that the health system had systemic noncompliance with HIPAA rules, including failure to encrypt electronic protected health information as well as a lack of device and media controls. 3\. Doing business as Washington, N.C.-based Agape Health Services, Metropolitan Community Health Services [ agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/north-carolina-medical-clinic-to-pay-25k-settlement-over-multiple-hipaa-violations.html) in July to pay OCR $25,000 to settle potential HIPAA violations stemming from a June 2011 data breach. OCR said the organization did not conduct any risk analyses or provide staff security awareness training to prevent security incidents. 4\. Premera Blue Cross [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/at-nearly-7m-premera-blue-cross-agrees-to-pay-2nd-largest-hipaa-fine-in-ocr-history.html) to pay OCR $6.85 million in September to settle potential violations related to a HIPAA breach that affected more than 10.4 million people. The settlement is the second largest payment to resolve a HIPAA investigation, which centered on a 2014 email phishing attack on Premera’s systems that lasted for nine months and exposed 10.4 million individuals’ protected health information. 5\. A Community Hospital Systems’ entity that provides business associate services to hospitals and clinics in September[ agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/chs-associate-pays-2-3m-hipaa-settlement-4-details.html) to settle violations related to a potential HIPAA breach for $2.3 million. The company provides IT, health information management and other services to the hospitals and clinics owned by Franklin, Tenn.-based CHS. 6\. Athens (Ga.) Orthopedic in September [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/georgia-medical-group-pays-1-5m-to-settle-hipaa-noncompliance-allegations-4-details.html) to pay $1.5 million to settle HIPAA noncompliance related to a 2016 EHR hacking incident that exposed 208,557 individuals’ information. The patient records were posted online for sale by the hackers. 7\. Beth Israel Lahey Health Behavioral Services in September [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/5-providers-settle-hipaa-violation-allegations.html) to pay $70,000 to settle potential HIPAA violations related to an April 2019 complaint that an individual was unable to access her father’s medical records. 8\. Housing Works, a New York City-based nonprofit organization providing healthcare and other services to in-need individuals, [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/5-providers-settle-hipaa-violation-allegations.html) to pay $38,000 in September after a June 2019 complaint alleged the organization failed to provide an individual a copy of his medical records. A second complaint was filed against the organization in August by the same individual, who eventually received his medical records in November 2019. 9\. All Inclusive Medical Services, a multispecialty family medicine clinic based in Carmichael, Calif., in September [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/5-providers-settle-hipaa-violation-allegations.html) to pay $15,000 after a January 2018 complaint alleged it refused to give a patient her medical records. The patient received her records in August 2020. 10\. Wise Psychiatry, a Colorado-based psychiatric services provider, [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/5-providers-settle-hipaa-violation-allegations.html) to pay $10,000 in September after not providing a personal representative of a minor patient access to her son’s medical records in 2017. That complaint was eventually closed in April 2018, but the OCR received a second complaint in October 2018 that the individual still did not receive access to her son’s medical records; she eventually received the records in May 2019. 11\. King MD, a psychiatric services provider in Virginia, [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/5-providers-settle-hipaa-violation-allegations.html) to pay $3,500 in September after the OCR received a complaint in October 2018 that it did not respond to a patient’s request for medical records access. The agency received another complaint in February 2019 that the individual still didn’t have access to the medical records; the medical records were eventually received in July 2020. 12\. Dignity Health, doing business as St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, in October [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/ocr-settles-hipaa-right-of-access-case-with-dignity-health-for-160k.html) to pay $160,000 for violating the HIPAA Right of Access rule. On April 25, 2018, OCR received a complaint from a mother claiming that she made multiple requests to SJHMC starting in January 2018 for a copy of her son’s medical records. She didn’t receive all the records until December 2019. 13\. NY Spine Medicine in New York City in October [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/new-york-practice-to-pay-100k-for-violating-hipaa-right-of-access-rule.html) to pay $100,000 for violating the HIPAA Right of Access rule. In July 2019, OCR received a complaint from an individual who claimed she made multiple requests to NY Spine Medicine for a copy of her medical records that June. While the medical practice provided some of the patient’s records, it did not give her the diagnostic films she specifically requested; the patient received her medical records this October. 14\. Aetna [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/payer-issues/aetna-settles-hipaa-breaches-affecting-nearly-18-500.html) to pay $1 million in October to settle three separate HIPAA violations that all took place within a six-month period in 2017 and affected nearly 18,500 members. 15\. The New Haven (Conn.) Health Department in October [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/connecticut-city-pays-202k-hipaa-fine-for-failing-to-terminate-former-health-department-employee-s-phi-access.html) to pay $202,400 for a 2017 HIPAA breach related to improper termination of a former employee’s access to patient medical records. The former employee returned to the health department eight days after being fired in 2016 and logged onto her old computer using still-active user account information. She then downloaded PHI including names, addresses and dates of birth on a USB drive. 16\. Riverside (Calif.) Psychiatric Medical Group in November agreed to [pay](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/california-medical-group-fined-25k-for-withholding-woman-s-medical-records-20-months.html) $25,000 to settle HIPAA Right of Access violation allegations. OCR received a complaint in March 2019 from a patient claiming the medical group did not provide her a copy of her records after several requests. OCR then received a second complaint on the matter in April 2019; the records were eventually provided to the patient in October. 17\. Rajendra Bhayani, MD, who operates a private otolaryngology practice in Regal Park, N.Y., [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/new-york-physician-pays-15k-to-settle-hipaa-right-of-access-violation.html) in November to pay $15,000 after the OCR received a complaint in September 2018 that he did not respond to a patient’s request for medical records access. The agency received another complaint in July 2019 about Dr. Bhayani that the individual still didn’t have access to the medical records; the records were eventually received in September 2020. --- This post, [17 HIPAA settlements in 2020](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/18-hipaa-settlements-in-2020.html), first appeared on [https://www.beckershospitalreview.com](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/18-hipaa-settlements-in-2020.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Aetna to Pay OCR $1M Over 3 Patient Data Breaches, HIPAA Violations](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/02/aetna-to-pay-ocr-1m-over-3-patient-data-breaches-hipaa-violations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** October 28, 2020 – The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights [announced](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/10/28/aetna-pays-one-million-to-settle-three-hipaa-breaches.html) it reached a $1 million settlement with Aetna to resolve potential HIPAA violations stemming from three separate patient data breaches in 2017. The insurance giant has already settled a class-action lawsuit filed by breach victims in January 2018 for $17 [million](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/17m-settlement-agreement-reached-in-aetna-data-breach-case), as well as [California](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/aetna-reaches-settlement-with-california-over-2017-privacy-breach) for $935,000 in January 2019 and other state attorneys general for more than $600,000 in October 2018. The OCR settlement stems from three security incidents reported to the agency in 2017. On April 27, Aetna discovered two misconfigured web service apps used to display plan-related documents to health plan members caused those documents to be accessible by various search engines without the need for authorization. The data was also indexed by the search engines online. #### Dig Deeper A reported 5,002 individuals were impacted by the event, which compromised protected health information, such as names, insurance ID numbers, claim payment amounts, service codes, and dates of services. While in August 2017, the insurer reported to OCR that benefit notices were sent to members using window envelopes that revealed the words “HIV medication” below the member’s name and address of about 11,887 plan members. Aetna reported yet another mailing error in November 2017, where research study participants were sent letters with the name and logo of the atrial fibrillation study directly on the envelope. A reported 1,600 plan members were impacted by the incident. The OCR audit that followed revealed that, in addition to these impermissible disclosures, Aetna failed to perform the HIPAA-required periodic technical and nontechnical evaluations for operational changes that could affect the security of electronic PHI. Aetna also failed to implement policies or procedures meant to verify the identity of entities seeking access to ePHI, as well as limit PHI disclosures to the minimum necessary to accomplish the purpose of the use or disclosure. OCR also found the insurer did not implement appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the privacy of the PHI in its possession. “When individuals contract for health insurance, they expect plans to keep their medical information safe from public exposure,” OCR Director Roger Severino said in a statement. “Unfortunately, Aetna’s failure to follow the HIPAA Rules resulted in three breaches in a six-month period, leading to this million-dollar settlement.” Aetna agreed to pay OCR the civil monetary penalty and has entered into a corrective action plan that includes two years of monitoring. Under [the CAP](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/aetna-ra-cap.pdf), Aetna is required to develop, maintain, and revise, when necessary, its written HIPAA policies and procedures regarding the privacy of PHI, then distribute the guidance to its workforce. The policies must include processes for performing evaluations of environmental and operation changes that could impact PHI security, as well as verification procedures for those seeking PHI access and create the minimum necessary requirements for accessing PHI. Aetna must also implement the appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect PHI privacy in its mailings. Any workforce members who interact with PHI must also be trained on these new policies. In the last month, OCR has restarted announcements of civil monetary penalties stemming from potential HIPAA provisions, including HIPAA Right of Access, after a serious lull amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Since July, OCR has reported settlements with [LifeSpan](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/lifespan-to-pay-ocr-1.04m-hipaa-penalty-for-unencrypted-laptop-theft) Health System, [CHSPSC](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/ocr-settles-with-business-associate-chspsc-for-2.3-over-breach-of-6m), a Community Health Systems business associate, Athens Orthopedic [Clinic](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/athens-orthopedic-pays-ocr-1.5m-over-systemic-hipaa-noncompliance), Premera [Blue](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/premera-pays-ocr-6.85m-to-settle-hipaa-violations-breach-of-10.4m) Cross, [Agape](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/ocr-settles-with-small-provider-for-25k-over-multiple-hipaa-violations) Health, [Dignity](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/dignity-health-to-pay-ocr-160k-for-hipaa-right-of-access-failure) Health, and five [other](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/ocr-settles-with-5-providers-over-hipaa-right-of-access-violations) providers. --- This post, [Aetna to Pay OCR $1M Over 3 Patient Data Breaches, HIPAA Violations](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/aetna-to-pay-ocr-1m-over-3-patient-data-breaches-hipaa-violations), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/aetna-to-pay-ocr-1m-over-3-patient-data-breaches-hipaa-violations). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Handling COVID biomedical waste critical to prevent future epidemics](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/02/handling-covid-biomedical-waste-critical-to-prevent-future-epidemics/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *In the run up to World Ecology Day (November 1), **Satyendra Johari**, Founder & Chairman, Johari Digital Healthcare warns that the rise in biomedical waste due to the COVID pandemic has led to an immediate threat of unsafe disposal of healthcare waste that will pollute the environment as well as pose a risk of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, cholera, typhoid, and respiratory complications. Therefore the proper use of medical waste disinfectant equipment by hospitals and medical centres is the need of the hour to contain a future epidemic* One of the biggest challenges today is to maintain an equilibrium between growth and ecological balance. In the quest for modern amenities and comfort, we often forget about Mother Nature who has given us all, and we all have seen the wrath of nature during natural calamities. It is important, therefore, to scout for sustainable growth. Many companies and businesses today are adopting policies that do not hurt the environment, processes which are eco-friendly. The medical and healthcare sector produces a lot of waste which is a potential environment and human health hazard. The sector produces massive amounts of waste generated in the form of disposable medical products like used PPE kits, blood-soaked bandages, discarded surgical gloves, instruments and needles. As per a report, in March 2020 alone when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, 3.48 lakh kg of bio-medical waste was generated, averaging 11,230 kg daily in Mumbai city. Scientific disposal of biomedical waste by segregation, collection, and treatment in an environmentally sound manner helps in minimising the adverse impact on health workers and on the environment at large. As per the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 2016, all hospitals are required to put in place a mechanism to effectively dispose of waste either direct or via common biomedical waste treatment and disposal facilities. Hospitals servicing above 1000 patients/month are required to obtain authorisation to segregate biomedical waste into multiple categories. They are required to install microwave technology-based medical waste disinfectant. The disinfectant process treats the medical waste and converts it into normal waste. Earlier in the year, as we faced a shortage of PPE kits for COVID, this process successfully treated the used kits and made it fit for reuse. Many developed countries use advanced technology to treat their medical waste by steam-sterilisation or chemically disinfection, before disposing it as general waste. Specifically talking about India, the quantum of waste generated in India is near, 1-2 kg per bed per day in a hospital. Around 85 per cent of hospital waste is non-hazardous, but the remaining 15 per cent is infectious/hazardous for humans and as well as the environment. Hence, it is imperative to segregate and treat the waste to minimise its ill-effects. Any improper disposal of medical waste can lead to a risk of infection. The rise in medical waste due to the pandemic has worsened the problem at hand, and there is an immediate threat of unsafe disposal of healthcare waste that may create an environmental crisis. Unsafe disposal of healthcare waste not only pollutes the environment but also poses a risk of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, cholera, typhoid, and respiratory complications, which are mainly caused by the reusing of the disposal of medical equipment or by scavenging the medical waste, as reported in different countries. Effective biomedical waste management is critical as it can adversely affect the health of humans. Proper segregation, safe storage, and disposal of waste are key to the effective management of biomedical waste. Segregation of waste plays a serious role in improved biomedical waste management. It is important to scale back the quantity of infectious waste otherwise the quantum of waste will surpass the control of management. Proper use of medical waste disinfectant equipment by hospitals and medical centres is the need of the hour to contain a future epidemic. --- This post, Handling COVID biomedical waste critical to prevent future epidemics, first appeared on [https://www.expresshealthcare.in](https://www.expresshealthcare.in/covid19-updates/handling-covid-biomedical-waste-critical-to-prevent-future-epidemics/425554/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [4 healthcare organizations that paid $1M+ this year to settle HIPAA violations](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/02/4-healthcare-organizations-that-paid-1m-this-year-to-settle-hipaa-violations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Throughout 2020, healthcare organizations have agreed to pay millions of dollars to settle HIPAA violations with HHS’ Office for Civil Rights. Here are four of the largest HIPAA settlements so far this year. 1\. Premera Blue Cross[ agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/at-nearly-7m-premera-blue-cross-agrees-to-pay-2nd-largest-hipaa-fine-in-ocr-history.html) to pay OCR $6.85 million to settle potential violations related to a HIPAA breach that affected more than 10.4 million people. The settlement is the second largest payment to resolve a HIPAA investigation, which centered on a 2014 email phishing attack on Premera’s systems that lasted for nine months and exposed 10.4 million individuals’ protected health information. 2\. A Community Hospital Systems’ entity that provides business associate services to hospitals and clinics [agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/chs-associate-pays-2-3m-hipaa-settlement-4-details.html) in September to settle violations related to a potential HIPAA breach for $2.3 million. The company provides IT, health information management and other services to the hospitals and clinics owned by Franklin, Tenn.-based CHS. 3\. Athens (Ga.) Orthopedic in September[ agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/georgia-medical-group-pays-1-5m-to-settle-hipaa-noncompliance-allegations-4-details.html) to pay $1.5 million to settle HIPAA noncompliance related to a 2016 EHR hacking incident that exposed 208,557 individuals’ information. The patient records were posted online for sale by the hackers. 4\. Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan[ agreed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/lifespan-pays-over-1m-to-settle-hipaa-charge.html) in July to settle a potential HIPAA violation related to a stolen laptop for just over $1 million. Lifespan reported the breach in April 2017 as affecting 20,431 individuals, and OCR found that the health system had systemic noncompliance with HIPAA rules, including failure to encrypt electronic protected health information as well as a lack of device and media controls. --- This post, [4 healthcare organizations that paid $1M+ this year to settle HIPAA violations](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/4-healthcare-organizations-that-paid-1m-this-year-to-settle-hipaa-violations.html), first appeared on [https://www.beckershospitalreview.com](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/4-healthcare-organizations-that-paid-1m-this-year-to-settle-hipaa-violations.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [OCR Imposes $6.85M Penalty Over Data Breach](https://wastemedic.com/2020/09/29/ocr-imposes-6-85m-penalty-over-data-breach/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A health insurance company in Washington state has been slapped with the second-largest ever HIPAA violation penalty. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has imposed a $6.85m penalty on [Premera Blue Cross](https://www.premera.com/visitor) to resolve potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Premera Blue Cross is a not-for-profit Blue Cross Blue Shield licensed health insurance company based in Mountlake Terrace. In 2014, the company suffered a data breach that impacted the protected health information (PHI) of 10.4 million people. An advanced persistent threat (APT) group successfully used a spear-phishing attack to gain access to Premera’s computer system. Over the course of nine months, the group accessed data including names, addresses, dates of birth, email addresses, Social Security numbers, bank account information, and health plan clinical information of Premera customers. Attackers compromised Premera in May 2014, but their activities were not discovered by the company until January 2015. The OCR was notified of the data breach two months later. After investigating the security incident, the OCR identified “systemic noncompliance” with the HIPAA Rules by Premera Blue Cross. Failings identified by investigators included neglecting to conduct a comprehensive and accurate risk analysis to identify all risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI and not taking steps to reduce risks and vulnerabilities to electronic PHI to a reasonable and appropriate level. Premera was further found to have failed to implement sufficient hardware, software, and procedural mechanisms to record and analyze activity related to information systems containing ePHI, prior to March 8, 2015. Premera has agreed to pay $6.85m and implement a “robust corrective [action plan](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/premera-ra-cap.pdf)” that includes two years of monitoring. Under the agreement, the company must set up a risk-analysis plan and review it at least once a year. “If large health insurance entities don’t invest the time and effort to identify their security vulnerabilities, be they technical or human, hackers surely will,” [said](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/09/25/health-insurer-pays-6-85-million-settle-data-breach-affecting-over-10-4-million-people.html) Roger Severino, OCR director. “This case vividly demonstrates the damage that results when hackers are allowed to roam undetected in a computer system for nearly nine months.” --- This post, [OCR Imposes $6.85M Penalty Over Data Breach](https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/ocr-imposes-685m-penalty-over-data/), first appeared on [https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com](https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/ocr-imposes-685m-penalty-over-data/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [OSHA Awards $11M In Worker Safety And Health Training Grants](https://wastemedic.com/2020/09/29/osha-awards-11m-in-worker-safety-and-health-training-grants/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration ([OSHA](https://www.osha.gov)) has awarded approximately $11.2 million in Susan Harwood federal safety and health training grants to [90 nonprofit organizations](https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2020_Grant_Recipients_Abstracts.pdf) nationwide. The grants will provide education and training programs to help workers and employers recognize serious workplace hazards, including the coronavirus, implement injury prevention measures, and understand their rights and responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Under President Trump’s Qualified Opportunity Zones Executive Order, OSHA awarded 80 grants to conduct occupational safety and health training in urban and economically distressed areas. The 2020 Harwood grant awards also funded 12 targeted-topic training grants, and four training and education materials development grants on topics related to the coronavirus pandemic. The Susan Harwood Training Grants Program provides funds to nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor-management associations, colleges and universities. Target trainees include small-business employers and underserved vulnerable workers in high-hazard industries. The fiscal year 2020 award categories are Targeted Topic Training, Training and Educational Materials Development, and Capacity Building. The program honors the late Susan Harwood, former director of OSHA’s Office of Risk Assessment, who died in 1996. During her 17-year OSHA career, she helped develop federal standards to protect workers exposed to bloodborne pathogens, cotton dust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos, and lead in construction. --- This post, [OSHA Awards $11M In Worker Safety And Health Training Grants](https://facilityexecutive.com/2020/09/osha-awards-more-than-11m-in-worker-safety-and-health-training-grants/), first appeared on [https://facilityexecutive.com](https://facilityexecutive.com/2020/09/osha-awards-more-than-11m-in-worker-safety-and-health-training-grants/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [OSHA cites Massachusetts dental practice for respiratory protection violations](https://wastemedic.com/2020/09/29/osha-cites-massachusetts-dental-practice-for-respiratory-protection-violations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Georgetown Dental LLC in Georgetown, Massachusetts, for violating respiratory protection and other standards, according to an OSHA news release. OSHA cited the dental practice for six serious violations and one other-than-serious violation, with proposed penalties of $9,500, the release stated. The company has paid the penalty in full and abated the citations. OSHA cited the dental practice for failing to provide medical evaluations and fit testing for employees required to wear N95 respirators as protection against the coronavirus; lack of written programs related to respiratory protection, bloodborne pathogen exposure control and chemical hazard communication; insufficient bloodborne pathogen training and controls; and inadequate eyewash stations, according to the release. “The Massachusetts Dental Society continues to stress to our members the importance of following all required health and safety protocol, especially the Massachusetts Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces established to protect staff and patients from COVID-19,” said Dr. MaryJane Hanlon, president of the Massachusetts Dental Society. “It is the responsibility of each business owner to ensure their practice is meeting these requirements if they wish to remain open during Phase 3. The vast majority of dental practices have successfully implemented and adhered to all existing and new requirements for practicing dentistry during the global pandemic and are taking this responsibility very seriously. MDS has made available to our members a variety of resources and tools to help comply with the required protocols.” Employers with questions on compliance with OSHA standards should contact their local OSHA office for guidance and assistance at 1-800-321-6742. [OSHA’s COVID-19 webpage](https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/index.html) offers resources for addressing safety and health hazards during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. For COVID-19 safety and clinical resources from the ADA, visit [ADA.org/virus](https://success.ada.org/en/practice-management/patients/safety-and-clinical?utm_source=cpsorg&utm_medium=covid-cps-virus-lp&utm_content=fb-safety-clinical&utm_campaign=covid-19). --- This post, [OSHA cites Massachusetts dental practice for respiratory protection violations](https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2020-archive/september/osha-cites-massachusetts-dental-practice-for-respiratory-protection-violations), first appeared on [https://www.ada.org](https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2020-archive/september/osha-cites-massachusetts-dental-practice-for-respiratory-protection-violations). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Waste generation by hospital emergency departments is highlighted for first time](https://wastemedic.com/2020/09/29/waste-generation-by-hospital-emergency-departments-is-highlighted-for-first-time/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Emergency departments of hospitals generate significant amounts of environmentally harmful waste which could be reduced through basic changes to disposal policies and practices, while producing lower operating costs, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have found. Efforts to optimize the daily waste stream through improvements such as switching from disposable to reusable items in the ED, better sorting of infectious waste, and more effective recycling of items like glass and aluminum could have meaningful impact both environmentally and financially, according to the study published in the *Western Journal of Emergency Medicine*. “People working in emergency departments have no idea how much waste they routinely generate, nor that the environmental impact is totally at odds with their professional mission to improve health and save lives,” says Jonathan E. Slutzman, MD, investigator in the Department of Emergency Medicine at MGH and senior author of the study. “A greater awareness of the harm that’s being done, along with the opportunities that are available to turn that situation around, should be on the agenda of every [hospital](https://medicalxpress.com/tags/hospital/) in America.” Healthcare facilities in the U.S. generate 6,600 metric tons of waste each day, making them the second largest contributor to landfill waste (next to the food industry). They also produce 10 percent of all [greenhouse gas emission](https://medicalxpress.com/tags/greenhouse+gas+emission/) as well as other pollutants known to adversely affect human health. The MGH investigation is the first to quantify and characterize the volume of waste emanating from emergency departments. To that end, researchers conducted a 24-hour waste audit in July 2019 at MGH’s Level 1 trauma center in Boston. The team collected, manually sorted into separate categories, and weighed each waste stream component. It also calculated direct pollutant emissions from ED waste disposal activities. Among the findings was that 85 percent of all items disposed of as regulated medical waste (RMW)—the most hazardous ED materials that must be deposited in red bags and autoclaved to render them safe prior to being sent to landfills—did not meet the criteria for regulated medical waste. “We always want [healthcare workers](https://medicalxpress.com/tags/healthcare+workers/) to err on the side of caution when it comes to waste disposal, but the fact is regulated medical waste costs up to ten times as much to dispose of as solid waste,” notes Sarah Hsu, with the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, and lead author of the study. “But if we could divert through better sorting some fraction of [medical waste](https://medicalxpress.com/tags/medical+waste/) that now goes into red biohazard bags to regular solid waste, it would open up significant cost-saving opportunities for hospitals.” Another area rife with opportunity, according to the researchers, is transitioning from the use of disposable devices to more durable, reusable alternatives that would lead to waste reduction and supply savings. One example is the laryngoscope, commonly used in the ED to insert a breathing tube into the trachea, which could be reprocessed onsite and safely used multiple times rather than discarding it after a single use. Rethinking the use of plastic packaging, which was estimated by the MGH study to be responsible for over 40 percent of all emergency department [solid waste](https://medicalxpress.com/tags/solid+waste/), also holds the potential for significant waste reduction. MGH, for its part, asks suppliers to ship products in non-disposable bulk packaging, whenever possible, enabling reuse. Suppliers are also “debulking” items at distribution centers, enabling packaging to be reused from that point rather than being shipped all the way to the hospital. To determine the best opportunities for waste reduction, Slutzman suggests that hospitals conduct their own audits of emergency department waste. “Gaining a full awareness of the problem and its downstream consequences on the health of the community is an important first step toward a solution,” he says. “In addition to audits, hospitals should assemble all stakeholders around the table to explore alternatives to their current waste disposal practices. Our study shows that significant improvements can be made to optimize ED [waste](https://medicalxpress.com/tags/waste/) management, and as healthcare professionals we owe it to our patients and the community to take responsible action.” --- This post, [Waste generation by hospital emergency departments is highlighted for first time](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-hospital-emergency-departments-highlighted.html), first appeared on [https://medicalxpress.com](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-hospital-emergency-departments-highlighted.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [How do you fix healthcare's medical waste problem?](https://wastemedic.com/2020/09/04/how-do-you-fix-healthcares-medical-waste-problem/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Coronavirus has made medical waste more visible than ever, but the environmental footprint of healthcare goes much further – and reducing it could save lives. When surgeon Claire Teves* (not her real name) landed in Singapore from the Philippines for a six-month fellowship, she knew it would take some time to adjust. Teves had come from a hospital serving the needs of a poorer developing society, to work in a cutting-edge medical facility in a much wealthier one. She was braced to overcome a knowledge gap at this world-class facility, and face different day-to-day medical challenges. But when she arrived, she faced a very different culture shock: how the new hospital used plastics. In the operating theatre, devices such as plastic retractors – which are used to hold surgical cuts open – were used once per patient and then thrown away at the end of the procedure to be disposed of as medical waste. In her hospital in the Philippines, the same device would be painstakingly sterilised and reused until it was worn out and beyond repair. Seeing these life-saving items being thrown away when they were so sought-after in the Philippines, Teves decided to do something about it. “When I saw the waste, I thought to save whatever single-use equipment I could get my hands on, so I could recycle them and bring them back,” she says. It was a decision that would have ruffled some feathers at the Singapore hospital if it wasn’t carried out with discretion and the help of friendly staff. In the end she managed to fill a large suitcase with “single use” plastic surgical devices that would otherwise have gone to waste. Addressing the environmental impact of healthcare, from plastics to fossil fuel reliance, can quickly become a charged debate. After all, when it comes to saving lives, the patient in front of a doctor is always the first concern. “It’s very good in theory to talk about healthcare and its environmental footprint, which is not insignificant,” says Hong Kong-based cardiologist Ryan Ko. “But it’s another thing altogether when you’re on the front lines of healthcare. As doctors, we are required to make patients’ immediate needs and requirements a priority, and that needs to come first.” *Fossil fuel combustion is a major contributor to air pollution-related deaths, which kill more than four million people around the world every year – Gary Cohen* Even Teves agrees – her motivation in saving devices was to provide equipment for patients in the Philippines. “Addressing sustainability is not really on our priority list; everything we do is about helping our patients,” she says. Others point out that in the broader sense, sustainability is also about helping patients – or rather, preventing people having to go to hospital in the first place. Take the healthcare industry’s carbon emissions – if healthcare were a country, it would be the fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases on the planet, according to the non-profit organisation Health Care Without Harm. That’s a carbon footprint the same as the emissions of 514 coal-fired power plants, equivalent to 4.4% of global net emissions. More than half of that was a result of energy use: electricity, gas, steam, air conditioning and operational emissions. “Fossil fuel combustion is a major contributor to air pollution-related deaths, which kill more than four million people around the world every year. More than tuberculosis, more than malaria, and more than Aids combined,” says Gary Cohen, president and co-founder of Health Care Without Harm. **Cost of waste** One of the problems is those on the frontline often see providing necessary healthcare and being environmentally friendly as an either/or choice. “It’s difficult to think about sustainability when we have to weigh that up against the safety of a patient,” says Ko. *In people’s minds now, both single-use protective equipment and single-use medical equipment are understood as safer. But that is not necessarily true – Tony Capon* But what if doctors worked in a healthcare system where they didn’t have to make a choice between the two? Sometimes the shift is as simple as challenging assumptions. Take single-use plastics; healthcare workers on the front line emphasise that there is a legitimate need for single-use plastics, primarily to prevent infectious diseases from taking hold and spreading – and Covid-19 is a perfect example of this need. While no one would argue that safely disposing of hazardous used PPE is essential when it comes to infectious diseases like Covid-19, [only 15% of healthcare waste is actually classed as “hazardous”](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-care-waste) – which covers waste that could be a source of infection, or is radioactive or toxic. The other 85% of medical waste is not much different from the waste we generate at home, or at work. This waste might cover used food containers, packaging materials or gloves worn to inspect a non-infectious patient. It’s this non-hazardous 85% where the reductions could come. “In people’s minds now, both single-use protective equipment and single-use medical equipment are understood as safer. But that is not necessarily true,” says Tony Capon, director of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute. “When I was beginning my medical career, it was standard practice for things to be cleaned and autoclaved. Medical equipment was routinely cleaned up, sterilised and reused.” *Coronavirus could well become a catalyst, because people may realise that by degrading our environment, we could find that we are getting more and more of these types of diseases – Sonia Roschnik* Then there is the question of cost. Single-use disposables are perceived to cost less upfront, than supplies which need to be maintained carefully to prevent infection and early wear and tear. But in the longer term, there is a high cost to constantly replacing devices. [Neurosurgeons at one Canadian hospital, for example, cut their costs by CA$750,000 ($570,000/£430,000) by reducing use of disposables by 30%](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/showing-surgeons-massive-cost-of-disposable-supplies-leads-to-big-savings-for-hospitals/). Plastic gloves are a good example. Sonia Roschnik, the former director of the Sustainable Development Unit for England’s National Health Service, recalls a time when nurses at London’s Great Ormond Street hospital realised that healthcare professionals were choosing to use non-surgical gloves instead of washing their hands, when performing tasks such as moving beds or bathing babies. When nurses started to remind staff that the gloves weren’t intended for these purposes, glove usage went down, says Roschnik. The hospital was able to cut its use of plastic gloves, saving 21 tonnes of plastic and £90,000 ($120,000) as a result. Roschnik, who is now international climate policy director at Health Care Without Harm, adds that the industry “could also go some way into cleaning up if it reutilises certain items, and if there is a concerted effort to segregate waste more efficiently, because not all of the rubbish needs to go into a high-infectious work stream”. There is certainly a way to go. In 2018, [a survey conducted across four Mayo Clinic locations across the United States](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002961018303994) found that single-use plastics made up at least 20% of medical waste generated in US hospitals; 57% of those surveyed didn’t know which items in operating theatres could be recycled, 39% said they either sometimes or never recycled, and that 48% had “a lack of knowledge” about recycling. The widespread lack of an efficient medical recycling system represents a part of the bigger problem with the industry as a whole. In a commentary on healthcare’s role in the global climate crisis, Yale School of Medicine associate professor of anaesthesiology Jodi Sherman called environmental sustainability an “unappreciated dimension of health quality care”. She and her co-authors also pointed out that [traditional assessments in the successes or failures in the healthcare system as a whole have yet to factor in the cost of pollution](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2747470) both up and downstream of the industry’s supply chain, from resource extraction to disposal management. With medical waste currently more visible than ever, [researchers are calling for healthcare’s waste and environmental footprint to be brought up the agenda](https://theconversation.com/health-care-has-a-huge-environmental-footprint-which-then-harms-health-this-is-a-matter-of-ethics-142651). “Coronavirus could well become a catalyst, because people may realise that [by degrading our environment, we could find that we are getting more and more of these types of diseases](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200518-why-lockdown-is-harming-the-amazon-rainforest),” says Roschnik. “Do we as a people want to live this way? Or do we say: if we want to be healthy, our planet needs to be healthy – and it’s incumbent on all of us to do something about it.” **Climate health** Cutting greenhouse gas emissions is perhaps the most direct way that healthcare facilities can align pro-environmental behaviour and human health benefits. Aside from the [disease and deaths caused worldwide by increased extreme weather, heatwaves and sea level rise](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health), cutting emissions often comes with cost savings that can be channelled back into healthcare. In the US, Boston Medical Center, for example, is using solar energy to meet its energy needs by buying its electricity from solar farms, saving $25m (£19m) as a result. The Cleveland Clinic, which invested in 15 internationally certified energy-efficient buildings, saw its energy consumption decrease by 19% as a result, which translates into $50m in (£38m) savings. Energy efficiency measures also slashed consumption at Canada’s McGill University Health Centre, which resulted in [savings of up to C$2m ($1.5m; £1.1m) a year](https://muhc.ca/sustainable-development), and the hospital’s electronic waste recycling program processed 52 tonnes of electronic devices over the span of a decade. Other hospitals are looking into their food supply chain as a way of making their operations more carbon friendly. The University of Washington Medical Center has begun using a more sustainable, efficient food procurement system to improve its carbon footprint, by working with a local farmers union to provide locally grown, organic food to both patients and paying customers. The University of California, San Diego Health eliminates food waste either through composting or donating uneaten meals; their goal is to cut their food-related emissions by 25% by 2030. Besides carbon dioxide, healthcare relies on several more potent greenhouse gases; operating theatres rely on the anaesthetic gases desflurane, sevoflurane and nitrous oxide, which are greenhouse gases. Only 5% of these gases actually enter a patient’s system during surgery – the rest is vented out as medical waste. These halogenated gases have the global warming potential up to 2,000 times greater than carbon dioxide. Researchers have suggested [reducing emissions by using gas-capture technology that uses canisters to collect unused anaesthetics](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4173371/). “Hospital managements may have a lot of things that they have to put in place to make sustainability ‘a thing’, but in reality every healthcare professional should be thinking about it in the way you use products,” says Roschnik. “How you do clinical practice in a sustainable way is going to require every healthcare professional to think about it.” As Teves’ efforts in Singapore to save reusable medical devices from the incinerator show, sometimes providing the best care for patients and sustainability naturally align. And where they don’t, it’s a question of how to redesign the healthcare system so there isn’t a choice between saving lives and the environment. “What health means now is to address those factors that are making people sick in the first place, and not just treating sick people,” says Health Care Without Harm’s Cohen. “\[We need to get\] healthcare to address their climate footprint, to be the anchors of resilience for the communities that they serve, and to become advocates for environmental health and justice.” Given the health risks of [air pollution](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191113-the-toxic-killers-in-our-air-too-small-to-see), [climate change](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-53415298) and [plastic waste](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873021/), cleaning up healthcare could in fact turn out to be an opportunity to save many more lives. --- This post, [How do you fix healthcare’s medical waste problem?](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200813-the-hidden-harm-of-medical-plastic-waste-and-pollution), first appeared on [https://www.bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200813-the-hidden-harm-of-medical-plastic-waste-and-pollution). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [CMS Releases Interim Rule that ties COVID-19 Data Reporting to Hospital Conditions of Participation](https://wastemedic.com/2020/09/04/cms-releases-interim-rule-that-ties-covid-19-data-reporting-to-hospital-conditions-of-participation/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** On Aug. 25, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) [issued](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-strengthens-covid-19-surveillance-new-reporting-and-testing-requirements) an [interim final rule](https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-ifc-3-8-25-20.pdf) (IFR) as an emergency regulation under the public health emergency (PHE). Under the IFR, CMS will require all hospitals to which the requirements of 42 CFR part 482 apply — including short-term acute care hospitals, long-term care (LTC) hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, cancer hospitals, children’s hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) — to provide the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with daily updates on specific data related to the coronavirus as a condition of participation (CoP) in Medicare and Medicaid. The data will include, but is not limited to, statistics on a hospital’s number of suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus; the number of occupied intensive care unit (ICU) beds; and supplies of equipment essential for treating patients infected with the coronavirus, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators. CMS notes that the items mentioned above are not exhaustive of the data items the agency may require hospitals to submit. CMS directs readers of the IFR to [July guidance](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/covid-19-faqs-hospitals-hospital-laboratory-acute-care-facility-data-reporting.pdf) for the current list of specified data items. The new standards will require hospitals and CAHs to report information on COVID-19 in a standardized format and at a frequency and manner specified by the secretary of HHS. Notably, CMS states that it lacks the statutory authority to impose civil monetary penalties (CMPs) against hospitals and CAHs; however, intermediate penalties such as CMPs have been an extremely useful tool in enforcing reporting requirements for nursing homes, helping to achieve 98 percent compliance. Therefore, CMS will continue to utilize all enforcement and payment authorities available to incentivize and promote compliance with all health and safety requirements as allowed by statute and regulation. CMS is also changing lab reporting requirements through Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). CMS will implement the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act requirements that laboratories report COVID-19 test results daily to HHS, and all labs — including those in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities — will be required to comply. If a lab doesn’t report, CMS will impose a civil monetary penalty of $1,000 for the first day and $500 for each following day. CMS notes that labs will have a one-time, three-week grace period to begin reporting the required data. The IFR also will limit Medicare coverage for repeated coronavirus testing for beneficiaries to only one test unless repeat testing is ordered by a physician or practitioner; suspend enforcement of national coverage decision volume requirements regarding Medicare payments for certain cardiac procedures; establish new weekly COVID-19 reporting requirements for nursing homes and update CMS’s extraordinary circumstances exceptions policies for several Medicare quality programs. --- This post, [CMS Releases Interim Rule that ties COVID-19 Data Reporting to Hospital Conditions of Participation](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2020/08/cms-releases-interim-rule-that-ties-covid19-data-reporting), first appeared on [https://www.hklaw.com](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2020/08/cms-releases-interim-rule-that-ties-covid19-data-reporting). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [What Are the Ways to Respond to an Unintentional HIPAA Violation?](https://wastemedic.com/2020/09/04/what-are-the-ways-to-respond-to-an-unintentional-hipaa-violation/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** From medical respirators to plastic takeout containers, medical professionals and city leaders are working to mitigate the waste created by COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County. At the Cottage hospitals, 3,400 N95 respirators have been sterilized onsite and are being stored for reuse if needed in the future, according to Maria Zate, manager of public relations at Cottage Health. “Medical waste is handled according to Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Most personal protective equipment \[PPE\] must be discarded, but plastic shields and respirators can be sterilized and reused,” Zate said. Cottage has also recycled nearly half of the pulse oximeters that it purchased, and it has recycling and composting programs in place to divert waste from landfills. Since the start of 2020, Cottage has diverted an average of 37 percent of its waste from landfills each month. “Overall waste has not increased,” Zate said, including from the protective gear needed to protect those working around infected patients. “During our COVID-19 response, the schedule for non-essential procedures has been reduced intermittently as we monitor metrics for community transmission and supplies. This shift has offset additional PPE use related to COVID precautions.” Elsewhere in the city, local authorities in waste management and conservation are dealing with an uptick in littering and illegal dumping of takeout containers and other trash. The city has installed 44 more trash and recycling containers by the waterfront to manage trashcan overflow, according to Bryan Latchford, public information officer for the City of Santa Barbara’s sustainability and resilience program. The city has also added roughly 600 signs across the city that instruct people to avoid throwing away their trash at overflowing containers. “Putting it near or around the containers is actually just dumping and littering,” Latchford said, explaining that trashcan overflow allows birds to remove trash that then ends up on the beach due to wind. Kathi King, director of outreach and education at the Community Environmental Council (CEC), believes the increased reliance on plastic takeout containers in the food industry poses a larger problem beyond trashcan overflow. “The plastic industry is looking for growth,” King said. As the petroleum industry struggles in other areas like energy and transportation, plastic — an oil product — has become an opportunity for growth and profit, she said. “They saw the pandemic as a wedge issue where they could spread misinformation about the need to increase our dependence on single-use plastic, which has proven to not be true or necessary,” King said. The CDC stated several months ago that person-to-person transmission is a far greater concern than surface-to-person spread. “Even when you’re dining in, \[restaurants\] are still relying mostly on disposables when the science is saying that they don’t need to be doing that,” King said, suggesting that economic strain and short-staffed crews may play a role. “At the coffee shop where I go, I recently said, ‘When are you going back to for-here mugs?’ And the answer that I got was, ‘Well, then I have to hire a dishwasher back.’” In the grand scheme of things, however, the increases in specific kinds of waste created by COVID, whether it’s takeout or medical gear, are incredibly small in proportion to overall waste production. The uptick in plastic waste is canceled out by the fact that people are consuming and wasting a lot less in other areas, said Carlyle Johnston, project leader at the county’s Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division. Johnston also noted that waste production reflects the state of economy — the 2008 recession saw a decrease in waste because people were spending and consuming much less, and COVID-19 is having the same effect. Latchford agreed that COVID hasn’t affected waste production: “It hasn’t impacted the system at all because it’s so infinitesimal.” --- This post, [What Are the Ways to Respond to an Unintentional HIPAA Violation?](https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/healthcare/respond-unintentional-hipaa-violation/), first appeared on [https://www.tripwire.com](https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/healthcare/respond-unintentional-hipaa-violation/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Telehealth Privacy and Security: Investment and Education are Key](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/28/telehealth-privacy-and-security-investment-and-education-are-key-attorney-says/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** As healthcare organizations do battle against COVID-19, they also must stay on vigilant defense against cybercriminals intent on taking advantage of the crisis to sow chaos and disrupt clinical processes: barraging inboxes with pandemic-themed phishing emails, perpetrating hospital-crippling ransomware attacks, taking aim at public health agencies and vaccine research facilities. Meanwhile, there are new places to safeguard and secure – whether they’re hastily-erected ad hoc field hospitals or massively scaled up telehealth deployments. And fast-expanding efforts at contact tracing present their own unique and challenging privacy implications. In other words, just as it has with everything else, the pandemic is fundamentally changing approaches to security, and these new strategies will continue to evolve with this new normal. As virtual health deployments scale up and become routine, everyone – vendors, clinicians, patients and compliance officers have a role to play in keeping video and streaming remote monitoring data secure. The size, scope and rapidity of new telehealth and remote patient monitoring rollouts since the onset of the coronavirus crisis has been remarkable. Hospitals and practices that had never before deployed virtual-care tools learned quickly how to integrate them. Those that had experience saw massive increases in the number of video visits. But if telehealth is relatively easy to roll out and scale up, keeping the massive amounts of structured and unstructured data it generates is something more of a challenge. Even though the HHS Office for Civil rights offered wide latitude back in March for the types of consumer technologies that can be used for virtual visits, effective privacy policies and security strategies are still imperative for telehealth rollout. But whether it’s clinicians or staff who may not be used to the new tech and workflows, or the new X-factor of patients using their own devices and home WiFi for virtual consults, the challenges are many. Geoffrey Lottenberg, a partner with Berger Singerman, focuses on the intersection of technology and privacy, and has some useful perspective for providers who may be trying to get their arms around the cybersecurity implications of telehealth. When it comes to getting a good handle on telehealth security, a fundamental first step is figuring out how those virtual visits work. “The biggest thing is selecting the appropriate means by which to conduct telemedicine,” said Lottenberg. Recent allowances made by the HHS Office for Civil rights, which said it won’t impose penalties on providers who use non-HIPAA-compliant consumer platforms such as FaceTime, Facebook Messenger or Skype, were game-changers for many small practices and outpatient providers, enabling them to connect with patients quickly and easily. Even so, “I don’t feel like the traditional or video-conferencing stuff is enough.” said Lottenberg, adding that practices “have to be really, really careful with that, because while you may think that they are private in the sense that public users on those sites cannot necessarily access them, those systems tend to be much more prone and exposed to hackers.” Providers truly committed to robust telehealth security “have got to spend the money to find an encrypted, password-protected teleconferencing means,” he said. “I would stick with the mainstream (vendors) because they tend to spend more money on security. “We saw [what happened with Zoom](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/20/style/zoombombing-zoom-trolling.html) pretty quickly,” he added, by way of example. “Everybody realized about a week in that the system wasn’t strong enough from a security standpoint to really address all the issues that we’re going to come at it. You’ve got to spend the money. Go out to get a master service agreement that ensures you’re getting access to the maximum level of security.” ### Provider and patient education is key Effective education for clinicians and staff about the new processes and workflows for this new care paradigm is also essential. Lottenberg said to consider “actual logistics of scheduling telehealth and running into issues where you’re trying to use the same password and login when you’re seeing patients in succession. You can run into problems where people are inadvertently accessing sessions at the wrong time and jumping in the middle of somebody else’s session.” Effective and secure virtual care deployment “requires a lot of attention on the front end, and then a lot of maintenance throughout the process of actually using it, to make sure you’re controlling who can get in and get out of any session at any given time,” he said. “Providers need to be educating the nurses and doctors that are doing the consultations on how to use these systems. Their assistants and their staff need to be trained on how, and when, and why to send out credentials. It just requires a lot of maintenance, and training, and knowledge to get it done right.” That’s not just on the provider side. Patients, too, are now key players in the data-privacy equation. It’s imperative that they be educated about security best practices and the role they can play in keeping their own health data safe as they connect from home on their own WiFi networks. “You have to have your patients accepting those policies and understanding what the risks are: ‘We’re launching this new way of telehealth. Here’s how it works. Here are the do’s and don’ts, and here’s some frequently asked questions,'” said Lottenberg. “You have to just go through that process. It’s another thing that your compliance department has to worry about.” ### RPM: Data (lots of it) in motion Going forward, as telehealth becomes the new normal, so will its close cousin, remote patient monitoring – for which, even though it’s much more complex than most video-based consults, with multiple streams of real-time data at rest and in transit, “all the same concerns apply,” said Lottenberg – just at a larger scale. “When you’re talking about monitoring data, you’re talking about long-term transmittal, storage and access to all of this PHI which is covered by HIPAA,” he explained. “The volume of data is going to increase substantially. Which means that the exposure to breaches is going to do the risk becomes much higher because you can only control so much data.” Telemetry systems and medical devices “are going to have to be more advanced,” said Lottenberg. “You’re going to have to have stronger protection for all that data. And then the providers are going to have to figure out: ‘What is the minimum number of people who actually need access to this information, in order to maintain general data privacy?’ “That information should all be accessed by the minimum number of people required to have a need to know,” he explained. “So it’s just going to extend, again, the compliance and the time spent to actually analyze these things, understanding that many more patients are going to have these digital devices that are going to be constantly sending data on the internet.” Unlike more traditional medical-device management – a patient with a pacemaker going in once every three months to the doctor’s office and somebody specific reading the data and storing it locally – RPM is internet based, which means it’s prone to attacks. And remember, a lot of people are using their home internet to send that data. So what systems can the healthcare providers put in place to address all those issues?” --- This post, [Telehealth privacy and security: Investment and education are key, attorney says,](https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/telehealth-privacy-and-security-investment-and-education-are-key-attorney-says) first appeared on [https://www.healthcareitnews.com](https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/telehealth-privacy-and-security-investment-and-education-are-key-attorney-says). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Have COVID Conditions Affected Trash?](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/28/have-covid-conditions-affected-trash/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** From medical respirators to plastic takeout containers, medical professionals and city leaders are working to mitigate the waste created by COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County. At the Cottage hospitals, 3,400 N95 respirators have been sterilized onsite and are being stored for reuse if needed in the future, according to Maria Zate, manager of public relations at Cottage Health. “Medical waste is handled according to Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Most personal protective equipment \[PPE\] must be discarded, but plastic shields and respirators can be sterilized and reused,” Zate said. Cottage has also recycled nearly half of the pulse oximeters that it purchased, and it has recycling and composting programs in place to divert waste from landfills. Since the start of 2020, Cottage has diverted an average of 37 percent of its waste from landfills each month. “Overall waste has not increased,” Zate said, including from the protective gear needed to protect those working around infected patients. “During our COVID-19 response, the schedule for non-essential procedures has been reduced intermittently as we monitor metrics for community transmission and supplies. This shift has offset additional PPE use related to COVID precautions.” Elsewhere in the city, local authorities in waste management and conservation are dealing with an uptick in littering and illegal dumping of takeout containers and other trash. The city has installed 44 more trash and recycling containers by the waterfront to manage trashcan overflow, according to Bryan Latchford, public information officer for the City of Santa Barbara’s sustainability and resilience program. The city has also added roughly 600 signs across the city that instruct people to avoid throwing away their trash at overflowing containers. “Putting it near or around the containers is actually just dumping and littering,” Latchford said, explaining that trashcan overflow allows birds to remove trash that then ends up on the beach due to wind. Kathi King, director of outreach and education at the Community Environmental Council (CEC), believes the increased reliance on plastic takeout containers in the food industry poses a larger problem beyond trashcan overflow. “The plastic industry is looking for growth,” King said. As the petroleum industry struggles in other areas like energy and transportation, plastic — an oil product — has become an opportunity for growth and profit, she said. “They saw the pandemic as a wedge issue where they could spread misinformation about the need to increase our dependence on single-use plastic, which has proven to not be true or necessary,” King said. The CDC stated several months ago that person-to-person transmission is a far greater concern than surface-to-person spread. “Even when you’re dining in, \[restaurants\] are still relying mostly on disposables when the science is saying that they don’t need to be doing that,” King said, suggesting that economic strain and short-staffed crews may play a role. “At the coffee shop where I go, I recently said, ‘When are you going back to for-here mugs?’ And the answer that I got was, ‘Well, then I have to hire a dishwasher back.’” In the grand scheme of things, however, the increases in specific kinds of waste created by COVID, whether it’s takeout or medical gear, are incredibly small in proportion to overall waste production. The uptick in plastic waste is canceled out by the fact that people are consuming and wasting a lot less in other areas, said Carlyle Johnston, project leader at the county’s Resource Recovery and Waste Management Division. Johnston also noted that waste production reflects the state of economy — the 2008 recession saw a decrease in waste because people were spending and consuming much less, and COVID-19 is having the same effect. Latchford agreed that COVID hasn’t affected waste production: “It hasn’t impacted the system at all because it’s so infinitesimal.” --- This post, [Have COVID Conditions Affected Trash?](https://www.independent.com/2020/07/24/have-covid-conditions-affected-trash/), first appeared on [https://www.independent.com](https://www.independent.com/2020/07/24/have-covid-conditions-affected-trash/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [The Most Common HIPAA Violations – Can You Avoid Them?](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/28/the-most-common-hipaa-violations-can-you-avoid-them/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) violations are quite common and are happening every day – inadvertently or due to lack of proper HIPAA compliance. But why is HIPAA compliance so necessary for the US healthcare system? What does it protect? What are the most common HIPAA violations and what are the consequences? Let’s find out. ### **HIPAA – Why is it necessary?** One of the most crucial pieces of information in the US healthcare system is patient data. They contain sensitive information about the patients – their names, addresses, medication history, lab test results, medical history, and so on. Other than the issue of keeping such information private, it also needs to be safeguarded. There are always criminals who try to access and steal these to use it for themselves – the bad actors can just assume the identity of the victims and gain access to their healthcare services. Cybercriminals can gain access to the information and sell it in the black market. These are the problems that HIPAA addresses. HIPAA is primarily being used to ensure that healthcare providers along with other organizations who deal in transmitting, using, accessing, and maintaining PHI (protected health information) have proper administrative, technical, and physical safeguards in place to protect the information from unauthorized usage, theft, and inadvertent disclosure. HIPAA rules and regulations are quite vast and maintaining compliance is quite an arduous task, but it is necessary. Organizations try their best to follow the rules, but unwanted incidents are quite common, especially data breaches. Hackers are specifically targeting healthcare organizations to steal PHI. HIPAA understands that, which is why there is a [HIPAA Breach Notification Rule](https://cloudapper.com/hipaa-breach-notification-checklist-ensure-compliance/?utm_source=Healthcare+Guys&utm_medium=The+Most+Common+HIPAA+Violations+-+Can+you+Avoid+Them%3F&utm_campaign=Outreach) in place to report such incidents. All in all, HIPAA compliance does not mean that you have to ensure that no data breaches take place – these are unavoidable nowadays. It means that you are ensuring enough safeguards in place to protect the information. However, there are other types of unwanted incidents that lead to HIPAA violations. ### **The most common HIPAA violations** #### Prying on PHI One of the most common HIPAA violations, accessing patient records without any valid reasons is a direct violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. This is also not an external breach, but one that happens within the organization – employees are often found to be accessing PHI of patients, friends, and more commonly, celebrities. Even if done advertently or without malicious intent, these result in the firing of the snooping employees, and they may even face legal issues. Healthcare organizations usually don’t face any financial penalties, but in rare cases, one has even been fined $865,000 for not ensuring enough safeguards to restrict unauthorized access to PHI. #### Sharing access to PHI with others Another common HIPAA violation, employees having access to PHI can share the credentials with those who do not have access. This results in unauthorized access to PHI, as the unauthorized personnel, even if an employee of the same organization, can view or misuse sensitive information, which is strictly prohibited by HIPAA. #### Using unauthorized devices to copy PHI Realistically, hundreds, even thousands of devices can be connected to computers for different purposes. Thus, it becomes quite a hectic task for IT departments to keep track of all those connections. However, to ensure that PHI is protected at all times, they need to ensure that unauthorized devices are not copying PHI. Another potential HIPAA violation occurs when employees copy PHI on unauthorized devices. These lead to severe privacy and security issues – there are high chances that a third party can view the information. Also, if the device gets lost or stolen, the criminal will most definitely access the PHI. #### Keeping Devices or Hardcopies containing PHI unattended This simply leads to unauthorized disclosure of PHI and is a violation of the HIPAA Security Rule. it states that all forms of PHI (electronic or otherwise), should be continuously kept secure. If a document containing PHI is kept unattended, then there are high chances that it will be viewed by unauthorized parties. The same goes for electronic devices – if computers are not kept secure, say, during breaks, anyone can come in and snoop on the PHI. There have been instances where laptops were stolen which contained PHI and they were also unsecured. Thus, employees should keep devices and documents monitored at all times – if not needed, they can be locked away at secure places (for portable devices and hard copies) or simply locked encryption and with strong passwords (for computers and other relevant devices). ### **Consequences of HIPAA violations** Not only do HIPAA violations result in the disclosure of PHI, but it also leads to financial penalties, loss of goodwill, and getting hit with lawsuits by patients. HIPAA violations can cost up to $1.5 million per year per violation. That is a whole lot of money and you can save it by ensuring HIPAA compliance continuously. ### **Use HIPAA compliance software** HIPAA compliance is an arduous process. Whenever there is a change in the laws and regulations, you need to provide training, change policies, and make adjustments to fit those in. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has led to [relaxations in HIPAA regulations and fines](https://cloudapper.com/covid-19-changed-hipaa-regulations-data-sharing-imperative/?utm_source=Healthcare+Guys&utm_medium=The+Most+Common+HIPAA+Violations+-+Can+you+Avoid+Them%3F&utm_campaign=Outreach), there are other rules you have to strictly maintain. Even without those changes, organizations have a hard time ensuring compliance – leading to violations and penalties. However, HIPAAReady is there to solve your problems – it is a robust [HIPAA compliance software](https://www.cloudapper.com/hipaa-ready-compliance-software/?utm_source=Healthcare+Guys&utm_medium=The+Most+Common+HIPAA+Violations+-+Can+you+Avoid+Them%3F&utm_campaign=Outreach) that streamlines management and simplifies compliance. Keep all the HIPAA-related information in a centralized location and share them with your relevant employees – ensuring everyone is on the same page. Training management and scheduling help you provide training faster and more efficiently, whenever a new change is made or training is required. Perform internal audits to detect vulnerabilities and address them to reduce compliance issues. Remove the administrative burden with HIPAAReady, simplify compliance management, and ensure HIPAA compliance continuously. --- This post, [The Most Common HIPAA Violations – Can You Avoid Them?](https://www.healthcareguys.com/2020/06/02/the-most-common-hipaa-violations-can-you-avoid-them/), first appeared on [https://www.healthcareguys.com](https://www.healthcareguys.com/2020/06/02/the-most-common-hipaa-violations-can-you-avoid-them/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Safe Disposal in the COVID-19 Era](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/28/safe-disposal-in-the-covid-19-era/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Challenges persist in managing waste for hospitals treating COVID-19 patients and aiming to limit the spread of the virus. Institutions must now complete more steps on-site to safely collect, prepare and dispose of regulated medical and hazardous waste and sharps, while simultaneously protecting workers and the public, according to agency, state and waste hauler guidelines. These recommendations could change further as COVID-19 cases continue in hot spots throughout the United States and personal protective equipment (PPE) remains in short supply. “‘How do I dispose of (fill in the blank) from a COVID-19 patient?’ is the single question I’ve been asked most on waste management during this pandemic,” said Cara Simaga, the director of government affairs at Stericycle, in a webinar she hosted with Selin Hoboy, the company’s vice president of government affairs and compliance. Ms. Simaga assured listeners that “\[generally, if you put waste\] in the red bag before COVID-19, it still goes in the red bag today. If you put waste in the trash before COVID-19, it can still go in the trash today …. If you put something in a pharmaceutical waste container before COVID-19, it will still go there today.” Yet, she and Ms. Hoboy also characterized this pandemic period as a dynamic one, with process changes possibly ahead as scientists uncover new disease insights. On one hand, Ms. Hoboy explained, the “enveloped virus is easily destroyed with normal disinfection procedures and typical waste treatment methods we use today. It is spread by close contact, so \[social distancing is key\].” On the other hand, SARS-CoV-2’s highly contagious nature and surface-sticking ability make waste management risky. The COVID-19 virus remains viable in aerosols for three hours, on plastic and steel for 48 to 72 hours, on cardboard for less than 24 hours, and on copper less than four hours (*N Engl J* *Med* 2020;382:1564-1567). Stericycle imposed safety changes despite the CDC’s position that “medical waste (trash) coming from health care facilities treating COVID-19 patients is no different than waste coming from facilities without COVID-19 patients,” and despite a lack of federal guidance on managing regulated medical waste (sidebar). Ms. Hoboy steered health care professionals, hospital safety directors and administrators toward state health department websites, the Healthcare Waste Institute of the National Association for Healthcare Waste Companies, and Stericycle’s own Knowledge Center ([www.stericycle.com/ knowledge-center](http://www.stericycle.com/knowledge-center)) as reliable, updated sources for the latest policies and recommendations. Instead, “there’s a patchwork of regulations we must follow on a state-by-state basis,” said Ms. Hoboy, who urged those involved in waste management to “check regularly because \[the regulations\] might be changing.” Those tweaks, she said, might provide “regulatory relief, enforcement discretion, or fast-tracking medical waste generator registrations or waiving fees.” \*\*\*\*\*\* #### Best Practices for Waste During a Pandemic The challenges of COVID-19-related waste management led Stericycle to reinforce best practices and add temporary changes to its Packaging Guidelines and Waste Acceptance Policies. The revisions include: Hospitals must line shipping containers with red bags for regulated medical waste, and close and tie bags with a knot. This Department of Transportation regulation protects workers who open these containers to recycle cardboard or place tubs into the tub washer for reuse. Also, stay under the 50-pound limit per container for safe loading (exceptions are roll-up boxes or carts), and double-bag and absorb or solidify all liquid waste. Stericyle drivers won’t accept improperly packaged waste for pickup or assist in packaging it. All containers must be properly labeled, closed and ready for removal, with no red bags visible. Nonconforming waste discovered at the facility will be returned to the hospital or redirected elsewhere for disposal. Hospitals that don’t want to sign shipping documents can have the drivers print “Generator refused to sign COVID-19,” sign and date their section, and leave a copy for the hospital’s file. Stericycle technicians don’t service sharps or comingled sharps and pharmaceutical containers in any hospital isolation rooms, regardless of airborne, droplet or contact precautions taken. Instead, Stericycle provides sufficient containers for hospital staff to put clean ones in patient rooms, removing the used ones and putting them in carts for pickup. “We believe it is prudent to limit the number of people that enter such rooms to limit disease spread and preserve scarce PPE,” said Cara Simaga, the director of government affairs at Stericycle. Service technicians check with nursing stations before servicing a department to learn if there are any treatment areas they shouldn’t enter because of COVID-19. Don’t place other waste types besides solid waste into red bags or sharps containers. Other types of waste could pose danger to workers. “Chemical waste, batteries, aerosol cans and gas cylinders could react dangerously in our processing equipment. We cannot accept \[Resource Conservation and Recovery Act\] hazardous waste and radioactive waste at our regulated medical waste facilities,” said Ms. Simaga, noting that other Stericycle divisions can handle many of these wastes. Don’t place pharmaceutical waste into red bags. Continue to use blue and black pharmaceutical waste containers for that service. Regulated medical waste and sharps should continue to be autoclaved. Incineration is needed only for pathology waste, trace chemotherapy waste and nonhazardous pharmaceutical waste. Once medical waste is treated, it can still be landfilled or sent to waste-to-energy sites. Stericycle has established a business continuity plan to ensure ongoing services, and centrally communicates COVID-19 updates to health care facilities via its Knowledge Center (see main article). *—A.H.* ****** She shared Knowledge Center links from the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on waste: [bit.ly/3gtPUnv](http://bit.ly/3gtPUnv); [bit.ly/2ZKHYZe](http://bit.ly/2ZKHYZe); [bit.ly/2B2nwsj](http://bit.ly/2B2nwsj); and [bit.ly/2yDbAfM](http://bit.ly/2yDbAfM). For further CDC/EPA guidance, visit [bit.ly/3gxJEv2](http://bit.ly/3gxJEv2). “Having managed Ebola in 2014, I’ve never seen anything of this magnitude. We certainly are in an unprecedented time,” Ms. Hoboy said. Actual direct waste from COVID-19 patients is “minimal,” with less blood and bodily fluids than during the Ebola outbreak, but there is “a lot more PPE and other solid waste generated” in hospitals as well as at pop-up testing sites, clinics, patient triage areas and quarantine sites in unconventional settings. --- This post, [Safe Disposal in the COVID-19 Era](https://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Policy/Article/07-20/Safe-Disposal-in-the-COVID-19-Era/58873), first appeared on [https://www.pharmacypracticenews.com](https://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Policy/Article/07-20/Safe-Disposal-in-the-COVID-19-Era/58873). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Fact check: OSHA does recommend the use of face masks amid COVID-19](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/05/fact-check-osha-does-recommend-the-use-of-face-masks-amid-covid-19/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A number of social media posts attribute a fabricated quote about the dangers of wearing face-coverings to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA does recommend the use of face-coverings per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. The extract of the post referring to OSHA reads “(SIC) OSHA… Wearing Masks Longer Than 20 Min Without Changing Them Out Dangerously Increases Infection Rates, Increases Co2 Levels & Significantly Decreases Oxygen Levels Causing Multiple Life Threatening Illnesses & Existing Illness Flair Ups. Cloth masks increase infection risk” Reuters did not find any warning from OSHA regarding risks associated with wearing face coverings for a certain period of time, or on their impact on oxygen and CO2 levels. A spokesperson for the Department of Labor told Reuters that OSHA “has made no determination regarding face-mask impact on oxygen levels.” OSHA “generally recommends that employers encourage workers to wear face coverings at work” in accordance with the CDC guidelines. Guidance on OSHA’s website adds: “Face coverings are intended to prevent wearers who have Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) without knowing it (i.e., those who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic) from spreading potentially infectious respiratory droplets to others.” OSHA advises that face-coverings “may be used by almost any worker” but not by those who have trouble breathing or are unable to put on or remove a mask without assistance. #### Effects on Oxygen and CO2 Levels Reuters previously debunked the harmful effects of increased CO2 levels as a result of wearing a face mask [here](https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-coronavirus-mask-hypercapni/partly-false-claim-continually-wearing-a-mask-causes-hypercapnia-idUSKBN22H2H1). A CDC spokesperson told Reuters that “The CO2 will slowly build up in the mask over time. However, the level of CO2 likely to build up in the mask is mostly tolerable to people exposed to it.” Health magazine reported [here](https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/does-wearing-face-mask-increase-co2-levels) that because cloth face coverings don’t fit tightly to your face, a lack of oxygen is highly unlikely. Bill Carroll, an adjunct professor of chemistry at Indiana University, Bloomington told Health, “When you exhale or inhale, air can go around the mask as well through the pores in the material.” OTHER CLAIMS IN POSTS ON MASKS AND COVID-19 The post also misleadingly alleges that mask manufacturers warn that masks don’t prevent COVID-19. Most cloth face-coverings are not intended to completely protect the wearer but rather reduce transmission of the virus from the wearer to other people. This makes them effective in stemming the spread of COVID-19 in communities. This claim has been debunked by other fact-checkers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states [here](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html) that cloth face coverings “may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others”. On April 3, 2020, the CDC updated its previous advice and recommended people to wear cloth face coverings “in public settings when around people outside their household, especially when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain”. On June 6, 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its guidance to recommend the use of fabric face masks in public places to curb the spread of COVID-19. This change was due to a growing amount of observational evidence from several countries as well as the difficulty of social distancing in many settings. The WHO recommends the wearing of non-medical masks in public settings, on public transport and for people living in cramped conditions. Read more about this [here](https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks). U.S. coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx does recommend the use of face coverings in public when social distancing isn’t possible. Birx has publicly stated that there’s “clear scientific evidence now” that masks “prevent droplets from reaching others”. She told Fox News: “Out of respect for each other, as Americans that care for each other, we need to be wearing masks in public when we cannot social distance.” [In a different interview](http://bit.ly/2ZzOD6E), Birx said the guidance on wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 has evolved as more research has become available. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), did say [here](https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/27/politics/fauci-coronavirus-wear-masks-cnntv/index.html) during an interview with CNN on May 27,2020, that wearing a mask was a symbol of “the kind of thing you should be doing” and that it shows respect for the other person. But in the same interview, Fauci said he believed masks to be “effective” although “not 100% effective.” Dr. Fauci is still encouraging people to wear face masks. See recent comments [here](https://www.thestreet.com/video/dr-fauci-masks-changing-directive-coronavirus). As more information is available about SARS-CoV-2, health organizations and authorities around the world have changed their perspective towards the impact of face masks and the spread of COVID-19. The argument for the widespread adoption of wearing masks centers around the findings that it helps to stem the spread of the disease in communities by protecting others from the mask-wearing individual. #### Verdict False. OSHA recommends the use of face-coverings as per CDC guidance. The WHO, Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx also recommend the use of masks. This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our work to fact-check social media posts [here](https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/about). --- This post, [Fact check: OSHA does recommend the use of face masks amid COVID-19](https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-osha-masks/fact-check-osha-does-recommend-the-use-of-face-masks-amid-covid-19-idUSKBN24327B), first appeared on [https://www.reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-osha-masks/fact-check-osha-does-recommend-the-use-of-face-masks-amid-covid-19-idUSKBN24327B). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [What Medical Privacy Laws Do And Don't Cover](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/05/what-medical-privacy-laws-do-and-dont-cover/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** RALEIGH, N.C. – Privacy experts say when health officials claim they’re not allowed to release certain information about the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re usually right. Medical privacy laws are in the spotlight as COVID-19 continues to ravage the country. In some cases, people have taken to social media to make claims about HIPAA, such as forbidding transportation network companies from requiring face masks in cars. Those claims are false. HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. First passed in the 1990s, the law governs what health-related information about a person is releasable. Elizabeth Johnson, an attorney who specializes in privacy issues, said HIPAA deals with information that is sent to a healthcare provider on a claims basis. If you pay your doctor or dentist through insurance, either private or a government-run program such as Medicare or Medicaid, your data is protected. If you pay cash, HIPAA doesn’t apply. Richard Saver, a UNC-Chapel Hill law professor who specializes in health law, said many people believe HIPAA only protects a patient’s name from disclosure. In fact, any sort of identifiable information is protected, including demographic information and details about where the person lives. In a public health emergency, HIPAA gives officials broad discretion as to what kind of information they release. But it’s not the only law at work. States, including North Carolina, have their own communicable disease laws. These laws regulate the reporting of cases of COVID-19 as well as more familiar diseases such as measles or flu. Johnson said that law, rather than HIPAA, generally governs what health officials can release about a disease in your community. “If it’s identifiable to a person, it’s not a public record. So they can’t be obligated to disclose it to the media or anyone else,” she said. “They are allowed to disclose it in certain cases, but they’re all going to fit into that general pattern where they need to be acting to protect the public before they make a disclosure like that.” When Spectrum News staff have contacted county health departments for information regarding COVID-19 cases traceable to a particular location, some have provided numbers but others have refused to disclose them. Saver said those decisions always are governed by conditions on the ground and even what individual officials feel comfortable releasing given the regulations that are in place. Saver said HIPAA can limit what employers disclose as well, if indirectly. “The place of business may not be a healthcare provider, but once that information gets ultimately reported up to a public health agency, they are covered by HIPAA. And what they do with the information has to comply with HIPAA as well,” he said. Saver and Johnson said although the public’s hunger for information is understandable in a pandemic, privacy laws can actually be a good thing. The knowledge that identifiable information will be protected can make someone more willing to tell a doctor they have a communicable disease, such as COVID-19. Whatever your feelings about privacy laws, Johnson said do your research using reputable sources and don’t believe everything you see people post about them on social media. “There’s a lot on social media lately of people declaring, HIPAA doesn’t allow this, HIPAA doesn’t allow that,” she said. “I’d say 90 percent of it’s wrong at this point.” --- This post, [What Medical Privacy Laws Do And Don’t Cover](https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/triangle-sandhills/news/2020/06/23/what-medical-privacy-laws-do-and-don-t-cover), first appeared on [https://spectrumlocalnews.com](https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/triangle-sandhills/news/2020/06/23/what-medical-privacy-laws-do-and-don-t-cover). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Many Say OSHA Not Protecting Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/05/many-say-osha-not-protecting-workers-during-covid-19-pandemic/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Thousands have complained to OSHA about unsafe working conditions due to Covid-19. OSHA has not inspected a single workplace. NPR’s Scott Simon speaks with Deborah Berkowitz, a former agency official. Transcript: The mission of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, known as OSHA, is to protect American workers. But many health care workers, factory workers, transit workers and others have said they do not feel protected during this pandemic. What has OSHA been doing? Deborah Berkowitz, a former senior OSHA official, says the agency has been doing nothing. There have been no workplace inspections, no legal threats, no fines. We asked her about the thousands of COVID-related complaints OSHA has received. DEBORAH BERKOWITZ: In this pandemic, OSHA has decided, really, not to enforce the law. Federal OSHA has received, you know, about 18,000 complaints with state OSHAs, and they have already closed 12,000 complaints that they received from terrified workers. OSHA simply sent a letter to the employer and said, you have to investigate yourself; we don’t have any real specific requirements. And then the employer would write back, you know, we’re doing what we can. And OSHA closed the case. SIMON: Well, they should conduct inspections. What other kind of responses? BERKOWITZ: This is unprecedented. Whenever there’s been an emergency or crisis, OSHA has always done some enforcement to let workers know that this agency has your back, because if OSHA doesn’t act, workers can’t sue an employer. So OSHA right at the beginning of the pandemic decided that they weren’t conducting inspections, and not only that, but that they weren’t going to publish any specific requirements that employers had to comply with. So there are no requirements to protect workers from COVID-19 – no requirements for keeping workers 6 feet apart or giving workers masks or giving them the ability to wash their hands repeatedly. You know, OSHA and CDC have guidelines, but OSHA’s not enforcing them. In some states, the governors have implemented executive orders because the federal government has totally failed here. SIMON: I do not understand any possible motive there would be in a federal agency not following up on complaints. What am I missing here? BERKOWITZ: You have an administration and you have a head of the Department of Labor, where OSHA is housed – Secretary Scalia has said over and over again – that I don’t think they really believe that government has a role here. They believe in real limited government. I actually think OSHA’s completely failed here, and the cost is being borne by workers who have been sickened and many who have died on the job. And there’s no greater proof that the secretary’s philosophy that employers will just comply on their own, all they need is some kind of guidance, than the ramp in spread in meatpacking and poultry plants or in nursing homes, where you have 30,000 cases that we know about in meatpacking, 35,000 nursing home workers are sick. Voluntary compliance doesn’t work. That’s why you have OSHA. Even under Ronald Reagan, who ran on a platform of getting rid of OSHA – even under Ronald Reagan, when OSHA would see bad actor companies or bad actor industries, they would go after them. SIMON: I mean, I don’t want to ignore the fact that the subtext of your words is that OSHA’s lack of action has cost lives. BERKOWITZ: Oh, and that’s really borne out, Scott, in the data. You know, the Kaiser Family Foundation just did an analysis of 4,000 complaints where nursing home workers complained about the lack of protective equipment, and OSHA just closed the case and then workers died, or in meatpacking plants, where, you know, workers complained about unsafe conditions in so many meatpacking plants way back in April, and then OSHA just simply closed the case and said the employer’s doing what they can. And there are outbreaks and there are deaths following this, and they all could’ve been prevented. SIMON: Deborah Berkowitz, who’s now with the National Employment Law Project and a former OSHA official, thank you so much for being with us. BERKOWITZ: Thanks for having me. SIMON: We would like to note we made many attempts to speak to officials at OSHA, but as of air time, we haven’t heard back. --- This post, [Many Say OSHA Not Protecting Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.npr.org/2020/07/04/887239204/many-say-osha-not-protecting-workers-during-covid-19-pandemic), first appeared on [https://www.npr.org](https://www.npr.org/2020/07/04/887239204/many-say-osha-not-protecting-workers-during-covid-19-pandemic). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [COVID-19 Fallout: Tons of Trash](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/05/covid-19-fallout-tons-of-trash/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** For Milli Martinez of North Hollywood, CA, recycling has been a way of life. For years, she has taken her own reusable bags to the grocery store. At retail stores, she would also decline their bags and use her own. Then came the coronavirus pandemic. Many grocery stores switched back to single-use plastic bags and prohibited customers from bringing their own reusable bags. While annoyed at the waste, Martinez says she understands the motivation to stop the spread. Even so, she says, “I’m concerned people will get out of the habit of recycling.” While the situation has been difficult for Martinez, many of us seem to be doing just fine with — perhaps wallowing in — our new, disposable habits. As COVID-19 has brought anxiety, worry, and social distancing, it has also brought piles and piles of trash and waste. It’s not just plastic grocery bags, but also disposable masks and gloves. As more businesses reopen, there’s more trash coming. Restaurants are being encouraged to use disposable menus. One company marketing single-use menus online provides an estimate of how many throwaway menus might be needed. For a restaurant serving 60 customers a day 6 days a week, they suggest buying 1,500 menus to distribute and throw away every month. Then, there are health care workers’ disposables to stem the spread of the virus. Their needs for personal protective equipment, or PPE, to care for COVID-19 patients has skyrocketed. In early March, the World Health Organization [estimated](https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/03-03-2020-shortage-of-personal-protective-equipment-endangering-health-workers-worldwide) that 89 million medical masks are needed every month, globally, for the COVID-19 response, along with 76 million exam gloves and 1.6 million goggles. As of June 10, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, federal officials have sent out or are currently shipping 94.7 million N95 [respirators](https://www.webmd.com/lung/coronavirus-ventilators), 149.2 million surgical masks, 14.3 million face shields, 44.6 million surgical gowns, and over 1 billion gloves to help deal with the pandemic. Before the pandemic, the 23 Northwell Health hospitals in New York used about 250,000 pairs of gloves a day; now, it’s 500,000 pairs, says Donna Drummond, senior vice president and chief expense officer. The global market for disposable [face masks](https://www.webmd.com/lung/coronavirus-face-masks), used by health care workers and consumers, was more than $74 billion in the first three months of 2020, according to a market [report](https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/disposable-face-masks-market). #### Who’s Producing the Most Waste? Still, the biggest overall increase in waste and trash since the pandemic began is not from hospitals, but from residences, says Anne Germain, chief operating officer and senior vice president of regulatory affairs for the National Waste and Recycling Association. “For restaurant, retail, and offices, the numbers are down,” but “residential waste is up about 30%,” she says, citing reports from members. The association represents about 700 U.S. private waste and recycling companies. That may change as states reopen, but because people weren’t getting out as much, trash piled up. “Even though people were working at home, they were generating a lot less paper than when they were in the office,” she says. But the volume of cardboard boxes is up — a change she calls “the Amazon effect,” with everyone ordering ”so much stuff they get tons and tons of boxes.” At the same time, an expected deluge of virus-contaminated medical waste didn’t happen. “We have actually seen a decrease in medical waste volumes during COVID,” says Selin Hoboy, vice president of government affairs and compliance at Stericycle, which operates 50 medical waste treatment facilities. “During April 2020, medical waste pounds collected in North America were down 12%, compared to April 2019. She says that was likely due to people postponing [preventive care](https://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/preventive-care) and elective surgeries, along with the temporary closure of smaller, independent health care practices. “Surgical procedures generate a lot of trash,” says Ira Nash, MD, senior vice president and executive director of Northwell Health Physician Partners in New York. So while the need for supplies for COVID patients was increasing, it was probably offset by the lack of elective surgeries being done. Arman Zeytounyan, vice president and chief marketing officer at BioWaste Inc., a medical waste management firm in Burbank, CA, says his company also handled less medical waste in April, but it had average amounts in May. “Medical waste in general probably has a poor track record of recycling,” Nash says. Much equipment is made out of plastic, and ”it’s designed to be single-use both as a way to make it cheaper, but also because of issues of infection prevention and not wanting to transmit things from one patient to another.” #### How to Handle Household COVID-19 Waste For people who have a household member with COVID, and need to dispose of waste that may be infected, Germain advises bagging the material and putting the bag in the trash, or setting it aside for a couple of days to let the virus die off. [Wash your hands](https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/cold-prevention-hand-washing) well after disposing of the trash, says Aaron Glatt, MD, chief of infectious diseases and hospital epidemiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, NY. A regular routine house cleaning is fine, he says. When you place the waste in the trash, if you are in an area without automated trash can collection, disinfect the handles of the cans to help protect the trash collectors, Germain suggests. They likely won’t be touching the bags inside, she says. #### Now, a Healthy Return to Some Reusables? Some experts now say consumers can safely resume using reusable products, like bags and coffee mugs. That’s because more information is known now about how the virus is transmitted, and using less plastic will help the environment. Nearly 130 scientists, doctors, and academic experts, along with Greenpeace USA and UPSTREAM, issued a statement June 22 addressing the [safety of reusables](https://storage.googleapis.com/planet4-international-stateless/2020/06/9592036c-health-expert-statement_125.pdf) during the pandemic. They cite evidence from the CDC that the virus is thought to spread mainly between people in close contact though respiratory droplets when someone infected coughs, sneezes, or talks. The CDC [says](https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/newsletter/food-safety-and-Coronavirus.html) there is ”likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging” because the virus doesn’t survive well on surfaces. California’s temporary suspension of its ban on single-use plastic bags expired June 22. When California’s ban on single-use plastic bags was paused in April and May, as many as 1 billion of them were distributed in California, according to Californians Against Waste. A return to reusables will help the environment, says John Hocevar, a marine biologist and oceans campaign director for Greenpeace USA. “We see whales wash up on beaches with stomachs full of plastic bags,” he says. Disposable gloves, when they get washed into the ocean, “can easily be mistaken for jellyfish by sea turtles.” The elastic straps on masks can get tangled on sea life. The UPSTREAM site has suggestions for keeping retail workers comfortable when customers return to reusables, such as contact-less interaction, with customers bagging their own groceries. --- This post, [COVID-19 Fallout: Tons of Trash](https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200629/covid19-fallout-tons-of-trash), first appeared on [https://www.webmd.com](https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200629/covid19-fallout-tons-of-trash). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Building Resilience During COVID-19](https://wastemedic.com/2020/06/07/building-resilience-during-covid-19/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The COVID-19 pandemic represents a truly unprecedented and challenging time for millions of us across the country. Yet I’m so inspired by the leadership, dedication, and—perhaps most important—**resilience** of our nursing colleagues on the frontlines treating and caring for patients day after day. I’ve been thinking a lot about resilience, what it means, and why it’s more important than ever for nurses. Here are five of my recent resilience-related thoughts: **Endurance vs. resilience: The difference matters.** Endurance is the ability to withstand hardship or adversity over an extended period of time, while resilience is the ability to adjust to, recover, or grow from it. In other words, while we are in the midst of the intensity of this pandemic, it is ok to simply to endure. We do not need to be our very best selves. We do not need to go to work and deliver superhuman nursing care, masterfully homeschool our children, and also feel pressure to take up Pilates, learn a new language, or bake sourdough bread. We need to withstand the situation, which likely means backing off a bit and lowering our expectations. **Resilience includes relaxation and recovery**. Endless endurance leads to collapse. When we are working this hard, resilience means coupling the intensity of our work with periods of relaxation and recovery. Make time for activities that allow you to disengage from the intensity and rejuvenate your mind and body. Sufficient sleep, healthy eating, regular exercise, connecting with people who nurture us, and moments of quiet all help balance out the stress of our work. We don’t need to compound external challenges with the onus of being perfect or productive. We should simply nurture ourselves as best we can. **It’s possible to experience many strong emotions—and still be resilient**. A challenge is inherently difficult. That’s why you may be feeling overwhelmed, worried, hopeful, anxious, inspired, and overwhelmed again—all in the same day. Recognizing, accepting, and letting yourself experience emotions is part of being resilient. Talking and writing about your experiences helps to process them. **Remember: We all are resilient.** We didn’t become nurses without encountering challenges along the way. We have resources—both within ourselves and around us—that we have relied on in the past and can rely on again now. **Amidst adversity, there is always opportunity to learn and grow**. Resilient comes from the Latin word “resilire,” meaning “to jump back or recoil.” But we don’t simply want to return to “before,” which included more than one-third of nurses suffering from burnout and 15-20 percent reporting symptoms of PTSD. We want to do better. I hope that in all of this we learn how to take better care of ourselves and our colleagues. We have difficult and important work to do, and the world needs us more than ever. We hope you’ll take advantage of our resiliency-related resources offered through **[The Well-being Initiative](https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus/what-you-need-to-know/the-well-being-initiative/?utm_campaign=267100_COVID19%20Well-being%20Initiative%20&utm_source=NurseFocus&utm_medium=Blog&utm_term=Resilience%20During%20COVID-19&utm_content=Well-being%20Initiative&__hstc=186682423.841251f2429504758d735150f61b5d84.1591537758164.1591537758164.1591537758164.1&__hssc=186682423.1.1591537758165&__hsfp=4150268527)** and the **[Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation Grand Challenge](https://www.healthynursehealthynation.org/?utm_campaign=267100_COVID19%20Well-being%20Initiative%20&utm_source=NurseFocus&utm_medium=Blog&utm_term=Resilience%20During%20COVID-19&utm_content=HNHN&__hstc=186682423.841251f2429504758d735150f61b5d84.1591537758164.1591537758164.1591537758164.1&__hssc=186682423.1.1591537758165&__hsfp=4150268527).** Resilience you develop during the current crisis will better prepare you for any challenges to come. --- This post, [Building Resilience During COVID-19](https://nursefocus.org/resilience-during-covid-19/?utm_campaign=267100_COVID19%20Well-being%20Initiative%20&utm_content=130505859&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&hss_channel=fbp-79532317069), first appeared on [https://nursefocus.org](https://nursefocus.org/resilience-during-covid-19/?utm_campaign=267100_COVID19%20Well-being%20Initiative%20&utm_content=130505859&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&hss_channel=fbp-79532317069). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [The Confusion Over Privacy: HIPAA, the Constitution, and COVID-19](https://wastemedic.com/2020/06/07/the-confusion-over-privacy-hipaa-the-constitution-and-covid-19/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The right to privacy has always been heavily debated, especially because the Constitution does not provide any definitive right of privacy. But the battle regarding privacy in healthcare seemed to have been resolved with the passing of the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 1996. However, reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and other agencies suspended important aspects of HIPAA and Congress passed the, ‘Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,’ (CARES Act). The CARES Act now creates a paper trail of someone’s health status that will follow them through countless areas of life. The reaction to COVID-19 has created the exact atmosphere that HIPAA aspired to eliminate. The present-day incentives for releasing patient information ultimately begs for constitutional analysis. Was HIPAA the Constitution’s unofficial Privacy Amendment? Is it unconstitutional to suspend HIPAA? Is the CARES Act in violation of HIPAA and/or the Constitution? #### The Constitution and Privacy *Jacobson v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts,* 197 U.S. 11 (1905), is one hundred and fifteen years old, but the case will frame many impending constitutional questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The law that Massachusetts passed in *Jacobson* stated, “the board of health of a city or town, if, in its opinion, it is necessary for public health or safety, shall require and enforce the vaccination and revaccination of all inhabitant thereof, and shall provide them with the means of a free vaccination.”1. The rationale behind the law was because “smallpox \[had become\] prevalent to some extent in the City of Cambridge, and \[continued\] to increase. Cambridge believed it necessary for “speedy extermination of the disease,” that all persons who had not been vaccinated should be required to do so.2 Defendant in *Jacobson,* claimed degradation of his rights that are secured by the 14th amendment, namely; “\[N\]o state shall make or enforce any law abridging privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States nor can any person per deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of the law.”3 The Court struck down defendant’s argument; “the authority of the state to enact this statue is to be referred to…the police power-a power which the state did not surrender when becoming a member of the union under the Constitution.”4 “The Court has refrained from any attempt to define the limits of that power, yet it has distinctly recognized the authority of a state to enact quarantine laws and ‘health laws of every description.’”5 “According to settled principals the police power of a state must be held to embrace at least, such reasonable regulations established directly by legislative enactive as will protect the public health and public safety.”6 Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, questions regarding vaccination will surely surface again. However, a question not necessarily addressed in *Jacobson,* but heavily overlaps with vaccination inquires is, privacy. “Virtually every governmental action interferes with personal privacy to some degree. The question in each case is whether that interference violates a command of the United States Constitution.” *Katz v. United States,* 389 U.S. 367, 350 (1967). The Constitution does not explicitly give the right of privacy; rather, it has been the courts who have read privacy into clauses of the Constitution. In *Katz v. United States,* 389 U.S. 347 (1967), Justice Stewart, wrote for the majority and created the right of personal privacy. He found privacy roots in numerous constitutional amendments freeing the, “\[T\]he Fourth Amendment \[from being\] translated into a general constitutional ‘right to privacy.’7 The Court held the 14th Amendment protects individual privacy against certain kinds of governmental intrusion, but the Amendment’s protections go further, and stray from focusing solely on privacy rights. Moreover, the Court found other provisions of the Constitution which protect personal privacy from forms of governmental invasion.8 In footnote 5, Stewart listed his findings; the First Amendment prevents governments from interfering with the freedom to associate and privacy in one’s associations; the Third Amendment prevents the quartering of soldiers during peacetime; lastly, the Fifth Amendment also shows “the right of each individual to a private enclave where he may lead a private life.”9 In another landmark privacy case, *United States v. Jones,* 565 U.S. 400, 404 (2012), Justice Scalia writing for the Supreme Court, proclaimed, “\[T\]he Fourth Amendment provides in relevant part that “\[t\]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.””10 The Court relied on *Katz, “*we said that “the Fourth Amendment protects people, not places,” and found a violation in attachment of an eavesdropping device to a public telephone booth. Our later cases have applied the analysis of Justice Harlan’s concurrence in that case, which said that a violation occurs when government officers violate a person’s “reasonable expectation of privacy,””11 #### HIPAA New regulations have expanded patient privacy since the *Jacobson* case*,* namely, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).12 HIPAA had two explicit purposes; “One was to ensure that individuals would be able to maintain their health insurance between jobs.”13 This is the Health Insurance Portability part of the Act. “The second part of the Act is the “Accountability” portion. This section is designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of patient information/data.”14 In addition, HIPAA mandates uniform standards of privacy for electronic patient health information and data that is transmitted during the normal course of care. Within HIPAA is “The Privacy Rule,” which mandates and unifies privacy regulations for patients’ protected health information (PHI) with the enumerated goal to protect patients’ records during the changing insurance landscape in 1996.15 A new form of safety was provided to patients through HIPAA by explicitly preventing health plans from denying eligibility because of health status; medical condition; mental illness; genetic information; disability; and other evidence of insurability.16 This was a remarkable step toward privacy for patients. Anecdotes like the following were maxims of the pre-HIPAA era. An executive at a finance company during the early ‘90s recalled how difficult to function it was dealing with his undiagnosed bipolar disorder, *I began hallucinating and became suicidal. I wouldn’t dare see a psychiatrist, for if I did it would be in my health records and my career would be over. I knew that companies received detailed updates about employee health insurance claims, and that these updates often made it easy to…identify the employees making the claims. I didn’t want my employer to know I was going crazy. The only way to protect myself…was to not have this information available at all. The only way to do that was to not get treated for a mental illness.17* Because of pre-HIPAA horror stories, “Individually identifiable health information” was explicitly protected, which included, demographic data that relates to: the individual’s past, present or future physical or mental health or condition, the provision of health care to the individual, or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to the individual, and that identifies the individual or for which there is a reasonable basis to believe it can be used to identify the individual. Individually identifiable health information includes many common identifiers (e.g., name, address, birth date, Social Security Number)18 HIPAA’s unique provision against sharing information that could deduce the patient’s identity proves the seriousness of the Privacy Rule. Not only is sharing a patient’s demographic data precluded but being able to reasonably identify the patient is also a HIPAA violation.19 Prior to COVID-19, under HIPAA, covered entities could disclose PHI to public health authorities when the dissemination is authorized by law for preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability…and in regards to individuals who may have contracted or been exposed to a communicable disease when notification is authorized by law.20 The notable aspect of the original regulation is how narrowly tailored the need for disclosure is. Only when authorized by law could any PHI be released to these public health officials. HIPAA also contains a preemption provision titled, “Effect on State law,” which states; “Except as provided…a provision or requirement under this part… *shall supersede any contrary provision of State law*.”21 It is imperative to remember the intent behind HIPAA, “In HIPAA, Congress directed the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations designed to ***ensure the privacy of patients’ medical information.***”22 There can be no doubt of HIPAA’s intent, it is self-proclaimed in the very first line; “This regulation…\[is\] to protect and enhance the rights of consumers by providing them access to their health information and controlling the inappropriate use of that information.”23 The preemption provision of HIPAA proves the strength Congress intended HIPAA to have. Preventing states from undermining provisions of HIPAA, the preemption provision makes HIPAA a blanket rule providing a minimum level of privacy for patient’s in all states. #### COVID-19 and HIPAA The Office for Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services (HHS) released a bulletin entitled, HIPAA Privacy and Novel Coronavirus, released February of 2020 (hereinbelow, bulletin), which presented guidelines for how HIPAA will be affected as OCR reacts to the public health emergency. First change is as follows: Under the Privacy Rule, covered entities may disclose, without a patient’s authorization, protected health information about the patient as necessary to treat the patient or to treat a different patient. *(emphasis added)* Secondly, a covered entity may share protected health information with a patient’s family members, relatives, friends, or other persons identified by the patient as involved in the patient’s care. A covered entity also may share information about a patient as necessary to identify, locate, and notify family members, guardians, or anyone else responsible for the patient’s care, of the patient’s location, general condition, or death. This may include, where necessary to notify family members and others, the police, the press, or the public at large.24 Finally, HHS issued, “Notification of Enforcement Discretion under HIPAA to Allow Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information by Business Associates for Public Health and Health;” To facilitate uses and disclosures for public health and health oversight activities during this nationwide public health emergency, effective immediately, OCR will exercise its enforcement discretion and will not impose penalties against a business associate or covered entity under the Privacy Rule. *(emphasis added)25* These guidelines completely dilute the “The Privacy Rule” of HIPAA, which had mandated and unified privacy regulations for patients’ PHI. Now HIPAA has been disregarded through the latest provision of the United States Code released on March 27,2020 42 U.S.C.§ 1320b-5 entitled, “Authority to Waive Requirements During National Emergencies,” which stated “\[T\]he patient’s right to request privacy restrictions; and the patients’ right to confidential communications,’ has been waived.” *(emphasis added)* Alas, this pandemic does presently exist, and the ultimate question is, ‘How much PHI should be publicly shared?’ The HIPAA Privacy Rule as it stood required, “when protected health information is used or disclosed, only the information that is needed for the immediate use or disclosure should be made available by the covered entity,” this is known as the minimum necessary standard. *(emphasis added)*26 The minimum necessary standard does not apply to; 1) disclosures or requests by a health care provider for treatment purposes; 2) disclosures to the patient when requested by the patient; and 3) uses and disclosures made with the patient’s authorization.27 Further, the minimum necessary standard required covered entities to evaluate their practices and enhance protections as needed to “limit unnecessary or inappropriate access to protected health information. It is intended to reflect and be consistent with, not override, professional judgment and standards.”28 Therefore, HIPAA intended medical professionals to decide what information was necessary to disclose. Medical professionals have always been encouraged to have open communication when discussing a patient’s treatment, but information requested by public health officials must always be “the minimum necessary for a public health purpose.”29 HHS released the following about PHI; “Information is essential fuel for the engine of health care. Physicians, medical professionals, hospitals and other clinical institutions generate, use and share it to provide good care to individuals, to evaluate the quality of care they are providing, and to assure they receive proper payment from health plans.”30 The focus was on the individual professional and their relationship to the individualized care of a single patient. #### COVID-19 HIPAA Violations An example of a notable HIPAA violation can be found in a New York Times Article, published prior to OCR’s bulletin. The Health Commissioner of New Jersey released personal information about the first death in New Jersey from the coronavirus.31 “The man, who was 69 and lived in Little Ferry, a small Bergen County town about 15 miles northwest of Manhattan, had gone to his doctor last week complaining of a fever and a cough, the state’s health commissioner, Judith Persichilli, said.”32 The article continued, “The man, identified by a close friend and an official at Yonkers Raceway as John Brennan, was treated with antibiotics and Tamiflu, an antiviral medication given to alleviate flu symptoms, but Mr. Brennan did not improve.” The article stated that Mr. Brennan had been admitted to Hackensack University Medical Center, and stated Mr. Brennan had a “history of serious health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure and emphysema.”33 The public also learned Mr. Brennan was the nighttime field representative for a horse-owner association, and Mr. Brennan’s friend of 35 years, Joe Faraldo, was interviewed about their friendship. Further, the health commissioner stated, “\[Mr. Brennan\] went into cardiac arrest on Monday night, but was revived… Tuesday morning, Mr. Brennan had a second heart attack, this one fatal. Lastly, Mr. Brennan was single and had no children, and regularly traveled into New York City after leaving work.34 Prior to COVID-19, HIPAA had an axiomatic presence in healthcare and therefore, Mr. Brennen even in death could rely on HIPAA to protect his PHI. He could also rely on the reasonable expectation of privacy for people to be secure in theirpersons derived from the *Katz* case. However, the press was informed by a public official who described, in detail, the life of New Jersey’s first COVID-19 victim. Though the disclosure was made in good faith, COVID-19 is leading to reactive regulations. These orders need to be reflected on as the crisis continues, and specifically it is important to consider the need of each piece of PHI that is to be released. Reminding officials of the minimum necessary standard in HIPAA would not place a heavy burden on those officials, rather that standard is being presently implemented on the West Coast. The West Coast has taken a different approach to revealing PHI. Departments in the Bay Area make the case that releasing more granular data could heighten discrimination against certain communities where there might be clusters.35 The first cases in the Bay Area were among ethnic Chinese residents returning from trips to China.36 “Pandemics increase paranoia and stigma,” said Dr. Rohan Radhakrishna, the deputy health officer of Contra Costa County, across the Bay from San Francisco, which provides only the total number of cases in the county on its website.37 “We must be extra cautious in protecting individuals and the community.”38 Therefore, the county’s public information office says it will not publicly disclose the number of cases in each city because doing so could make individuals more easily identifiable.39 Dr. Jeffrey V. Smith, the county executive for Santa Clara County, who is both a medical doctor and a lawyer, argues that more precise geographical information about the spread does not help combat the virus.40 This is significant considering Santa Clara County has recently been reported as the location of the first two deaths in the United States from COVID-19.41 “Reporting positive tests with a census tract or a city name provides data that is not helpful,” Dr. Smith said. “In fact, such data has the risk of stigmatizing areas and regions of the country in a way that does not help.”42 The approach Dr. Smith discussed relates back to HIPAA’s unique provision against sharing information that could deduce the patient’s identity.43 Furthermore, Dr. Smith believes sharing regions where patients have been is “not helpful,” resulting in unnecessary stigma.44 Regarding stigma, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released a note about daily life and coping with the COVID-19 crisis. These are “stressful times for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can lead to social stigma…for example stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19 with a population or nationality…stigma can also occur after a person has been released from quarantine even though they are not considered a risk for spreading the disease to others.” The note was clear; “Stigma hurts everyone by creating fear or anger towards other people…stopping stigma is important to make communities and community members resilient*.”*45 Therefore, the dichotomy between these examples from the East and West coast are more than a differences in opinion, rather they are evidence of competing privacy values. #### PHI in the courts Prior to COVID-19 courts struggled with finding appropriate times to publicize PHI. The court in, *People v. Carrier,* 309 Mich. App. 92 (2015), admitted to grappling with the decision regarding PHI because of the scarce legal guidance available.46 The case dealt with 911 calls where defendant made a terrorist threat over the phone to a mental health crisis hotline.47 “The prosecution relied, in part, on phone communications between defendant and \[the\] emergency services specialist while the specialist was manning a mental health crisis hotline.”48 After the call, the emergency services specialist called 911 and reported specifics of the threats defendant had disclosed during the specialist’s previous phone conversation with defendant.49 “Defendant argued that his conversation with the emergency services specialist and the related 911 recording concerned privileged communications and were thus inadmissible in the criminal case brought against him.”50 The court announced their need for guidance, “We are not aware of any precedent from the United States Supreme Court that has addressed the issue of privilege under a set of facts similar to those presented here. The opinions from lower federal courts on the subject \[for situations\] even arguably comparable \[to the facts of this case\] are indeed sparse. We thus are not prepared to conclude that defendant’s communications…were generally privileged under definitive federal law. On the other hand, with respect to state law and as explained hereinafter, there is clear statutory support for the conclusion that defendant’s communications were, in general, confidential and privileged.”51 However, the court ultimately held that the specialist acted to protect the safety of a third person from a patient who voiced a threat of physical violence against the person to a treating mental health professional. A mental health professional has a duty to make a “reasonable attempt to communicate a particularized threat to a threatened third person in conjunction with communicating the threat to the police.”52 An error performed by the *Carrier* court was failing to include HIPAA in their analysis. Recall the preemption provision included in HIPAA, “Effect on State law,” which states; “Except as provided…a provision or requirement under this part… *shall supersede any contrary provision of State law*.”53 The *Carrier* court did not use a provision in HIPAA to release the information disclosed during the 911 call. Further, the court would not recognize a “definitive federal law” that would find the phone call privileged. It was clear that the court struggled to come to a conclusion and the overwhelming pressures imposed by hearing a case regarding a terrorist threat ultimately made the decision even harder to reach. The court was willing to allow the release PHI due to a “particularized threat.” But the court beseeched the Supreme Court or the legislature to provide more guidance on releasing PHI. Presently, OCR is alleging COVID-19 is a threat which therefore rationalizes suspending HIPAA regulations. However, with HIPAA’s overlapping roots with constitutional rights of privacy, is suspending HIPAA constitutional? Is COVID-19 a particularized threat to a third party which requires disclosure like in the *Carrier* case? Effects of releasing patient names during the COVID-19 crisis will undoubtedly ripple. If someone is known to have the virus, can they be fired? Can they be evicted? Will they be ostracized? When vaccines are available will they be required for all citizens? Will people have to wear proof that they have been vaccinated? Will employers prefer people who have had the virus and recovered because of the alleged immunity the individual will have? The aforementioned questions are the reasons why HIPAA was put in place. HIPAA was the needed amendment to the Constitution that prevented discrimination based on health status and provided true privacy regarding health. ### The CARES Act ‘Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,’ (CARES Act) shows how ubiquitous releases of PHI will now be. H.R.748-116th Congress (2019-2020)54 Part of the act, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides “benefits to covered individuals who are not eligible for regular Unemployment Compensation (UC)… because of any one of the following COVID-19-related reasons: 1\. You have been diagnosed with or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and are seeking a medical diagnosis; 2\. A member of your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19; 3\. You are providing care for a family member or a member of your household who has been diagnosed with COVID-19; 4\. You are unable to reach your place of employment because you have been advised by a health care provider to self-isolate or quarantine because you are positive for or may have had exposure to someone who has or is suspected of having COVID-19; 5\. You were scheduled to start a new job and do not have an existing job or are unable to reach the job as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic; 6\. You have become the breadwinner/major supporter for a household because the head of your household has died as a direct result of COVID-19; 7. You had to quit your job due to being diagnosed with COVID-19 and being unable to perform your work duties; 8. Your place of employment is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.55 Aside from the eight mentioned disclosures through PUA, the CARES Act in totality has 68 benefits for people who know someone with a CDC verified positive COVID-19 test and filed an appropriate application for further allocation of government provided funds.56 All 68 of the aforementioned benefits in the CARES act provide incentives for individuals to report their own health status; however, that same incentive will now allow family members, employers, healthcare providers, and others who know the identity of an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 to capitalize on that individual’s health status.57 The CARES Act now creates a paper trail of someone’s health status that will follow them through their taxes, employment, and countless other areas of life. Especially taking into consideration that many of these benefits are intended to stay in effect for the next three taxable years.58 The atmosphere HIPAA wanted to prevent would include the new benefits of the CARES Act because the CARES Act is effectively trading money for PHI. Specifically, the incentives for employers to report an employee’s health status and how it affected the employer’s business is in direct contravention with the first element of HIPAA; which “was \[enacted\] to ensure that individuals would be able to maintain their health insurance between jobs.”59 Therefore, even if the CARES Act, like the OCR provisions, were made in good-faith, there are aspects of privacy that must be addressed to prevent regression to the pre-HIPAA era. The government has numerous interests in providing these incentives through the CARES Act, notably; 1) maintaining a healthy economy; 2) protecting businesses and individuals whose income has been affected from the virus; and 3) tracking the extent of the virus on the population in the present and future. These interests are not to be belittled; however, even if HIPAA is suspended, “the Fourth Amendment provides…“\[t\]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated\[;\]””60 “the First Amendment prevents governments from interfering with the freedom to associate and privacy in one’s associations; the Third Amendment prevents the quartering of soldiers during peacetime; lastly, the Fifth Amendment… shows “the right of each individual to a private enclave where he may lead a private life.”61 These privacy rights prescribed by the Constitution and affirmed by the Courts, must be given great deference when considering the constitutionality of the CARES Act. Lastly, the 16th Amendment of the Constitution provides, “The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes…but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be **uniform** throughout the United States.”62 (emphasis added). A final constitutional analysis must consider if the CARES Act is a uniform tax provision and therefore, compliant with the 16thAmendment. #### Conclusion Public health and government officials have acted quickly to ensure public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, despite well-intentioned efforts, reconsideration of these provisions is warranted. [1] Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11, 15 (1905). \[2\] *Id.* at 13 \[3\] *Id.* at 14. \[4\] *Id.* \[5\] Jacobson, 197 U.S. \[6\] *Id.* \[7\] *See generally* Katz v. United States*,* 389 U.S. 347, (1967) \[8\] *Id.* \[9\] *Id.* \[10\] United States v. Jones*,* 565 U.S. 400, 404 (2012). \[11\] *Id.* \[12\] 42 U.S.C. § 1301. \[13\] The University of Chicago Medical Center, Biological Sciences Division, HIPAA Background (Oct. 23, 2006) (updated Feb. 2010) [http://hipaa.bsd.uchicogo.edu/background.html. ](http://hipaa.bsd.uchicogo.edu/background.html. ) \[14\] *Id.* \[15\] U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, [https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/ind…](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html). \[16\] 29 U.S.C.A. § 1182 (West). \[17\] Anonymous, *Life Before HIPAA,* Pyschcentral.com, (March, 2019) *.* \[18\].S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, *supra* note 15. \[19\] *Id.* \[20\] *Id*. \[21\] R.K. v. St. Mary’s Med. Ctr., Inc*.,* 229 W. Va. 712, 717 (2012). \[22\] State ex rel. Proctor v. Messina*,* 320 S.W.3d 145, 150 (Mo. 2010), 42 U.S.C.A. §§ 1320d–2(d)(2)(A). \[23\] 45 C.F.R §§ 160, 164 \[24\] U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, BULLETIN: HIPAA Privacy and Novel Coronavirus (Feb. 2020) [https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/february-2020-hipaa-and-novel-co…](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/february-2020-hipaa-and-novel-coronavirus.pdf). \[25\] U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, *Notification of Enforcement Discretion under HIPAA to Allow Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information by Business Associates for Public Health and Health Oversight Activities in Response to COVID-19*, [https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/notification-enforcement-discret…](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/notification-enforcement-discretion-hipaa.pdf) \[26\] *See* U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, *supra* note 15. \[27\] *See* Compliancy Group, *The HIPAA Minimum Necessary Standard*, *.* \[28\] *[https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/207/how-are-covered-enti…](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/207/how-are-covered-entities-to-determine-what-is-) minimum-necessary/index.html.* \[29\] Compliancy Group, *supra* note 27. \[30\] U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, *supra* note 15. \[31\] Tracey Tully, *First Coronavirus Death in New Jersey: Yonkers Raceway Worker*, The N.Y. Times, (Mar. 10, 2020) [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/nyregion/coronavirus-death-nj.html. ](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/nyregion/coronavirus-death-nj.html. ) \[32\] *Id.* \[33\] *Id.* \[34\] *Id.* \[35\] Thomas Fuller, *How Much Should the Public Know About Who Has the Coronavirus?*, The N.Y. Times (Mar. 28, 2020) *[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/28/us/coronavirus-data-privacy.html?acti…](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/28/us/coronavirus-data-privacy.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage)* \[36\] *Id.* \[37\] *Id.* \[38\] *Id.* \[39\] Fuller, *supra* note 35. \[40\] *Id.* \[41\] Matt Hamilton, *Autopsies reveal first confirmed U.S. coronavirus deaths occurred in California in February*, The L.A. Times(Apr. 21, 2020), . \[42\] Fuller, *supra* note 35. \[43\] U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, *supra* note 15.*.* \[44\] Fuller, *supra* note 35. \[45\] Center for Disease Control and Prevention, *Coronavirus Disease 2019, Reducing Stigma* . \[46\] People v. Carrier*,* 309 Mich. App. 92, (2015). \[47\] *Id.* at 93. \[48\] *Id.* at 94–95. \[49\] *Id.* \[50\] *Id.* \[51\] *Id.* at 93. \[52\] *Id.* at 97 \[53\] R.K. v. St. Mary’s Med. Ctr., Inc*.,* at 717. \[54\] CARES Act, H.R. 748, 116th Cong. . \[55\] *Id.* \[56\] *Id.* \[57\] *Id.* \[58\] *Id.* \[59\] The University of Chicago Medical Center, Biological Sciences Division, *HIPAA Background* (Oct. 23, 2006) (updated Feb. 2010) [http://hipaa.bsd.uchicogo.edu/background.html. ](http://hipaa.bsd.uchicogo.edu/background.html. ) \[60\] Jones*,* at 404. \[61\] *Id.* \[62\] The 16th Amendment, March 15, 1913; Ratified Amendments, 1795-1992; General Records of the United States Government; Record Group 11; National Archives. --- This post, [The Confusion Over Privacy: HIPAA, the Constitution, and COVID-19](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/confusion-over-privacy-hipaa-constitution-and-covid-19), first appeared on [https://www.natlawreview.com](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/confusion-over-privacy-hipaa-constitution-and-covid-19). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Innovating for Impact: Dealing with a Mountain of Medical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2020/06/07/innovating-for-impact-dealing-with-a-mountain-of-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *As countries scramble to procure personal protective equipment, another quickly accelerating problem sits on the back end: the disturbingly massive amount of medical waste of all types that must be disposed of.* As has been widely reported, protocols regarding the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) have evolved as cases have rapidly escalated around the world. For example, [Britian’s guidance](https://www.economist.com/international/2020/04/19/why-countries-cant-meet-the-demand-for-gear-against-covid-19) is that healthcare workers should replace their gowns and aprons after treating each patient and face masks after each shift. Other countries initially had similar guidelines in place; however, as in the case with Britain, started to relax them, given PPE shortages. The growth in and deployment of technologies to decontaminate and reuse certain types of PPE has also witnessed an impressive uptick in recent months. However, even with these changes in how PPE is used and managed, treating such a large number of COVID-19 patients and, particularly, those with serious cases, creates a tremendous amount of biohazard medical waste. For example, Hubei province, which was the epicenter of the outbreak, has [already reported a 6-fold increase in its medical waste](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3074722/coronavirus-leaves-china-mountains-medical-waste), while the virus may be leaving major Southeast Asian cities with an [additional 1,000 tonnes of medical waste per day](https://www.eco-business.com/news/adb-coronavirus-could-leave-major-southeast-asian-cities-with-1000-extra-tonnes-of-medical-waste-per-day/). **However, hopefully, this crisis will yield new ideas and inventive approaches to tackling the medical waste and other long-standing public health and environmental challenges that this pandemic has exacerbated.** Of course, there is a vast global medical waste sector with several well-established, well-equipped players, including Veolia Environmental Services, Stericycle, Suez Environmental Services, and Waste Management Inc. among others. They often manage outsourced solutions for hospitals and other healthcare facilities. There are signs, however, that even these large, well-resourced corporations are facing challenges in handling the volume. In fact, this [piece from France 24](https://www.france24.com/en/20200429-hazardous-material-dealing-with-the-vast-medical-waste-of-the-covid-19-pandemic) captures the scale of this problem well. And, of course, the treatment and disposal processes, which often include incineration and landfill (post-treatment), can also raise concerns regarding eventual negative climate and other environmental impacts, particularly in situations where less professional and well-resourced actors do not comply with local guidelines and regulations. When examining this problem, one can see how a myriad of innovations could help to address this issue. On the front end, as mentioned earlier, there are a growing number of innovations that involve the reuse of PPE equipment, particularly to address the N95 mask shortage. One example that received fast-track approval last month from the FDA is the [Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System](https://www.battelle.org/inb/battelle-critical-care-decontamination-system-for-covid19), which can decontaminate thousands of N95 respirators at a time through a process that uses concentrated, vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide. To address the construction of the mask itself, there is the [MakerMask Initiative](https://www.makermask.com/), the first open-source 3D printable respirator-quality mask approved by the National Institute of Health (NIH) that can be reused when coupled with proper sterilization procedures, which presents a very interesting concept. There is also [A Mask For All](https://amaskforall.com/home), a US, Argentinian, and European citizen-driven initiative, and provides an alternative 3D-printable, decontaminable mask solution. Even if we can significantly reduce the number of disposed masks, there are countless other types of disposable PPE and medical waste that will remain. Fortunately, there are some interesting emerging innovations to address that challenge, all of which are designed with sustainability at the core of their approach. They aim to achieve this, firstly, through on-site medical waste treatment solutions and leveraging technologies that do not rely on incineration. One example is Israel-based [Envomed](https://envomed.com/envomed-80/), whose Envomed 80 machine shreds and sterilizes up to 80 liters of sharps (e.g., needles, syringes, etc.) and infectious waste, and converts it to non-toxic residue that can be safely disposed of as municipal waste. Ireland-based Technopath Clinical Diagnostics’ solution, the [Envotec 200](https://www.envetec.com/adopting-envetec/envetec-200/), also uses a non-thermal process with no dangerous chemicals to shred and disinfect medical waste on site, with the end product being equivalent to household waste. It is gaining traction in the US, where it is now being used by Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare provider. Finally, another interesting innovation is one that is in its final stages of development here in Japan. The “SmartContainer” is a 40-ft onsite container that will enable hospitals to process up to 20 tons of medical waste per day. What makes this solution particularly interesting is that it draws on existing pyrolysis technology currently being deployed to address our colossal plastic waste problem. By using plasma pyrolysis technology, the unit can safely kill thermally-stable bacteria and limit toxic gases to well within emission standards. Medical systems will ultimately need to assess the costs of these new innovations compared to the status quo. However, hopefully, this crisis will yield new ideas and inventive approaches to tackling the medical waste and other long-standing public health and environmental challenges that this pandemic has exacerbated. --- This post, [Innovating for impact: Dealing with a mountain of medical waste](https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/innovating-for-impact-dealing-with-a-mountain-of-medical-waste/), first appeared on [https://www.eco-business.com](https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/innovating-for-impact-dealing-with-a-mountain-of-medical-waste/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [5 Ways to Go Green During the Pandemic](https://wastemedic.com/2020/06/07/5-ways-to-go-green-during-the-pandemic/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Recycling isn’t just for the environment anymore. It’s becoming an economic imperative, and you could even consider it your patriotic duty. So says the top environmental officer of the United States. who urged Americans to help fight a worldwide pandemic by recycling the packing materials from their delivery orders. With so many people creating waste at home, recycling is “more essential than ever right now,’ said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler in [the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcGonQ3rx3Y&feature=youtu.be). “Right now there is a critical need for all raw materials in the manufacturing supply chain, especially paper and cardboard.” Groups in [the UK](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/31/uk-faces-cardboard-shortage-due-to-coronavirus-crisis) and [Europe](https://packagingeurope.com/european-industry-organisations-warn-of-cardboard-shortage/) have also warned of possible shortages of cardboard as a result of increased home deliveries. With many businesses shuttered and unable to recycle that means it’s more important that households do their part. Americans recycled 66% of the paper they used in 2017, [according](https://www.epa.gov/recycle/how-do-i-recycle-common-recyclables) to the EPA, but only 8.4% of plastics were recycled that same year. Here are five ways to be nice to the planet, reduce waste and support efforts to ship you all the things you need (and want). #### 1. Recycle paper and cardboard If you’re doing more online shopping, cardboard boxes could naturally be piling up. Take action from home by breaking down your boxes and putting them out for curbside recycling or taking them to a nearby recycling center (observing social distancing of course). Simple actions like this can help ensure the “manufacturing supply chain will remain open and vibrant,” Wheeler said. “That in turn will help keep grocery stores and homes stocked with the essentials needed during this public health emergency.” #### 2. Reuse disposable bags Is your stack of reusable bags stuffed in a closet somewhere? Grocery stores are delivering their groceries in plastic and paper bags, all of which are piling up. It’s fine right now to use them to line wastebaskets, pick up your dog’s poop or fill them up with stuff to give away when our communities open back up safely. #### 3. Reduce takeout waste While you’re spending more time at home during quarantine, you’re likely to be receiving more frequent deliveries of food from restaurants. So many takeout joints seem to be delivering plastic silverware and napkins to you at home. Ask them to stop, please. You’re at home. Use your own silverware, and reduce your plastic waste. #### 4. Fewer canned drinks We’ve said it before, but you’re at home! There’s no need to buy six packs of soda and seltzer water (we can make an exception for beer). #### 5. Start composting One third of what New York City residents throw away is food and yard waste, and composting it diverts it from the city’s landfills. If you live in cities like [New York City](https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/services/food-scraps-and-yard-waste-page); [Portland, Oregon](https://beta.portland.gov/bps/garbage-recycling/residential-compost-tips); or[ San Francisco](https://sfenvironment.org/recycling-composting-requirements) or attend [Emory University in Atlanta](https://www.emory.edu/emoryrecycles/composting/index.html) (when the campus is open), it’s easy to compost. You can also compost at home if you have space in your yard, but there are services for those can’t or don’t want to. [CompostNow](https://compostnow.org/compost-services/) is one of many companies that pick up residential and commercial compost; its focus is Asheville, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; and Atlanta, Georgia. CompostNow will bring compost back to you, and it can fertilize all those herbs you’re growing. ### Stop with the PPE We know you’re using a lot of personal protective equipment, or PPE, to stay safe. Just don’t throw your masks, gloves, and wipes into the recycling during the pandemic — or anytime. Personal protective equipment is not recyclable, and it’s not safe for sanitation workers to touch it once it’s been used. These items “should never go into the recycling bin,” Wheeler said. Instead, your medical waste needs to be bagged, sealed, disposed of in accordance with guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s[ guidelines](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/non-us-settings/emergency-considerations-ppe.html) — these items need to be thrown away in a trash receptacle. That’s a problem that Paul Zambrotta noticed while directing safety operations at Mr. T Carting in New York City. Last month he told CNN that he was seeing a surge in face masks, gowns, and other medical supplies winding up in recycling. “You don’t know who put it out. You don’t know what’s on it,” he said. “We never used to see these things in the recyclable mix before.” --- This post, [5 ways to go green during the pandemic](https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/14/health/recycling-pandemic-wellness/index.html), first appeared on [https://www.cnn.com](https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/14/health/recycling-pandemic-wellness/index.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [What’s Changed, What Hasn’t: A Review of HIPAA Rules in a COVID-19 Context](https://wastemedic.com/2020/05/07/whats-changed-what-hasnt-a-review-of-hipaa-rules-in-a-covid-19-context/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** With employers planning for employees to return to work following COVID-19–related closures, there are sure to be questions about sharing employee medical information as it relates to COVID-19 (symptoms, test results, status) within the workplace and with public authorities. Now may be a good time to review what has changed about federal privacy rules in light of the COVID-19 pandemic—and what hasn’t. Of course, much remains the same. The privacy, security, and breach notification rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) establish very specific requirements on the use and disclosure of [protected health information (PHI)](https://ogletree.com/insights/covered-entities-may-disclose-covid-19-related-protected-health-information-but-only-under-certain-conditions/) by a very narrow set of entities—primarily, health care providers and health plans, such as employer-sponsored health plans. It is worth remembering that employers, acting in their roles as employers, are not subject to HIPAA. Similarly, employment records (e.g., leave certifications, Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation requests, and fitness-for-duty certifications) and workers’ compensation records are not subject to HIPAA. Therefore, many of the questions being asked by employers as a result of the pandemic are not governed by HIPAA’s rules. However, when an employer acts on behalf of its health benefit plan, which is a HIPAA covered entity, or when the employer itself is a health care provider, then employers should be aware of new COVID-19–related guidance on existing HIPAA privacy rules. “When first responders may be at risk of infection” where the disclosure is authorized by law; when disclosure of PHI to first responders is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health and safety of a person or the public”; or when responding to a request by a correctional institution or law enforcement official with custody over an individual, if the request is related to health care treatment of the individual, safety, or the security or law enforcement of the correctional facility. Except when required by law, a covered entity must make reasonable efforts to limit the information disclosed to the minimum amount necessary for the purpose of the disclosure. #### **Protecting Civil Rights During the COVID-19 Pandemic** In a [bulletin](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr-bulletin-3-28-20.pdf) released on March 28, 2020, OCR reminded covered entities of their civil rights obligations to protected classes under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These obligations include: providing effective communications to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, have low vision, or have speech disabilities; providing access to programs and information to individuals with limited English proficiency; making emergency messages available in languages prevalent in the area and in multiple formats; and providing necessary accommodations to individuals with disabilities (while noting that accommodations are not required if they “fundamentally alter the nature of the program, pose an undue financial and administrative burden, or pose a direct threat” to health and safety). #### **OCR Enforcement Discretion for Public Health Disclosures by Business Associates** On April 2, 2020, the OCR [issued a notification](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/notification-enforcement-discretion-hipaa.pdf) announcing that it would not impose penalties for certain HIPAA Privacy Rule violations by health care providers or their business associates for uses and disclosures of PHI made in good faith for the purposes of public health and health oversight activities during the pandemic. OCR specifically states that business associates may provide data to health authorities including the CDC, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), state and local health departments, and state emergency operations centers without risk of HIPAA penalties (HIPAA already permits health care providers to disclose PHI to health authorities). OCR’s enforcement discretion policy does not extend to any uses or disclosures of PHI by a business associate that are not for the purposes of public health or health oversight activities. Finally, the business associate must inform the covered entity within 10 days of the use or disclosure of its PHI. #### **OCR Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications** OCR also issued a [notification of enforcement discretion](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html) for telehealth communications by health care providers. The agency is waiving penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers communicating with patients through electronic information and telecommunications technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy applies to the provision of good-faith telehealth services and communications regardless of whether they directly relate to COVID-19. Communications technologies include widely available “applications that allow for video chats.” The enforcement discretion applies only to health care providers, and not to health insurers or health plans that merely pay for telehealth services. --- This post, [What’s Changed, What Hasn’t: A Review of HIPAA Rules in a COVID-19 Context](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/what-s-changed-what-hasn-t-review-hipaa-rules-covid-19-context), first appeared on [https://www.natlawreview.com](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/what-s-changed-what-hasn-t-review-hipaa-rules-covid-19-context). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Will Covid-19 kill HIPAA? No, but…](https://wastemedic.com/2020/05/07/will-covid-19-kill-hipaa-no-but/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Dr. [Ratul Chatterjee](https://www.hoag.org/find-a-doctor/c/ratul-chatterjee-md/), an independent primary care physician in Huntington Beach, California, would like to banish HIPAA in its current form although he readily admits that his is a radical, politically incorrect, position. He charges that health IT companies, lawyers and lobbyists have made millions from HIPAA while blaming the 1995 law for a variety of ills, including physician burnout and lack of efficiency. “HIPAA is a big part of EHRs,” he declared in a recent phone interview. “They are very interconnected and EHRs without HIPAA would be way simpler. Whatever you could do in a straightforward manner, HIPAA makes it much more tortuous. So it has made workflow more complicated. Whatever you could do in one click, because of HIPAA it takes 10 clicks.” Not surprisingly, the sudden loosening of HIPAA rules — where the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) [announced it will not enforce HIPAA violations](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html) should providers seek to use certain non-public telecommunications platforms to care for patients during Covid-19 that do not comply with the law among other changes — is like manna from heaven to Chatterjee. Recently, an 87-year-old patient of his suffering from difficulty breathing was saved a trip to the ER because he was able to talk to her briefly on the phone, diagnose her with bronchitis and then have the pharmacist deliver the medication directly to her home. “An 87-year-old woman who had no ride and three days later would be in the ICU because of lack of timely medication start, now with HIPAA \[relaxed\], she can get treatment within an hour in \[her\] house,” he marveled. “And so disease progression is halted and that equals better health and lesser healthcare costs.” Chatterjee is using a mix of phone calls and video calls through Zoom or FaceTime to keep in touch with more than 1,000 patients — roughly 200 of whom are concierge patients. But despite his aversion toward the law enacted in 1996, Chatterjee knows that Covid-19 will not be a death-knell to HIPAA. Nor does he believe that the switch that has been turned off in the throes of a public health calamity will simply be switched on again to bring back the glare of HIPAA. Rather what he hopes the pandemic forces is a reevaluation of the law. “Look for the 10 worst violations of HIPAA and then find matched rules for those types of cases and not a blanket rule for everybody,” Chatterjee proposes to regulators. “Similar to the Covid-19 \[economic\] reopening, it’s not a blanker reopening but study it first, and then see the risks and then open it.” Here’s how Roger Severino, director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responded when asked whether providers can continue to use FaceTime, Zoom and Skype after the public health emergency subsides. “Telehealth likely will continue to be a valuable tool for providing health care, particularly for patients who, for example, may not have reliable transportation to a doctor’s office for appointments. However, the use of remote communication technologies for telehealth poses privacy and security risks to patients’ health information that can be minimized through compliance with the HIPAA Rules,” Severino wrote in an email forwarded by an OCR spokeswoman. “That is why, when this public health emergency abates, covered health care providers, like all covered entities, should execute business associate agreements (BAA) with non-public remote communication app vendors that will have access to protected health information.” In other words, it’s all kosher provided BAA agreements are signed with Apple, Zoom and Microsoft and whatever other platform providers would like to use. But don’t even think of using Facebook Live, Twitch or TikTok because the [HIPAA-loosening](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html) does not extend to platforms like Tiktok and Facebook Live. An Apple spokeswoman didn’t respond to questions on whether the company has noticed an uptick on providers using their platform to deliver care. Data experts believe that privacy concerns while tempered at this national moment of crisis will return to the fore once the virus comes under greater control. “I would see there would still be some oversight — even if a tipping point has occurred with respect to adoption of technology and we don’t go fully back to the old ways — I would still see the OCR and the others that are still enforcing HIPAA … would still require certain assurances that the technology is reasonably secure,” said Chris Bowen, founder and chief privacy & security officer at ClearDATA, which produces secure cloud computing for healthcare, in a phone interview. But Bowen also believes that the crisis will lead to greater care being delivered closer to home and HIPAA will need to accommodate that shift. “You have regulators in the European Union, you have FTC, you’ve got others saying, ‘Hey if this is designed appropriately for confidential conversations between a mom and her child talking about whatever, then it’s not unreasonable for mom to have a conversation with her doctor about a specific thing, is not a big, huge leap,’ ” Bowen said. “Now when you get that data from that device, then, of course, you have to make sure that it is protected, it’s hardened it’s adherent to the rules. It’s gotta be focused on that compliance and that security. But we can start that closer to the patient than we have done in the past and I think that time has come”. The real challenge will be in data security. As telemedicine adoption has increased manifold during Covid-19, so has the different ways a cyber attack can be lodged said Greg Garcia, executive director for the Cybersecurity working group, part of the Healthcare Sector Coordinating Council, a public-private partnership created by executive order in 1998. “Everybody who populates this working group, including clinicians and cybersecurity people who work at hospitals recognize that relaxations of telemedicine controls can result in more vulnerabilities,” Garcia said in a recent phone interview. “The more you open up your lines to communication, the bigger your attack surface.” Still, he believes that it’s a necessary move to keep the “worried well from running to the hospital.” And once people become used to using tech platforms to reach their doctors, what happens to the balance that HIPAA tries to straddle between privacy, data security and convenience?. “When you look at the last few years, there has been a general interest and trend of CMS and HHS looking for ways to expand telehealth more broadly,” said Steve Pine, partner in the healthcare practice at K&L Gates, a law firm. “With a lot of the alternative payment models that have been generated in the last few years, you see things like when providers participate in those models, CMS tried to build in additional flexibilities for telehealth where otherwise it wouldn’t have been permitted under CMS rules.” And it’s not just Chatterjee, the Southern California doctor who has a mix of concierge, Medicare and PPO patients who is tapping into the flexibility afforded by the move toward telehealth. On the flip side, a high-touch primary care physician group that has 80,000 Medicare, Medicare dual-eligible and Medicare Advantage patients, has also seen its telemedicine adoption climb. “At this point it’s been mostly telephone — we work with an older population, some of whom aren’t as tech-savvy as the younger generation, but we’ve also started working with Doxy.Me,” said Dr. [Oloaluwa Fayanju](https://www.linkedin.com/in/olaoluwa-fayanju-795ba31/), senior medical director, [Oak Street Health](https://www.oakstreethealth.com/), based in Chicago. [Doxy.Me](https://doxy.me/) is one of the few tech vendors that was named in the [Office of Civil Rights notice](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html) as a HIPAA-compliant platform though OCR took pains to note that listing vendor names is not an endorsement. Fayanju, though not an expert in the intricacies of HIPAA, believes that communications tools and third-party apps have privacy risks but providers should use all the available encryption and security features available to deliver care and convenience while ensuring data safety. “HIPAA is a law that preceded our wide adoption of cell phone technology. It certainly did not include any significant amount of video technologies — like Facetime, Facebook messenger, Google Skype, Zoom — none of these things existed when HIPAA was enacted,” Fayanju said. “I think there is a saying, ‘Never waste a crisis’ and I think this is an opportunity for us to reinvigorate HIPAA to ensure that it is now a law that reflects a new age and this \[pandemic\] is forcing that and I think that is a boon for our patients and our overall healthcare system.” --- This post, [Will Covid-19 kill HIPAA? No, but…](https://medcitynews.com/2020/04/will-covid-19-kill-hipaa-no-but/?rf=1), first appeared on [https://medcitynews.com](https://medcitynews.com/2020/04/will-covid-19-kill-hipaa-no-but/?rf=1). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Coronavirus at work: Safety inspectors reviewing scores of employee hospitalizations, deaths](https://wastemedic.com/2020/05/07/coronavirus-at-work-safety-inspectors-reviewing-scores-of-employee-hospitalizations-deaths/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Workplace safety inspectors are conducting nearly 200 [coronavirus](https://www.usatoday.com/news/coronavirus/)-related investigations to determine whether employers failed to adequately protect their workers, according to data from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Half involve employee deaths or hospitalizations. The inspections target nearly 50 hospitals and two dozen nursing homes, including one in Joliet, Illinois, where administrators believe an infected maintenance worker spread the virus room to room. Twenty-four residents died, along with a nursing assistant and the maintenance worker himself. Also under review: a school system garage in Lexington, Kentucky, where 17 employees tested positive and one died; a meatpacking plant in Dakota City, Nebraska, where the widow of a deceased employee said he kept working after getting sick so he could get incentive pay; and two Native American schools in Arizona that reportedly stayed open after others shut down and where two employees died. In all, OSHA officials are reviewing workplaces in two dozen states with a total of 96,000 employees, according to USA TODAY’s analysis. OSHA has been under fire for not doing enough to protect workers amid the pandemic. State and federal OSHA offices have fielded thousands of coronavirus-related complaints since January, according to records released last week. In recent weeks OSHA also has uploaded data detailing inspections that were launched by federal and state officials and refer to COVID-19. They reveal which inspections are being conducted at what companies. A total of 192 COVID-19-related inspections were launched between Feb. 19 and April 23. Many were triggered by complaints that employees were in danger, had been hospitalized or died. Five cases have since been closed; the rest were open, according to data released Tuesday. #### Unions say oversight of workplace safety is weak Labor unions say the federal workplace safety agency isn’t doing enough. The AFL-CIO, which represents more than 12 million workers, sent a scathing letter Tuesday to Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia, who oversees OSHA, accusing the agency of being too lenient and slow. “For all workers, the toll of COVID-19 infections and deaths is mounting and will increase even more rapidly as workers return to work without necessary safety and health protections,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka wrote in the letter, which listed dozens of members who have died from the virus. He faulted the agency for not doing more inspections, notissuing citations and releasing only voluntary coronavirus safety guidelines. “Without government oversight and enforcement, too many employers are disregarding safety and health standards,” he wrote. Under federal law, OSHA has jurisdiction over most workplaces in the country. It can issue regulations and enforce them with inspections, citations and legal actions. Twenty-six states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have [their own OSHA offices](https://www.osha.gov/stateplans) that work under the authority of the federal agency. State workplace standards can’t be weaker than federal ones. In a response to Trumka released by the Department of Labor on Thursday, Scalia disputed the union’s assertions and argued that when it comes to workplace safety, “the cop is on the beat.” In a statement provided to USA TODAY, OSHA said it has been “acting to protect America’s workers by providing extensive guidance to employers and workers on COVID-19 response.” As of Wednesday, it said more than 200 COVID-related inspections have been launched. OSHA declined to comment on specific inspections because the cases remain open. “The agency continues to field and respond to complaints, and will take the steps needed to address unsafe workplaces, including enforcement action, as warranted.” #### A barrage of workplace safety complaints Nearly 4,000 coronavirus-related complaints were filed with federal and state OSHA offices between Feb. 24 and April 6. OSHA withheld the names of employers and other details in about 3,100 because those cases are open. More than one in four complaints involved health care facilities, where problems included a lack of masks, respirators and other protective gear. Some complainants said employers didn’t notify staff when coworkers tested positive or allowed people suspected of having the virus to keep working. Many of the other industries represented in the complaints are those deemed essential while other workplaces have been shut down, including public safety, transportation, food services and manufacturing. Former OSHA officials say it probably investigated many complaints by phone and by asking for documents rather than conducting in-person inspections, according to the agency’s [guidelines ](https://www.osha.gov/memos/2020-04-13/interim-enforcement-response-plan-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19)meant to minimize exposure for OSHA inspectors. “They’re trying to call the employer up and resolve these through the phone,” said John Newquist, a former OSHA assistant regional administrator. “They’re not going outside to do these complaints because they have their own people … at risk.” He said inspectors would ask employers about their plans, what sort of personal protective equipment they provide, whether they’re practicing social distancing and similar questions. OSHA said it is enforcing standards for personal protective gear and sanitation as well as an overarching federal law that requires employers to “provide a workplace free of recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” “Each investigation is conducted at the local level by an agency area office, and is determined on its own merits,” the agency said. “A case can be handled through an investigation or formal inspection.” The inspection records do not detail what triggered the reviews, but relatives, companies and media accounts offer some details. #### A coronavirus ‘super-spreader’ Two dozen nursing homes are under OSHA review following employee hospitalizations and deaths. One is Symphony of Joliet in Illinois, where 24 residents and two staffers died. In a letter to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week, Symphony Care Network’s CEO said administrators believe an infected maintenance worker unwittingly spread the virus at the nursing home. “At the beginning of the crisis, in response to the orders to limit gatherings of people, a dedicated and hard-working maintenance employee set up dining tables in every Joliet patient’s room so that they would be able to take meals there instead of in our communal cafeteria setting,” CEO David Hartman wrote in the letter, which was provided to USA TODAY. “He worked diligently and, by all accounts, exerted himself in order to serve our residents, visiting more than 40 rooms in a single day. Unfortunately, although he was asymptomatic, he was also carrying the COVID-19 virus and, through his visit to all of these rooms and his physical exertion, he was an example of … a ‘super-spreader.'” The unnamed worker was one of two employees who died. The other was nursing assistant Sandra Green, 57, who died after struggling for 24 days on a ventilator, [the Joliet Herald-News reported](https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/04/18/symphony-of-joliet-cna-killed-by-coronavirus-was-very-loved/a7shhvj/). Her daughters alleged there weren’t enough masks and gowns at the nursing home. Hartman said in his letter the company has created a crisis team and has sought advice from public health experts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. He said the company is undertaking “massive precautions” that include protective gear and screenings of staff and patients twice a day. OSHA inspectors are reviewing workplace safety at Marion Regional Nursing Home in Hamilton, Alabama, where Rose Harrison had been a registered nurse for 30 years when COVID-19 arrived last month. Jessica Black, Harrison’s daughter, said in an interview with USA TODAY that masks were not required and her mom wound up working for five days with a slight fever and cough. She said her mother even administered COVID-19 tests to patients and colleagues while ill. “They told her unless she had a fever of 104 she was expected to work because she was a team leader,” Black said. Officials with Marion Regional Medical Center did not respond to requests for comment. Harrison was hospitalized hours after leaving work on April 3. She died three days later. “I am devastated,” Black said. #### Putting their lives on the line Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, is one of 38 hospitals that are being inspected after workers were hospitalized or died. Registered nurse Celia Yap Banago, 69, became ill after caring for a coronavirus patient in March. She died April 21, a week short of her planned retirement. Her co-workers complained about a shortage of masks, gowns, face shields and other protective equipment. A nurses union memorialized Yap Bonago during a protest outside the White House the day after she died. “No nurse, no health care worker, should have to put their lives, their health, and their safety at risk for the failure of hospitals and our elected leaders to provide the protection they need,” National Nurses United Executive Director Bonnie Castillo [said](https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/kansas-city-rns-hold-vigil-memory-research-medical-rn-who-died-covid-19). Research Medical Center spokeswoman Christine Hamele said in a statement that hospital officials are heartbroken by Yap Banago’s death, have adhered to federal guidelines for protective equipment, and are cooperating with OSHA’s review. Three medical centers run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are among those being inspected after worker deaths. They are in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Indianapolis, where three employees have died from the virus. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 260,000 VA workers, has complained about shortfalls in protective gear and employee testing. It filed a complaint with OSHA in March. Across the country, the VA says, 2,227 workers have contracted the virus and 20 have died. VA spokeswoman Christina Noel said that’s a fraction of the workforce and a smaller proportion than other health care systems. “We welcome OSHA oversight, but the fact is that VA’s employee safety practices have helped limit Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 employee infection rates,” she said. #### ‘They did not care about us’ OSHA has launched an investigation into Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, Kentucky, where bus driver Eugenia Higgins Weathers died April 4 after contracting COVID-19. Shacora Faulkner, Weathers’ daughter and a bus driver herself, told the Lexington Herald-Leader that bus drivers likely caught the disease in a crowded break room. She complained that school system officials didn’t implement precautions after Gov. Andy Beshear called for social distancing, and they failed to quickly notify employees about exposure. “Fayette County did not protect us,” Faulkner said. “Honestly, I feel like they did not care about us.” School officials told The Courier-Journal they took precautions beginning in the latter half of March. Hand sanitizer was distributed and employees were told not to congregate in common areas. In Arizona, OSHA is investigating a pair of rural boarding schools run by the Bureau of Indian Education after people complained they remained open amid the outbreak. Laverne Bitsui, a longtime teacher at Rocky Ridge Boarding School near Hardrock, Arizona, died on March 23, though her family [told the Navajo Times](https://navajotimes.com/reznews/some-bie-employees-still-reporting-for-work/) it’s unclear if she had coronavirus. “As far as her sickness, she was sick, but we don’t know how bad,” a family spokesperson told the Times. “I think she was trying to be positive about it, trying not to get herself scared – I guess we were not expecting this. She did tell us that other employees are infected … and now they’re passing it on to their families.” The Times reported that a staffer at Tuba City Boarding School, about an hour’s drive away, passed away two weeks later. The Bureau of Indian Education did not respond to messages seeking comment. #### Incentives to stay on the front line OSHA is investigating a Tyson Foods meatpacking plant in Dakota City, Nebraska, where line worker Raymundo Corral died from COVID-19 on April 18. The [meat-processing industry has been racked](https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/2020/04/22/meat-packing-plants-covid-may-force-choice-worker-health-food/2995232001/) by the coronavirus. Corral’s common-law wife, Anna Bell, [told the Sioux City Journal](https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/worker-at-tyson-dakota-city-plant-dies-from-covid-19-widow-questions-company-actions/article_6f5e6fbf-6d66-5227-857b-5b4f52a6f3c1.html) he continued working after reporting symptoms, in part, because of an incentive program that paid $500 to workers who did not miss shifts. “People wanted that $500,” Bell said. “I would say (to Tyson Foods), it would have been great if you would have treated your employees like human beings instead of just assets.” Tyson Foods said in a statement that the company was “deeply saddened by the loss of a team member from our Dakota City plant and are keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers.” “Tyson cooperates with all OSHA inspections,” the company said, but it doesn’t comment on them. Subsidiary [Tyson Fresh Meats announced Wednesday](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/04/29/2024745/0/en/Tyson-Fresh-Meats-Temporarily-Pausing-Production-at-Dakota-City-Neb-Beef-Plant.html) that it is pausing operations at the plant to allow for deep cleaning. --- This post, [Coronavirus at work: Safety inspectors reviewing scores of employee hospitalizations, deaths](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/01/workplace-coronavirus-related-deaths-under-investigation-osha/3056655001/), first appeared on [https://www.usatoday.com](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/01/workplace-coronavirus-related-deaths-under-investigation-osha/3056655001/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Workers face 'uphill battle' proving firms liable if they catch COVID-19 as economy reopens](https://wastemedic.com/2020/05/07/workers-face-uphill-battle-proving-firms-liable-if-they-catch-covid-19-as-economy-reopens/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A handful of states are reopening for business following coronavirus-triggered lockdowns, raising two compelling questions: Must employers ensure the workplace is safe? And will they be held liable if employees contract the virus? The short answer is that while health care providers must follow federal safety guidelines to guard against contagion, other businesses are not obligated to do so, leaving it to states and localities to set standards, experts say. And sick employees who seek damages, typically through worker’s compensation, must prove that they contracted the virus at work – an especially thorny challenge. “It’s often an uphill battle,” for workers, says Jonathan Segal, an employment lawyer who represents companies at Duane Morris law firm in Philadelphia. States such as Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alaska have at least partly lifted shutdown orders in recent days. In Georgia, gyms, bowling alleys, barbers and massage therapists were allowed to open Friday and restaurants could open Monday. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to establish a workplace that’s “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm” to employees. To meet that standard, OSHA is advising businesses to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, including instructing employees to keep six feet away from co-workers or customers, taking temperatures, disinfecting surfaces, and providing face masks, hand sanitizers and barriers when appropriate. “We’re seeing employers do that to mitigate that risk,” says Christina Meddin, a labor lawyer at Seyfarth Shaw in Atlanta who is advising business clients to follow the guidelines. The more safeguards a company adopts, “the better your argument is going to be” if there’s a challenge by OSHA or a lawsuit, says Jennifer Scharf, a health law attorney at the Coppola Firm in Amherst, New York. Here’s the rub: OSHA is enforcing the CDC guidelines and conducting inspections in response to deaths in hospitals but not in other cases, according to an OSHA memo released April 13 and Debbie Berkowitz, Worker Safety and Health program director for the National Employment Law Project, a worker advocacy group. About 4,000 coronavirus-related complaints have been filed against employers that fail to provide safe workplaces but the agency has not issued any citations or fines, Berkowitz says. Instead, she says, OSHA is pointing businesses to the voluntary guidelines. “OSHA is not enforcing anything,” says Berkowitz, former OSHA senior policy adviser during the Obama administration. “OSHA does not have the backs of workers…It’s a travesty.” In response to the criticism, the Labor Department, which includes OSHA, said in a statement: “OSHA will consult CDC guidelines and its own guidance” as it determines whether a workplace is “free from recognized hazards.” “Where OSHA finds a violation, a citation will be issued and a civil monetary penalty imposed.” #### Some states take the lead Some states are creating their own safeguards. Besides mandating social distancing and other standards, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s executive order requires restaurant employees to wear face coverings. But most other businesses must provide personal protective equipment – such as face coverings – only “as available and appropriate to the function and location of the worker within the business.” Berkowitz says that’s not enough, noting “there is significant risk of transmission of COVID-19 from infected individuals who are asymptomatic and presymptomatic.” Many Georgia businesses, worried about the safety of employees and customers, as well as any legal liability, are choosing to remain largely shuttered. Suzanne Vizethann, the chef and owner of Buttermilk Kitchen in Chastain, is providing curbside pickup, e-commerce and catering services but doesn’t plan to reopen her 85-seat dining room for at least a couple of months. “We don’t feel comfortable that this thing is behind us,” she says. “We’re not going to do anything that puts (employees) in harm’s way. That could be a big liability if somebody gets sick and their family gets sick.” She adds that it’s much easier to monitor social distancing between employees with the restaurant’s current limited services. Other businesses in Georgia are reopening but taking pains to follow all the state’s guidelines – and more. Lester Crowell, owner of Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique in Marietta, reopened Friday and is requiring all hairstylists and technicians to wear face coverings and gloves. And even though styling stations are already six feet apart, the boutique for good measure is leaving every other chair empty in the 39-chair hairstyling section and 24-chair coloring area. Stylists are barred from gathering in the break room and are using disposable gowns for customers, among other safety measures. “I’m anxious,” Crowell says. “It’s a hard decision to make but we are a business and we’re available to be open. If you say we’re taking a chance, I guess we are.” But he added, “We are going above and beyond” the guidelines. #### Workers face hurdles proving liability Nationwide, employees – or their families – can seek monetary damages if workers get sick or die. But in most states, employees who can file a claim through workers’ compensation, a type of insurance, must take that route and relinquish the right to sue, lawyers say. Meanwhile, winning such a claim can be difficult, with workers having to prove they contracted coronavirus on the job – a high bar during a pandemic. “Even though it’s recognized that some groups of workers are at elevated risk of catching a virus, there’s still that reality that they may be catching it outside of work,” says John Ruser, CEO of the Workers Compensation Research Institute, an independent group that analyzes workers compensation issues. “The burden of proof would be pretty heavy for them to show that it was work-related.” A workers’ compensation case could be bolstered if a number of employees at a workplace came down with coronavirus, Segal says. Meanwhile, a handful of states, including Illinois and Kentucky, have started to shift the burden of proof from the worker to the employer. Under an order from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, essential workers at businesses such as grocery and hardware stores would have “the presumption that the workers that are essential caught the disease at work.” The company would then have to demonstrate otherwise. Late last week, however, a county judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the rule after business groups filed a lawsuit opposing it. #### Wave of lawsuits? Some workers, and their advocates, are heading to court in the leading edge of what could be a wave of lawsuits stemming from the pandemic. In Illinois, the family of a Walmart worker who died of coronavirus [sued](https://www.law360.com/articles/1260853/attachments/0) the retailer in early April, alleging the company didn’t do enough to protect its workers from the disease. Among other concerns, the family of the worker, Wando Evans, says Walmart did not do enough to enforce social distancing guidelines, properly sanitize the store, or provide sufficient personal protective equipment for employees. In a statement, Walmart spokesperson Randy Hargrove told USA TODAY the store in Evergreen Park, Illinois, where the worker had been employed had passed third-party environmental and health inspections. “We are heartbroken at the passing of two associates at our Evergreen Park store and we are mourning along with their families,” Hargrove said. “We took action to reinforce our cleaning and sanitizing measures, which include a deep cleaning of key areas.” And in Missouri, a nonprofit workers group [sued](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6877057-smithfield-suit.html) Smithfield Foods in federal court on behalf of its workers after a coronavirus outbreak at a Smithfield plant in Milan sickened several employees. The suit alleges Smithfield workers were forced to work without adequate protective equipment, “shoulder to shoulder,” were not given opportunities to wash their hands, and were discouraged from taking sick leave and given bonuses for working while sick. The suit also alleges Smithfield had not implemented a plan for testing and contact-tracing workers exposed to the coronavirus. According to the suit, Smithfield’s operations at the plant could result in spread of the coronavirus throughout the surrounding area unless further action is taken. As a result, the plaintiffs ask for the plant to be declared a “public nuisance” and for Smithfield to be forced to change its policies. Smithfield did not return a call seeking comment. But in an April 24 court filing, the company said, “As of today’s date, we are not aware of any confirmed diagnoses of COVID-19 in plant employees or in Sullivan County. In the meantime, Smithfield has and continues to follow all OSHA requirements and all guidance from CDC and other public authorities.” With more than two dozen meat processing plants shut down recently because of coronavirus outbreaks, President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would order such facilities to stay open and sign an executive order shielding the plants from liability if sick workers sue. The Walmart plaintiffs were able to circumvent the workers’ compensation mandate because they’re charging gross negligence while the Smithfield plaintiffs are relying on a novel “ public nuisance” argument and aren’t seeking damages, Berkowitz says. #### Businesses seek to limit liability Worried about such lawsuits and a hodgepodge of state laws, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is among several business groups asking Congress to set a federal standard that limits liability for employers who follow CDC guidelines. “We’re looking for a narrowly tailored policy that will give employers the confidence to reopen their businesses without there being a cloud of liability,” says Harold Kim, president of the chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform. For example, businesses that check employees’ temperature could have different criteria for what constitutes an illness, he says. The White House is sympathetic to the pleas. Last week, Trump told reporters he wanted to try to “take liability away from these companies” as they started to open up because “we want the companies to open and to open strong.” National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said, “Some of it can be done through executive order or regulatory changes. Some of it might require legislation.” Democrats, meanwhile, are trying to beef up what they see as weaknesses in OSHA enforcement. Democratic lawmakers pressed for a bill requiring OSHA to issue an emergency standard to obligate all workplaces to implement coronavirus exposure and control plans. “We cannot combat this pandemic if we do not take immediate action to protect the millions of health care workers, food service and grocery store workers, and all those working on the frontlines every day to confront this pandemic and move our economy forward,” says Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, one of the bill’s authors. --- This post, [Workers face ‘uphill battle’ proving firms liable if they catch COVID-19 as economy reopens](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/04/28/coronavirus-can-you-sue-if-you-get-covid-19-work/3035422001/), first appeared on [https://www.usatoday.com](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/04/28/coronavirus-can-you-sue-if-you-get-covid-19-work/3035422001/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Understanding FDA Regulatory Terminology During COVID-19](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/27/understanding-fda-regulatory-terminology-during-covid-19/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** To update clinicians on the various terminology used by the FDA on treatments related to COVID-19 we have developed this reference guide. #### Classification of Intended Use and Definitions The classification of your intended use dictates which products can be used and what regulatory framework needs to be in place based on your intent. For example, if you are treating a patient with an FDA-approved product, you can take it off the shelf and use it for both on-label and off-label treatment. For products in the pre-approval phase, they can be used to diagnose and treat patients based on FDA Expanded Access, the FDA Emergency Use Authorization, or Right-to-Try. If your intended use is for purposes of science or regulatory marketing approval, when using an FDA-approved product, you can use it in a post-marketing study (if studying labeled use) or you must be part of a clinical trial (if studying off-label use). For products in the pre-approval phase and the intent us for science, it must be used as part of a clinical trial/clinical investigation. [![](https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Image-1-vulcano.jpg "- Waste Medic")](https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Image-1-vulcano.jpg) *On-Label Treatment* On-label treatment is treatment in accordance with the labeled use of the product. *Off-Label Treatment* Off-label treatment is treatment by use of approved products not in accordance with the labeled use. Off-label use can mean that the product is: - Used for a disease or medical condition that it is not approved to treat, such as when a chemotherapy is approved to treat one type of cancer, but healthcare providers use it to treat a different type of cancer. - Given in a different way, such as when a drug is approved as a capsule, but it is given instead in an oral solution. - Given in a different dose, such as when a drug is approved at a dose of one tablet every day, but a patient is told by their healthcare provider to take two tablets every day. Off-label use by itself does not make the care “investigational,” and off-label use can even be the “standard of care” (many drugs used in pediatrics are not labeled for pediatric use). The lack of evidence is what determines whether the care is “investigational” and the intent contributes to whether it is a “clinical trial.” *Post-Marketing Study* A post-marketing study is a clinical investigation done to further the knowledge on the product’s labeled use. One may be done for many reasons, including it being an FDA requirement or commitment for marketing approval. The requirements for IRB oversight and a Research Consent Form will depend on a variety of factors, such whether there are additional interactions or interactions with the research subjects, or if the study is intended to support a marketing application with the FDA. *FDA Expanded Access/Compassionate Use* The FDA’s Expanded Access program, sometimes called “compassionate use,” is the use of an investigational product outside of clinical trials to diagnose, monitor, or treat patients with serious diseases or conditions for which there are no comparable or satisfactory approved therapy options available. Expanded Access may be appropriate when all the following apply: (i) Patient has a serious disease or condition, or whose life is immediately threatened by their disease or condition; (ii) There is no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy to diagnose, monitor, or treat the disease or condition; (iii) Patient enrollment in a clinical trial is not possible; (iv) Potential patient benefit justifies the potential risks of treatment; and (v) Providing the investigational medical product will not interfere with investigational trials that could support a medical product’s development or marketing approval for the treatment indication. *Right-to-Try* Right To Try is a new federal law (established 2018) that authorizes the use of unapproved medical products by patients diagnosed with a terminal illness in accordance with their State law (should they have one) instead of going through the FDA. These laws are essentially an alternative to FDA’s Expanded Access by allowing the distribution and administration of investigational drugs without any approval, consultation or prompt adverse event reporting with the FDA. *Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)* An EUA is the authority the FDA has to temporarily approve certain unapproved products to diagnose and respond to designated chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies. An EUA bypasses the usual federal requirements until the EUA is terminated. Depending on the EUA details, IRB or consent requirements may exist. *Clinical Investigation/Trial* A clinical trial is a research study that prospectively assigns human participants or groups of humans to one or more health-related interventions to evaluate the effects on health outcomes. While patients may directly benefit while volunteering in a clinical trial, the primary purpose is to answer hypothesis driven questions about safety and efficacy. Clinical trials require prior IRB approval, special consent forms and a lot of other regulatory and scientific requirements. #### FDA Expanded Access There are two main types of FDA Expanded Access to diagnose/treat patients with products in the pre-approval phase. [![](https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/image-2-vulcano.jpg "- Waste Medic")](https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/image-2-vulcano.jpg) #### Emergency Exemptions *FDA Emergency Use Authorization* An FDA Emergency Use Authorizations is essentially a temporary marketing permit without the requirement of clinical trials. They are approved to diagnose and respond to designated chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies and a list can be found on the FDA website. *Emergency IND/IDE* An emergency IND/IDE is usually more commonly known as “Compassionate Use” for Single Patient Expanded Access IND/IDEs. For an Emergency IND/IDE, all IND/IDE rules apply, including IRB prior approval, custom consent form that meets FDA standards, and an inability to charge for participation without permission from the FDA. *Emergency Use IRB Exemption* An Emergency Use IRB Exemption happens when a physician has to administer an investigational product before receiving IRB approval. Certain criteria must be met to exempt from prior IRB approval, including it must be a life-threatening situation, there must be no standard acceptable treatment available, and there must not be sufficient time to obtain IRB approval. The IRB must be notified in 5 working days. #### Basic FDA Regulatory Requirement [![](https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Picture-1-Vulcano.png "- Waste Medic")](https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Picture-1-Vulcano.png) #### #### Common Examples in COVID-19 [![](https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/picture-2-vulcano.png "- Waste Medic")](https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/picture-2-vulcano.png) #### Word of Caution It is important to note this is not an exhaustive document, but is a high level overview. There are occasional situation-specific exceptions based on details of individual situations. Additionally, the inclusion of a product on the “Common Examples” list is not an endorsement. #### Additional Information There are additional resources available online for providers who wish to take a deeper look. *Regulatory Links* - [Emergency Use Authorizations](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/emergency-use-authorizations) - [Understanding Unapproved Use of Approved Drugs “Off Label“](https://www.fda.gov/patients/learn-about-expanded-access-and-other-treatment-options/understanding-unapproved-use-approved-drugs-label) - [“Off‐Label” and Investigational Use Of Marketed Drugs, Biologics, and Medical Devices](https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/label-and-investigational-use-marketed-drugs-biologics-and-medical-devices) - [Expanded Access: Information for Physicians](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/expanded-access/expanded-access-information-physicians) - [For Physicians: How to Request Single Patient Expanded Access/Compassionate Use](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/investigational-new-drug-ind-application/physicians-how-request-single-patient-expanded-access-compassionate-use) - [Expanded Access to Investigational Drugs for Treatment Use — Questions and Answers](https://www.fda.gov/media/85675/download) *COVID-19 Specific Treatment/Research Resources* - [Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID‐19 Countermeasures](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/emergency-use-authorizations) - [Fraudulent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) Products](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/health-fraud-scams/fraudulent-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-products) - [Reagan Udall Foundation COVID-19 Experimental Treatment Hub](https://reaganudall.org/covid-19) - [Clinical Trials for COVID](https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=COVID&term=&cntry=&state=&city=&dist=) Special thanks to David Vulcano, Editorial Board Member for Policy and Medicine Compliance Update. --- This post, [Understanding FDA Regulatory Terminology During COVID-19](https://www.policymed.com/2020/04/understanding-fda-regulatory-terminology-during-covid-19.html), first appeared on [https://www.policymed.com](https://www.policymed.com/2020/04/understanding-fda-regulatory-terminology-during-covid-19.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Postponed, RxSaver By RetailMeNot Offers Resources for Safe Medication Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/27/national-prescription-drug-take-back-day-postponed-rxsaver-by-retailmenot-offers-resources-for-safe-medication-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** AUSTIN, Texas, April 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ In light of the DEA postponing *National Prescription Drug Take Back Day*, prescription savings destination RxSaver by RetailMeNot™ has outlined[ ](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2784309-1&h=4164965897&u=https%3A%2F%2Frxsaver.retailmenot.com%2Fblog%2Fnational-prescription-drug-take-back-day-2020-postponed%2F&a=%C2%A0)[alternative ways for people to safely dispose of expired or unused medications](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2784309-1&h=2578251747&u=https%3A%2F%2Frxsaver.retailmenot.com%2Fblog%2Fnational-prescription-drug-take-back-day-2020-postponed%2F&a=alternative+ways+for+people+to+safely+dispose+of+expired+or+unused+medications). The annual medication disposal event was originally scheduled for this Saturday, April 25, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. RxSaver encourages people to check their medicine cabinets and routinely remove expired or unused medications. If you need to dispose of medications, the DEA offers approved drop off sites at area pharmacies year-round, where you can safely dispose of unused or expired prescriptions. Keep in mind that these pharmacy hours and operations may be disrupted due to COVID-19, so call ahead to confirm before making a visit. If you do not want to leave home to dispose of your prescription, RxSaver recommends following the EPA’s eco-friendly steps to ensure your medications are disposed of safely. - Remove prescription drugs from original containers. - Mix medication with a substance such as coffee grounds or cat litter. - Once mixed, put contents in a disposable container or bag that can be sealed. - Remove any personal information from your prescription bottles, by either scratching off the label or using a marker to cover it up. - After the above steps are completed, take the sealed container/bag and your prescription bottles and place them in the trash on your designated trash pick up day. If you have an expired prescription and need to refill it, call your doctor or a telehealth service to get a new prescription. Whether you have lost your health insurance or can no longer afford your medication due to the COVID-19 crisis, you may benefit from a [prescription savings program](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2784309-1&h=1828711798&u=http%3A%2F%2Frxsaver.retailmenot.com%2F&a=prescription+savings+program) like RxSaver. Through its website and app, RxSaver offers free prescription coupons for 6,000+ medications. RxSaver coupons are accepted at all major pharmacies, including via drive-thru, over the phone or home delivery. At this time, a new date has not been set by the DEA for April’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This event typically occurs twice a year, once in April and once in October. An October 2020 date has not been scheduled at this time. #### About RxSaver by RetailMeNot [RxSaver by RetailMeNot](https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2784309-1&h=55764695&u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D2764338-1%26h%3D3838713546%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Frxsaver.retailmenot.com%252F%26a%3DRxSaver%2Bby%2BRetailMeNot&a=RxSaver+by+RetailMeNot)™ improves health through the power of savings. RxSaver’s free-to-use prescription coupon website/app gathers drug prices from every major pharmacy to help consumers compare medication prices and save. As part of leading savings destination RetailMeNot, RxSaver coupons bridge the gap between prescription medication costs and affordability, to help individuals afford the health care they need. --- This post, [National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Postponed, RxSaver By RetailMeNot Offers Resources for Safe Medication Disposa](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-prescription-drug-take-back-day-postponed-rxsaver-by-retailmenot-offers-resources-for-safe-medication-disposal-301045719.html)l, first appeared on [https://www.prnewswire.com](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-prescription-drug-take-back-day-postponed-rxsaver-by-retailmenot-offers-resources-for-safe-medication-disposal-301045719.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [At hospitals and on the curb, pandemic leads to more medical waste](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/24/at-hospitals-and-on-the-curb-pandemic-leads-to-more-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Local hospitals are [running through personal protective equipment](https://thelensnola.org/2020/03/24/lcmc-ceo-protective-gear-is-at-low-levels/) at alarming rates in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. That fact ultimately translates to excessive amounts of garbage contaminated with bodily fluids containing the virus, COVID-19. All of this used gear, whether it’s masks, gloves, booties, bed linens, or disposable gowns becomes what is termed medical waste, and must be disposed of safely. That means tossing all of it into an autoclave and literally scorching it with pressurized steam that is no less than 300 degrees Fahrenheit. All of this disinfecting requires workers — waste haulers and people working at the treatment plants — and much like those on the front lines at hospitals, they are exposed on a daily basis to contaminated waste. Processing medical waste so it can be safely disposed of is very different now than it was 20 years ago, when 90 percent of waste was incinerated within the hospitals, which had their own incinerators. “Somewhere along the line, the Environmental Protection Agency determined that this incineration was contributing to air pollution,” said Anne Germain, who leads the National Waste and Recycling Association’s health care waste program. “It wasn’t long before this practice was phased out almost entirely.” In 1997, the [EPA established very stringent air quality rules](https://www.epa.gov/rcra/medical-waste#Treatment%20and%20Disposal%20of%20Medical%20Waste) for medical waste incinerators, which led hospitals to discontinue their practice of self- incineration, farming the process out to third party medical waste management companies. Now, with the improvement of autoclaving techniques which makes it highly effective against viruses, only 15 percent of medical waste has to be incinerated. The [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/health-care-waste) has recognized that 85 percent of medical waste is non-hazardous and can therefore be autoclaved, whereas the other 15 percent considered hazardous (i.e., toxic, radioactive, etc.) must be incinerated under strict EPA guidelines. “The very transmittable coronavirus is essentially quite fragile,” said Bob Shaw, president of Medical Waste Services. “We are under guidelines by the EPA, and the 50 pounds per square inch of pressure we exert during autoclaving on all materials which have come in contact with the virus, in conjunction with extremely high heat, is more than enough to eradicate any potentiality for infectious transmission.” But with the increase in PPE disposals continuing everywhere, the medical waste load is increasing, and will continue to rise with the advent of increased testing everywhere — both antigen tests to detect the virus, and antibody tests to detect immunity. And that means the risky job of dealing with all of this waste is also on the rise. According to international medical waste management company Stericycle, which services Tulane Medical Center, they’re still managing to keep up with the pickups at local hospitals, but on a global level, they’ve already seen what a worst-case scenario looks like. In Wuhan, where the novel coronavirus first emerged, not only was the city forced to build new hospitals, they were also [busily erecting new waste treatment facilities](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3074722/coronavirus-leaves-china-mountains-medical-waste). For the past month, some [healthcare workers have been reusing PPE](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6818480-LCMC-PPE-Conservation-Guidelines-03-20-2020.html#document/p2/a557764), whether that means wearing masks longer than CDC guidelines normally recommend, or sanitizing them between uses with ultraviolet light or disinfectant misting. But with more masks in production (a good thing for those on the frontlines), the rate of discarded PPE will increase, meaning more to be picked up and dealt with. Hospitals in China generated six times as much medical waste at the peak of the outbreak as they did before the coronavirus crisis began. Their daily output exceeded 265 tons, putting stress on treatment facilities and those workers who were working in the plants. COVID-19 cases have momentarily plateaued in many parts of the country, including Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards said this week. But on Tuesday, CDC director Robert Redfield predicted that a second wave in the fall [could be more devastating](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/21/coronavirus-secondwave-cdcdirector/) than the first wave as it is likely to coincide with the seasonal flu. Having two simultaneous respiratory outbreaks would put an unimaginable strain on the health system, he said. *Curbside trash potentially contaminated with coronavirus, placing sanitation workers at risk.* But there’s an added problem. Medical waste doesn’t just come from hospitals. With so many people self-quarantining after being infected, there’s potentially infected waste now coming from residences, being left on curbs in every neighborhood for pick-up. And with CDC guidelines advocating wearing masks in public, there is a growing number of used masks in trash receptacles all over the city. “Right now there’s an abundance of trash generally on residential routes because everyone is staying at home. We’re looking at an additional 40-60 tons of garbage a week,” said Sidney Torres, president of IV Waste. Torres said to reduce sanitation workers’ exposure, it’s more important now that people pack their trash in bags. Much like wearing a mask protects others from you, bagging one’s trash in this age of the coronavirus is critical to protect sanitation workers on the front lines. “There are rules regarding the fact that trash must be bagged and not dumped loosely into trash cans,” Torres said. Torres said he has always provided uniforms, along with masks and gloves for his workers even before the pandemic. Before it was suggested that workers wear PPE, but now employees are told they must wear them because of the risks. “We’ve put many more trucks on these routes since the pandemic,” Torres said. “This is so we can finish by noon before the heat of the day, when wearing a mask can be stifling all day long in the heat. You know, first responders like doctors, nurses, EMTs and firemen are all heroes whom we acknowledge. But I’ll tell you, sanitation workers should be included with those folks. They don’t get enough credit for what they have to do as essential workers. They’re actually touching the waste of others every day — and I think it’s fair to say that some of it is contaminated.” As America gradually reopens — including in some places [where the criteria for safe reopening has not been met](https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/04/22/us/ap-us-virus-outbreak-georgia-1st-ld-writethru.html) — the country braces for what could be a second wave of COVID-19, straining our hospitals, our first responders, and those who collect the by-products of our treatments and prevention — the hazardous medical waste. --- This post, [At hospitals and on the curb, pandemic leads to more medical waste](https://thelensnola.org/2020/04/23/at-hospitals-and-on-the-curb-pandemic-leads-to-more-medical-waste/), first appeared on [https://thelensnola.org](https://thelensnola.org/2020/04/23/at-hospitals-and-on-the-curb-pandemic-leads-to-more-medical-waste/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [How doctors can keep their families safe after providing COVID-19 care](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/24/how-doctors-can-keep-their-families-safe-after-providing-covid-19-care/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The rise in COVID-19 cases creates anxiety among physicians and other health professionals who worry they might carry the virus home to their families. This remains top of mind for many people in the medical field, leaving them wondering: How do I keep my family safe after caring for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic? Many physicians are struggling to understand what disinfection is necessary before coming home, or if they should remain in a separate room or home during this unprecedented time. Some have even taken to Twitter to share their routines, including only seeing their family through the window or video calling while others completely strip down and shower before greeting their loved ones. “Obviously it is heavy on the mind of all providers who are working with patients who are infected and those who we don’t know that are infected with COVID-19,” said Mark Rupp, MD, professor and chief of the infectious diseases division at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in in Omaha. “All of us are having those questions and concerns as we head home to our family and loved ones.” The AMA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 global pandemic. Learn more at the [AMA COVID-19 resource center](https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/covid-19-2019-novel-coronavirus-resource-center-physicians) and consult the [AMA’s physician guide to COVID-19](https://app.svwps.com/americanmedicalassociation/ama/covid19/index.html). In these uncertain times, Dr. Rupp—who has published hundreds of articles on infectious diseases, infection control and epidemiology in the peer-reviewed literature—shared some tips to keep in mind when physicians, nurses and other health professionals return home to continue to protect their families from COVID-19. #### Take the right precautions at work Whether at a hospital, health system or small practice, it is important to take all preventive measures available. Using appropriate precautions at work can help minimize risk and exposure to COVID-19 patients and, in turn, can protect families too. “The first and probably most important step is not so much what you do when you get home, but it’s what you’re doing at work that really is going to count,” said Dr. Rupp, also medical director of infection control and epidemiology at UNMC. “What I mean is that you need to be using the appropriate precautions when you encounter patients.” “If you do that, then patient care continues to be pretty safe,” he said, adding that it is important for everyone to make “sure that anybody who comes into the organization is immediately screened for any sort of fever or respiratory disease and is immediately taken into the appropriate setting to where they can be evaluated and cared for as safely as possible.” For UNMC, this means screening right when a patient enters the building and providing people with instructions. “In many instances, we’re trying to get them to call ahead beforehand so that we know they’re coming, and we can take appropriate precautions,” said Dr. Rupp, a former president of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. “Again, trying to get folks into the right setting and using the appropriate respiratory protection, gowns, gloves, droplet protection, and N95 or higher respiratory protection.” “Institutions need to concentrate on providing as safe a work environment as possible with careful attention to administrative and engineering controls to reduce risk,” he said. For example, administratively, patient contact can be minimized and the number of health care professionals interacting with a potentially infected patient can be reduced by use of telehealth or other electronic means to interact. “Similarly, engineering solutions should be sought. For example, we are now using an intubation box to decrease the risk of our personnel coming into contact with infected respiratory secretions,” said Dr. Rupp. “Negative air pressure airborne isolation wards should be created to best care for persons infected or potentially infected with the virus that causes COVID19. “Also, it is important that personnel be provided with adequate personal protective equipment—the gowns, gloves, masks, and respirators—that are needed,” he added. #### Wash hands carefully “Health care providers need to be meticulous about wearing appropriate protection as well as performing appropriate hand hygiene and not touching their face,” Dr. Rupp said, adding that “those are the things that you can do to not get sick and not bring anything home to your family. That’s by far the most important thing to do to protect your family.” “You don’t need to go out in the garage and spray yourself down with some sort of disinfectant—that’s just not necessary,” he said, adding that practicing good hand hygiene, however, is key. “Before you leave work or the first thing you do when you want to get home, it would be a reasonable thing to wash your hands carefully or use the hand gels,” said Dr. Rupp. “There really isn’t any information that if you’re using appropriate gowns and gloves at work that you need to worry about bringing the coronavirus home on your clothing.” “If folks are doing the right practices at work and they’re being as careful at home as they can, they can ameliorate most of these concerns and be safe,” he said. #### Change your clothes It seems common that physicians, nurses and other health professionals are changing their clothes immediately before entering their homes as an added layer of precaution. “A lot of folks do change clothes when they arrive home, just to get out of their work clothes and that’s fine,” said Dr. Rupp. “If you put your clothes through just normal laundry, that should take care of things just fine.” “I would advise people—just to give them a little peace of mind—to wash their hands and change out of their work clothes,” he said, adding that it is also important to “practice a little bit of common sense precautions with your family.” This includes not sharing utensils or toothbrushes, and using separate plates, cups and bowls. #### Stay with your family It might also be appropriate to “do a bit of judicious social distancing,” however, it is important not to “separate ourselves completely from our families,” said Dr. Rupp. “That’s just not something that’s necessary, nor do I think it is healthy for people’s mental health.” During these hard times, a physician’s family is key to maintaining optimal mental health while facing the uncertainty of COVID-19 at hospitals, health systems or small practices. Learn about [six ways to address physician stress during COVID-19 pandemic](https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/6-ways-address-physician-stress-during-covid-19-pandemic). “Some of these emotional supports that people need and require are very important, and if we get into a situation where we’re expecting health care providers to come to work and then go home and be isolated,” said Dr. Rupp. “That is not going to be a healthy situation for anybody.” “We’re all in this together, and we will get through this together,” Dr. Rupp said. “If we do the right thing over the coming weeks, we will be able to weather this storm.” --- This post, [How doctors can keep their families safe after providing COVID-19 care](https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/how-doctors-can-keep-their-families-safe-after-providing-covid), first appeared on [https://www.ama-assn.org](https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/how-doctors-can-keep-their-families-safe-after-providing-covid). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [How to Properly Wash Your Hands](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/10/how-to-properly-wash-your-hands/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** One of the best ways to keep you and your family healthy is by properly washing your hands. Despite being taught to wash our hands as children, many of us don’t know the proper techniques for washing our hands correctly, or how often we should be performing this important task. We’ll walk you through the proper steps as laid out by the leading health organizations around the globe such as the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. #### When should you wash your hands? The major health organizations have a general list of activities that they recommend washing your hands before, during and after. **Wash your hands before** preparing and eating food; treating a cut or wound; or caring for someone who is ill. **Wash your hands during** food preparation. **Wash your hands after food** preparation; treating a cut or wound; using the restroom; changing a diaper; cleaning a child who has used the restroom; coming in contact with animals, animal food, or animal waste (pets included); after coming in contact with garbage; blowing your nose; sneezing; coughing; caring for someone who is ill [![How To Handwash Correctly](https://visual.ly/node/image/486054?_w=800)](https://visual.ly/community/Infographics/health/how-handwash-correctly/?utm_source=visually_embed) #### What are the proper hand washing steps? To effectively kill germs and help prevent the spread of infectious disease, it’s important that you know how to properly wash your hands. Following these steps will help keep you and your loved ones healthy. Get your hands wet using clean, running water. Turn off the tap and then apply your soap. The water can be any temperature, you don’t need to have hot water. Also, any soap will do, you don’t necessarily need antibacterial soap. Work the soap into a lather by rubbing your hands together with the soap. Be sure to lather every part of your hands front and back as well as between your fingers and under your nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t have a watch or a clock available, this is roughly the amount of time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. You can use that to make sure you reach 20 seconds. Rinse your hands using clean, running water. Dry your hands using a clean towel or let them air dry. To see proper hand washing technique in action, please watch this video from the CDC: #### How long should you wash your hands? It’s recommended that you wash your hands for 20 seconds once you’ve wet your hands and lathered them up. #### How should you dry your hands? While many people pay attention to how they wash their hands, it’s easy to ruin the process by drying your hands correctly. Having clean towels are critical to keeping your hands clean. Once you’ve rinsed your hands, be sure to use a clean towel or air dry them if a clean towel is not available. #### Can I use hand sanitizer instead of washing my hands? The CDC recommends the use of soap over hand sanitizer for getting rid of germs. This is because hand sanitizers aren’t as effective at getting rid of all types of germs, and they also don’t work as well removing certain chemicals and metals. Another issue with hand sanitizers is that they often don’t work well if your hands are greasy or caked with dirt or contaminants. That said, running water and soap aren’t always readily available. In these cases, they recommend using a hand sanitizer that has a minimum alcohol content of 60%. Any sanitizer you purchase should have the percentage listed on the label. #### How to properly use hand sanitizer Using hand sanitizer effectively is very similar to some of the steps for proper hand washing. These are the correct steps for using hand sanitizer: Apply the sanitizer into one of your palms, using the amount recommended on the sanitizer’s label. Rub your hands together as if you were using soap, covering all areas of your hands including between your fingers, the fronts and backs, and the fingernails. Rub the sanitizer over your hands for 20 seconds or until the sanitizer has dried. --- This post, [How to Properly Wash Your Hands](https://cnaclassesnearme.com/how-to-properly-wash-your-hands/), first appeared on [https://cnaclassesnearme.com](https://cnaclassesnearme.com/how-to-properly-wash-your-hands/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [OCR will ease restrictions on telehealth tech during COVID-19](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/01/ocr-will-ease-restrictions-on-telehealth-tech-during-covid-19/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *The privacy watchdog won’t impose penalties on providers who use non-HIPAA-compliant remote communications technology during the public health emergency.* The HHS Office for Civil Rights announced on Tuesday that during the coronavirus pandemic it will use discretion when enforcing HIPAA-compliance for telehealth communications tools. #### Why It Matters Even though some of those technologies may not fully comply with HIPAA requirements, OCR says it “will not impose penalties for noncompliance with the regulatory requirements under the HIPAA Rules against covered health care providers in connection with the good faith provision of telehealth during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency.” Covered entities seeking to use audio or video communication tech to reach patients where they live “can use any non-public facing remote communication product that is available to communicate with patients,” said the agency. “This exercise of discretion applies to telehealth provided for any reason, regardless of whether the telehealth service is related to the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions related to COVID-19.” To help broaden the use of remote consults during the outbreak, OCR says providers will temporarily be allowed to use applications such as Apple FaceTime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangouts video or Skype. OCR does note, however, that healthcare providers should notify patients that such third-party apps may pose privacy risks. In addition, providers should enable all available encryption and privacy modes when using such applications. The agency also specifies that Facebook Live, Twitch, TikTok, other public-facing video communication “should not be used in the provision of telehealth.” Wherever possible, providers should use telehealth tools from vendors that are HIPAA compliant and will enter into business-associate agreements, said OCR. While specifying that is “has not reviewed the BAAs offered by these vendors, and this list does not constitute an endorsement, certification, or recommendation,” the agency lists companies that claim HIPAA compliance and willingness to sign BAAs including Skype for Business, Updox, VSe, Zoom for Healthcare, Doxy.me and Google G Suite Hangouts Meet. #### The Larger Trend Telehealth is in the spotlight as the coronavirus crisis unfolds, offering an essential link between patients and physicians while removing the need to travel to overburdened hospitals. On Tuesday, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [expanded its Medicare telehealth coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic](https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/trump-administration-expands-medicare-telehealth-benefits-covid-19-fight) to enable more patients to get virtual care services from their providers. Physicians, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists and licensed clinical social workers can now offer telehealth to Medicare beneficiaries in any healthcare facility, including a physician’s office, hospital, nursing home or rural health clinic, as well as from their homes, according to CMS. #### On The Record “We are empowering medical providers to serve patients wherever they are during this national public health emergency,” said OCR Director Roger Severino in a statement. “We are especially concerned about reaching those most at risk, including older persons and persons with disabilities.” --- This post, [OCR will ease restrictions on telehealth tech during COVID-19](https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/ocr-will-ease-restrictions-telehealth-tech-during-covid-19), first appeared on [https://www.healthcareitnews.com](https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/ocr-will-ease-restrictions-telehealth-tech-during-covid-19). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [How to Respond Effectively to Covid-19 Waste Generation](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/01/how-to-respond-effectively-to-covid-19-waste-generation/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The covid-19 pandemic threatens to create large amounts of new waste, particularly for resource managers at organizations that aren’t in the healthcare sector. Manufacturers, businesses, governments, schools, universities and others that don’t normally deal with potentially infectious waste may be unsure how to respond safely and responsibly. As the novel coronavirus continued spreading, Environment + Energy Leader asked Wade Scheel, director of government affairs for the environmental and regulated waste management solutions company Stericycle, for insights. Here’s what he said: *What new kinds of waste is covid-19 creating for organizations that are outside the health sector?* Primarily, organizations that are not in the health sector are likely to see large amounts of waste created from the decontamination of surfaces and facilities. For example, disposable disinfecting wipes, empty disinfectant containers, rags, paper towels, mop heads, and personal protective equipment such as masks or gloves. These organizations may also need to handle the disposal of leftover decontamination chemicals. During these unprecedented times, there may be a tendency to over-decontaminate and disinfect. However, the CDC [recommends](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html) standard cleaning practices at this time, including routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces in the workplace with cleaning agents usually used for these areas. *Any common misconceptions around that waste?* Not all waste generated from decontamination and disinfection of work surfaces and facilities must be managed as regulated medical waste. Although the tendency will be to want to manage all decontamination-related waste as infectious waste, it’s not necessary. Per CDC [recommendations](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html), organizations should use standard protocols for managing all types of waste. For example, categories such as laundry and food service utensils should be managed with routine procedures. State health and environmental agencies are beginning to publish guidance for proper waste handling and waste management during the pandemic, and some states have determined that the only waste that should be managed as regulated medical waste is the waste resulting from the treatment of — or coming into direct contact with — a patient known to have covid-19. *What best practices should organizations adopt around waste produced during the pandemic?* Organizations in all industries should continue to monitor and follow CDC recommendations and protocols on waste handling and disposal. Additionally, provide staff with training on proper protocols to minimize unnecessary regulated medical waste generation and prevent exposure to covid-19. *Anything else to keep in mind?* There are a variety of resources that organizations and sustainability leaders can monitor to find updated information. A few of these resources include the [CDC website](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html), the [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019), and state websites. Guidance for businesses dealing with the current pandemic is rapidly changing. Staying connected to these resources is the best way to stay up-to-date. --- This post, [How to Respond Effectively to Covid-19 Waste Generation](https://www.environmentalleader.com/2020/03/covid-19-waste-generation-stericycle/), first appeared on [https://www.environmentalleader.com](https://www.environmentalleader.com/2020/03/covid-19-waste-generation-stericycle/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [The COVID-19 pandemic is generating tons of medical waste](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/01/the-covid-19-pandemic-is-generating-tons-of-medical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Garbage contaminated with bodily fluids or other infectious materials is becoming a bigger concern for hospitals as they brace for a surge in patients sick with COVID-19 in the US. Patients and health care workers are quickly going through medical supplies and disposable personal protective equipment, like masks. Eventually all that used gear piles up as medical waste that needs to be safely discarded. In Wuhan, where the novel coronavirus first emerged, officials didn’t just need to build new hospitals for the influx of patients; they had to construct a [new medical waste plant](https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202002/07/WS5e3d152ca310128217275d44.html) and [deploy 46 mobile waste treatment facilities too](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3074722/coronavirus-leaves-china-mountains-medical-waste). Hospitals there generated six times as much medical waste at the peak of the outbreak as they did before the crisis began. The daily output of medical waste reached 240 metric tons, about the weight of an adult blue whale. There’s already been an uptick of garbage from personal protective equipment in the US, according to medical waste company Stericycle, which handled 1.8 billion pounds of medical waste globally in 2018. And some things that aren’t usually considered medical waste, like food, now need to be handled more carefully after coming in contact with a COVID-19 patient. Stericycle didn’t provide numbers for how much of an increase it’s seeing so far, adding that it believes it has the capacity to handle the swell and may add shifts to the company’s 50 treatment centers in the US if necessary. Additionally, the drop in elective surgeries might offset some of the rise in waste we’re seeing from the pandemic, a spokesperson for Stericycle tells *The Verge.* “It’s a rapidly changing environment right now and forecasting volumes is challenging,” Stericycle Vice President of Corporate Communications Jennifer Koenig wrote in an email to *The Verge*. “We are closely monitoring the situation with all relevant agencies to determine next steps.” The CDC says that medical waste from COVID-19 [can be treated the same way](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/faq.html) as regular medical waste. Regulations on how to treat that waste vary by location and can be governed by state health and environmental departments, as well as by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Transportation. Generally, to make sure contaminated trash from health care facilities doesn’t pose any harm to the public before going to a landfill, it’s typically burned, sterilized with steam, or chemically disinfected. There’s more to worry about than waste from medical centers. The disease is spread out beyond hospitals. Some people who have minor symptoms are recovering at home. Others who are asymptomatic might not know that the trash they’re throwing out could be contaminated. That means people may be generating plenty of virus-laden trash. That’s worrying for sanitation workers, as the virus can persist for up to a day on cardboard and for longer on metal and plastic, according to [one study](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973) of the virus in lab conditions. But if garbage is properly bagged instead of kept loose and workers are wearing personal protective equipment, especially gloves, then there shouldn’t be a risk of catching the virus, David Biderman, CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America, tells *The Verge*. Practicing social distancing while on the job, including maintaining appropriate distances from people, may also help reduce sanitation workers’ risks, says Elise Paeffgen, a partner with the firm Alston & Bird who works on medical waste issues. People handling health care waste in particular should wear appropriate gear, including boots, aprons, long-sleeved gowns, thick gloves, masks, and goggles or face shields, according to [recommendations from the World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/publications-detail/water-sanitation-hygiene-and-waste-management-for-covid-19). Luckily, protective efforts so far seem to have paid off. “There is no evidence that direct, unprotected human contact during the handling of health care waste has resulted in the transmission of the COVID-19 virus,” according to a March 19th [technical brief](https://www.who.int/publications-detail/water-sanitation-hygiene-and-waste-management-for-covid-19) from the WHO. As the pandemic grows, so will the waste, and keeping that garbage safe and contained will continue to be a challenge for communities until the crisis is over. --- This post, [The COVID-19 pandemic is generating tons of medical waste](https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/26/21194647/the-covid-19-pandemic-is-generating-tons-of-medical-waste), first appeared on [https://www.theverge.com](https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/26/21194647/the-covid-19-pandemic-is-generating-tons-of-medical-waste). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [The first days on the front line](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/01/the-first-days-on-the-front-line/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The first case of the COVID-19 virus in the U.S. was diagnosed on Jan. 20. By March 26, the United States became the epicenter of the pandemic as domestic cases surpassed those in China and Italy for the first time. In the process, the steady uptick of domestic infections set in motion the nationwide closure of countless businesses and schools, cancelation of travel, and shelter in place orders. As life has abruptly been put on hold for many Americans, waste and environmental services professionals have been called on to help deal with shifting solid waste collection demands, suddenly unpredictable volumes and the emergency need for decontamination services. #### Managing medical and pharmaceutical waste Selin Hoboy, vice president of government affairs and compliance at Bannockburn, Illinois-based [Stericycle](https://www.stericycle.com/), says that the virus has altered the makeup of its incoming medical waste stream. Although the company is seeing some higher volumes from hospitals combating the disease, the delay in elective procedures and enforcement of stay-and-home ordinances has helped balance out the overall demand. “We’re seeing some increase in medical waste produced due to heightened use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in diagnosing and treating COVID-19 patients, and some non-traditional waste is also sometimes being managed as regulated medical waste,” Hoboy says. “However, increases in waste from COVID-19 may be offset by continued declines of elective surgeries or temporary closures of smaller healthcare practices. The impact of the pandemic is changing day to day and hour to hour, and we are closely monitoring the situation with federal, state and local agencies to determine next steps.” Hoboy says that medical waste from COVID-19 patients and workers is managed as Category B waste. This means that once it is discarded, it is to be treated as normal regulated medical waste that is subject to the same treatment and disposal guidelines as most other potentially infectious medical waste. Although the waste is treated the same and rendered innocuous through standard medical waste treatment methods, Hoboy says that the company has changed its protocols for hospital waste collections to minimize the risk of workers coming into contact with patients who are potentially infected. “We have updated protocols and procedures for in-hospital services. For example, Stericycle service technicians will not be entering any patient isolation rooms regardless of isolation room signage, and technicians will be checking in at nurses’ stations to ask about any rooms they should not be entering,” Hoboy says. “Additionally, our team members are authorized to deny pickup of non-conforming waste from our customers who are not following our waste acceptance protocols or packaging guidelines.” Hoboy says because of the rapidly changing nature of the virus, forecasting labor requirements is challenging, but that the company is able to add additional shifts for its workers and expand capacity if necessary. Bob Cappadona, president and COO of Boston-based [Veolia North America](https://www.veolianorthamerica.com/), says that the demand for the company’s services relative to COVID-19 has varied depending on the client. “The core of our work [relating to COVID-19] has been at organizations that are involved in research,” he says. “A very significant group of customers for us is the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector … and in some cases, we’re working at some of the key companies that are doing COVID-19 research. [And these customers] are looking for additional manpower support from us. They’re extremely busy with the research work that they’re doing in pursuit of therapies and cures. So, as we’ve reached out to our customers, they’ve wanted assurances that we’re going to be there for them, and we’ve signed a lot of emergency response-type agreements and support agreements for these companies.” Conversely, due to the number of businesses being suddenly shut down across the country, Cappadona says some of Veolia’s smaller medical service clients have seen volumes decline. “If you’re looking at the total spectrum of those who generate waste and ship it to us, half of them are very busy and half of them are closed. Many of the medical waste customers that ship into our facilities will be a family physician, a dentist or various types of clinics. And many of these facilities have closed or slowed considerably, so our level of activity with this group may be down. And then in some of the larger facilities, we may see slight volume increases, but at this point we haven’t seen anything dramatic,” Cappadona says. #### Decontamination nation As evidenced by the increased demand for cleaning products and the shortage of available hand sanitizers at retailers from coast to coast, sanitation and decontamination are top of mind for many Americans. This is especially true for locations and businesses that have, or suspect to have, come into contact with those carrying the virus. Currently, Cappadona says Veolia is providing industrial decontamination services mostly for its core clients, but is able to heed the call to serve a larger demographic through its nationwide emergency response group should the need arise. [US Ecology](https://www.usecology.com/) CEO Jeff Feeler says that his company has seen a 500 percent increase in demand for its decontamination services over the latter half of March due to COVID-19 concerns. “We are currently providing decontamination services for a wide variety of public and private sector customers across the U.S., including retailers and pharmacies, cruise lines, airlines, schools, large industry, building services companies, government agencies and utilities,” Feeler says. “This service includes decontamination of sites that have had direct or potential exposure to the virus, or proactive preventative cleaning of high-traffic areas or frequently touched surfaces.” Feeler says the Boise, Idaho-based company’s decontamination and preventative cleaning services include: wipe downs of horizontal surfaces and high-traffic/touchpoint areas; the use of portable fogger machines filled with decontamination solution for smaller areas; the use of a portable hydrogen peroxide disinfectant system for larger areas; and proper consolidation, transportation and disposal of all waste including used PPE. While Feeler says the company’s estimated response times vary depending on several factors including volume of incoming calls, the company’s average response from receipt of initial calls to personnel arriving on-site has historically averaged from two to three hours. Even as demand increases along with the number of COVID-19 cases, Feeler says his team is prepared to meet the demand for its services. “As the virus continues to spread and more businesses are facing the realities of long-term operational restrictions from local, state and federal regulators, they realize they must have a plan in place to safely resume day-to-day operations. … Our operations are staffed and equipped to handle multiple large-scale responses simultaneously. We have provided response services for nearly every major natural disaster and viral outbreak over the last two decades and are doing the same for COVID-19,” Feeler says. #### Projecting more uncertainty Waste management companies both big and small are working to adjust to shifting customer needs. If they haven’t experienced it already, many are anticipating the potential for significant shakeups in the form of increased residential waste volumes as more Americans are forced to stay in and work from home, a drop off in commercial and C&D volume amid massive businesses closures, and changes in medical waste volumes. [Stifel](https://www.stifel.com/), St. Louis, released an industry update March 22 titled, “Solid Waste: Revising Models for C-19, Volume Down, Price Durable, Deal Flow Slows, FCF Stands Out.” In the update, the investment banking firm outlines the projected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on solid waste industry participants. “What public/private company avoids any sales pressure due to COVID-19? None,” the report states. “We believe the impact on solid waste will look like both 9/11 and the Great Recession. The former was a shock-and-awe [event], the consumer paused. The latter, the U.S./North American economies were over-levered, which it is not now, but wholesale business shutdowns had a volume impact. Today, solid waste has more control of cost/capital than ever before. Social distancing and big urban settings forcing closure of food, beverage, hospitality and entertainment leads to a big drop in collected volume and commercial customers asking for service on-hold/cancellations. We assume an annual 15 percent hit to volume of 10 percent for third-party commercial, C&D and special waste volume and 5 percent direct commercial collection sales cut in half for two months. Residential volumes will be up, and in many cases, contracts allow for charging for extra bin/bag pickups.” A [Republic Services](https://www.republicservices.com/) spokesperson corroborated Stifel’s projections on anticipated escalations in residential volumes, stating that the Phoenix-based company is preparing for residential waste volumes to increase and is suspending bulk and yard waste pickup in some communities to be better prepared to service customers. Janette Micelli, director of external affairs at [Waste Management](https://www.wm.com/us/en/myhome), says the Houston-based company has tried to take a proactive approach to adapt to changes in commercial volume. “Customer needs are changing by the day—we’re all working diligently to right-size customers based on current volumes and provide them with the solutions they need to run their businesses,” Micelli says. “We are helping [some of] our customers reduce service appropriately, but also rapidly increase service for grocery stores, residential buildings and healthcare facilities. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so we are laser focused on meeting these evolving needs. … Our neighborhoods and businesses rely on us. Ultimately, our goal is to partner with our customers and do our part to provide some relief and help minimize the impact of the pandemic on their communities and businesses.” While construction and demolition contractors have remained active in many parts of the country, slowdowns are expected to constrain C&D volumes in some areas, with some recyclers having already reported decreases in incoming volumes. #### Proper precautions Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) not calling for any additional steps in handling MSW or recycling during the outbreak, some municipalities and haulers have altered their services in accordance with the spread of the virus. There have been numerous reports of suspended curbside and drop-off recycling programs for both safety and demand reasons. Some MRFs have also temporarily halted operations due to safety concerns. Micelli says that Waste Management has used the emergence of the virus as an opportunity to remind its workers of safety best practices. “We instruct all employees handling any waste or recycling to follow our safety procedures, including wearing proper gloves and eye protection,” she says. “We’ve also created new procedures at our facilities to ensure social distancing and the elimination of group meetings. Employees not required to be on-site are working from home. As leaders in our highly regulated industry, we follow strict policies and procedures every day when managing solid waste, including medical waste, to protect our employees, our customers and the communities we serve.” Similarly, Cappadona says that while little has changed in how its workers manage waste, the company has reemphasized its established safety protocols with staff to make sure workers are observing proper due diligence on the job. “You assume that you need to protect yourself from [the virus]. So, that means not opening containers; ensuring that you’ve got appropriate PPE on whether that’s gloves, coveralls or respirators; and observing other general practices that we have in place. … We do an awful lot of total waste management programs where we go to a customer and we manage their medical waste, hazardous waste, radioactive waste, etc., which means our employees need to have hazard awareness. And with hazard awareness comes universal precautions of just making sure that you’re doing what’s called a mental safety assessment, which is where two or three seconds before you do something, you assess what the potential risks are and ensure that you have all the protections in place to manage that risk.” #### Giving back As you often see in times of crisis, the rise of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. hasn’t just brought challenges, it’s helped shine a light on those doing good within their companies and communities. Waste Management CEO Jim Fish told the *Wall Street Journal* on March 22 that it would continue to pay workers for a 40-hour week regardless of whether services were cut or suspended, Republic Services says it is working to support local restaurants and thank its employees by providing meals to workers and their families from local establishments, and several companies such as Veolia are donating surgical masks to hospital workers in need. Waste management and environmental services professionals don’t often get rewarded or recognized for the essential services they provide, but helping life go on as normal as possible for the communities in which they operate is something that merits attention. And even though the future might be clouded in uncertainty, organizations are working to maintain the status quo by showing up and coming together. “This is something I don’t think any of us ever could have imagined,” Cappadona says. “So, [at Veolia] we’re trying to ensure that we’re helping people through the process of understanding what’s occurring and also providing a service that helps our customers as we all manage through this crisis together.” *The author is the editor of Waste Today and can be contacted at aredling@gie.net.* --- This post, [The first days on the front line](https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/covid-19-waste-managemnet/), first appeared on [https://www.recyclingtoday.com](https://www.recyclingtoday.com/article/covid-19-waste-managemnet/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Healthcare Waste Institute's FAQs Regarding COVID-19](https://wastemedic.com/2020/03/13/healthcare-waste-institutes-faqs-regarding-covid-19/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The Healthcare Waste Institute (HWI) developed this FAQ to provide information about the evolving Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. #### What is COVID-19? Coronavirus is a group of viruses named for the way they look under a microscope (“corona” meaning “crown”). The novel (or new) coronavirus, identified in 2019 during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China, causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported on January 21, 2020. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), risk of catching COVID-19 is higher for people who are in close contact with someone who already has the disease. The virus is thought to spread mainly through respiratory droplets (not truly airborne) produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. However, OSHA states that without sustained human-to-human transmission, most American workers are not at significant risk of infection. The federal government continues to evaluate the transmissibility and severity of COVID-19 virus. **Q: What general precautions should be taken to protect worker safety?** A: General precautionary measures should include avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. In addition, wipe down surfaces with disinfectant; and sneeze or cough into your shoulder/arm or a tissue. OSHA also states that workers use appropriate engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent worker exposure. **Q: How should household waste that comes from a home where a patient with COVID-19 be managed?** A: Based on discussions with the CDC, waste from households can be managed as they typically would be for the flu. No special precautions are necessary. **Q: How should waste that comes from an office or retail outlet where a patient with COVID- 19 be managed?** A: Waste from commercial businesses and retail entities can be managed as they typically are unless directed by their local health department. **Q: How should regulated medical waste (RMW) from COVID-19 be managed?** A: OSHA guidance for waste management is based on the CDC’s determination that COVID-19 virus is not a Category A infectious substance (as per DOT/CDC listing; considered a Category B infectious substance which when discarded is considered regulated medical waste). OSHA states that workers and employers should manage waste contaminated with COVID-19 virus as they would other regulated medical waste. OSHA also states that workers use appropriate engineering and administrative controls, safe work practices, and PPE, such as puncture-resistant gloves and face/eye protection, to prevent worker exposure to medical waste, including sharps and other items that can cause injuries or exposures to infectious materials. **Q: Should sharps containers (single-use and reusable) from COVID-19 be put into red bags?** A: HWI recommends using single-use containers for COVID-19 patients. While regulations do not require reusable sharps containers to be placed into red bags, some healthcare waste companies have adopted such procedures. As such, healthcare facilities should check with their healthcare waste provider for any special protocols. Single-use sharps container protocols follow standard protocols for closing, overpacking and shipping for treatment and disposal. **Q: Should PPE from COVID-19 be put into red bags? What about general waste from patients such as used tissues?** A: Only grossly contaminated PPE should be placed into red bags. Patient trash such as used tissues may be disposed of into regular trash (municipal solid waste) unless otherwise directed by your local health department. **Q: Are there any special efforts that need to be made to disinfect surfaces from COVID-19?** A: The virus can easily be killed by detergents and disinfectants at regular temperatures used for washing. For a specific list of approved products, please refer to EPA’s list of registered antimicrobial products for use against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID19. See these links: - [https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list\_03-03-2020.pdf](https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf) - **Q: Does waste from patients with COVID-19 need to be separated from other infectious waste?** A: Although not required, HWI recommends that COVID-19 waste be identified in order to protect their workers in the event a bag needs to be opened for some reason. Be aware that healthcare waste companies may adopt special provisions specific for their companies and the safety of their employees during this time. It is best to check in frequently with your waste handling company during this time. #### Helpful Links - - - - **(Information on COVID-19 is still developing, therefore, these FAQs are subject to change.)** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Patient Lawsuits for HIPAA-Related Breaches](https://wastemedic.com/2020/03/05/patient-lawsuits-for-hipaa-related-breaches/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** HIPAA-related lawsuits came to the attention of Alexander Wolff when a fellow attorney called him with a case a few years ago. The plaintiff was a woman and friend of a man who was dating a nurse. The nurse, who worked at a hospital where the plaintiff received healthcare, was suspicious that the plaintiff and man were having an affair, so she accessed the woman’s chart. The nurse sent the man screen shots of the woman’s records. When he received the screen shots, he told the plaintiff. Wolff, a partner at Wolff & Wolff Trial Lawyers in St. Louis, Missouri, took the case and went to the hospital with the information and photos. The organization quickly settled the case, paying more money than he had anticipated. “They clearly wanted to make it go away,” he said. This initial case put HIPAA breach law on his radar. #### Showing damages Personal injury attorneys typically want objective evidence of injuries, such as X-rays or computed tomography scans. After Wolff took his first case and did some research, he realized he had happened upon a new kind of injury that would be hard to define. For Wolff to take a case, he must be able to prove damages. His first client was humiliated and suffered sleepless nights for weeks. She was embarrassed her friend found out her personal information, but her real concern was who else might know. “She had no idea who else this nurse had told and there is no way to put that toothpaste back in the tube,” Wolff said. The plaintiff did not feel comfortable going back to the hospital where the breach occurred. Afterward, she found it difficult to reengage with the medical community in general. #### Actions taken Courts recognize a few different actions against providers who have a breach. Wolff said the suits are typically filed under breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, or negligence. State attorneys general can bring a class action civil suit on behalf of people harmed by a HIPAA violation. State laws regulating HIPAA suits vary widely. In some an employer can be found liable for a snooping employee; in others, that’s not the case. Wolff said he signs up about 1 in every 10 patients who consult with him about suing a provider for an information breach. Many have legitimate cases, but these cases either cannot be proven or are weak. Factors affecting his decision to take a case include the sensitivity of the information, how it was transmitted, how many people might have seen it, and strength of the evidence to prove the case. What potential plaintiffs want also matters, Wolff said. He typically will not take a case if they are just seeking money, but he listens when patients say breaches destroyed their lives and they want to ensure it does not happen to anyone else. #### Major settlements HIPAA compliance officers can only force providers to make changes within an organization to avoid future breaches, but the only recourse for patients who have been harmed by breaches is to sue for damages. This can be an effective deterrent. “Conduct rewarded is conduct repeated,” he said. “If they [providers] are hit in the pocketbook, they will retrain staff and make sure there is no second time.” The settlements and jury awards in these cases vary widely and can be well into 6 figures, depending on the facts and whether disclosure was accidental or intentional. “It’s like the difference between a car crash from someone skidding on ice versus one caused by someone who drives drunk and totals a car,” he said. A woman in St. Louis, Missouri, whose mental health records were released to her ex-husband during custody suit settled a case for $385,000. In that case, the ex’s attorney subpoenaed the records and, without notifying the patient, the hospital mailed the records to the attorney. In a case in Alabama, a jury awarded $300,000 after a doctor accessed a woman’s drug history from the state’s prescription monitoring program. The woman was in a custody battle with her ex-husband, and his current wife asked the doctor to retrieve the records. The plaintiff sued the hospital for failing to discipline the doctor after notification of the breach. Some organizations are more likely to take cases to court than settle, such as when evidence is weak, Wolff said. Providers often settle to avoid publicity and because they know the damages from a HIPAA breach will resonate with juries, Wolff said. He added that he prefers to settle cases “if the value is there, but I am ready and willing to file suit if the provider does not take the complaint seriously or makes a low offer that does not satisfy my client.” He also prefers to settle with providers if this would make them less prone to future mistakes. “If you choose to operate a healthcare facility, you have to take it upon yourself to make sure employees are trained not to snoop on patients,” he said. #### Prevention An important way to prevent lawsuits is to perform consistent IT audits. Providers must understand who has access to different parts of an electronic medical records system and, when possible, allow staff to access only those parts of the system that enables them to do their jobs. “They have to have the flexibility to be able to do jobs,” Wolff said. “But there should be firewalls built into the system to keep people from doing things to expose you to trouble.” --- This post, [Patient Lawsuits for HIPAA-Related Breaches](https://www.renalandurologynews.com/home/departments/hipaa-compliance/patient-lawsuits-for-hipaa-related-breaches/), first appeared on [https://www.renalandurologynews.com](https://www.renalandurologynews.com/home/departments/hipaa-compliance/patient-lawsuits-for-hipaa-related-breaches/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Anxiety mounts among U.S. health workers on the front lines of coronavirus outbreak](https://wastemedic.com/2020/03/05/anxiety-mounts-among-u-s-health-workers-on-the-front-lines-of-coronavirus-outbreak/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Doctors and nurses say they are alarmed by reports that multiple health workers in the United States have been sickened by a deadly coronavirus and that hospitals and other healthcare facilities appear to have become hot spots for the spread of infections. On Sunday, health officials announced that [two staff members at a Northern California hospital](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-03-01/coronavirus-west-coast-scrambles) had contracted COVID-19 from a patient. A day earlier, officials said that a [health worker at a Seattle nursing home](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-01/us-first-coronavirus-death-washington-community-spread-california) had been hospitalized with the disease and that several more staff members would probably test positive in the coming days. Medical workers on the front lines of an epidemic often make up a disproportionate number of cases because of their close contact with sick patients and repeated exposure to a virus. Some hospital staffers say they fear [delays in testing for COVID-19](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-28/coronavirus-testing-under-scrutiny-after-delays-questions-over-effectiveness) in the U.S. have exposed them to the virus already. In the United States, the conversations taking place in hospital hallways and clinic break rooms are heightened by the specter of China’s death toll, which includes several medical workers who have died not only of COVID-19 infection but of [ailments caused by overwork and fatigue.](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-02-25/doctors-fighting-coronavirus-in-china-die-of-both-infection-and-fatigue) One of the most publicized deaths from the global outbreak has been that of [Dr. Li Wenliang, a 34-year-old physician](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-02-06/chinese-doctor-warned-of-coronavirus-outbreak-dies) who sounded the alarm about sick patients in Wuhan, China, the outbreak’s epicenter. There are more than 80 reported cases in the United States. Sunday night, officials in Washington state announced that a second person infected with the virus had died: a man in his 70s who lived at a nursing home. They also reported four new cases, bringing the total in King County to 10. With the coronavirus expected to spread within the United States, doctors and nurses say they are nervously watching as stockpiles of masks and other protective gear in hospitals dwindle amid an equipment shortage. The flu season has further complicated efforts to identify suspected COVID-19 cases because the two infections have similar symptoms. Physicians say it has become increasingly challenging to monitor the shifting recommendations for treating and testing for COVID-19 while also trying to care for anxious patients and prevent exposure to the virus among themselves and their colleagues. “I have to go back home and I have to worry about my family and what I could be carrying back to them,” said Dr. Suman Radhakrishna, an infectious disease specialist at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles. “There are no martyrs here.” The novel coronavirus originated in China late last year and has since infected more than 89,000 people in dozens of countries. The first evidence that the virus was circulating in the United States came last week when a patient at [UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento was diagnosed with the virus](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-26/california-coronavirus-case-could-be-first-spread-in-u-s-community-cdc-says) and hadn’t traveled to an affected country or had close contact with anyone who did. That patient has exposed dozens, if not hundreds, of health workers to COVID-19 and provides a glimpse into the consequences of insufficient safety measures. The patient was not treated with the recommended COVID-19 precautions because for several days the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would not allow her to be tested.](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-27/california-coronavirus-patient-was-not-tested-for-several-days-uc-davis-says) At UC Davis Medical Center, 124 nurses and other staff members have been asked to stay home because of possible exposure to the patient, according to the state nurses union. Before being transferred to UC Davis, the patient had been admitted to NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville. On Sunday, officials announced that two workers at the Solano County facility had COVID-19. “This underscores the challenging environment that health care workers everywhere face to stem the spread of communicable diseases, including COVID-19,” Dr. Bela Matyas, health officer for Solano County, said in a statement. One of the infected healthcare workers is a Solano County resident and the other lives in Alameda County, officials said. The case is the first for Alameda County, which has declared a local public health emergency in response. For most people, COVID-19 causes a mild sickness, and some who are infected do not even know they are ill. The virus has been estimated to kill two of every 100 people who contract it, though the risk is lower for younger people and higher for the elderly, experts said. But medical professionals can be in more danger than others. Being exposed to multiple people who are very sick — the way someone working in a hospital would be — typically makes someone sicker than if they were exposed to only one person who was mildly ill. Plus, hospital procedures, such as intubating a patient, may release large amounts of the virus that can easily infect workers in the room. When SARS, another coronavirus, was [spreading around the world in 2003,](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-18/sars-coronavirus-china-epidemic) a single patient at a hospital in Hong Kong is believed to have infected 138 people with the disease. It is unclear whether this coronavirus will be that transmissible in a hospital setting. One small study of COVID-19 patients hospitalized with pneumonia in Wuhan found that 41% of cases appeared to be hospital-acquired. A much larger analysis, evaluating 45,000 COVID-19 patients in mainland China, found that 3.8% were healthcare workers. In outbreaks in other countries, the virus has shown rapid spread in high-density settings, including hospitals, said Lawrence Gostin, the director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law. If the virus sweeps the U.S. the way it has other countries, healthcare facilities could be filled with COVID-19 patients, he said. “Not only will we see many deaths, but we’ll see anywhere from 5% to 20% of people infected needing hospitalization,” Gostin said. “How will America cope with that?” At Hollywood Presbyterian hospital, panic among the staff began to escalate last week as federal officials began discussing the [possibility of closing schools](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-02-25/cdc-warns-public-to-prepare-for-likely-spread-of-coronavirus) and said the virus was expected to spread within U.S. communities, Radhakrishna said. When a patient showed up at the hospital with a cough, staffers initially jumped to a false conclusion that the patient may have COVID-19, she said. The news spread swiftly across the hospital. “All of a sudden, in a matter of minutes, it became a big thing,” she said. “It brings back memories of when we didn’t know what HIV was up to and everyone was so afraid.” The fear is stoked by the constant stream of new and sometimes conflicting information about the virus. Officials regularly change protocols around testing and treatment as they learn more. “I’ve never heard the words ‘rapidly evolving’ more times than I have in the past three weeks,” said Adam Blackstone, spokesman for the Hospital Assn. of Southern California. Though the number of cases in the country remains relatively low, increasing concerns involving healthcare and other front-line workers have surfaced in recent days. On Thursday, a whistleblower complaint alleged that [federal health workers were not provided adequate training and protective gear](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-02-28/whistleblower-feds-helping-evacuees-lacked-virus-protection) when dealing with quarantined people at two California military bases. The whistleblower has also alleged retaliation by superiors for speaking up. In a Seattle suburb, a nursing home called Life Care Center has become a focal point of the virus scare. There, more than 50 residents and staffers have symptoms, officials said. Twenty-five firefighters who visited the nursing home while people were ill have also been asked to self-quarantine, according to the International Assn. of Fire Fighters. On Sunday night, Washington officials announced that the state’s second person to die of the COVID-19 virus was a resident of Life Care. He was in his 70s and had underlying health conditions. The first man who died was in his 50s and had no apparent connection to the nursing home. Some healthcare workers are questioning the recommended precautions as cases mount nationwide. The CDC advises that all healthcare personnel who interact with infected patients wear gowns, gloves, goggles and masks. But UC San Francisco nurse Maureen Dugan worries that level of protection is not sufficient given how little is known about this new virus. “That leaves parts of our face potentially and our neck and feet available for exposure,” she said. “We believe in the precautionary principle … you use the highest level of personal protective equipment.” Similarly, UC Davis nurse Melissa Johnson-Camacho, the chief nurse representative for the California Nurses Assn., said she is pushing for the hospital to adopt a protocol developed for the Ebola virus to use for COVID-19 patients. She said relying on CDC recommendations isn’t enough. “There’s definitely alarm there in that area,” she said. At many hospitals, the flu season has muddled the COVID-19 picture. The two diseases have identical symptoms, including cough and fever, so physicians can’t rely on how a patient is feeling to determine the cause. USC infectious disease specialist Dr. Neha Nanda said physicians still consider a patient’s travel history when deciding whether a COVID-19 test is needed. So far, there has been only one confirmed case of COVID-19 in L.A. County. Without a history of travel to China, Italy or another country with a large outbreak, doctors assume the patient probably has the flu, she said. “The prevalence of influenza is way higher than COVID-19 in our community,” Nanda said. “But it’s not as foolproof as it was two weeks back.” --- This post, [Anxiety mounts among U.S. health workers on the front lines of coronavirus outbreak](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-03-02/healthcare-workers-anxiety-as-coronavirus-takes-root-in-the-us), first appeared on [https://www.latimes.com](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-03-02/healthcare-workers-anxiety-as-coronavirus-takes-root-in-the-us). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Public Health vs. Patient Privacy – How Coronavirus Is Putting HIPAA to the Test](https://wastemedic.com/2020/03/05/public-health-vs-patient-privacy-how-coronavirus-is-putting-hipaa-to-the-test/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** In a recent [blog post](https://www.ebglaw.com/news/responding-to-the-coronavirus-2019-ncov-outbreak-best-practices-for-employers/), colleagues in our Employment, Labor & Workforce Management practice addressed the legal framework pertaining to coronavirus (COVID-19) risks in the workplace. As the number of cases [continues to the climb](https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/coronavirus-outbreak-death-toll-us-infections-latest-news-updates-2020-03-03/) in the U.S., it is imperative that HIPAA covered entities and their business associates are aware of their privacy and security responsibilities in the midst of this public health emergency. EBG provides this guidance on how to effectively respond to the coronavirus public health crisis while navigating patient privacy issues. Last month, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided a [bulletin](https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind2002&L=OCR-PRIVACY-LIST&P=69) to assist entities in determining ways patient information could be permissibly shared in compliance with HIPAA in the event of an outbreak of infectious disease or other emergency situations. The regulators are onboard with dissemination of protected health information (PHI) to support public health. OCR has outlined several ways by which the HIPAA Privacy Rule permits entities to disclose PHI without a patient’s authorization: 1. Covered entities may disclose PHI about the patient as necessary to treat the patient or to treat a different patient. 2. Covered entities may disclose requested PHI to a public health authority, a foreign government agency (at the direction of a public health authority) that is collaborating with the public health authority, and persons at risk of contracting or spreading a disease or condition if authorized by law. 3. Covered entities may share PHI with a patient’s family, friends, relatives, or other persons identified that were involved in the patient’s care. 4. Health care providers may share PHI with anyone in order to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the public health and safety. Health care providers are required to comply with the “minimum necessary” standard when disclosing PHI of patients with the coronavirus, which means that such providers must make reasonable efforts to disclose only the patient information necessary to achieve the purpose of the disclosure. In addition, during emergencies, covered entities must implement reasonable safeguards to protect PHI against any “intentional or unintentional uses and disclosures” in violation of HIPAA. As public health agencies and entities feverishly work together to contain the spread of coronavirus and treat affected individuals in the U.S., it is vital that entities leverage this HIPAA guidance to effectively share patient information while protecting privacy. Effective response to public health crises will require striking this appropriate balance of interests. --- This post, [Public Health vs. Patient Privacy – How Coronavirus Is Putting HIPAA to the Test](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/public-health-vs-patient-privacy-how-coronavirus-putting-hipaa-to-test), first appeared on [https://www.natlawreview.com](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/public-health-vs-patient-privacy-how-coronavirus-putting-hipaa-to-test). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [LabCorp security lapse exposed thousands of medical documents](https://wastemedic.com/2020/02/02/labcorp-security-lapse-exposed-thousands-of-medical-documents/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A security flaw in [LabCorp’s ](https://crunchbase.com/organization/laboratory-corporation-of-america) website exposed thousands of medical documents, like test results containing sensitive health data. It’s the second incident in the past year after LabCorp said in June that [7.7 million patients](https://techcrunch.com/2019/06/05/labcorp-records-stolen-quest/) had been affected by a credit card data breach of a third-party payments processor. That breach also hit several other laboratory testing companies, including Quest Diagnostics. This latest security lapse was caused by a vulnerability on a part of LabCorp’s website, understood to host the company’s internal customer relationship management system. Although the system appeared to be protected with a password, the part of the website designed to pull patient files from the back-end system was left exposed. That unprotected web address was visible to search engines and was later cached by Google, making it accessible to anyone who knew where to look. The cached search result only returned one document — a document containing a patient’s health information. But changing and incrementing the document number in the web address made it possible to access other documents. The bug is now fixed. Using computer commands, we determined the approximate number of exposed documents by asking the exposed server if a document existed by returning certain properties about the file — such as its size — but not the document itself. This allowed us to see if a document was on the server without accessing large amounts of patient information, and thus preventing any further exposure to the patient’s privacy. The results showed at least 10,000 documents were exposed. Of the handful of files we examined to understand what kind of data was exposed, the documents largely appeared to affect cancer patients under the laboratory’s Integrated Oncology specialty testing unit. The documents contained names, dates of birth and, in some cases, Social Security numbers of patients. The documents also contained lab test results and diagnostic data, a class of data considered protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A couple of the documents we reviewed contained a footer notice, which said: “This document contains private and confidential health information protected under state and federal law.” Running afoul of HIPAA can result in heavy fines. “This is a massive privacy issue — and one that could impact affected users and patients for years to come,” said Rachel Tobac, a hacker, social engineer and founder of SocialProof Security. “The sensitive nature of those documents and the leak of private medical status is a huge privacy violation for those patients for obvious reasons, but also sadly for some possibly less glaring reasons, as well.” Tobac, who reviewed our findings, said medical information can be “terribly useful” for criminals in identity theft, extortion and phishing, because the victim may be more likely to trust the sender “under the assumption that the message is legitimate because it contains information only their medical provider could or should know.” The vulnerability was found in-house at TechCrunch and was reported to LabCorp, which later pulled the server offline. Although the web address remains in Google’s search results, the link is now dead. “I can confirm that we have terminated access to the system,” said LabCorp spokesperson Donald Von Hogan. LabCorp’s Von Hogan said in a call that the company would not confirm the documents found on the exposed server “are in fact LabCorp information.” TechCrunch reached out to a number of patients to verify their information. Only one person confirmed by phone that the information in their exposed file was accurate, but expressed that they did not want to be named for this story. Two other people whose names were in the files had since passed away, according to obituaries. In a statement emailed after publication, LabCorp said it would notify affected patients “as may be appropriate,” but would not say if it would inform state and federal authorities under data breach notification laws. --- This post, [LabCorp security lapse exposed thousands of medical documents](https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/28/labcorp-website-bug-medical-data-exposed/), first appeared on [https://techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/28/labcorp-website-bug-medical-data-exposed/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Safety in Simplicity: Helping Surgeons Work Without Fear of Infection](https://wastemedic.com/2020/02/02/safety-in-simplicity-helping-surgeons-work-without-fear-of-infection/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** If you were to imagine a list of risky jobs, you might think of being a construction worker, a prison officer, an oil rig worker – anything that involves heights or challenging environments. Being a surgeon might not be top of the list. However, new research shows that in fact an overwhelming majority of surgeons have had a close encounter with a serious risk to their health and safety: a sharp, or needlestick injury. The new global survey – which fielded responses from surgeons in six countries across the world – found that a staggering 95% of them have either been personally affected by such an injury or have seen a colleague experience one – and this is not just a problem of pain or discomfort in the workplace. From my own experience as a staff nurse and having worked in a range of clinical settings, I know how frequently healthcare professionals face life-threatening risks in the operating theatre. Needlestick and sharps injuries – wounds to healthcare workers caused by syringes, needles and sharp surgical equipment piercing the skin – are a major occupational hazard and can radically alter the personal and professional lives of surgeons or their clinical teams. Each and every day in hospitals around the world clinicians, nurses and support staff expose themselves to the risk of blood-borne viruses in the operating theatre and other clinical settings. Hepatitis B, C and D, and HIV are just some of the dangers they and their teams face in the daily undertaking of their clinical responsibilities. Needlestick injuries can put a clinician’s career at risk in an instant. I have seen first-hand the impact they can have on surgeons and their clinical teams, both the injury itself and the emotional impact of testing to ensure they have not contracted harmful viruses. Even though the likelihood of transmission of blood-borne viruses is quite low and dependent on a number of factors, healthcare workers in the UK still face a one in three risk of contracting hepatitis B and a one in thirty risk of hepatitis C following a percutaneous [injury](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/385300/EoN_2014_-_FINAL_CT_3_sig_occ.pdf). The psychological distress and anxiety over a possible infection and its possible consequences can have a hugely detrimental personal impact on a healthcare worker and the morale of a clinical team. Two million needlestick injuries occur among health workers each year [globally](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4145516/), and, given the potential loss of earnings, it is little wonder that across the world so many needlestick injuries go unreported – estimates vary from country to country, with authorities in the UK putting the figure as high as 85%. Considering the potential hazards surgeons face every day, it would be natural to assume that advanced healthcare systems would provide their workers with the highest quality surgical equipment. However, this is increasingly no longer the case. Presented with ever-tightening budgets, staff shortages and growing disease burdens, clinical procurement teams across the world are faced with the choice of prioritising the safety of surgeons and their clinical teams over other budgetary decisions. We wanted to gain a greater understanding of the risks clinicians and patients face from sharps injuries and healthcare associated infections. We also wanted to hear their front-line perspective on the importance of high-quality surgical equipment in ensuring clinician and patient safety and driving forward clinical outcomes. We commissioned global polling company SERMO to conduct a survey of practising surgeons across six countries: the UK, US, Japan, Germany, Australia and Sweden. All advanced medical systems, these six countries are symbolic of the budgetary dilemma faced by healthcare decision-makers. The survey was the first of its kind in terms of both scale and ambition, providing rich, qualitative and quantitative data from 510 experienced surgeons across a range of clinical specialties. The findings were striking. Only 1% told us that they had not experienced a needlestick injury in the operating theatre. When asked whether surgeons felt more protected from needlestick injuries when using high-quality surgical gloves, 83% told us they did, highlighting the duty of care procurement teams have to ensure that they provide their surgeons with the very best protective equipment available, and how simple that solution can be. The importance surgeons place in high-quality surgical gloves in reducing exposure to blood-borne viruses was considerable, with 93% of surgeons stating that high**–**quality surgical gloves reduce the chances of exposure to blood-borne viruses. Furthermore, 92% of surgeons agreed that high-quality gloves improve clinician safety in the operating theatre. Risks in the operating theatre are of course not limited to healthcare professionals. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are the most frequent adverse event in healthcare delivery worldwide, causing millions of deaths globally and incurring significant financial strains on healthcare systems. In the UK alone, HAIs are estimated to cost the NHS £1 billion per year. The provision of high-quality surgical equipment can play a decisive role in reducing HAIs by reducing the risk of surgical site infections. 76% of surgeons responding to our survey stated that glove failure during operations can increase the risk of surgical site infections. More broadly, 89% agreed that high quality gloves improve patient safety in the operating theatre. This all shows just how vital improving infections prevention is, but also demonstrates the vital role high quality surgical gloves play in the operating theatre, in terms of surgical safety, patient outcomes and driving value in healthcare systems. Having worked in high pressured clinical environments across a number of countries, I don’t envy the priority decisions healthcare leaders and procurement teams have to make each and every day. Faced with record demands for care and strained budgets, they are tasked with prioritising short term savings through providing cheaper, lower quality equipment, or ensuring long term value through investment in high quality equipment. However, the surgeons have spoken – and let’s remember that these are the people who are actually performing surgery on patients every day: high-quality gloves can play a decisive role in ensuring the safety of clinicians, their teams and patients and positively impact overall patient outcomes. Surgical gloves seem like the most simple of occupational considerations, but sometimes, what’s simple is true. --- This post, [Safety in Simplicity: Helping Surgeons Work Without Fear of Infection](https://globalhealthnewswire.com/2019/09/20/safety-in-simplicity-helping-surgeons-work-without-fear-of-infection/), first appeared on [https://globalhealthnewswire.com](https://globalhealthnewswire.com/2019/09/20/safety-in-simplicity-helping-surgeons-work-without-fear-of-infection/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Accidental Needlesticks: The Silent Killer](https://wastemedic.com/2020/02/01/accidental-needlesticks-the-silent-killer-2/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** We all know that doctors and nurses work long hours under trying conditions, particularly in hospital emergency rooms, to save lives and bring healing and comfort to the sick. What too many people do not know is that healthcare workers face a potential silent killer every day that is so common it is routinely overlooked and ignored: accidental needlesticks. Every year in the United States, more than [400 million blood draws are performed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/smashing-the-innovation-hierarchy-in-healthcare-innovating-around-blood-draws-in-our-kids.html). Some of these are carried out during routine doctor visits, some in outpatient laboratory settings, many in the emergency room (ER) or ambulances, where workers and patients are under extreme stress, circumstances can be chaotic, and safety measures compromised in the rush against time. Nearly every healthcare worker has a story about a needlestick or a near miss. Even the most experienced nurses and other practitioners, working long hours with no margin of error, will experience that sinking feeling of dread when the sharp end of a used needle accidentally punctures their skin with a potential to cause infection. My own story is from the summer of 1998, when I was working as a nurse in the emergency room (ER) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Asked by a colleague to perform a blood draw on a patient with difficult venous access, I was able accomplish the task on my first attempt. Unfortunately, when I went to dispose of the needle in the biohazard container on the wall behind me, I was accidentally stuck by another disposed needle poking out from the overfilled box. Like many nurses, I’d been stuck before, maybe half a dozen times, and had only reported about half of them. In this case, I decided to report my injury, at the supportive insistence of an ER colleague who witnessed it occur. Thank goodness I did, because it wasn’t long until I began having some vague symptoms that included weight loss, fatigue and malaise that concerned both me and my doctors. Five months later, I was diagnosed with HIV and hepatitis C, a result of that same inadvertent needlestick. In 1998, this meant a frightening and potentially life-threatening road ahead with long, intensive, and difficult treatment regimens. I was not alone in the circumstances surrounding my needlestick injury. More [than 2 million](http://www.who.int/occupational_health/topics/needinjuries/en/) infectious needlesticks are sustained by healthcare workers each year across the globe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and more than [1.3 million people die](http://www.wpro.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs_20120204/en/) annually as a result of unsafe injection practices. The reality is surely far grimmer: Surveys show that, like in my previous experiences, it is possible that as many as 50% of needlesticks may go unreported by healthcare workers. Doctors, nurses, paramedics and EMTs tend to be battle-hardened and resilient. Often, after getting stuck, a nurse will make a quick calculation: Was the patient a high-risk individual? Is it worth going through the drawn-out, anxiety-inducing process of reporting the stick, taking toxic medications and enduring the subsequent health surveillance? In some cases, healthcare workers might even be blamed for making the “careless mistake” of getting stuck. In a big-city ER, at the back end of a 12-hour shift, handling dozens of patients an hour – many of them frightened, unruly, violent, or otherwise challenging to provide care for – it is all too easy for a needle to miss its mark by a fraction of an inch and stick a healthcare worker. Determined to use my own experience to prevent this from happening to others, I worked with my nurse colleagues in the American Nurses Association (ANA) along with others, including elected officials, to advocate for federal legislation to improve needle safety. In 2001, during my term as president of the ANA affiliate in Massachusetts, President Clinton signed the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, which required hospitals to make safety-engineered sharps devices available to their workers whenever appropriate to prevent injuries similar to mine. In the first year after the law went into effect, needlesticks dropped by as [much as one-third](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23917907), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, based on that early success and projected estimates for continued injury reduction in the intervening years, federal and state governments and the industry itself have not kept an adequate focus on the issue. In fact, the national injury surveillance system for healthcare workers operated under the CDC was discontinued after December 2007. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is charged with regulatory enforcement, too often relies on employers to voluntarily comply with the law. Site surveys conducted by OSHA are normally triggered by confidential worker complaints or random OSHA inspections, which occur too infrequently. Despite the fact that injuries persist and remain underreported, they are once again invisible. We cannot let that continue. More than 60 blood borne pathogens can be transmitted through needlesticks. Future efforts to reduce US sharps injuries will require revitalized surveillance and compliance enforcement efforts along with ongoing efforts by employers to prevent future injuries and exposures. Hospitals are rightly focused on patient safety, and financial incentives exist that promote measures to be taken to protect patients from preventable illness and injury. It is important that institutional safety systems focus equally on worker safety as patient safety. If workers are not safe, patients are less safe. The reality for injured workers is that needlestick injuries can create significant burdens for them (even when no disease is transmitted) as well as employers and have meaningful impacts on patient care. My own injury and resulting infections have already given rise to over $1 million in healthcare costs and that is without even one hospitalization. If I had not reported my needlestick, those costs would have bankrupted me and likely ended my career, or even worse, my life. The momentum we were able to harness following my injury resulted in crucial public policy reform that has saved lives. That positive momentum has dramatically slowed in recent years and now shows signs of completely evaporating. We must do more to enforce the regulations that currently exist under that law and strengthen protections by taking advantage of new knowledge, new technologies and the increased awareness that experiences like mine have brought. Each of us either has or will watch helplessly and hopefully as a loved one is wheeled into an operating room, a trauma center or lab for tests that could mean life or death. We put our trust and faith in the nurses and doctors who are caring for them. These healthcare professionals are owed the same care they give to us. *Karen Daley was a clinical nurse for 26 years prior to her injury and is the former president of the American Nurses Association. She is a longtime advocate of sharps safety for healthcare workers and patients.* --- This post, [Accidental Needlesticks: The Silent Killer](https://www.physiciansweekly.com/accidental-needlesticks-the-silent-killer/), first appeared on [https://www.physiciansweekly.com](https://www.physiciansweekly.com/accidental-needlesticks-the-silent-killer/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [A New Decade Of HIPAA – What Can We Expect?](https://wastemedic.com/2020/02/01/a-new-decade-of-hipaa-what-can-we-expect/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** As the decade winds down, it’s hard to believe that the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules are almost twenty years old. It has been ten years since the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) published the first breach notification rule – the one based on the harm standard. And the Omnibus Rule’s “low probability of compromise” standard is almost seven years old! Regulators and regulated entities are heading into the new year and decade with a lot of momentum on some important issues. As we prepare to welcome 2020, we’d like to indulge in a bit of hindsight – as well as speculation – about what the new decade might hold for HIPAA-regulated entities. ##### OCR Enforcement Will Continue to Be Increasingly Aggressive. OCR enforcement has been increasingly aggressive over the past decade. We noted last year that 2018 was a record-setter for HIPAA fines, with the largest-ever fine of $16 million. Seven-figure fines are now the norm. Sentara Hospitals (Sentara) [paid $2.175 million](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2019/11/27/ocr-secures-2.175-million-dollars-hipaa-settlement-breach-notification-and-privacy-rules.html) just last month for failing to notify OCR after mailing documents containing about 500 patients’ protected health information (PHI) to the wrong address. Sentara had argued and incorrectly concluded that only eight of the incorrect mailings contained PHI and constituted a reportable breach because the others did not contain information specifically about a patient’s diagnosis, treatment, or other medical information. As a quick refresher, [PHI not only includes](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html) information related to an individual’s physical or mental health or condition but also information about the provision of health care and the payment of services for the provision of health care to an individual. OCR also found that Sentara did not have a business associate agreement in place with one of its business associates. Jackson Health System (JHS) [paid $2.15 million](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2019/10/23/ocr-imposes-a-2.15-million-civil-money-penalty-against-jhs-for-hipaa-violations.html) for various HIPAA violations. JHS discovered that it had lost paper patient records of 756 patients and reported the breach to OCR; however, it later discovered that it had lost additional paper records and did not report that breach until 3½ years afterward. JHS also inadvertently disclosed patient PHI in a photograph that was included in a media report and discovered that an employee was selling PHI. OCR found that JHS failed to provide timely and accurate breach notification, conduct an enterprise-wide risk analysis, appropriately manage identified risks, review activity records, and restrict authorization of employees’ access to PHI to the minimum necessary. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (TX HHSC) [paid $1.6 million](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2019/11/07/ocr-imposes-a-1.6-million-dollar-civil-money-penalty-against-tx-hhsc-for-hipaa-violations.html) after a software flaw resulted in the inadvertent exposure of PHI of over 6,000 individuals on the Internet. OCR found that TX HHSC did not conduct an enterprise-wide risk analysis and did not implement access and audit controls on its system, as required by HIPAA. Touchstone Medical Imaging [paid $3 million](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2019/05/06/tennessee-diagnostic-medical-imaging-services-company-pays-3000000-settle-breach.html) after a server error allowed PHI of over 300,000 patients to be available on the Internet. We previously blogged about this settlement [ here](https://www.mondaq.com/redirection.asp?article_id=879070&company_id=16916&redirectaddress=https://www.mintz.com/insights-center/viewpoints/2146/2019-06-hipaa-updates-new-guidance-business-associates-and). There is nothing to suggest that this trend will abate. ##### Cyber Threats Aren’t Going Anywhere. It became clear over the past decade that covered entities are, and will likely remain, a high value target for cyber criminals. The health care industry is particularly vulnerable to ransomware attacks, or attacks involving malicious software that encrypts the files on a target’s computer rendering them inaccessible unless and until a ransom is paid. (Although payment of ransom doesn’t guarantee access to encrypted files.) In early 2016, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center paid $17,000 in bitcoin in response to a ransomware attack that encrypted its electronic medical records. That same year, OCR issued a [Fact Sheet on HIPAA and Ransomware](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/RansomwareFactSheet.pdf) citing a 300% increase in the number of ransomware attacks since 2015. Toward the end of the decade, it seemed as though ransomware attacks were leveling off, but in October of 2019, the [Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned health care organizations](https://www.ic3.gov/media/2019/191002.aspx) regarding the ongoing ransomware threat to the health care industry and other frequently targeted industries. The FBI’s Public Service Announcement (PSA) indicated that ransomware attacks have become more targeted, sophisticated, and costly, with health care organizations remaining a high value target. FBI has observed the following techniques as of late: email phishing campaigns in which the attacker sends an email containing a malicious file or link that deploys the malware when clicked by the recipient; remote desktop protocol vulnerabilities, in which criminals use either brute force methods or credentials purchased on the dark web to gain unauthorized remote access to a victim’s IT systems for the deployment of malware; and software vulnerabilities or security weakness in widely used software, which cyber criminals can use to gain control of a victim’s IT systems and deploy malware. The PSA reminds healthcare and other organizations that regular, verified data backup is the best way for an organization to protect itself against the ransomware threat. Training is also critical to help employees avoid falling victim to phishing email messages, which will undoubtedly remain a threat into the next decade. The full PSA can be found [here](https://www.ic3.gov/media/2019/191002.aspx). We’ve continued to see health care organizations be subject to phishing and other hacking attempts. ##### GDPR/CCPA-Type Laws Are Proliferating. In May of 2018, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) took effect. Shortly thereafter, in August of 2018, California passed its own sweeping data protection law, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). CCPA protects a very broad scope of “personal information” or “PI” beyond what is protected under GDPR and far beyond what is protected under HIPAA. CCPA grants GDPR-like rights to consumers, including the right to request disclosures of the types of personal information collected and the purpose of collection, the right to request deletion, and the right of access and to obtain copies of PI in a readily usable format for transfer to another entity. As the compliance date for the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) looms near – the law is set to take effect on January 1, 2020 – several states have introduced similar consumer privacy laws, such as [New York](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s5642) and [Massachusetts](https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/SD341). We’ve [ previously blogged](https://www.mondaq.com/redirection.asp?article_id=879070&company_id=16916&redirectaddress=https://www.mintz.com/insights-center/viewpoints/2146/2019-04-complying-california-consumer-privacy-act-are-health-care) about the complicated applicability of the CCPA to health care organizations. Importantly, health information that does not fall within HIPAA’s definition of PHI and is not afforded the same protections as PHI is not exempt from the law, regardless of whether the organization is a covered entity under HIPAA. As other states follow suit with their own consumer privacy laws, consumers and businesses will continue to struggle with an increasingly complex patchwork of laws regulating consumers’ health and personal data. Now that it’s been two decades after HIPAA was enacted, Congress may be ready to address the collection, use, and disclosure of health information that is not covered by HIPAA. Two bills, the Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act (COPRA) and the United States Consumer Data Privacy Act of 2019 (CDAP) are currently being considered by the Senate Commerce Committee. While they differ on preemption and individual private right of action, they both address in a comprehensive way how companies collect, share, and sell data, as well as the consumers’ rights to access, delete, and move their data. ##### Health Information Is Everywhere. Throughout the past decade, the multi-billion dollar mobile health industry has accumulated staggering amounts of consumer health and personal information through mobile health apps and devices, wearable fitness trackers, symptom-checker platforms, and web-based diet, exercise, sleep, medication management. Health information is everywhere, and HIPAA only applies to certain holders of health information that qualify as covered entities under the law. Will 2020 finally be the year when Congress enacts a comprehensive law that will take up where HIPAA left off? Given that mobile apps and wearables barely existed when HIPAA was enacted in 1996, it is no wonder that HIPAA was drafted to regulate entities like hospitals and physician practices and their vendors that hold health information, rather than the information itself. In addition to the two bills detailed above, the Stop Marketing And Revealing The Wearables And Trackers Consumer Health (Smartwatch) Data Act, which specifically targets health information not covered by HIPAA, was introduced in the Senate in November. Unlike HIPAA, the Smartwatch Data Act applies to the information itself rather than the holder of the information. Under the Smartwatch Data Act, all health data collected through apps and wearable devices would be treated as PHI and violations would be enforced by OCR and the penalties for violation of the law would be keyed into the HIPAA penalties. Whether a bill like the Smartwatch Data Act, COPRA, or CDAP moves forward in the coming year, Congress must ensure that the rules around the creation, storage, and use of health information are clear to both consumers and businesses and that the rules dovetail seamlessly with HIPAA. ##### Business Associates Continue to Cause Breaches. The end of the decade saw some significant data breaches caused by business associates (BAs). At the beginning of this year, Centerstone Insurance and Financial Services, operating as BenefitMall, announced that it had been hacked in October 2018 through a phishing attack resulting in over 111,000 consumers’ data being potentially compromised. (BenefitMall offers HR, employee benefits, and employer services and acts as a business associate for many covered entities.) Over the summer, LabCorp announced that it received notice from American Medical Collection Agency (AMCA), a collection firm working on its behalf, regarding unauthorized access of 7.7 million patients’ PHI stored by AMCA. You can read more about this breach [ here](https://www.mondaq.com/redirection.asp?article_id=879070&company_id=16916&redirectaddress=https://www.mintz.com/insights-center/viewpoints/2146/2019-06-hipaa-updates-new-guidance-business-associates-and). OCR released a guidance document on direct liability of BAs in May, which lists 10 HIPAA violations for which OCR can hold BAs directly liable. (See [ our prior blog post here](https://www.mondaq.com/redirection.asp?article_id=879070&company_id=16916&redirectaddress=https://www.mintz.com/insights-center/viewpoints/2146/2019-06-hipaa-updates-new-guidance-business-associates-and) for more information.) However, as BAs become more and more of the root cause of large data breaches, it is yet to be seen if the law will shift more burden onto BAs. ##### **We’re Still Waiting to See What OCR Is Going to Do.** Last December, OCR released a [Request for Information](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/14/2018-27162/request-for-information-on-modifying-hipaa-rules-to-improve-coordinated-care) (RFI) in which it sought information from stakeholders on how HIPAA could be modified so that it does not impede the latest efforts for better coordinated care among health care providers. Specifically, the RFI requested comments on the following issues: 1. Patients’ right to access and obtain copies of their PHI and the timeframe for responding to those requests (which is currently 30 days); 2. Removing the requirement to obtain written confirmation of receipt of an organization’s notice of privacy practices; 3. Promotion of parent and caregiver roles in care; 4. Easing of restrictions on disclosures of PHI without authorization; 5. Possible exceptions to the minimum necessary standard for disclosures of PHI; 6. Changes to HITECH Act requirements for the accounting of disclosures of PHI for treatment, payment and healthcare operations; 7. Encouragement of information sharing for treatment and care coordination; 8. Changing the Privacy Rule to make sharing PHI with other providers mandatory rather than permissible; 9. Expansion of healthcare clearinghouses’ access to PHI; and 10. Addressing the opioid crisis and serious mental illness. While health care organizations provided comments to the RFI this year, it is yet to be seen what, if anything, OCR will do with them in the coming year. As we look at the year (and decade!) ahead, there may be a lot of unknowns related to the future of HIPAA, but we have no doubt that the privacy and security of health information will continue to be a top priority for patients, consumers, businesses, and regulators. *The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.* --- This post, [A New Decade Of HIPAA – What Can We Expect?](https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/Privacy/879070/A-New-Decade-Of-HIPAA-What-Can-We-Expect), first appeared on [https://www.mondaq.com](https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/Privacy/879070/A-New-Decade-Of-HIPAA-What-Can-We-Expect). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [When Medical Waste Handling Goes Wrong](https://wastemedic.com/2020/02/01/when-medical-waste-handling-goes-wrong/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Healthcare workers face unique occupational hazards. In what other field can an employee so readily experience burnout, chemical exposure, and sharps injuries that introduce pathogens to the body? Now, a new study has further bolstered the list of healthcare workers’ concerns, suggesting that medical waste handlers are at increased risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Recently published in the *American Journal of Infection Control*, the meta-analysis of 9 cross-sectional studies found that although just 3 of the papers revealed statistically significant relationships between HBV and medical waste handling, the pooled odds ratios for all studies showed a significant association overall. The chances of a medical waste handler contracting HBV were higher in Africa than elsewhere, likely due to insufficient infection control knowledge, according to the study. “This meta-analysis documented an urgent problem, especially in African healthcare settings. This problem is potentially preventable if the right precautions are taken,” study co-author Ahmed Arafa, MBBCh, MS, a PhD student at Osaka University in Japan, told *Infection Control Today* via email. “Of note, we detected a weaker association between medical waste collection and HBV in studies conducted in non-African health settings— with better infection control programs—than studies conducted in African ones.” ##### Why Infection Control and Prevention Must Prevent HBV Public health officials take great issue with HBV for several reasons. For one, according to the study, the virus affects 240 million patients globally each year, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. With high morbidity and mortality rates, acute HBV infection stole more than 165,000 years to disability and resulted in 111,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. The virus also raises economic costs, touching everything from outpatient expenses to hospital admissions for related disease. Because HBV infects people primarily through infected blood and bodily fluids and requires only limited exposure to wreak havoc, healthcare workers are at risk of contracting the virus. What’s more, as many as 66,000 HBV cases per year stem from lapses in sharps safety, according to the meta-analysis. ##### How Hospitals Can Take Action The problem is especially pronounced for medical waste handlers, Arafa said. As a physician in Egypt, he saw many of these individuals, who typically work on temporary hospital contracts, neglect to don personal protective equipment. In a prior study, Arafa analyzed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare workers, including medical waste handlers, and came to concerning conclusions. “I found that medical waste collectors had suboptimal knowledge, negative attitude, and careless practice,” he said. “Therefore, it was, somehow, predicted that medical waste handlers may carry the heaviest burden of blood-borne hospital-acquired infections.” In Africa, where the risk of HBV to medical waste handlers is higher, it’s clear that leaders throughout the hospital should place more importance on infection control, Arafa noted. The sense of responsibility must extend into the C-suite. But in countries where infection control is more advanced, infection preventionists and health system administrators can also do more to protect medical waste handlers—and thus patients—from the scourge of HBV. “I think that the first step is to emphasize… the fact that medical waste handlers are part of the medical staff, and therefore they should receive protective equipment, free vaccines, and awareness programs, just like physicians, nurses, and lab technicians,” Arafa said. **References:** Arafa A, Eshak ES. Medical waste handling and hepatitis B virus infection: A meta-analysis. *Am J Infect Control.* 2019 Sep 11. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.08.011. --- This post, [When Medical Waste Handling Goes Wrong](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/clinical/when-medical-waste-handling-goes-wrong), first appeared on [https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/clinical/when-medical-waste-handling-goes-wrong). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [The dangers of being a doctor: threatened by those who seek help](https://wastemedic.com/2020/01/05/the-dangers-of-being-a-doctor-threatened-by-those-who-seek-help/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Recently, the House of Representatives passed a bill, the [Workplace Violence Prevention for Healthcare and Social Service Workers Act. ](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr1309/text)This bill, as the name suggests, seeks to provide legal protections to health care workers from workplace violence. The passing of this bill did not create much fanfare; we did not see any coverage of it on the evening news, nor was it mentioned by any of the presidential candidates. We are here to tell you that this bill is badly needed. We are two of the physicians that this bill would impact. We went into the field to help some our nation’s sickest patients. Every time we work, we seek to provide care and compassion to people in need of vital medical care. However, we have learned that our job comes with another, unspoken, requirement: Stay out of harm’s way. We have been threatened with bodily harm by the very people we seek to help more times than we care to count. Some of them are suffering from psychosis and do not know better. Plenty of others are not and know very well what they are saying. It’s unsettling, to say the least, to be threatened with physical injury and death by the people we are trying to help. But we count ourselves lucky because we have only ever been threatened. To date, no patient has laid a hand on us in anger. The same cannot be said for many of our colleagues. One of our friends is a nurse in an inner city emergency department. She recently got kicked in the chest by a patient she was caring for. She needed x-rays to make sure she did not have any broken ribs. This violence is not confined to our hospitals. Health care is a dangerous field all across the country. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, health care providers experienced workplace violence at a rate that was [four times higher than other employees in private industry. ](https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hospitals/workplace_violence.html)In fact, the number of workplace violence incidents in the health care industry exceeds almost every other industry combined. The House bill, H.R. 1309, attempts to stem this violence. It would require hospitals to “develop and implement a comprehensive plan for protecting health care workers … from workplace violence.” Currently, hospitals are not legally obligated to proactively engage in violence prevention for the sake of their employees. OHSA does offer guidelines to help hospitals counter violence, but these are purely advisory. They are not mandated and certainly not enforceable. H.R. 1309 makes hospitals take a proactive approach to combating workplace violence. If signed into law, this bill provides employers with a deadline of 12 months to develop a provisional plan for protecting their employees. Finalized versions must be completed by 42 months. This bill also charges employers to promptly investigate violent incidents, provide training to staff, maintain records on such incidents and, most importantly, avoid discrimination against employees who report events. This law is will help doctors, nurses and other health care workers. Currently, there is no onus for hospitals to be proactive in addressing workplace violence. Most hospital responses — if any hospital responses even exist — are reactive. Reactions to violence fail to identify or counter its root cause. Proactive strategies are necessary to actually reduce the amount of violence that health care workers face. Of course, like many bills that come out of the Democrat-controlled House, this one is unlikely to be passed in the Senate. Only 32 Republicans in the House reached across the aisle to support this legislation. With so little Republican support, this bill will likely die in the Senate. We find it highly ironic that Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a man who has gleefully embraced the moniker “the Grim Reaper,” will likely be responsible for killing a bill meant to protect health care workers. Although H.R. 1309 will likely fail, it is an important step in the right direction. We applaud all of the congressmen and women who recognized that the levels of violence that health care workers face day to day is at an unacceptable level and tried to make meaningful change. All of us who work in the health care field make lots of sacrifices for our patients on a daily basis. One thing we should not have to sacrifice to do our job is our safety and personal well-being. *Dr. Gregory Jasani **(***[*gjasani@som.umaryland.edu*](mailto:gjasani@som.umaryland.edu)*) is an emergency medicine resident at the University of Maryland and Dr. Aamir Hussain (*[*ahussain10@northwell.edu*](mailto:ahussain10@northwell.edu)*) is an internal medicine resident in Manhasset, New York.* --- This post, [The dangers of being a doctor: threatened by those who seek help](https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-op-0105-violence-health-workplace-20200103-vxglur226jgahibj4ku2ks66uy-story.html), first appeared on [https://www.baltimoresun.com](https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-op-0105-violence-health-workplace-20200103-vxglur226jgahibj4ku2ks66uy-story.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [New Safe Medication Disposal Rules for Nursing Homes](https://wastemedic.com/2020/01/02/new-safe-medication-disposal-rules-for-nursing-homes/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Is your facility in compliance with new EPA rules regarding disposal of pharmaceuticals? In August 2019, new regulations from the [United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](https://www.epa.gov/) went into effect regarding the safe disposal of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. In an effort to curb accidental poisonings or misuse and abuse of certain high-risk medications, staff are no longer allowed to flush these items away — a practice referred to as “sewering.” The new rule notes that this policy change “will make our drinking and surface water safer and healthier by reducing the amount of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals entering our waterways by 1,644 to 2,300 tons on an annual basis by prohibiting all facilities subject to the rule from sewering them. This action will help address the issue highlighted by a growing body of publicly available studies documenting the presence of pharmaceuticals in drinking and surface waters as well as their negative impacts to aquatic and riparian ecosystems,” the EPA explains. Though the EPA has had a “long-standing policy of strongly discouraging the flushing of pharmaceuticals down the drain in any situation,” the agency reports, the passage of the new regulation puts enforcement teeth behind those recommendations. In addition to eliminating sewering, the rule also streamlines standards to “protect human health and the environment while bringing efficiencies and cost-saving to the sector.” It also amends the P075 hazardous waste listing for nicotine so that over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies such as patches, lozenges and gums no longer have to be classified as hazardous waste when discarded. #### Assisted Living Facilities Exempted While the rule has broad reach, assisted living facilities were exempted in part because residents in such facilities are often in charge of their own medication management. Because residents often purchase medications from a number of pharmacies and store these medications in their own units, enforcing regulations are exponentially more difficult and financially onerous for facility operators. Therefore, in terms of this rule, the EPA defines long-term care facility the same way the [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/) and the [Drug Enforcement Agency](https://www.dea.gov/) do and exempts independent living communities, group homes, assisted living facilities, and the assisted living components of CCRCs from the new regulations. Nevertheless, for these facilities, the EPA recommends creating a voluntary waste disposal program to prevent water contamination or misuse or abuse of discarded pharmaceutical wastes. More information about the applicability of the rule, including state-by-state information, is [available here](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/where-are-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-and-amendment-p075). #### Get into Compliance If your facility is affected by these rule changes, have you gotten into compliance yet? If not, you could be hit with fines. The following tips and strategies should help you better manage pharmaceutical waste. It’s important that you make these changes to protect public and environmental health. **Train your staff.** The frontline for properly disposing of medications are the people who work with these items every day. Put a policy into place and then train all staff who have any contact with medications on how to comply with that policy. **Make disposal convenient.** Once you’ve established how you will collect discarded medications and keep them safe from theft or accidental ingestion, you need to make these disposal locations convenient for staff. A busy nurse may be more inclined to simply flush a medication down the toilet if he has to walk down the hall or to another floor to dispose of it properly. And make sure to empty these containers regularly — some medications can be returned to the prescribing pharmacy for reuse while some need to go back to the manufacturer or to a pharmaceutical waste management company to be destroyed safely. **Manage controlled substances.** If you have narcotics or opioid-based medications on site, you must comply with all DEA regulations. [Red Bags](https://www.redbags.com/), a medical waste disposal services company, says that “controlled substances in their original container which need to be disposed of should remain in the original container with the volume recorded.” You’ll also need to fill out the proper disposal form, which can be obtained [from the DEA](https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr_reports/surrend/41_form.pdf). Marinating a clear chain of possession for the full volume of medications can keep you on the right side of the law regarding these potentially very dangerous drugs. **Keep tabs on pharmaceutical samples.** When pharma reps visit, they often leave behind samples. If your facility gets such visits, you probably have a cabinet or closet where these samples tend to accumulate. Be sure you regularly check the expiration dates of all medications in the cabinet and safely dispose of anything that’s past its expiration date. **Safely manage vaccines and sharps.** Vaccine manufacturers often take back unused doses, so inquire with your supplier about how best to manage these important pharmaceuticals. And of course, any sharps used to deliver vaccines or other injections should always be disposed of appropriately in a sharps container. **Use take-back programs or hire a waste disposal contractor.** An experienced medical waste management company can ensure that your facility is in compliance with all applicable disposal rules. --- This post, [New Safe Medication Disposal Rules for Nursing Homes](https://www.iadvanceseniorcare.com/new-safe-medication-disposal-rules/), first appeared on [https://www.iadvanceseniorcare.com](https://www.iadvanceseniorcare.com/new-safe-medication-disposal-rules/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Health systems must tackle workplace, patient safety in tandem, IHI says](https://wastemedic.com/2020/01/02/health-systems-must-tackle-workplace-patient-safety-in-tandem-ihi-says/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** ORLANDO, FLORIDA—A nationwide effort to improve and coordinate patient safety measures will strive to make a connection between workplace and patient safety. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) gave an update during its National Forum this week on the creation of a national patient safety plan intended to encourage better coordination of safety efforts. A key goal of the plan, expected to be released next year, was to emphasize the role of improving workforce safety. “In our view, too many systems have a separation between workforce safety and patient safety and yet we know the two are connected,” said Derek Feeley, president and CEO of IHI, in a briefing with reporters Monday before the start of the forum in Orlando, Florida. “Patient safety incidents are much less likely to occur when workers feel safe.” The steering committee developing the plan includes 27 organizations that range from patient advocates and professional societies to provider organizations and government representatives. The committee’s plan hopes to target healthcare leaders and policymakers. Workers in healthcare settings such as hospitals or nursing homes are at serious risk for violence. From 2002 to 2013, the rate of serious workplace violence incidents that required workers to take time off was more than four times greater in the healthcare industry compared to private industry, according to data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. “In fact, healthcare accounts for nearly as many serious violent injuries as all other industries combined,” the report from the institute said. Physical dangers in the workforce aren’t the only thing the committee is focusing on, as physician and worker burnout is a major link to patient safety. “We know if the workforce is burned out then the workforce has less empathy and trying to deliver on the point of care,” said Tejal Gandhi, IHI’s chief clinical and safety officer. She added that many boards in healthcare are not looking at their data on workforce harm, so “it is not getting to that level of governance and oversight that we think needs to happen.” Hospitals need to apply the same strategies that occur when a patient gets harmed in a hospital to a worker. “If something fell and hit a patient and broke the patient’s foot, it would be a huge deal in a hospital,” Gandhi said. “If something falls on an employee and breaks the employee’s foot it is often not treated at that same level of urgency.” Some healthcare systems are making moves to improve workplace injuries and violence. The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center implemented a series of initiatives to improve on violence. For instance, the facility adapted in spring 2019 its electronic medical record to flag patients that have been aggressive either verbally or physically. The center experienced a 24.5% decrease in assault claims from 2018 to 2019, according to a copy of the study on display at the forum. Healthcare organizations are also starting to address workplace safety as it begins to draw attention from federal and state lawmakers, who are considering putting in regulations and laws on workplace violence. By creating their own initiatives, a facility can be proactive on the issue and seek assistance from policymakers, said Carl Schiessl, senior director for regulatory advocacy for the Connecticut Hospital Association, at the forum. --- This post, [Health systems must tackle workplace, patient safety in tandem, IHI says](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals-health-systems/ihi-workplace-safety-critically-linked-to-patient-safety), first appeared on [https://www.fiercehealthcare.com](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals-health-systems/ihi-workplace-safety-critically-linked-to-patient-safety). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Must-have gadgets for today’s pediatrician in 2020](https://wastemedic.com/2020/01/02/must-have-gadgets-for-todays-pediatrician-in-2020/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *EDITORS’ NOTE: The reviews presented in this article are Dr. Schuman’s and do not represent those of* Contemporary Pediatrics *or the editors.* It’s been an outstanding year for medical innovation—in fact, one of the best I can recall. If you want to improve the capabilities of your “high-tech office,” consider the following gadgets and gizmos that are sure to impress. #### 1. New stethoscopes from Ekohealth No doubt you’ve seen advertisements from an innovative company called Ekohealth (Berkeley, California). Over the past year, Ekohealth has promoted not just 1, but 2 affordable digital stethoscopes that will improve a pediatrician’s ability to identify heart murmurs as well as detect subtle pneumonias. The $299 **CORE Stethoscope** gives one the ability to auscultate with a traditional analog stethoscope, or switch to digital mode with 40x amplification. If you want to keep your favorite Littman, ADC, Welch Allyn, MDF, or Medline stethoscope and want to enjoy the benefits of digital auscultation, you can just purchase the **CORE Digital Attachment** for $199. The CORE system has a 9-hour rechargeable battery and connects via Bluetooth to an iOS, Android, or Windows application that displays and records a phonocardiogram. Ekohealth’s $349 **DUO ECG + Digital Stethoscope** produces crisp, clear heart and lung sounds with up to 60x auscultation while switching easily between 4 audio filter modes: diaphragm, bell, midrange, and extended. Users of the DUO can record and display a simultaneous electrocardiogram and phonocardiogram on a mobile device or Windows computer. Upcoming algorithms (not yet cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration [FDA] as of this writing) will provide an analysis of recordings to detect rhythm abnormalities and murmurs while reporting heart rate, QRS duration, and electromechanical activation time (EAT). #### 2. A better way to dispose of medical sharps Disposing of medical sharps in a pediatric practice is a very expensive proposition. Needle bins fill up quickly and as there is little competition in the sharps disposal industry, your monthly costs of sharps removal may be considerable. Medical Innovations (Framingham, Massachusetts) produced the first (and still only) in-office medical sharps disposal system based on a device called the **Medical Waste Machine** 25 years ago, and it continues to be a great alternative to utilizing a sharps removal service. To implement the system, a practice purchases a number of locking sharps disposal metal bins that are placed in examination rooms and anywhere one needs to dispose of medical sharps. Once filled, 2 plastic discs are placed in the bin, which is then inserted into the Medical Waste Machine. The device is then locked and turned on, heating the container to 380°F, melting the plastic discs, sterilizing the sharps, and encapsulating the waste in a plastic block during a 4-hour process. This plastic block is then placed in your regular trash. In a small practice you may need to perform this process once per week. The machine and containers are a one-time purchase, and a practice usually orders the plastic discs 2 to 3 times per year. #### 3. mehealth for ADHD is now free I’ve been using **mehealth for ADHD** (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) for several years and have been extremely pleased with this practice tool. It facilitates diagnosis of ADHD by having parents and teachers fill out online Vanderbilt forms that are scored automatically. Consequently, evaluations are completed in just a few days rather than weeks or months. Additionally, it allows pediatricians to monitor a child’s school performance, while on medication or receiving behavior therapy, by requesting periodic follow-up Vanderbilt forms from parents and teachers. The system generates assessment reports and treatment graphs that one can share with parents and integrate into the patient’s electronic health record (EHR). It also facilitates e-mail communication with parents and teachers. The online tool was developed by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) in order to improve ADHD screening and management among community pediatricians. A randomized clinical trial showed dramatic improvements in ADHD care among practices using mehealth for ADHD compared with control practices.1 In addition, a recent study demonstrated that practices treating children with medications who used mehealth for ADHD had greater ADHD symptom reduction compared with controls. The CCHMC has secured funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to recruit 5000 community pediatricians to adopt mehealth for ADHD to study how a variety of factors influence its use and utility. One simply goes to mehealth. com and enrolls. In addition to free access, users benefit by receiving 20 category 4 Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credits for using the tool. The tool now integrates a medication choice decision aid, and a management tool for parents and teachers that enables selection of daily and weekly rewards for achieving behavioral goals. #### 4. New ear irrigation system Bionix (Toledo, Ohio) has been marketing cerumen removal products since 1984, and most pediatricians use its curettes and cerumen spoons routinely. This year, Bionix has released the **OtoClear AquaBot** device for ear canal irrigation. The AquaBot system provides a continuous stream of water to facilitate cerumen removal when used with OtoClear irrigation tips. Users “pump” the AquaBot container several times and a button press activates the water flow. Bionix is also marketing the **After-Swim** water removal system for consumers—sculpted handheld sponges that help remove water from the ear canal to prevent otitis externa. #### 5. Devices to improve otitis diagnosis Pediatricians are extremely facile with otoscopy but sometimes children squirm making visualization of the ear canal difficult, and even small amounts of cerumen can obscure our view of the tympanic membrane. Jim Berbee, an engineer-turned-emergency-department physician, founded and has recently introduced the $1500 **Wispr Digital Otoscope**. It is a video otoscope unlike any I’ve reviewed before. It can be used with otoscope handles from Welch Allyn and Heine, both battery and wall mounted. The device features a 1-mm x 1-mm camera with a permanent antifog coating, a 90-degree field of view, and an auto exposure and focus capability between 3.5 mm and 5 cm. This means you can navigate around cerumen in the ear canal and get an extremely clear image of the canal and tympanic membrane. One can switch easily between video and picture mode, and images or videos can be captured with a click of a button. These can then be reviewed with patients and parents, merely by swiping on the device’s touchscreen. In my limited experience with the Wispr, parents and patients are very impressed with the captured images and videos. The first patient I examined with the Wispr had a previously undiagnosed tympanic membrane perforation, resulting from a tympanostomy tube placed years ago! The device has 64 GB of memory, sufficient for 30 minutes of video at 15 frames per second. It includes a USB port so images or videos can be written to a thumb drive, which can then be used to transfer files to a computer for inclusion in the EHR. I’ve discovered that the Wispr is compatible with my 16-GB SanDisk Connect wireless USB drive, which can expedite data transfer and EHR integration. The device is fun to use, and I believe most pediatricians will be tempted to replace their traditional otoscope with the Wispr. It should be available by the time you read this. More than 20 years ago, I used a device called the EarCheck Pro to detect middle ear effusions in children. The device was developed by a pediatrician and sonar engineer to analyze the middle ear for presence of fluid. Unlike tympanometry, which requires both a probe seal and a cooperative child to determine if a middle ear effusion is present, the EarCheck Pro required no seal and only took seconds to obtain a reading. It could be used in a screaming child and obtained readings if there was partial obstruction of the ear canal with cerumen. The device is returning next year as the **Acoustic Otoscope–PRO** from Check My Ear LLC (Lincoln, Nebraska). The device consists of a handheld probe containing an acoustic speaker that emits sound bursts composed of 44 different frequencies from 1.8 kHz to 4.4 kHz at 80 dB sound level. The Acoustic Otoscope–PRO analyzes the frequency spectra of the reflected sound and presents the output as a “spectral gradient angle,” which corresponds to the probability of middle ear effusion. The device can be therefore used to quantify the middle ear effusion that helps determine if an effusion is resolving when a child returns for subsequent visits. The reimbursement for the procedure is about $20, and it should be available sometime in 2020. #### 6. Systems to expedite wound closure Many years ago, Clozex Medical (Wellesley, Massachusetts) produced a wound closure system ideal for use in pediatric patients, as it did not require lidocaine infiltration or suturing—making it truly painless. The company was acquired by 3M, and although the system was always available, it was never marketed, and thus fell out of popularity. Clozex Medical (Wellesley, Massachusetts) reformed, and the **Clozex Surgical Skin Closures** system is slowly regaining the attention it deserves. The Clozex system consists of adhesive strips that are applied to the cleaned and dried wound edges. By pulling on opposing adhesive plastic straps, the wound edges are approximated, and finally the straps are released to complete the process. Not only is the process painless, but wounds closed in this way are less likely to produce unsightly scars compared with those closed with sutures or staples. The Clozex closures are inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes. The company has released an over-the-counter (OTC) product, so parents can close simple lacerations without going to the emergency department, urgent care facility, or physician office. Another painless, suture-free wound closure system comes from ZipLine Medical (Campbell, California). It was developed initially as a surgical incision closure system, but the device has been adopted by primary care providers as a method to close simple lacerations. The **Zip Surgical Skin Closures** system consists of an adhesive matrix of beaded plastic “zip ties” that are placed over a laceration and secured in place. One pulls on each tie to approximate wound edges then merely removes the excess with scissors—again easy, quick, painless, and less likely to scar compared with traditional suturing or stapling. Zipline Medical also produces a home-care product called **ZipStitch** intended to be used by patients and parents to close simple lacerations on their own. #### 7. Rapid diagnostics for consumers As I’ve frequently discussed in my practice improvement articles, point-of-care rapid diagnostics for a variety of common pediatric infectious diseases are getting more accurate and less expensive. In the United States, patients can purchase home pregnancy tests, drug tests, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) tests, and sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening tests at local pharmacies. In many parts of the world including Asia and Europe, consumers can purchase the **No-Step Strep A Test** from an innovative Israel-based company called Novamed Ltd. (Jerusalem, Israel). The device uses patented technology to make the assay easy to perform as the user never comes in contact with or measures reagents. A pharyngeal swab is obtained and placed in a well in the device. By pressing a button, reagents are released, and the test initiated. The user merely repositions the swab after 1 minute and results are available 4 minutes later. Novamed is seeking FDA approval for this test as well as for a home flu test. Both should be available in US pharmacies in 2020. Both devices may help expedite evaluation and treatment for these all-too-common illnesses by pediatricians. --- This post, [Must-have gadgets for today’s pediatrician in 2020](https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/pediatric-practice-improvement/must-have-gadgets-todays-pediatrician-2019), first appeared on [https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com](https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/pediatric-practice-improvement/must-have-gadgets-todays-pediatrician-2019). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Don’t Let Lack of HIPAA Compliance Make Your Business Sick](https://wastemedic.com/2020/01/02/dont-let-lack-of-hipaa-compliance-make-your-business-sick/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** HIPAA compliance services are an extremely profitable value-add you can provide to your customer base. There are millions of American companies that don’t realize they have a HIPAA compliance problem. They’re not doctor’s offices or medical labs or hospitals or insurance companies, so many falsely believe HIPAA doesn’t apply to them. HIPAA, after all, is shorthand for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, so if your core business isn’t delivering healthcare-related products such as insurance, it may be easy to think you’re in the clear. But this moniker is misleading. Since 2013, a new Omnibus Rule extends HIPAA regulations to any company handling personal healthcare information (PHI). Known as business associates, they must sign agreements with any partners or customers in the healthcare space with which they do business. This makes them subject to the same rules that have been governing healthcare organizations for decades, even if they didn’t know it. ### Education and Opportunity As an MSP, HIPAA compliance services are an extremely profitable value-added service you can provide to your customer base. Offering HIPAA compliance requires that you provide a portfolio of specific offerings. **Automated assessments** – HIPAA compliance isn’t something that’s ever “complete.” It requires an ongoing commitment to securing PHI, and that includes ongoing assessments to identify any personal healthcare data lurking in any aspect of a client’s digital ecosystem and ensuring it is secure **Spotting problems, offering solutions** – Regular scans identify any potential vulnerabilities and recommend courses of action to shore up potential soft spots. **Automatic documentation** – In the event of a breach of other non-compliant event, the ability to provide proof that preventative measures were taken is a huge plus and can lead to major mitigation of fines and penalties. **Audit readiness** – When an auditor comes knocking, MSPs and their clients must be fully prepared to hand over all required evidence and documentation they’ll be asked to provide. However, before you extend HIPAA compliance services into this vast and largely untapped market, you must first make your clients aware of the problem they must address. This requires proactive sales efforts that are as much an informational overview to bring attention to the problem as they are a pitch on an actual solution. So many of these companies have no idea that they’re supposed to be complying with HIPAA. These SMBs include accounting firms, payment processors, law firms, and even document storage and disposal companies. These organizations are definitely not delivering healthcare services, but they are handling Personal Healthcare Information (PHI) that falls under the umbrella of HIPAA. Regardless of why a company might deal with this data, it is still responsible for handling it as meticulously as a hospital might. ### Scare Tactics When it comes to hammering this point home, it’s a good idea to emphasize the stick versus the carrot. The fines and penalties for HIPAA violations can be quite lofty, not to mention the reputational damage that comes with a violation making the headlines. Since these companies previously were not conscious of their legal obligations in this department, referring to comparable examples is a good tactic to inject some urgency into the conversation. Offering up case studies of how companies in the same line of business have been subject to fines and negative repercussions following a HIPAA violation is a great way to “scare them straight” on the subject. Seven-figure fines are typically a pretty good motivation to invest in upfront protection from these liabilities. ### Preparing for the Attack To effectively go to market, you need a plethora of resources to make a scalable, professional entry into the HIPAA compliance space. Many of these have nothing to do with your technical capabilities or acumen. It begins with the pitch and the supporting materials needed throughout the sales cycle. This includes marketing strategies, positioning, pricing guidance, and sales training on how to create urgency and overcome objections. You will also need a plethora of content, from email templates to landing pages to sales presentations. Extensive training for your sales teams and customer-facing personnel is another area of emphasis. These individuals must become well-versed in the subject matter and familiar with what it takes to close compliance-related deals (or extend current engagements to include compliance services). Once the ink is dry, you need to figure out how to offer high-quality compliance services efficiently to maximize profitability. And post-implementation, MSPs must also develop playbooks for how to conduct quarterly business reviews to reinforce the value they’re providing and identify additional opportunities to grow their book of business. Developing this arsenal of training and materials isn’t typically the strong suit of MSPs, who rightfully are focused on delivering excellent service to their customers and building on their expertise in providing a wide array of outsourced IT functions. --- This post, [Don’t Let Lack of HIPAA Compliance Make Your Business Sick](https://www.channelfutures.com/from-the-industry/dont-let-lack-of-hipaa-compliance-make-your-business-sick), first appeared on [https://www.channelfutures.com](https://www.channelfutures.com/from-the-industry/dont-let-lack-of-hipaa-compliance-make-your-business-sick). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [House Passes Healthcare Workplace Violence Bill](https://wastemedic.com/2019/12/04/house-passes-healthcare-workplace-violence-bill/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A bill mandating a federal workplace violence prevention standard for healthcare and social services passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R. 1309), would require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to establish an interim standard within 1 year, a proposed standard within 2 years, and a final standard within 4 years. The standard called for in the bill would require employers to establish comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans to protect healthcare and social services workers. An interim standard would be based on OSHA’s 2015 “Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care and Social Service Workers.” A final standard would have to be at least as protective as any existing state standard. California has a workplace violence prevention standard for all employers in the state. #### **Standard Requirements** The bill, if enacted, would mandate a standard that applied to all hospitals and medical treatment centers; clinics at correctional facilities; group homes, mental health clinics, psychiatric treatment facilities, and drug and alcohol addiction treatment facilities; and freestanding emergency centers. Covered social services would include emergency medical and fire services, home-based social work and field services, and home health care and home-based hospice care. Requirements of a final standard would include: written workplace violence prevention plans, developed with employee participation, covering hazard prevention, incident response, reporting, and postincident investigation procedures; emergency response procedures, including procedures for mass-casualty incidents and incidents involving firearms or weapons; training and education for covered employees; violent incident logs and records of hazard assessments and employee training; and an annual summary of each logged violent incident and a report submitted each February 15 to OSHA. Employers also would be required to perform an annual evaluation of their workplace violence prevention programs with the participation of covered employees and their representatives. The bill also contains an antiretaliation clause to protect employees who report an incident or threat of violence. The bill also characterizes four types of workplace violence: Type 1 violence directed at an employee by someone who has no legitimate business at a covered facility; Type 2 violence directed at an employee by someone receiving services at a covered facility; Type 3 violence perpetrated by a coworker, manager, or supervisor; and Type 4 violence perpetrated by someone who is or was in a personal relationship with a covered employee. The bill also would amend the Social Security Act to require facilities to comply with the standard if they receive Medicare funds but do not otherwise fall under OSHA’s authority. A coalition of labor unions petitioned OSHA to establish a workplace violence prevention standard, and the agency issued a request for information December 7, 2016. OSHA asked for public input on what a federal standard should contain, as well as the costs and benefits of any standard, and potential impacts on small businesses. The agency plans to initiate a Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) review of the rulemaking, now in a prerule status, beginning January 2020. The bill was received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. --- This post, [House Passes Healthcare Workplace Violence Bill](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/12/house-passes-healthcare-workplace-violence-bill/), first appeared on [https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/12/house-passes-healthcare-workplace-violence-bill/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Punches, broken bones and more: 1 in 4 nurses are attacked on the job, study says](https://wastemedic.com/2019/12/04/punches-broken-bones-and-more-1-in-4-nurses-are-attacked-on-the-job-study-says/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** ATLANTA – When you go to the hospital, you’re probably not thinking that it is one of the most dangerous places to work. A recent study found one in four nurses has been assaulted on the job. Channel 2 Action News requested surveillance video that shows a patient using a pipe from his hospital bed to attack nurses. The attack took place at St. John’s Hospital in Minnesota in 2014. Police handcuffed the man and he later died. Violent outbursts are taking place inside metro Atlanta hospitals, too. Channel 2 Action News reported on the arrest of 57-year-old Sheila Jahn. Police arrested her on half a dozen charges for allegedly assaulting nurses, staff and officers at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta in August 2018. Local nurses told us it happens too often. “A patient punched me in the chest, and I got two broken ribs,” emergency room nurse Terri Sullivan said. “He started punching and flailing, and he punched one of the guys and broke his nose, punched me in the chest, knocked me on the floor,” said Joy Edwards, a nurse who has a Ph.D. in naturopathic medicine. “She pushed me so, I flew out of the room, literally. She was a very big woman, pushed me and I flew out of the room and I almost fell,” said Victoria Randle, a family nurse practitioner. Sullivan, Edwards and Randle have all been physically and verbally attacked on the job in metro Atlanta. “Well, I’ve been spit on. I’ve been called out by name. I’ve been called racial slurs. My hair has been pulled. I’ve been scratched. I’ve been bitten twice,” Edwards said. One in four nurses currently working has been assaulted at work according to a recent study by the American Nurses Association. Federal reports show at least 58 hospital workers died from workplace violence between 2011 and 2016. Two of the factors cited are a lack of mental health services and the opioid epidemic. “I realize that there are so many more patients with psychological issues nowadays. So many more people with the opioid crisis. You’re dealing with a lot of people who have addiction problems and it has increased,” Edwards said. Channel 2 investigative [reporter Nicole Carr](https://twitter.com/NicoleCarrWSB) even found a sign reminding patients and visitors not to physically or verbally abuse staff at one local hospital. The problem is on Connecticut U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney’s radar. “Seventy percent of workplace assaults and acts of violence across the entire U.S. economy occur in health care and social services settings,” Courtney said. He said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not currently track reports of health care workplace violence. “If you slip and fall at a hospital as an employee, that’s reported to OSHA. But if somebody comes in and punches you out or threatens you with a weapon… that’s not reported to OSHA,” Courtney said. In February 2019, he introduced legislation that would make reporting mandatory and require health care facilities to have a plan to prevent violence. Sullivan is also fighting for legislation. She helped push for a law that increases the punishment to five to 20 years for assaulting an emergency health care worker in Georgia. “Being assaulted is not part of the job, plain and simple. It’s never OK to hit a nurse,” Sullivan said. Courtney hopes the House bill is passed by the end of the year. There is identical legislation in the Senate. --- This post, [Punches, broken bones and more: 1 in 4 nurses are attacked on the job, study says](https://www.wsbtv.com/news/2-investigates/punches-broken-bones-and-more-1-in-4-nurses-are-attacked-on-the-job-study-says/1007667127), first appeared on [https://www.wsbtv.com](https://www.wsbtv.com/news/2-investigates/punches-broken-bones-and-more-1-in-4-nurses-are-attacked-on-the-job-study-says/1007667127). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Healthcare Remains America’s Most Dangerous Profession Due To Workplace Violence](https://wastemedic.com/2019/12/04/healthcare-remains-americas-most-dangerous-profession-due-to-workplace-violence/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Innocent people lose their lives on the job trying to protect others yet there remains little to no protection for them. In the healthcare and social services sector, violence against workers is a growing problem across the nation causing severe injuries and often resulting in death, making healthcare one of the [most dangerous](https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2017-09-29/violence-in-the-health-care-workplace) professions in which to work. “Workplace violence” is [defined](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2018/12/bill-to-protect-healthcare-workers-introduced-by-connecticut-rep/) as “any act of violence or threat of violence, without regard to intent, that occurs at a covered facility or while a covered employee performs a covered service.” Every day healthcare and social service workers are at risk. Due to minimal staffing and little to no protection, these workers endure physical abuse with 69% of physical assaults and 71% of non-physical assaults reported in the sector. In 2016, the Government of Accountability Office (GOA) [released a study](https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-11) revealing workplace violence is a serious concern for approximately 15 million healthcare workers in the United States. Although, workers aren’t the only ones impacted. The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL–CIO) [reports](https://aflcio.org/reports/death-job-toll-neglect-2019) workplace violence causes businesses to lose an average of $250-$330 billion annually due to loss of productivity, illness, injuries, turnover, lawsuits, absenteeism and a loss of customers as a result of a damaged reputation. Despite being a real problem, many businesses [under-report](https://www.ravemobilesafety.com/blog/latest-workplace-violence-statistics) non-fatal injuries and incidents resulting in employers failing to protect their employees. #### **The Pitfalls Of OSHA** The *American Journal of Industrial Medicine* released a Washington state survey [finding](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ajim.22350) 90% of organizations were not complying with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordkeeping and reporting regulations. In addition, OSHA disclosed an estimated [25% of workplace violence](https://alertfind.com/workplace-violence-statistics/) incidents go unreported. Furthermore, the safety and health administration [asserts](https://www.environmentalsafetyupdate.com/workplace-violence/workplace-violence-and-shootings-in-the-spotlight/) “nearly two million American workers report being victims of workplace violence each year.” In 2015, OSHA published a webpage providing tools and resources for workers in the healthcare and social services industry. The webpage [includes](https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/trade/12012015) strategies, tools and real-life examples to enhance prevention measures and create a culture of safety. While the guidelines stress the importance of developing a prevention program, there’s no requirement for employers to create and implement one. Nevertheless, the [Society of Human Resource Management](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/house-passes-bill-to-curb-workplace-violence.aspx) (SHRM) reported Rep. Bradley Byrne (R) and most of the Republican Party [voted against](http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2019/roll642.xml) a recent bill aimed at tackling the issue of workplace violence. Byrne’s reasoning was “OSHA already requires employers to take specific steps to protect employees and provide a safe work environment.” Yet, OSHA itself [admits](https://www.osha.gov/archive/oshinfo/priorities/violence.html) it “does not have a specific standard for workplace violence” and they “[don’t require employers](https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-11) to implement workplace violence prevention programs.” #### **The Reactive Gap-Filler Provision** The General Duty Clause is an extension of OSHA that requires workplaces to be free from hazards that are likely to cause death or serious harm, including threats, workplace violence and other concerns. Unfortunately, this clause only enforces a fine after an event occurs and requires no plan in place to prevent and protect its employees. OSHA [indicated](https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/factsheet-workplace-violence.pdf) “the best protection employers can offer is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence against or by their employees” or else risk getting fined. Fines [range from](https://www.hrsource.org/maimis/Members/Articles/2017/09/September_19/OSHA_Cracking_Down_on_General_Duty_Clause_Violations.aspx) $12,675 to a maximum of $126,749 per violation. OSHA [reports](https://www.newsweek.com/hr1309-legislation-workplace-violence-prevention-health-care-workers-1473697) “over 75% of the 25,000 workplace assaults reported annually in the United States took place in hospitals and other healthcare and social services settings.” Violent attacks are common occurrences leaving workers severely injured, or worse, dead. Some attacks include spitting, choking, rape and sexual assault, threats and verbal assault, beating, shoving, stabbing and shooting. Pamela Knight is one of the many workers who have [lost their lives](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-met-dcfs-worker-beating-homicide-20180209-story.html) due to workplace violence. Knight worked as a child protection specialist for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and was attacked and beaten by the father of the child she was taking into protective custody. The same GAO [study](https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/house-approves-workplace-violence-prevention-bill) reported that violence against healthcare workers is 12 times higher than the overall workforce. There is a clear lack of protection against employees and while its intentions are meant to be good, the zero-tolerance policy is not enough. The real problem is businesses are not being held accountable for failing to abide by OSHA regulations and their consequence for violating the General Duty Clause is receiving a fine. The clause is reactive in nature with larger organizations barely feeling the impact of its consequences. The General Duty Clause is not specific or stern enough to be effective. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) [stated](https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/07/17/pitfalls-of-zero-tolerance-policies/) “the term ‘zero tolerance’ could be misleading and counterproductive unless it is properly defined.” There needs to be a comprehensive plan in place before an incident occurs. Additionally, more awareness needs to be brought to workplace violence as well as procedures to be followed should an event happen. #### **A Proposed Solution With An Enforceable Standard** Rep. Joe Courtney (D) recently introduced a [solution](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1309?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr+1309%22%5D%7D&s=3&r=1), H.R. 1309 – Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act. Under H.R. 1309, employers would be required to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to protect home healthcare, personnel, social service and other workers in the sector from workplace violence. The bill lays out the [prominent role](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1309) the Department of Labor would play by promoting health and safety standards while [requiring employers](https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1309) to address violence in the social service and home care sectors, promptly investigate workplace violence incidents, hazards and risks, train workers who could be exposed to violent situations, maintain documentation and records and prohibit discrimination and retaliation against workers who report incidents or concerns. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R) voted against the bill acknowledging home and healthcare workers deserve protection, but doesn’t believe H.R. 1309 is the way to address the issue. Despite her rejection, she[ fails to offer a solution](https://thehill.com/homenews/house/471519-house-passes-bill-tackling-workplace-violence-in-health-care-social-services) on how to improve existing legislation or enact a superior one. Foxx instead wants to focus on vetting the individuals with whom workers come in contact. This would be rather impossible. Not everyone who commits a violent act has a background. Uncertainty remains around what would happen to those vetted who turn out to be dangerous especially should they need healthcare attention or are housing an abused child. This would lead to hospitals potentially turning away patients and leaving children to remain living in abusive homes. While Courtney’s solution isn’t flawless, his plan would [set a deadline](https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-introduces-legislation-reduce-violence-against-health-care-and) for OSHA “to create an enforceable standard to ensure that employers are taking these risks seriously, and creating safe workplaces that their employees deserve.” However, Byrne [said](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/house-passes-bill-to-curb-workplace-violence.aspx) “the bill stands no chance of becoming a law.” Priority needs to be placed on protecting the social services and healthcare workers. Rejecting a law that aims to do exactly that disregards the danger they face each day on their job. A lack of protection further contributes to the [rising epidemic](https://www.ajmc.com/focus-of-the-week/violence-against-healthcare-workers-a-rising-epidemic) of violence in the sector. --- This post, [Healthcare Remains America’s Most Dangerous Profession Due To Workplace Violence](https://www.forbes.com/sites/heidilynnekurter/2019/11/24/healthcare-remains-americas-most-dangerous-profession--due-to-workplace-violence-yet-hr-1309-bill-doesnt-stand-a-chance/#6edbf8c53bc6), first appeared on [https://www.forbes.com](https://www.forbes.com/sites/heidilynnekurter/2019/11/24/healthcare-remains-americas-most-dangerous-profession--due-to-workplace-violence-yet-hr-1309-bill-doesnt-stand-a-chance/#6edbf8c53bc6). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [3 big HIPAA blind spots you need to address](https://wastemedic.com/2019/12/04/3-big-hipaa-blind-spots-you-need-to-address/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** HIPAA isn’t as cut and dry as some might have you believe, and many healthcare agencies violate it without realizing they’ve done so. Unfortunately, ignorance is no excuse. You need to make sure you are aware of some of the more common blind spots – that way, you can avoid fumbling into them yourself. The digitization of healthcare has done some amazing things for both staff and patients. Unfortunately, it’s also introduced a huge laundry list of stumbling blocks and pitfalls. Worse still, many agencies are unaware of them – unaware they’re even violating HIPAA. Let’s talk about that. #### **SMS Messaging** [The security failings of SMS have been exceedingly well-documented.](https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/12/06/2fa_missed_warning/) Texts can easily be sent to the wrong number, be read on an unsecured phone, and are not an encrypted form of communication. The fact that anyone would use it to share any sort of sensitive information is frankly baffling. Yet that is precisely what happens in many hospitals. Staff who lack access to a secure messaging solution instead rely on text messages. And more often than not, they may be sharing personal health information (PHI) in those messages. This is doubly true for organizations that send SMS reminders to patients. With [80% of medical professionals using their own mobile devices](https://www.hipaajournal.com/texting-violation-hipaa/) in popular BYOD situations, security precautions are more important than ever. There are a few things you should do to avoid these pitfalls. Provide your workers with an enterprise-grade secure messaging platform – one which you know for certain is HIPAA compliant. When sending appointment or prescription refill reminders to patients, limit information to **only** the essential beats – ie. “Hello, it is time to refill your prescription” or “You have an appointment at X PM on X day.” Never include any personal identifiers. It is tempting to use a personal device to directly text a patient, but it is vital to take the extra time to log in to the secure messaging platform each time to relay a message to a patient, even the simplest ones about changing the time of an appointment. #### **Online Forms** It isn’t difficult to see why many healthcare organizations have digitized the collection of patient data. Unfortunately, what a lot of them do not realize is that they may inadvertently be violating HIPAA in doing so. Let’s say, for example, your organization has an online form through which a patient is surveyed about their experience during their appointment that day. If that patient shares PHI in the survey – and that PHI is not adequately protected and encrypted – that is a HIPAA violation. Fortunately, this one is fairly easy to get around. You can either include a disclaimer warning patients against sharing sensitive or identifying information in their surveys or simply avoid text fields altogether and make it all multiple choice. I would also advise you to collect patient numbers rather than names in satisfaction surveys and use patient IDs instead. #### **Social Media** Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are very much new territory for hospitals and other healthcare organizations. But their value – both for advertising one’s services and engaging with friends and colleagues – it abundantly clear. What **is not** so obvious is the risk they pose of causing a HIPAA violation. Consider the following scenarios: A nurse talks on Facebook about a tragic accident where the victim wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. A dermatologist advertising their services posts a picture of a patient’s skin on Instagram after performing work on them. A surgeon shares a funny story about a particularly irate patient on Twitter. Any of the above scenarios is a potential HIPAA violation. Any of the above scenarios could land both your facility and its staff in trouble. Any of the above scenarios can threaten the privacy and confidentiality of your patient data. Even if the patient name is not listed, it could be considered a violation of HIPAA. In fact, even pictures of staff members at lunch or smiling around a birthday cake could have private files or chart information in view. This sharing, although unintentional, is still a huge violation of HIPAA. If you are sharing a photo for marketing purposes, make sure that you have the appropriate permissions. A permission form should have the patient sign off that you retain rights to the photo and the patient grants you the right to share the photo on social media. The best thing you can do here is to instruct your staff in what they should and shouldn’t share on social – and when in doubt, avoid sharing. #### **See Clearly** HIPAA can be complicated – of that, there can be no doubt. But if you’re careful and conscientious with your patient data, compliance isn’t especially difficult. And now that you’re aware of a few of the ways you might fall short, it will be simpler than ever. --- This post, [3 big HIPAA blind spots you need to address](https://medcitynews.com/2019/11/3-big-hipaa-blind-spots-you-need-to-address/?rf=1), first appeared on [https://medcitynews.com](https://medcitynews.com/2019/11/3-big-hipaa-blind-spots-you-need-to-address/?rf=1). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [OSHA Enforcement And Compliance Increased In 2019](https://wastemedic.com/2019/12/04/osha-enforcement-and-compliance-increased-in-2019/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s ([OSHA](https://www.osha.gov)) fiscal year (FY) 2019 final statistics show a significant increase in the number of inspections and a record amount of compliance assistance to further the mission of ensuring that employers provide workplaces free of hazards. OSHA’s enforcement activities reflect the department’s continued focus on worker safety. Federal OSHA conducted 33,401 inspections — more inspections than the previous three years — addressing violations related to trenching, falls, chemical exposure, silica, and other hazards. In FY19, OSHA provided a record 1,392,611 workers with training on safety and health requirements through the agency’s various education programs, including the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Outreach Training Program, and Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. OSHA’s compliance assistance programs have helped small businesses address safety and health hazards in their workplaces. In FY19, OSHA’s no-cost On-Site Consultation Program identified 137,885 workplace hazards, and protected 3.2 million workers from potential harm. “OSHA’s efforts — rulemaking, enforcement, compliance assistance, and training — are tools to accomplish our mission of safety and health for every worker,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “I am proud of the diligent, hard work of all OSHA personnel who contributed to a memorable year of protecting our nation’s workers.” --- This post, [OSHA Enforcement And Compliance Increased In 2019](https://facilityexecutive.com/2019/12/osha-enforcement-and-compliance-increased-in-2019/), first appeared on [https://facilityexecutive.com](https://facilityexecutive.com/2019/12/osha-enforcement-and-compliance-increased-in-2019/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Beyond the operatory: Implementing officewide infection prevention](https://wastemedic.com/2019/11/11/beyond-the-operatory-implementing-officewide-infection-prevention/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The spread of infectious diseases is commonly discussed in the context of hospitals and long-term care facilities. But it should be no surprise that the dental industry is not immune from these threats. The spread of harmful bacteria and viruses in the dental setting can happen quickly and across all parts of the office, not just the operatory. One study isolated colonies of methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (MRSA), a difficult-to-treat multidrug resistant organism, from operatory surfaces such as light switches, computer keyboards, and even dental chair push buttons, and found increased levels of contamination during dental procedures.[\[i\]](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-assisting/infection-control/article/14071621/beyond-the-operatory-implementing-officewide-infection-prevention#_edn1) Cross-contamination involves more than just an individual carrying the pathogen, and the responsibility of keeping patients and staff safe falls to everyone in the office, especially during tumultuous flu seasons. Dentists carry the weight of a multitude of potential sources of infection in the operatory. Treating patients brings not only the spread of aerosols and splatter that contain potentially harmful pathogens, but also involves contamination through touch by everyone in the room and beyond, [from the use of handpieces](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-assisting/workplace-safety/article/16367949/dental-office-infection-control-myth-busters-handpieces) to computer keyboards. Without proper precautions and protocols in place, dentists, their staff, and their patients can unknowingly collectively cross-contaminate nearly half of the surfaces in the entire facility within hours.[\[ii\]](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-assisting/infection-control/article/14071621/beyond-the-operatory-implementing-officewide-infection-prevention#_edn2) Practice leaders should take the time to educate themselves, their teams, and their patients on such basics as proper [hand hygiene](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-hygiene/infection-control/article/16359900/new-hand-hygiene-guidance-supports-efficacy-of-alcoholbased-hand-wipes) and should follow industry guidelines to select effective surface disinfectants to safeguard against common pathogens. Identifying where patients and staff move to in the practice and with what surfaces they are in contact before, during, and after patient care is a good first step in developing a team-led cleaning and disinfection protocol. Frequent communication about common vectors of cross-contamination and a discussion about infection control are vital. #### Evaluating and selecting surface disinfectants The product selection process includes evaluating multiple criteria, including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfection claims against common dental pathogens, user experience, and surface compatibility. Dentists should check in with the team members who are most heavily involved in cleaning and disinfecting—often the dental assistants and hygienists—to determine the key criteria. Next, the team should evaluate their current disinfectant against these key criteria and investigate other products if their product is not meeting the practice needs. While it’s important to protect surfaces and equipment from pathogen contamination, it’s also important to safeguard materials against damage associated with disinfectant misuse. Teams should contact equipment and surface manufacturers to ensure their selected disinfectants are compatible. EPA-registered disinfectants such as the [Clorox Healthcare Fuzion Cleaner Disinfectant](https://www.cloroxpro.com/products/clorox-healthcare/fuzion/) are specifically-formulated to be compatible with a broad range of materials commonly found in dental settings (i.e., stainless steel, plastics), eliminating the need to make tradeoffs between efficacy and surface compatibility. Protecting valuable equipment from potential damage saves practices from making avoidable replacement purchases and helps them maintain the health and appearance of their physical environments. #### Ensuring officewide compliance Dental teams can only maintain a proper infection prevention protocol if the team leaders implement and continue to promote a culture dedicated to compliance and continuous improvement. Team members should receive regular training on surface disinfectant use in the context of office protocols to ensure compliance. Thanks to the efforts of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP), there are a number of resources dentists can turn to when it comes to enforcing safe, preventive behavior. Evidence-based guidelines such as the [Infection Prevention Checklist for Dental Settings](https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/pdf/safe-care-checklist.pdf) from the CDC set the standard for the industry, and the CDC [DentalCheck](https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/dentalcheck.html) mobile app makes it even easier to ensure compliance with the guidelines. From the OSHA [Bloodborne Pathogen Standard](https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10051) to the CDC [Oral Health page](https://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/index.html) and the OSAP [knowledge center, ](http://www.osap.org/?page=KnowledgeCenter)these resources help dental teams feel confident that they are providing their patients with the highest quality of care. **Sarah C. Bell-West, PhD,** serves as a technical liaison for Clorox Healthcare, where she supports the development and implementation of surface disinfection solutions across the health-care continuum. She holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and is an active member of the Association for the Healthcare Environment and Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. [\[i\]](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-assisting/infection-control/article/14071621/beyond-the-operatory-implementing-officewide-infection-prevention#_ednref1) Motta, RH et al. Isolation and Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates in a Dental Clinic Environment Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol.2007 Feb;28(2):185‐90. [\[ii\]](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-assisting/infection-control/article/14071621/beyond-the-operatory-implementing-officewide-infection-prevention#_ednref2) Sexton, et al. Tracking and controlling soft surface contamination in health care settings. American Journal of Infect Control. 2017; 46 (1): 39-43 --- This post, [Beyond the operatory: Implementing officewide infection prevention](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-assisting/infection-control/article/14071621/beyond-the-operatory-implementing-officewide-infection-prevention), first appeared on [https://www.dentistryiq.com](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-assisting/infection-control/article/14071621/beyond-the-operatory-implementing-officewide-infection-prevention). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Doctors, nurses are burned out on the job, does that put patients' health at risk?](https://wastemedic.com/2019/11/11/doctors-nurses-are-burned-out-on-the-job-does-that-put-patients-health-at-risk/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** At least one-third of doctors and nurses — and possibly as many as half – are burned out from their jobs, raising concerns about the effect of that fatigue on the care patients are receiving, according to a recent study. The report [published by the National Academy of Medicine](https://nam.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/CR-report-highlights-brief-final.pdf) states that between 35% and 54% of medical clinicians report experiencing symptoms of burnout. Researchers found that stress starts in medical school, where aspiring doctors are already juggling heavy workloads with the anxiety of repaying large student loans. The underlying reasons for this are systemic, according to a [Business Insider](https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/report-half-of-all-us-nurses-and-doctors-are-burned-out/ar-AAJjuxP) report on the study. Insufficient support and lack of proper technology coupled with overwhelming workloads throughout the healthcare system seem to be the driving forces behind the alarming rate of physicians’ burnout. This includes the piles of paperwork and bureaucratic red tape doctors and nurses have to deal with every day. And there is the ever-present fear of malpractice lawsuits. During the summer, Business Insider back had reported that [79% of all primary care doctors ](https://www.businessinsider.com/doctor-burnout-reaches-all-time-high-2019-8?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=msn-story&utm_campaign=bodyurl)were under workplace-related stress and how [thousands of nurses in 4 states](https://www.businessinsider.com/nurses-to-go-on-strike-for-better-patient-ratios-2019-9?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=msn-story&utm_campaign=bodyurl) went on strike due to unrealistic patient loads. This burnout affects the physical and mental health of the doctors and nurses, and it has been linked to higher risks of depression and [suicide](https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/896257). It also leads to poorer patient outcomes. The [Washington Post wrote](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2019/10/23/broken-health-care-system-is-causing-rampant-burnout-among-doctors-nurses/) that the National Academy of Medicine report and [prior studies on clinician burnout](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6262585/) show the dysfunction of the health care system in the United States, noting that that burnout symptoms lead to “increased risks to patients, malpractice claims, worker absenteeism and turnover, as well as billions of dollars in losses to the medical industry each year.” Similar findings were published in [The American Journal of Managed Care](https://www.ajmc.com/focus-of-the-week/physician-burnout-associated-with-poorer-patient-outcomes) in 2018. In a meta-analysis of 47 studies that included more than 40,000 physicians, the researchers discovered that when a physician was experiencing burnout symptoms, there was double the chance for a patient-safety incident. Additionally, burnout affected a physician’s professionalism and his or her ability to connect with patients on a personal level. Another study on [Nurse.org](https://nurse.org/articles/nurse-burnout-statistics/) published in the spring focused just on nurse burnout. Its authors reported 15.6% of all nurses experienced symptoms of burnout, but that number increased to almost half when it came to “unengaged” nurses who had low morale and who were emotionally checked out when it came to their work. That study also found that more positive engagement by a nurse was linked to higher patient satisfaction. “It’s a moral issue, a patient-care issue and a financial issue,” Christine K. Cassel, professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco and co-chair of the committee responsible for the National Academy of Medicine study [told the Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2019/10/23/broken-health-care-system-is-causing-rampant-burnout-among-doctors-nurses/). --- This post, [Doctors, nurses are burned out on the job, does that put patients’ health at risk?](https://www.phillyvoice.com/how-doctor-nurse-burnout-affecting-patients/), first appeared on [https://www.phillyvoice.com](https://www.phillyvoice.com/how-doctor-nurse-burnout-affecting-patients/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Opioid Toolkit for Employers Released by NSC](https://wastemedic.com/2019/10/22/opioid-toolkit-for-employers-released-by-nsc/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The National Safety Council (NSC) released an “Opioids at Work Employer Toolkit” that employers can use to address workplace impacts of the ongoing opioid crisis. The NSC encouraged employers to implement robust drug-free workplace policies and called on employers to equip their workplaces with first-aid kits containing naloxone (an overdose reversal drug), provide supervisor education around opioid misuse, and offer access to treatment in their employee assistance programs (EAPs). “Two-thirds of American adults with opioid use disorders are in the workforce,” NSC President and CEO Lorraine M. Martin said in a statement. “Everyone has a role to play in ending opioid overdose, including employers, who are often on the front lines.” #### **Toolkit Contents** The toolkit contains fact sheets, posters, presentations, and scripts for 5-minute safety talks, as well as reports, sample policies, videos, and white papers. The toolkit is intended to help employers: - Understand opioids and how they impact the workplace; - Learn more about opioid misuse and opioid use disorder; - Educate employees on the risks of opioid use; - Train employees and supervisors to recognize signs of worker impairment; - Incorporate drug-related Human Resources (HR) policies and procedures to address problems posed by opioid use and abuse; *and* - Support employees who are struggling with opioid misuse or opioid use disorder. The toolkit includes a sample policy that HR professionals can use when updating or creating a drug-free workplace policy. It also contains a template for PowerPoint® presentations that company officials can use for staff briefings when the organization is ready to unveil its policy. The NSC has regularly surveyed employers about their concerns regarding the effects of opioids in the workplace. However, employers are more concerned about hiring qualified workers, employee benefits costs, and workers’ compensation costs rather than opioid use or misuse in their workplaces. The NSC’s survey of employers earlier this year found many interesting points. 86% believe taking opioids even as prescribed can impair job performance, yet only 60% have policies in place to keep employees safe when workers take prescription opioids. Only half are “very confident” that they have the appropriate HR policies and resources to deal with opioid use and misuse in the workplace; and 79% are “not very confident” that individual employees can spot warning signs of opioid misuse. #### **Stance of Treatment Center** The opioid crisis has struck close to home for the NSC, which issued a statement of support for a proposal to place a drug treatment and rehabilitation center in Itasca, Illinois, where the NSC is headquartered. The NSC noted the urgency in offering treatment options to curtail opioid abuse. “For the first time in U.S. history, a person’s lifetime odds of dying from an accidental opioid overdose have eclipsed the odds of dying from a motor vehicle crash,” the group said in a statement. The NSC noted several research findings on addiction treatment, including: - Counties where treatment facilities are located experience drops in drug-induced mortality rates; - Adding treatment facilities reduces local crime, both violent and financially motivated; *and* - Each additional treatment facility reduces homicides by between 0.18% and 0.24%, along with reductions in burglary and larceny, motor vehicle theft, and robbery. --- This post, [Opioid Toolkit for Employers Released by NSC](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/09/opioid-toolkit-for-employers-released-by-nsc/), first appeared on [https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/09/opioid-toolkit-for-employers-released-by-nsc/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [Can Diabetic Employees Discard Insulin Needles in the Trash?](https://wastemedic.com/2019/10/22/can-diabetic-employees-discard-insulin-needles-in-the-trash/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** They are sharps, after all, so isn’t an extra layer of safety in disposal necessary? As experts at [Safety.BLR.com](http://Safety.BLR.com)® pointed out in an Ask the Expert question, the trash isn’t technically the proper disposal method—but by the same token, OSHA rules do not mandate that employers address syringes for *personal use*, which insulin injections would fall under. The proper disposal method is to place the used needle in a special sharps container for disposal to avoid contamination if someone (e.g., janitor or housekeeper) is accidentally stuck with the needle. However, the employer is not mandated by OSHA rules to do this concerning syringes for personal use. Following is an excerpt from an OSHA bloodborne pathogens interpretation letter dated March 23, 2001, concerning insulin needles: *“The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard only applies to occupational exposure to blood. The employer would not be required to provide a sharps container to an employee using insulin syringes for personal therapeutic reasons. In order to eliminate potential exposures to other workers, the employer should strongly insist that the employee have his or her own sharps container and bring that with them to the workplace.”* A later OSHA [letter of interpretation](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2007-06-29), dated June 29, 2007, further reinforced that the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard does not apply in this situation unless the employee works in a particular industry or facility. “The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, does not apply to the self-administration of insulin by employees or their disposal of insulin syringes used for self-administration except at places otherwise covered by the standard, such as health care facilities, industrial first aid units, and laboratories,” the letter notes. The 2007 letter also provides some useful guidance for employers who are looking to encourage diabetic employees to have sharps containers on hand for disposal of Insulin syringes: *“… there are a number of community sharps disposal programs operated through community organizations, local health departments, fire departments, hospitals, health clinics, and pharmacies which act as designated drop-off sites for filled sharps containers used by residents who self-inject. Many of these community programs offer free sealable containers made of rigid, puncture-resistant plastic, for self-injectors to use and return when full. These programs help in reducing the number of used needles that enter the regular trash and minimize the potential for waste handlers to get stuck by used needles. In lieu of a locally available community sharps disposal program, public health officials advise self-injectors to use approved household containers to collect used syringes which might then be accepted for disposal in municipal household hazardous waste collection sites. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published informational brochures on various community options for safe needle disposal which are publicly available on EPA’s website.”* --- This post, [Can Diabetic Employees Discard Insulin Needles in the Trash?](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/07/can-diabetic-employees-discard-insulin-needles-in-the-trash/), first appeared on [https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/07/can-diabetic-employees-discard-insulin-needles-in-the-trash/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [5 Unexpected Ways You’re Violating HIPAA Law](https://wastemedic.com/2019/10/22/5-unexpected-ways-youre-violating-hipaa-law/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** In today’s tech-dominated world, as more digital devices permeate the practice of medicine, they simultaneously create more opportunities for [HIPAA law violations](https://www.mdlinx.com/physiciansense/how-wearables-could-put-doctors-in-hipaa-hot-water/). Telling somebody too much about a patient, walking away from an unlocked computer, or even trying to catch up on a backlog of EHRs on the weekend could all put you on the wrong side of the law. Watch out for these 5 actions that could leave you or your employer facing some hefty fines. #### Forwarding PHI to a personal email account Physicians frequently do this with good intentions, but they end up breaking [HIPAA law](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html) in the process. They want to catch up on a backlog of work, or they don’t have enough storage space in their corporate-issued email account. But doing so violates patient protection laws. It could also violate your employer’s in-house privacy policies, resulting in you being a jobless doctor. The same goes for any information — digital or printed — that you might remove from your hospital or employer’s office. Removing PHI from a healthcare institution is an almost guaranteed way to run afoul of HIPAA law. If you must access PHI from home, ask your employer to set you up with remote access to work servers. And never store any patient information locally to your personal device. #### Walking away from paperwork or a computer Walk down any hospital corridor, and you’ll likely see COWs (computers on wheels) and WOWs (workstations on wheels) everywhere you look. You might even be using a tablet or laptop to log patient data. All of these devices could be HIPAA time-bombs waiting to blow. All it takes is you walking away from one and leaving patient data visible on the screen. The same goes for any printed materials. Like computers and other devices, these can’t be left unattended. Talk to your IT department. They’ll likely advise you to always log out of a COW or WOW before walking away, and to always lock any of your other password-protected devices. Keep a close eye on those paper records, shredding whatever you don’t need. #### Disclosing patient information to an unauthorized person This one is especially dangerous because the implications aren’t so obvious. Sometimes, an accidental disclosure takes the form of information given over the phone to a family member (or someone claiming to be one) who isn’t authorized to receive it. Accidental disclosures can also happen during face-to-face interactions. For example, perhaps a family member, who isn’t supposed to be present, arrives at the hospital and you update them on the patient’s status. HIPAA law requires written consent from the patient or the patient’s designated representative to disclose information. The patient or the representative also has the right to determine who can receive what information. If you aren’t sure of your employer’s disclosure consent policy, check with whomever is responsible for compliance. #### Removable storage devices It might behoove healthcare organizations to ban USB memory devices. In fact, some healthcare IT departments will even go so far as to prevent networked computers from recognizing them. And for good reason. Let’s say you put some PHI on one of these drives and lose it. Even if you never took it out of the hospital, if it were to fall into the hands of any unauthorized person, you could be looking at a HIPAA violation. The same thing applies to any employer-issued devices, such as tablets, and laptops. Do not take these outside of the office. In many cases, taking them outside of your employer’s walls is a violation. Also, think of the potential damage that could be done if your laptop or tablet were stolen. Social security numbers fetch a pretty penny on the black market. #### Poor password management We’re all guilty of doing this. Our password is expiring, so we stick a 1 at the end of it, or maybe an exclamation point. Maybe you’re using the same password for work-related logins and personal logins. It could be that you can’t remember your passwords, so you’ve written them on a piece of paper that you’ve buried not so discreetly in your desk (or God forbid, stuck to your computer monitor). In a pinch, perhaps you’ve shared your credentials with a colleague. All of these things need to stop immediately. Remember that in many instances, regulators don’t assess fines for HIPAA violations based on the instance, but on the number of patients affected. So, hypothetically, what might the fine look like if someone obtained access to, say, every patient who’s been to your hospital in the past 20 years, because your password is password123? Best not to find out. #### TL;DR Here are 5 ways you might be putting yourself at risk of a HIPAA violation without realizing it: - Forwarding PHI to a private email account or taking PHI home with you - Leaving an unlocked computer or paperwork unattended - Talking too much to a patient’s family without knowing who can know what - Using removable storage devices, such as USB drives, or taking employer-issued laptops or tablets home with you - Using weak passwords or sharing passwords with colleagues --- This post, [5 Unexpected Ways You’re Violating HIPAA Law](https://www.mdlinx.com/physiciansense/5-unexpected-ways-youre-violating-hipaa-law/), first appeared on [https://www.mdlinx.com](https://www.mdlinx.com/physiciansense/5-unexpected-ways-youre-violating-hipaa-law/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [HIPAA Compliance Checklist](https://wastemedic.com/2019/10/06/hipaa-compliance-checklist/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Any organization that has access to electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) must comply with [HIPAA](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/laws-regulations/index.html). If your organization needs to be compliant, this isn’t something you can delay or phase in gradually because failure to meet HIPAA compliance can carry steep penalties. (On the positive side, becoming HIPAA compliant can be a tremendous business driver if you’re interested in starting a company, entering a new market, attracting new customers, or reducing the time it takes to obtain approvals.) Some of the most drastic HIPAA fines include the following: - [University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2018/06/18/judge-rules-in-favor-of-ocr-and-requires-texas-cancer-center-to-pay-4.3-million-in-penalties-for-hipaa-violations.html) fined $4.3 million for HIPAA violations. - [Memorial Healthcare System](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/memorial-healthcare-systems-pays-5-5m-hipaa-settlement.html) paid $5.5 million because employees shared PHI data incorrectly. - [Advocate Health Care Network](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/advocate-to-pay-largest-hipaa-settlement-to-date.html) paid $5.5 million after failing to protect the data of over four million patients. - [Anthem](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2018/10/15/anthem-pays-ocr-16-million-record-hipaa-settlement-following-largest-health-data-breach-history.html) fined $16 million for a significant data breach that exposed the health information of almost 80 million people. Whether a violation results from a willful breach or ignorance of HIPAA regulations, the resulting damage in the form of fines, loss of business, and damage to reputation can be significant. So it’s best to get ahead of the curve and become compliant as quickly as possible. So how do you get started with HIPAA? You could go directly to the Federal Government’s Health [Information Privacy Policy](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html). However, we believe these regulations will be easier to understand if you start with our HIPAA Compliance Checklist which highlights key areas where you need to establish controls in order to become and remain compliant. #### Key HIPAA Terminology You already know what HIPAA, OCR, and ePHI are, but some of the terms used within HIPAA can be confusing. Before going any further, you need to understand the following three terms: **Covered Entity:** A [**covered entity**](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/covered-entities/index.html) is any organization that stores, shares, or transmits ePHI. However, most employees, including doctors who work at a hospital are not considered a covered entity. In this instance, the hospital is the covered entity. (But having said that, all employees who have access to ePHI should receive training to ensure that they understand their role in HIPAA compliance.) **Business Associates:** [**Business associates**](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/business-associates/index.html) include people and companies that provide services like email, computer support, accounting, billing, and network or data security services. Any third party that has access to patient health information is a business associate. They must maintain HIPAA compliance, as well. **Business Associate Agreement (BAA):** Business associates must also sign a [**Business Associate Agreement**](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/covered-entities/sample-business-associate-agreement-provisions/index.html) that outlines their access and responsibilities. All covered entities and business associates with access to PHI must meet the technical, administrative, and physical requirements set by HIPAA to maintain the privacy of patients. Access is a broad term used to describe anyone who can read, change, create, or transmit PHI. #### HIPAA Requirements This section covers three key areas: administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. These areas all tie together ultimately, but looking at them individually will give you a better understanding which, in turn, will enable you to use your resources and teams more effectively. ##### Administrative Safeguards Oftentimes, the importance of this area is downplayed, perhaps because it seems less tangible or is deemed to have less impact than technical and physical safeguards. Nothing could be farther from the truth, however; the policies, practices, and procedures defined here help you establish an effective governance and operational framework within your organization. To oversee this aspect of compliance, assign security and privacy officers. Their jobs include tasks like governing employee conduct where it pertains to PHI and conducting regular [Security Risk Assessments (SRA)](https://www.healthit.gov/topic/privacy-security-and-hipaa/security-risk-assessment-tool). OCR will look at your SRAs to make sure you conduct them regularly and to identify possible compliance issues. **Conduct Risk Assessments:** Your security officer must conduct regular security assessments that identify and assess any places where PHI might be at risk. **Create a Risk Management Policy:** This defines how often you perform a risk assessment along with the steps you use to reduce risks to PHI. It should include a section that outlines penalties for employees who break the rules to reinforce the fact that your organization takes HIPAA compliance seriously and keeps its employees up to date on expected roles and behaviors. **Prepare a Contingency Plan:** This is your backup plan and policies for managing incidents. It outlines how you will continue to operate and protect PHI during an incident. It also defines your plan for backing up and restoring data that may get lost in a natural disaster along with plans for any conceivable emergency. **Test Your Contingency Plan:** Test your contingency plan to make sure it works and to keep it updated. This plan should always be evolving. By testing it frequently, any technical or procedural changes that may have occurred over time in the Contingency Plan itself will be taken into account, and the more you’ve tested your plan, the more efficiently you’ll be able to carry it out. **Restrict Third-Party Access:** This governs who has access to PHI in addition to your employees. It keeps unauthorized contractors and vendors from gaining access to PHI indirectly and helps ensure that you have BAAs with anyone who gets access to PHI. **Train Employees:** This outlines training programs you put in place to make sure your employees follow the rules and understand them. As a best practice, it should include training on how to identify phishing attempts, avoid malicious software, and browse the web safely, along with training on each policy that affects an employee. Training must be well documented. A good training program is conducted at least once a year to ensure that all affected employees are up to date, and it will address any changes in your security or compliance programs. **Report Security Incidents:** This rule is different from the [Breach Notification Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/breach-notification/index.html). Incidents are not breaches since an incident is defined as a security flaw or severe risk that was found and fixed before a breach occurred or data was misused. You still require a policy on recording and reporting them. #### Technical Safeguards This area governs the technology used to store, transmit, or otherwise use PHI and ePHI. HIPAA doesn’t supply a list of accepted software or frameworks; you can use any technology you choose provided it works. However, any PHI that is transmitted beyond your network must be encrypted using [NIST](https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/cryptographic-algorithm-validation-program/standards) protocols. **Control Access:** Develop policies and procedures that define who has access to PHI. Every user needs a unique identifier, and credentials cannot be shared. You need to know who accessed any part of your network or systems. This policy should also include information on how access is granted or maintained during an emergency. Remember that a good access policy is based on the concept of least privilege, and only grant access to PHI to those who need it. **Maintain Access Logs:** Technically, this is an audit control meant to help you see who tried to or gained access to PHI. It can also be an early warning sign that some nefarious person is attempting to gain access to PHI. Logs, especially logs that contain incidents, need to be saved in an organized manner. Also, if you centralize the logs, it will allow you to easily see who has accessed PHI by using a single tool and can allow you to put monitoring in place to scan the logs for any unusual access that might need investigation. **Authenticate ePHI:** You need some method to check the integrity of PHI to make sure it hasn’t been altered or gone missing. Data can be leaked as a result of disasters, mistakes, or malicious activity, and therefore, you need a detection and monitoring mechanism to ensure that there is no unauthorized leakage of PHI. **Encrypt Data:** Data at rest and in transit (that is, data coming into and going out of your network) must be encrypted. In addition, you must be able to show how data is encrypted, what software and methods are used, and how the data is decrypted. If you outsource encryption to a third party, they must have a BAA. **Use Automatic Logoffs:** Any computer that an authorized individual uses to access PHI must use a predefined logoff timer to ensure that the computer is locked if an authorized user walks away and forgets to logout. You should train employees to stay logged out of a machine unless they are using it and to lock it immediately or to logout when they walk away. Typically, an employee is completely responsible for any activity that happens on their computer, whether it was done by them or by someone pranking or intending harm. But mistakes happen, and this is one way to prevent an incident. #### Physical Safeguards Whether you store ePHI onsite, in the cloud, or on servers in a third-party data center, you must make sure that the data is protected. This may come down to using a BAA where the vendor agrees to maintain the locks and alarms you use onsite to protect the data. No matter where the data is stored, it’s in a physical location on physical devices that must meet specific standards. **Workstation Policies:** The policies and procedures defined by this rule govern how you place physical devices like computer monitors. They must be positioned in a way that prevents unauthorized users from seeing ePHI that may be on the screen while an authorized user is working. **Mobile Devices:** If users can access or work with ePHI on mobile devices, you must have a policy that outlines the security measures you use to protect the data and how the data is cleaned off the mobile device. Avoid using personal mobile devices, but if you do allow them, you must have a plan for cleaning ePHI off the equipment if the employee is fired or quits. **Facility Access:** This policy defines who has access to physical locations from janitorial staff to third-party IT contractors. Define who has keys, keycards, PINs, and what the plan is for emergencies if no one is available to unlock the facility. If you use electronic access controls, make sure they log users and monitor doors to make sure they close within an appropriately short time after they’re opened. **Inventory:** You must keep an updated inventory of every device and piece of hardware used to access ePHI on your network. The log should record the movements of the hardware along with who is responsible for it. Data on a device must be verified before it leaves your facility and when it returns in order to guarantee the integrity of the ePHI on the hardware. #### Final Notes Each section and policy outlined above must be in place and updated to ensure the security of data and to provide a record if you get audited or suffer a breach. Strong administrative safeguards provide a framework for governance and a context for technical and physical safeguards. In addition to strong administrative safeguards, a fundamental way to reduce risk and avoid penalties is to build compliance into your technology stack. --- This post, [HIPAA Compliance Checklist](https://securityboulevard.com/2019/09/hipaa-compliance-checklist/), first appeared on [https://securityboulevard.com](https://securityboulevard.com/2019/09/hipaa-compliance-checklist/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [HHS Gives Dental Practice Posting PHI on Yelp a Bad Review](https://wastemedic.com/2019/10/06/hhs-gives-dental-practice-posting-phi-on-yelp-a-bad-review/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A dental practice in Texas that responded to patients’ Yelp reviews by disclosing patient names and other health information has gotten a bad review from federal regulators: A $10,000 HIPAA monetary settlement and a corrective action plan. In a statement Wednesday, the [Department of Health and Human Services](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2019/10/02/dental-practice-pays-10000-settle-social-media-disclosures-of-patients-phi.html) said the settlement with Elite Dental Associates of Dallas centered on a patient complaint received in 2016 by HHS’ Office of Civil Rights, which enforces HIPAA. The patient alleged that Elite had responded to a Yelp social media review by disclosing the patient’s last name and details of the patient’s health condition. “OCR’s investigation found that Elite had impermissibly disclosed the protected health information of multiple patients in response to patient reviews on the Elite Yelp review page,” OCR says in the statement. “Additionally, Elite did not have a policy and procedure regarding disclosures of PHI to ensure that its social media interactions protect the PHI of its patients or a Notice of Privacy Practices that complied with the HIPAA [Privacy](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/privacy-c-151) Rule.” OCR says it accepted “a substantially reduced settlement amount” in consideration of Elite’s size, financial circumstances and cooperation with its investigation. “Social media is not the place for providers to discuss a patient’s care,” said Roger Severino, OCR director. “Doctors and dentists must think carefully about patient privacy before responding to online reviews.” #### Corrective Action Elite agreed to a corrective action plan that includes two years of monitoring by OCR for compliance with HIPAA. The practice has agreed to develop, maintain and revise, as necessary, its written policies and procedures to comply with the HIPAA privacy and security rules, and train staff on compliance. Dentist Andy Chang, CEO of Elite Dental, tells Information Security Media Group that the incident involving the disclosure of patient information on Yelp involved another associate at the practice. Chang and that associate each contributed half of the monetary settlement paid to OCR, Chang says. Also, Elite was recently sold to another Dallas-based dental practice, Silk Dental, which will continue to follow the revised policies and procedures put in place by Elite as part of the corrective action plan, he says. #### Lessons to Others Elite’s settlement with OCR offers a cautionary tale to other healthcare entities, some privacy experts note. “Social media is an important way for healthcare providers to engage patients and for patients to find providers,” says independent HIPAA attorney Paul Hales. “However, many providers simply are not aware of the [HIPAA](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/hipaa-hitech-c-282) rules that apply to websites, social media and patient reviews. Neither are many vendors that provide Internet-based healthcare marketing services.” The Elite case has some similarities to a $25,000 HIPAA settlement case OCR signed in 2016 with [Complete P.T., Pool & Land Physical Therapy](https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/case-shines-spotlight-on-hipaas-marketing-rules-a-8890). In that case, the Los Angeles-based physical therapy provider allegedly failed to obtain patients’ permission before using their personal information for “testimonial” marketing purposes on its website. “Providers are bound by HIPAA law that requires a valid HIPAA-compliant authorization from the patient before disclosing PHI on the internet,” Hales says. “PHI is any information that identifies a patient and relates to provision of healthcare to the patient. Accordingly, a provider’s response to an online review confirming the reviewer is a patient without the patient’s prior authorization is a HIPAA violation. Now the provider is complicit in exposing its patient to medical identity thieves.” #### Social Media Blunders One of the most significant aspects of the Elite settlement is “the scope of PHI disclosed by Elite in responding to the Yelp reviews,” notes healthcare attorney Matthew Fisher of the law firm Mirick O’Connell. “As noted in the settlement, the PHI disclosed included the patient’s last name, details of a treatment plan, insurance and cost information. That level of detail is quite specific,” Fisher says. *“This type of situation happens more often than people realize, given that many healthcare providers mistakenly believe that if a patient puts their own information out in the public sphere, the healthcare provider can respond with patient information.” —Iliana Peters, Polsinelli* The extent of the disclosure, Fisher says, implies a failure by the dental practice to educate its staff on “how PHI can be used and disclosed,” he says. #### Small But Significant? Privacy attorney Iliana Peters of the law firm Polsinelli says the OCR resolution agreement with Elite apparently contains the smallest financial sanction of any settlement so far, which reflects, in part, the practice’s size and cooperation with authorities. “The same conduct by larger healthcare providers could result in substantially larger settlement amounts or civil money penalties,” she points out. “This type of situation happens more often than people realize, given that many healthcare providers mistakenly believe that if a patient puts their own information out in the public sphere, the healthcare provider can respond with patient information,” she says. “Obviously, this is not correct, and healthcare providers must train their workforce to ensure that they do not impermissibly disclose patient information in their efforts to ensure a good public reputation.” OCR earlier indicated it’s working on guidance on PHI and social media, Peters says. “Obviously I encourage OCR to publish such guidance – it would be so helpful for the regulated community.” Peters offers advice on responding to patient complaints: “Healthcare providers should do their best to get in touch with patients who have bad experiences about which they talk on social media, and obviously not through social media, to understand those patients’ concerns,” she says. “Further, healthcare providers can absolutely craft public-facing messages that do not confirm or deny that an individual is a patient, while providing information on their mission and goals as a healthcare organization.” --- This post, [HHS Gives Dental Practice Posting PHI on Yelp a Bad Review](https://www.govinfosecurity.com/hhs-gives-dental-practice-posting-phi-on-yelp-bad-review-a-13175), first appeared on [https://www.govinfosecurity.com](https://www.govinfosecurity.com/hhs-gives-dental-practice-posting-phi-on-yelp-bad-review-a-13175). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [HIPAA: At what cost?](https://wastemedic.com/2019/10/06/hipaa-at-what-cost/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Amazon.com, on Prime Day this year, announced that customers would be given a $10 credit if they agreed to let Amazon track their browsing data and use these data in the marketing of services or products that may be completely unrelated to those purchased from Amazon. An astonishing 7 million people agreed to the price and handed over their browsing privacy. The logic is simple: privacy has both a value to consumers and businesses. What would healthcare costs look like if healthcare systems offered $10 for every patient that opted out of HIPAA? In the United States, federal law requires that healthcare information be highly guarded at substantial costs to the healthcare community and taxpayers. HIPAA was enacted in 1996 to ensure insurance coverage for employees (and their families) when they change jobs by preventing disclosure of certain medical information to insurance companies through its privacy rules and security rules. In 2009, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act substantially expanded the HIPAA privacy and security rules and increased penalties for HIPAA violations. To cope with the expanded HIPAA obligations, healthcare systems have employed an ever-increasing number of compliance officers and deployed sophisticated technology to safeguard the accessibility of individual healthcare information. At the time of implementation, the Department of Human and Health Services (HHS) estimated that HIPAA would initially cost healthcare systems approximately $113 million with subsequent maintenance costs of $14.5 million per year. The actual costs of HIPAA compliance are estimated at closer to $8.3 billion a year, with each physician on average spending $35,000 annually for health information technology upkeep. The true costs, however, are unknown and buried under layers of purportedly necessary bureaucracy. These costs do not account for the added stress inflicted upon healthcare clinicians and patients struggling to allow each other access to important and necessary healthcare information. Over the years, HIPAA has become somewhat of a “hippo”. From a distance, hippos often appear to be innocent snouts sticking up out of the water, just as HIPAA seems to have an innocuous purpose. But upon closer inspection, the average hippo is a 3,300-pound behemoth that consumes 150 pounds of grass a day and does very little. Just like hippos, HIPAA’s footprint is massive and its upkeep substantial with few tangible benefits. During implementation of the HITECH Act, HHS claimed that patient privacy is priceless. But compliance with HIPAA privacy rules does have a price: HIPAA has contributed to the unsustainable rising costs of healthcare and lack of interoperability. HIPAA has impeded communication about risks to the public, contributed to inefficient care of patients by limiting physician communication, deterred medical research through the high costs of compliance, and stolen physician time from patients. HIPAA has also made it much harder for physicians and patients to work with innovators to advance healthcare technology. For example, if a company developed a smart computer algorithm to improve virtual physician-patient visits and wanted to test the algorithm, extensive paperwork would be needed because the company would have access to protected health information during deployment of the algorithm and the test period. Because clinical data within electronic health records contain protected health information, they cannot be shared with third parties, including researchers and innovators, without expensive infrastructure to protect accidental disclosure of health information. Patients, physicians, and others in healthcare have complained about outdated healthcare technology, but the lack of easy access to healthcare data is a major barrier to advancement. One solution would be to reassess the cost-benefit analysis that once justified HIPAA and to scale back patient privacy protections. HHS, in April 2019, did just that. To promote interoperability of electronic health records, HHS issued Draft 2 of the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) for public comment and a final version is in progress. But a better test of the value of HIPAA would be to place the decision about privacy in patients’ hands by creating an opt-in regime. If patients valued their privacy, they could choose to opt into HIPAA protections, unless there was a pressing safety or public health issue. We would then quickly find out that most folks would likely choose to not exercise the option because most people do not place a high value on medical privacy. Another way to make the same point would be to create an opt-out regime for HIPAA in which hospitals could emulate Amazon and offer a $10 payment to customers opting out of HIPAA privacy protections. We know that price was more than enough for the 7 million Amazon customers who have already given Amazon full rights to their browsing data. This outcome would likely be even higher if healthcare systems had the opportunity to educate patients about the benefits of being able to share healthcare information more freely. The plausibility of this solution is illustrated by most individuals’ internet usage. Consumers always have a choice about whether to accept or reject cookies when they use a given website, and a small minority choose to opt into the privacy protections by not accepting cookies. However, most people are willing to forgo these protections in favor of facilitating ease of access to websites. Creating a similar choice for HIPAA would dramatically change the compliance burden on healthcare systems and make it much easier for medical information to be shared in order to improve healthcare provisions for patients and to advance healthcare technology. No one will argue that privacy is important, but when protection of individual privacy contributes to unsustainable cost burdens or becomes the source of public harm, we must reassess the societal costs and strike a different balance. *Kim-Lien Nguyen, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a practicing cardiologist. The views expressed are those of the author’s.* --- This post, [HIPAA: At what cost?](https://www.medicaleconomics.com/news/hipaa-what-cost), first appeared on [https://www.medicaleconomics.com](https://www.medicaleconomics.com/news/hipaa-what-cost). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [The Nation’s Opioid Epidemic: HCA Healthcare’s Commitment to “Crush the Crisis”](https://wastemedic.com/2019/09/06/the-nations-opioid-epidemic-hca-healthcares-commitment-to-crush-the-crisis/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** *A learning health system, HCA Healthcare is harnessing powerful data-driven tools to curb the tide of the opioid crisis. We seek to raise the bar higher, not just for ourselves, but for communities everywhere affected by opioids. Find out more here…* We’re proud to announce our first national “Crush the Crisis” opioid take back day. On Saturday, September 7, 2019 more than 65 HCA Healthcare facilities will partner with local law enforcement agencies to collect unused and expired prescription medications in 15 states. With over 38,000 employed and affiliated physicians at its 184 hospitals and approximately 2,000 sites of care, HCA Healthcare is helping to combat the opioid epidemic by ensuring patients have access to safer, more effective chronic pain treatment, raising awareness about the dangers of opioid addiction and providing proper disposal of these medications. “We are working to create healthier communities by partnering with our colleagues, patients and neighbors and engaging on important healthcare issues such as this one,” said Joanne Pulles, vice president of community engagement at HCA Healthcare and president of [The HCA Foundation](https://hcacaring.org/). “The abuse of prescription drugs too often starts when family or friends obtain medications from home medicine cabinets,” adds Pulles. “We urge people to take three simple steps: clean out your medicine cabinet, collect medications that are no longer needed and safely dispose of them at one of our ‘Crush the Crisis’ take back locations.” In addition to “Crush the Crisis” events on September 7, more than 20 HCA Healthcare hospitals will host events later this year. In total, approximately 90 HCA Healthcare hospitals will participate. For a complete list of “Crush the Crisis” collection sites, [click here](https://hcahealthcare.com/campaigns/crush-the-crisis). #### Breaking down the opioid crisis Every day, more than [130 people in the United States die](https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html) of opioid overdose. In 2017 alone, more than [47,000 Americans died](https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/index.html) as a result of opioid overdose, including prescription opioids, heroin, and fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. The numbers are astronomical, enough for the President to declare opioids a [public health emergency](https://www.whitehouse.gov/opioids/). The brunt of the epidemic is not just felt by those who succumb to opiates, but also by family, friends and the communities that HCA Healthcare serves. #### **The importance of take back events** Facilities across the HCA Healthcare network lie in states heavily impacted by the opioid crisis. Caregivers know the scourge of opioid misuse, addiction and overdose. “Every day, hospitals across the country treat patients for opioid overdose in emergency rooms,” said Dr. Michael Schlosser, vice president of clinical excellence and surgical services at HCA Healthcare. “Take back events are vital to helping prevent drug overdose, controlling illicit drug use and curbing our nation’s opioid crisis,” says Schlosser. More than [half of people who misuse ](https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction/opioid-use-disorder/opioid-use-disorder) opioid medications report: - Obtaining them for free or stealing them from someone they know - Going to multiple doctors to get additional prescriptions - Filling prescriptions at different pharmacies so that no one will notice how many pills they get each month. Teens hold a common misperception that prescription drugs are less harmful than other drugs; in the past year, [two-thirds of teens](https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/hpr-resources/teen-prescription-drug-misuse-abuse) who misused pain relievers reported that they got them from family, friends and the home medicine cabinet. Even our littlest patients are affected. Every minute of every day, a poison control center answers a call about a [young child who has accidentally ingested](https://www.consumermedsafety.org/medication-safety-articles/item/758-most-accidental-poisonings-in-children-occur-when-medicine-is-not-in-its-normal-storage-location) a medication. The safest and most responsible option to dispose of medication is to take unwanted medications to a drug take back site or event. Unused opioids thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or sold illegally. Flushing medications down the toilet pose a potentially health and environmental hazard. #### **What HCA Healthcare is doing** “Crush the Crisis” opioid take back events are just one spot, among many, in HCA Healthcare’s dedication to curbing opioid misuse. Watch: #### **Harnessing scale and resources** In 2018, HCA Healthcare’s [TriStar Health](https://tristarhealth.com/) Division, headquartered in Nashville, hosted the first “Crush the Crisis” event. More than 224 pounds of medication, equivalent to over 100,000 doses, were anonymously collected across eight hospitals. “We were excited about the success of our TriStar Health Division’s take back day last year and knew that with HCA Healthcare’s scale, we could make an even greater impact by expanding this program to more of the communities we serve,” said Dr. Schlosser. In addition to “Crush the Crisis” take back events, approximately 11 HCA Healthcare affiliated hospitals nationwide will launch permanent medication collection boxes. #### **Partnership is key** HCA Healthcare proudly partners with the National Academy of Medicine(NAM)’s Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic, consisting of more than 50 organizations that share best practices and identify gaps in the safe treatment of opioid addiction. HCA Healthcare has committed $500,000 to the Collaborative to support development of safer pain management protocols and reversal of the opioid crisis. NAM president, Dr. Victor Dzau, Assistant HHS Secretary Dr. Brett Giroir, Dr. Ruth Katz and HCA Healthcare’s president of clinical services and chief medical officer, Dr. Jonathan Perlin, serve as co-chairs for the Collaborative to combat over-prescription of opioids, improve provider education, and address under-treatment of opioid use disorders. Dr. Mike Schlosser serves on the NAM “Opioid Prescribing Guidelines and Evidence Standards” committee, which is synthesizing evidence-based practices, establishing a clearinghouse for best practices and identifying gaps in research for safe treatment of opioid addiction. #### **New strategies for pain management** HCA Healthcare developed new strategies to manage pain for the 1.5 million patients that have surgery annually in an HCA Healthcare facility. HCA Healthcare’s Enhanced Surgical Recovery (ESR) is an innovative surgical approach that uses evidence-based pre, intra, and post-operative interventions to optimize patient outcomes. ESR, which features a multi-modal approach to pain management for patients, has demonstrated significant improvements in surgical recovery and – importantly – a drastic reduction in the use for opioids. Multi-modal pain management, focuses on using two or more different methods or medications to manage pain and reduces the need to use opioids to manage a patient’s pain while recovering from surgery. This approach results in significantly decreased opioid use and opioid prescriptions. HCA Healthcare data from January 2018 through June 2019, collected from 47,400 major abdominal, joint, gynecologic oncology, spinal and bariatric ESR surgeries revealed an up to 50.4% decrease in opioid use for these patients. The data, collected from 114 affiliate hospitals, was compared to a non-ESR protocol patient population undergoing the same surgery procedures in the same time period. As of June 2019, ESR is live at 127 HCA Healthcare facilities, with the goal to implement in all facilities for at least one major service line by the end of 2019. With ALTO in the ER, HCA Healthcare’s goal is to manage painful conditions for emergency department patients and return them to a maximum quality of life, while recognizing and reducing the inherent risks of administering and prescribing highly addictive medications like opioids. In 2017, affiliate [Swedish Medical Center](https://swedishhospital.com/) pioneered the first-of-its-kind strategy to curtail potential opioid misuse related to the use of opioids in the emergency department. With the ALTO in the ER program, rather than using opioids like oxycodone, hydrocodone or fentanyl, medications like ketamine and lidocaine are employed for frontline pain management. Because of this emergency department initiative, patient opioid use at affiliate Swedish Medical Center from June – November of 2017 was reduced by 36%, compared to data from a non-ALTO patient population over the same time period in 2016. HCA Healthcare plans to expand the ALTO in the ER protocols enterprise-wide in 2019. #### **Electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS)** Electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS) aims to stem increasing rates of opioid-related addiction, misuse diversion and death by making it more difficult for medication-seekers to doctor-shop and alter prescriptions. Physicians have access to aggregated electronic health record (EHR) data that will help them to prescribe opioids judiciously. ECPS allows clinicians to see patients’ medication histories at the point of care, which helps identify patients who may be exhibiting behaviors associated with drug misuse. ECPS also ensures that prescriptions are securely transmitted from clinician to pharmacy without risk for forgery or alteration. As of June 2019, more than 2,800 physicians across HCA Healthcare have EPCS. Join the action by finding a “Crush the Crisis” collection take back site near you by visiting [HCAhealthcare.com/CrushTheCrisis](https://hcahealthcare.com/campaigns/crush-the-crisis). *HCA Healthcare is comprised of 184 hospitals and approximately 2,000 sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding ERs, urgent care centers, and physician clinics, in 21 states and the United Kingdom. With its founding in 1968, HCA Healthcare created a new model for hospital care in the United States, using combined resources to strengthen hospitals, deliver patient-focused care and improve the practice of medicine.* --- This post, [The Nation’s Opioid Epidemic: HCA Healthcare’s Commitment to “Crush the Crisis”](https://hcatodayblog.com/2019/09/03/the-nations-opioid-epidemic-hca-healthcares-commitment-to-crush-the-crisis/), first appeared on [https://hcatodayblog.com](https://hcatodayblog.com/2019/09/03/the-nations-opioid-epidemic-hca-healthcares-commitment-to-crush-the-crisis/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Majority of providers fall short of compliance with HIPAA access requirements](https://wastemedic.com/2019/09/02/majority-of-providers-fall-short-of-compliance-with-hipaa-access-requirements/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** More than half of healthcare providers are out of compliance with HIPAA right of access requirements, with the most common failures revolving around a refusal to send records to patients or patients’ designees by email, according to a [study and survey](https://www.medrxiv.org/content/medrxiv/early/2019/08/13/19004291.full.pdf) published by health manuscript archive company medRxiv. In the telephone survey portion of the study, it was found that almost a quarter of respondents, 24%, were potentially noncompliant with HIPPA’s fee limitations. And as regards to patient records requests, for 71% of providers the records were provided in compliance with HIPAA only after supervisors and privacy officials were educated on HIPAA’s requirements. #### **WHAT’S THE IMPACT** The primary reason for noncompliance was that most providers don’t send records electronically even when the patient explicitly requests them in that format. Of the 14 one-star providers analyzed, 86% failed for not providing records in an electronic format requested by the patient — by unsecure email for text records. One provider was noncompliant for failing to send records to the patients’ designee, while the other was found to have charged unreasonable fees. Providers, and their copy services, continue to send paper records, faxes and CDs even when the patient explicitly requests records be sent electronically to a designee via email or a patient portal. Providers are also hesitant to send records by standard, unsecure email, even when there are specific patient requests that include the acknowledgement and acceptance of security risks. It took the study team an average of eight days to fulfill patient requests, though some took as long as 26 days. Without some kind of educational intervention — such as informing staff about HIPPA requirements, or escalating calls to supervisors and privacy officials — 71 percent of the requests wouldn’t have been fulfilled in a way that satisfied HIPAA requirements. The authors said that efforts are still ongoing to digitize medical records and allow patients to access them through a device or patient portal. But they said it would be years before seamless digital access is a reality. In the interim, requests for information will still be necessary to enable patients to collect all of their health data — making it critical that the processes in place be HIPAA compliant. #### **THE LARGER TREND** Privacy regulations under HIPAA have always included a right of individuals to access and receive copies of their complete medical records, with rare exceptions. In the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, Congress clarified that individuals have the right to digital copies of electronic health records and to have those copies sent directly to a designated third party, such as a personal health record service or mobile health app. The Department of Health and Human Services incorporated the HITECH changes into the HIPAA Privacy Rule in 2013. These changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule right of access were part of an emphasis in HITECH on digital collection and exchange of health information, and were expected to spark the development of more widespread personal health record services and mobile apps. *Twitter: [@JELagasse](https://twitter.com/jeff_e_lagasse) Email the writer: * --- This post, [Majority of providers fall short of compliance with HIPAA access requirements](https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/node/139068), first appeared on [https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com](https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/node/139068). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Education key to safe sharps disposal practices](https://wastemedic.com/2019/09/02/education-key-to-safe-sharps-disposal-practices/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** People with diabetes threw out sharps safely when they were instructed in the correct disposal method, according to findings presented at the American Association of Diabetes Educators annual meeting. “Just distributing information may not be as valuable as taking time to provide proper instruction on home sharps disposal,” **Jana Wardian, PhD, MSW,** research director, at the Diabetes Center of Excellence and research assistant professor at the Uniformed Services University Wilford Hall Medical Center in Lackland, Texas, told *Endocrine Today*. “Our guess is that written information can be ignored, but [taking time to talk](https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/diabetes/news/in-the-journals/%7B32e15599-970f-40d9-a77f-a4466da27656%7D/injection-demonstration-collaborative-style-key-to-insulin-treatment-adoption) about this issue will be more impactful.” Wardian and **Captain Timothy Corbin, PharmD,** of the department of pharmacy at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, recruited 249 adults with diabetes (mean age, 56.29 years; 48.2% women) who attended the Diabetes Center of Excellence between January and March 2017 to complete a survey to ascertain sharps disposal practices. Following the initial survey, a local pharmacy began including stickers warning against incorrect disposal and providing instructions about the correct method with [insulin needle prescriptions](https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/diabetes/news/in-the-journals/%7B99ccd017-5660-4961-904d-93e3e1017ffb%7D/insulin-glargine-lixisenatide-combination-safe-effective-for-older-adults-with-type-2-diabetes). The researchers then recruited 252 participants from the Diabetes Center of Excellence between November 2018 and February 2019 to complete the same survey. The researchers found that 50.2% of participants were throwing out sharps in a safe manner prior to the addition of the stickers. They noted 30% of those who completed the survey reported that they did not protect sharps for disposal. During the pharmacy intervention, the researchers reported that 72.6% of those who received a prescription were also taught how to correctly throw out sharps. This compared with a rate of 58.1% for those who retrieved their prescription from different pharmacies in the San Antonio Military Health System (*P* = .02), according to the researchers, who noted that the odds that an individual would throw out their sharps in the correct manner were increased when instruction was provided vs. when it was not (*P* < .001). “Home sharps disposal is a patient safety issue. Our military population is transient, and they will need to understand how to properly dispose of sharps with each new duty station. Laws regarding disposal of sharps vary by state and need to be clearly communicated to the patients,” Wardian said. “Providing instruction on home sharps disposal has an impact on behavior. It’s worth the health care provider’s time to ensure patients know what to do.” – *by Phil Neuffer* **Reference:** Corbin T, et al. P511. Presented at: American Association of Diabetes Educators; Aug. 9-12, 2019; Houston. --- This post, [Education key to safe sharps disposal practices](https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/diabetes/news/online/%7B5d11460b-fdd6-4132-a58f-1d007f4089e5%7D/education-key-to-safe-sharps-disposal-practices), first appeared on [https://www.healio.com](https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/diabetes/news/online/%7B5d11460b-fdd6-4132-a58f-1d007f4089e5%7D/education-key-to-safe-sharps-disposal-practices). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [The Impact of EPA Rule on Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals](https://wastemedic.com/2019/09/02/the-impact-of-epa-rule-on-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** A new EPA [rule](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/22/2019-01298/management-standards-for-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-and-amendment-to-the-p075-listing-for) on hazardous waste pharmaceuticals has healthcare executives rethinking their plan to dispose of drugs and hazardous waste. Among other things, these new regulations in [the final rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-and) prohibit the disposal of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals down the drain and eliminates the dual regulation of RCRA hazardous waste pharmaceuticals that are also Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) controlled substances. The new rules also maintains the household hazardous waste exemption for pharmaceuticals collected during pharmaceutical take-back programs and events, while ensuring their proper disposal. “Sewering or flushing unused, hazardous medications can be harmful to the environment,” says John Holaday, PhD, CEO at [DisposeRx](http://www.disposerx.com), Inc., an at-home medication disposal solution company located in Sanford, North Carolina. “Healthcare facilities—hospitals, pharmacies, nursing and long-term care facilities—are greatly impacted by this ruling, and as a result, their executives now must change their strategic approach to disposal of drugs and hazardous waste,” Holaday says. Healthcare executives should take this as an opportunity to educate stakeholders about the risks associated with the storage and disposal of unused medications—whether that is an individual patient who has a leftover prescription at home, or health systems dealing with large volumes of hazardous medications, according to Holaday. “The common viewpoint for decades was that flushing and sewering were suitable ways to discard of hazardous medications, and now we know better and are aware of the profound environmental implications,” he says. “By immediately and appropriately discarding leftover medications—no matter the volume—we are protecting our waterways; and we are protecting our families from other potential tragedies, including accidental poisonings, diversion, addiction and even death.” According to Holaday, there are three things healthcare executives should know about the new rule: 1. **The new federal regulations apply to all healthcare facilities**. “However, healthcare executives should investigate their state laws and regulations on pharmaceutical hazardous waste disposal, as many states have adopted their own rules that are often more stringent than the new federal regulations,” he says. 2. **The new standards are not designed to be onerous**. In fact, says Holaday, the standards “are meant to make it easier and safer for healthcare facilities to follow rather than previous hazardous waste generator regulations that were poorly defined and difficult to implement.” 3. **While the final rule specifically impacts healthcare facilities, the environmental impact of flushing drugs into sewer systems extends beyond hospitals, pharmacies, dental offices and nursing homes**. “We also should be concerned about medications being flushed or sewered at home,” Holaday says. --- This post, [The Impact of EPA Rule on Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals](https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/pharmacy/impact-epa-rule-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals), first appeared on [https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com](https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/pharmacy/impact-epa-rule-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Your Business Can't Afford To Ignore The Risks Of Workplace Violence Any Longer](https://wastemedic.com/2019/07/21/your-business-cant-afford-to-ignore-the-risks-of-workplace-violence-any-longer/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** The threat of workplace violence is a growing risk to businesses of all sizes across the United States. According to the [National Safety Council](https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/safety-topics/assault/), there were more than 18,000 reported cases of workplace assaults and 458 cases of workplace homicides in 2017, the latest year for which data is available. That’s an average of 49 assaults and 1.3 homicides occurring in the workplace each day. Despite this, understanding the causes of workplace violence, assessing the risk of an event and implementing policies and plans to reduce that risk aren’t on the radar of most business owners. It absolutely should be. “When something happens at your workplace, it’s devastating,” says Pam Paziotopoulos, an adjunct Professor at Kent Law School in Chicago who is an expert in domestic and workplace violence. “The freeze that it creates is so detrimental. And the after effects: People have nightmares, they are afraid to come to work.” #### **What is Workplace Violence?** The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) defines workplace violence as: “…any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.” According to Paziotopoulos, workplace violence includes not only physical assaults and homicides but also occurrences such as harassment (physical, verbal and sexual), domestic violence, sabotage, product contamination, arson/bombings, vandalism, stalking and terrorism. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) breaks workplace violence into the following four categories: **Criminal Intent** when the incident occurs on the company’s property, but the perpetrator has no connection to the company; **Customer/Client** when the perpetrator has a business reason for having contact with employees and becomes violent during or after that business contact; **Worker-on-Worker** when a current or former employee perpetrates violence against coworkers; and **Personal Relationship** when the perpetrator has a relationship with the employee outside of work but has no connection to the business. #### **Causes of Workplace Violence** Work-related conflict, revenge for being fired, laid off or passed over for a promotion and domestic violence are some of the most common reasons for workplace violence. As causes go, the link between domestic violence and workplace violence, in particular, is often one that employers overlook. “Domestic violence and intimate partner violence are an epidemic in this country,” according to Paziotopoulos. “When a victim of domestic violence leaves \[the relationship\], the abuser may no longer know where the victim lives but \[the abuser\] does know where the victim works.” That’s why domestic violence can spill over into the workplace. Poor company culture and lack of appropriate policies can also lead to an increased likelihood of violence in the workplace. Examples of this include: ignoring complaints about an employee’s behavior; tolerating a toxic work environment; failing to treat people with dignity, respect and compassion; failing to enforce sexual harassment policies or disciplinary procedures; and not providing employees with proper training regarding reporting and handling warning signs. #### **Tragic Examples Playing Out in the Workplace** Worker-on-Worker Violence On February 15, 2019, an [employee at a manufacturing warehouse](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/aurora-illinois-gunman-who-fatally-shot-5-vowed-kill-all-n999571) in Aurora, Illinois went on a shooting spree. By the time he was done, five of his coworkers were dead and six police officers were injured. The employee had worked for the company for 15 years and was in a termination meeting with the company’s head of HR and others when he opened fire. He was being terminated for repeatedly failing to wear safety glasses on the job. Before his termination, the perpetrator warned another employee that he would kill everyone at the company if he were fired. The employee knew that the perpetrator carried a gun but did not report the perpetrator’s comments to anyone in authority at the company. Additionally, prior to the termination meeting, the perpetrator was observed: “…retrieving something from his work area, putting on a hoodie and going into the bathroom just before the meeting”. The perpetrator’s threat and behavior should have been immediately reported. In hindsight, it seems hard to believe that they weren’t. However, the employee to whom the threat was stated, later told police that he didn’t report it because he didn’t think the perpetrator would do anything violent. This is why it is critical to have clear policies and train employees on workplace violence. Such guidance and training can remove any need for the employee to evaluate what should or should not be reported. Domestic Violence in the Workplace On November 18, 2018, Dr. Tamara O’Neal was shot and [killed by her ex-fiancé](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chicago-hospital-shooting-dr-tamara-oneal-called-911-moments-before-ex-fiance-juan-lopez-killed-her-2-others/) in the parking lot of the Chicago Hospital where she worked. After shooting O’Neal, the perpetrator proceeded into the hospital and began a shooting spree, killing a pharmacy resident as she exited an elevator and a Chicago Police officer as he arrived on the scene. The perpetrator had a history of troubling behavior in prior relationships and the victim had indicated that she was in fear of him. In situations like this, it can be important for victims to know that they can report safety concerns to supervisors, HR or security at their places of work. #### **Business Owners Need to Take the Problem Seriously** “It can happen anywhere,” Paziotopoulos says. “It’s happening at small businesses every day.” “It’s frustrating,” she continues, “because \[business owners\] don’t see it as something that they have to comply with yet. But it’s out there. It’s an epidemic. And it’s catastrophic when it happens.” #### **What Companies Can Do to Protect the Workplace** “The first step is to have a policy,” Paziotopoulos says. “Put pen to paper. Write a policy and distribute that to all employees. Get the message out. Then train on the policy.” Paziotopoulos recommends that business owners check out a number of best in class resources from organizations that can help them to learn more about this issue and create policies and plans for their companies, including: Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) which offers [toolkits, policies and training](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/pages/workplace-violence.aspx) that businesses can adopt; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) which offers a [monograph on workplace](https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/stats-services-publications-workplace-violence-workplace-violence/view) violence that includes sample policies and threat assessment tools; and the American Bar Association (ABA) which offers [sample policies](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/domestic_violence/policyandlegislation/model-workplace-dsv-policy/) for employer’s responses to domestic violence and stalking. Paziotopoulos offers a final thought, “Employers need to take the potential for workplace violence seriously. I’ve seen the aftereffects \[of incidents\]. I’ve been brought in by businesses after it happens. It really doesn’t cost that much to put plans in place to reduce the risk.” --- This post, [Your Business Can’t Afford To Ignore The Risks Of Workplace Violence Any Longer](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ivywalker/2019/06/30/workplace-violence/#69e0b06617f2), first appeared on [https://www.forbes.com](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ivywalker/2019/06/30/workplace-violence/#69e0b06617f2). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Disposal of Sharps: Can You Leave Them in the Bin for Central Accumulation?](https://wastemedic.com/2019/07/21/disposal-of-sharps-can-you-leave-them-in-the-bin-for-central-accumulation/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** If your facility generates waste in the form of needles or other sharps, you may wonder how these sharps should be disposed of in the central accumulation area (CAA). Can they stay in their red biohazard bins with a label? We do not know of any regulations that would prohibit moving red biohazard bins containing sharps to a RCRA hazardous waste central accumulation area (CAA) provided the generator of the sharps is in compliance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and any applicable state regulations addressing medical waste and hazardous waste. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard requires the following in connection with the management of sharps: *The area where contaminated sharps are being accumulated (before they are moved to a CAA or elsewhere) is located as close as is feasible to the immediate area where sharps are used or can reasonably anticipated to be found* *Containers of contaminated sharps being moved from the area of use are closed immediately before removal to prevent spillage or overflow of contents during handling, storage, transport, or shipping.* *Before being moved, the containers are placed in a secondary container if leakage is possible* *If a secondary container is required, that container must be closable; constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage during handling, storage, transport, or shipping; and properly labeled or color-coded.* *Warning labels are affixed to the sharps containers and, if applicable, the secondary container. Labels must include the biohazard symbol and the word “BIOHAZARD” and be fluorescent orange or orange-red with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color. Red containers may be substituted for labels.* Under RCRA, sharps that have not been used to administer hazardous waste pharmaceuticals are considered “solid wastes” which are regulated primarily by states and managed in most under the state’s solid and/or medical waste regulations although sometimes regulation is by the state’s health department. Because sharps could contain bloodborne pathogens or other infectious materials, OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard requires that disposal of “all regulated waste” (e.g. solid and medical waste) “be in accordance with applicable regulations of the United States, States and Territories, and political subdivisions of States and Territories.” Medical waste state regulations typically address the collection, packaging, labeling, pre-treatment before disposal, and transport requirements of regulated medical waste, including sharps. Although it is also possible that a state, under either its medical waste or hazardous waste regulations may prohibit the accumulation of nonhazardous sharps in a CAA, we are not familiar with any such prohibitions. Consequently, a state’s hazardous waste and medical waste regulations would need to be reviewed to determine whether there are provisions that address storing red biohazard bins containing sharps. --- This post, [Disposal of Sharps: Can You Leave Them in the Bin for Central Accumulation?](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/07/disposal-of-sharps-can-you-leave-them-in-the-bin-for-central-accumulation/), first appeared on [https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com](https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/07/disposal-of-sharps-can-you-leave-them-in-the-bin-for-central-accumulation/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Infection Control in Occupational Health: CDC Seeks to Update Guidelines](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/30/infection-control-in-occupational-health-cdc-seeks-to-update-guidelines/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Late last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sought feedback from the healthcare community on a draft guideline, Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel: Infrastructure and Routine Practices for Occupational Infection Prevention and Control Services. Specifically, the CDC is looking to “facilitate the provision of occupational infection prevention and control services to healthcare personnel and to prevent transmission of infections between healthcare personnel and others.” The CDC is updating two sections addressing protocol for infrastructure and routine practices, which initially were published in 1998. Since 2015, the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) has collaborated with academics, health professionals, healthcare providers and other partners to update the guidance. “This guidance is not only a crucial tool to improving worker health and safety in healthcare, but a testament to CDC’s ongoing focus on this issue,” confirm Amber Hogan Mitchell, DrPH, MPH, CPH, president and executive director of the International Safety Center (ISC), and Elise M. Handelman, BSN, MEd, RN (ret), a board member of the ISC, in comments provided to the CDC. “Often patient safety far overshadows worker safety in healthcare settings and frankly, without healthcare personnel, there is no healthcare. In fact, safer healthcare workers have a direct impact on their ability to provide and maintain safer patient care.” Mitchell emphasizes that it is critical for guidance related to occupational health in healthcare reflect requirements and messaging from both OSHA and NIOSH. “CDC has historically drafted guidance with little input from either organization,” she says. “Guidance must include careful attention to assessing risks and implementing preventive strategies that are established in the hierarchy of controls. Providing examples of how that can be carried out by healthcare facilities would be incredibly beneficial.” For example, Mitchell points out: **Elimination:** Remove sharp sutures for skin closure where appropriate and replace with zipper technologies, adhesives, strips, or other non-sharps; **Substitution:** Replace sharp sutures with blunt-tip sutures for internal fascia closures; replace needles for intravenous connections with needleless connectors. **Engineering controls:** Use sharps with injury protections (SIPs), needleless IV systems; use of robotic equipment to reduce risk during invasive procedures when appropriate; **Administrative and work practice controls:** activate a safety feature after use on a SIP device immediately after use, immediately dispose of sharps after use, use “neutral zone” for passing sharps among surgical personnel; ensure that employees receive training on new devices and procedures; **PPE:** Use eye protection, face shields, gloves, gowns, etc. to prevent exposures A number of areas pertaining to occupational health in healthcare need to be bolstered in this guideline, according to the individuals and organizations submitting public comments and feedback to the CDC. Relating to sharps safety and blood and body fluid exposures, Mitchell recommends the following issues be addressed in the updated proposed guideline: **Post-exposure prophylaxis, vaccination/immunization, and employee health records need to be addressed fully.** Since HIPAA explicitly excludes employee/employment records; suggest additional research by authors on exclusions in employment relationships, including more careful attention to the requirements set for in OSHA’s Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records and Recordkeeping Standards. **Build out post-exposure follow-up and treatment for pathogen exposures**, including sharps injuries and mucocutaneous exposure incidents and guidance for “after hours” exposures including accessing local emergency department for HIV, HCV source and employee testing. **Given extraordinarily high co-infection among patient populations of HIV and HCV or HBV**, recommend spending more time on needlesticks, sharps injuries, and mucocutaneous exposures especially since exposure incidents have been rising year over year since 2013. Additionally, more focus on eye protection since nearly 50 percent of all reported mucocutaneous exposures occur to the eye with only 3 percent of employees indicating they are wearing eye protection at the time of the incident. **Also bolster the importance of not just using engineering controls** (devices with sharps injury prevention features), but the criticality of frontline employee feedback on identification, evaluation, selection of devices to improve safety feature activation and safe disposal to prevent not only injuries to users, but those downstream (EVS, laundry). **Given so many recently published studies** on self-contamination upon PPE doffing — hand hygiene recommendations must be built out to include, including appropriate glove donning and doffing procedures and timing. **Consider adding more information** about the increased prevalence of co-infection in patient populations, resulting in potential occupational exposure to not just BBP, but several including MDROs (especially in body fluid in eye exposures). **Consider adding more information** about whistleblower and employee rights statements. “Additional review from the OSHA Directorate of Enforcement Programs will make this document more accurate and ultimately more protective for healthcare personnel and the patients and communities they care for, as well as review by an industrial hygienist and/or safety engineer at the NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) and a review by the NIOSH Office of the Director prior to publication,” Mitchell adds. Several organizations have provided commentary on the proposed updated guideline; let’s examine the specifics from the key agencies. #### **APHA** In public comments, signed by Mary Miller, MN, RN, and Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH, co-chairs of the Policy Committee of the Occupational Health and Safety Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA), emphasized that “Protecting healthcare workers from occupational injuries and illnesses is critically important to a sustainable and effective healthcare system.” The organization recommended that the draft guidance document be reviewed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to ensure that the terminology used is consistent with OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), Access to Medical Records (29 CFR 1910.1020) and other OSHA standards, as well as terminology used by occupational health and safety professionals. APHA also recommended the term “infection” be replaced as much as possible with the phrase “occupational infection and illness.” As Mitchell advises the CDC, “Include ‘occupational Infection and Illness’ where appropriate and as frequently as possible together throughout the entire document. Infection is often associated with more of a healthcare associated infection (HAI), and illness is consistent with OSHA terminology. It makes the document stronger and more consistent with OHS IPC professionals. Either could occur – occupational MRSA, occupational flu, occupational HIV, etc.” In addition, APHA also recommended that a clear distinction be made between a facility’s occupational health and safety (OHS) program and its employee health (EH) program. As the group explained in its public comments, “Typically, an OHS program is managed by industrial hygienists, safety professionals, EH&S staff who are responsible for tasks such as hazard evaluations, respirator fit testing, and ergonomic assessments. In contrast, occupational health nurses and physicians are typically responsible for a facility’s EH programs and handle tasks such as vaccinations and post-exposure prophylaxis.” APHA adds that emphasis should be placed on employee involvement, as OSHA’s Safety and Health Program Guidelines include “worker involvement” as an essential element of an effective OHS program. The group advises, “We recommend that the guidelines integrate best-practice guidelines to involve staff and their union representative in the design and implementation of an occupational infection and illness control plan.” The organization identified a lack of information on the role of environmental controls as a critical means to prevent occupational infection and illness and note, “We recommend that the guidelines include information, such as high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration, other ventilation, UV systems, and ante rooms.” It also recommends that the guidelines include information on safe and effective cleaning, decontamination, disinfection and sterilization. These are essential components of an effective occupational infection and illness control plan. #### **ANA** The American Nurses Association (ANA), through its public comments signed by Debbie Dawson Hatmaker, PhD, RN, FAAN, the ANA’s chief nursing officer/executive vice president, addressed greater protection of healthcare workers from sharps injuries. As it noted, “Current terminology used throughout the industry, scientific community, government regulatory agencies as well as accreditation bodies to refer to safety engineered sharps devices are varied and confusing. That includes the SESIPs acronym utilized by OSHA, NIOSH and CDC which remains unclear in its meaning for many who utilize sharps. The ANA Sharps Injury Prevention Stakeholder Group, composed of sharps safety experts across the country, has been engaged in efforts for more than a year to simplify safety device terminology and proposes Sharps with Injury Protection (SIP) for universal use throughout this updated guideline.” (Parenthetically, the APHA says it concurs that the term “SIP” should replace the various terms used in the document, such as safer devices and safety-engineered devices.) The ANA asked for the CDC to consider bolstering language in the document related to the reporting and surveillance of occupational exposure incidents; and providing access to appropriate safety technology and PPE. As the group explained, “EPINet and Massachusetts data indicate that continued use of non-safety devices where SESIPs or SIPs are available and appropriate remains widespread despite since NSPA enactment in 2001. It falls to leadership and management to ensure compliance with current requirements re: use of SIPs wherever appropriate within clinical settings.” The ANA also suggested that “specific mention of annual updates of Exposure Control Plans as integral to OHS leaders’ responsibility for promoting reduction in sharps injuries,” and requested language providing for “…the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requirements for provision of exposure management services to employees, annual updates of Exposure Control Plans, and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard requirements for PPE training.” The group advocated inserting language to “…identification and mitigation of barriers to success, such as access to care, access to appropriate safety technology and PPE, quality of services, or other factors, such as staff awareness of when to seek OHS care.” #### **Joint Commission** Of special note to infection preventionists, in its public comments signed by Margaret VanAmringe, MHS, executive vice president for public policy and government relations, the Joint Commission said the document “could be strengthened by greater emphasis on collaboration with infection prevention and control (IPC) staff and the interrelationship between worker safety and patient safety.” As the Joint Commission explained, “The current version may inadvertently reinforce siloing of safety issues, which is increasingly recognized as contradictory to promoting a safety culture. To strengthen the guideline, CDC might consider adding a new section devoted to the intersection of worker safety and patient safety. Many national groups are now promoting this integration including the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the National Patient Safety Foundation, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Relevant topics for this section could include infectious diseases, needlestick injuries, injury and exposure reporting system, tools to enhance communication such as daily huddles, and tools for risk assessment and incident analysis.” Additionally, the Joint Commission emphasized the importance of the assessment of competence in addition to training and education: “It is well known that training does not always result in proper implementation. For example, Examples of Performance Measures that Might Be Used to Assess the Effectiveness of Occupational Infection Prevention and Control Services includes a measure around the completion of initial and annual occupational IPC education and training as well as several measures to track HCP exposure events but does not include any measures around competency or use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The Joint Commission also asserts that exposures will continue to happen unless expectations related to engineering controls and use of PPE are standardized. It is imperative that healthcare personnel follow the same practices to prevent exposure as they move through the continuum of care.” The Joint Commission adds that it understands that the CDC does not seek to be too prescriptive in listing performance measures that might be used to assess the effectiveness of infection prevention and control services, but it recommends that the agency consider including process measures in addition to outcome measures as examples, particularly as it relates to the risk assessment process: “Given the known problems with under-reporting, it would be worthwhile to include an example measure related to needlestick injuries. Additionally, The Joint Commission recommends that the importance of examining trends over time be added to the discussion on performance measurement and quality improvement. Organizations should be encouraged to submit standardized data to reporting systems to receive comparative reports and track trends over time.” The guideline currently says to “Inform all healthcare personnel and relevant healthcare organization departments about occupational infection prevention and control policies and procedures.” The Joint Commission asserts that in this context, “use of the word ‘informing’ in this requirement implies that no action is required by healthcare personnel in an element that is crucial to effective implementation of safe occupational health practices. The Joint Commission proposes that this sentence be revised to “ensure all healthcare personnel and relevant healthcare organization departments understand their role in implementing occupational infection prevention and control policies and procedures.” The Joint Commission also recommends that the CDC add language to the guideline that would require drills based on institutions’ infectious disease emergency and outbreak management plans, and observes, “IPC-related emergencies are more likely to happen than many other emergencies that organizations are required to drill. In guidance for surveyors, providers and suppliers for natural disaster preparedness, CMS notes that ‘in keeping with the all-hazards methodology, infectious diseases pose a threat to the community, healthcare workers as well as national response and recovery efforts.’ When this type of emergency occurs, the results can negatively impact the availability of healthcare personnel and creates potential for exposures in the community. Encouraging organizations to drill response to IPC-related emergencies ensures readiness and could dramatically decrease exposures and illness.” Finally, the Joint Commission calls for the CDC to consider adding a requirement to ensure the availability and use of task-specific engineering control and PPE for high-risk situations based on HCO experience: “Since exposures of healthcare personnel happen every day in healthcare, leaders need to set clear expectations of where PPE should be stocked and when PPE must be worn. It has been shown that healthcare personnel wear gloves but often do not wear other essential PPE. For example, EPINet data on splash exposures indicates that, in 2017, approximately 62 percent of exposures involved a splash to the eyes, nose or mouth, but exposed healthcare personnel reported wearing face protection during less than 12 percent of exposures. #### **AFL-CIO** In public comments from the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Rebecca L. Reindel, MS, MPH, senior safety and health specialist, referenced the long-established industrial hygiene practice called hierarchy of controls: “It is widely instituted and recognized because it is the most effective method of controlling hazardous exposures, including biological exposures, and recognizes the environment of the worker, rather than only the worker and the worker’s task, in the exposure control model. According to the hierarchy, the most effective method for controlling workplace hazards begins with substitution with a safer product or process; followed by engineering controls such as isolation or installation of safety engineered Sharps devices; administrative and work practice controls; and only as the final line of defense, personal protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection, gloves and protective clothing. It is fully recognized, and often in healthcare, that PPE can be used in combination with other control measures but should not be the primary reliance of protection to protect workers and bystanders, such as other workers and the public at-large.” The AFL-CIO explains that the hierarchy of controls has been adopted by industrial hygiene professionals, health and safety professionals, public health organizations, businesses and regulatory agencies throughout the U.S. and the world. Most notably, OSHA has incorporated the hierarchy of controls into every health standard it has issued, requiring that engineering and administrative controls be implemented first and fully to reduce exposures. The AFL-CIO clarifies that the hierarchy of controls does not prohibit all respirator use: “OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.34 states: ‘Respiratory protection is a backup method which is used to protect employees from toxic materials in the workplace in those situations where feasible engineering controls and work practices are not available, have not yet been implemented, are not in themselves sufficient to protect employee health, or in emergencies.’ However, respirators have significant limitations and deficiencies, and are less effective than engineering and work practice controls. In addition to exposing coworkers and others nearby to an infectious agent while wearing a respirator, it is difficult for workers to breathe, especially when performing heavy physical labor; respirators are uncomfortable to wear, especially in hot environments; and it is difficult for workers to communicate with each other, which compromises safety. Using respirators are difficult to implement — they are required for every person, and the process for selecting, supplying and maintaining their effectiveness if done properly can be resource intensive. People do not always wear them correctly, sometimes do not have them available and respirators alone are not sufficiently protective for certain tasks.” The AFL-CIO asked the CDC to more strongly emphasize the hierarchy of controls in the proposed updated guideline and noted, “By updating and improving these guidelines, CDC has a significant opportunity to address the incidence and spread of occupational illness … we urge CDC to revise its guidelines to reflect current standards and practice to eliminate or reduce worker risks to biological exposures.” #### **The IP’s Role** The International Safety Center’s Amber Hogan Mitchell suggests that infection preventionists have a role to play. “Infection prevention starts first with clinician self-care,” Mitchell says. “The best way to protect patients from healthcare associated infections, is to first start with personal (clinician) infection prevention meaning careful attention to adherence to the hierarchy of controls, including the use of engineering controls, safe work practices, and better compliance with PPE use. If clinician infection prevention is in place and solid, it provides the foundation for a facility’s capability to best protect its patients from harm.” --- This post, [Infection Control in Occupational Health: CDC Seeks to Update Guidelines](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/occupational-health/infection-control-occupational-health-cdc-seeks-update-guidelines), first appeared on [https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/occupational-health/infection-control-occupational-health-cdc-seeks-update-guidelines). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [We must continue to assess nurse staffing and patient safety](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/30/we-must-continue-to-assess-nurse-staffing-and-patient-safety/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Among her many well-known quotes, Florence Nightingale gave us a simple but meaningful one that has resonated over the centuries: *“For the sick it is important to have the best.”* Then, as now, providing the best patient care calls for having the best nurses with the best training and the best staffing — also known as nurse staffing and patient safety. These three — along with advanced and continuing education, appropriate orientation and training, and good skills — have been at the heart of our growth as a profession. But we’ve never been able to stop studying, working on, and yes, even struggling with nurse staffing. ##### What you know about nurse staffing and patient safety You know your role is to care for patients, help them get well and keep them safe. But you also know — everything from infections to medication errors to falls to needle sticks to poor communication and incomplete handoffs — are part of a long list of patient safety concerns. All too often, inadequate nurse staffing is the thread running through that list. *“Our staffing numbers have for too long been a continued problem we haven’t been able to fix. I have too many patients to care for and not enough time or hands to give them all they need.”* Sound familiar? Some might think a comment like this is a mere complaint, while others hear it as a cry for help. I believe it’s the latter because you go to work every day for all the right reasons — none of which is to complain. Last month, we celebrated National Nurses Week to recognize you for your many contributions to patients, the profession and healthcare. To make these contributions and give patients the best of your nursing education, training and talents, you need the right: 1. Nurse staffing patterns 2. Interprofessional teams 3. Work schedules 4. Care delivery systems 5. Nurse-patient ratios Nurse-patient ratios are most closely linked to quality outcomes and patient safety issues. ##### Staffing and safety research you should read According to a nurse staffing and patient safety report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, “some seminal studies have demonstrated the link between nurse staffing ratios and patient safety, documenting an increased risk of patient safety events, morbidity and even mortality.” Other studies have shown improvements in quality indicators and patient outcomes after instituting staffing ratios. Various staffing patterns, algorithms and calculations have been put forth for two decades after [California passed the first nurse-patient ratio legislation](https://www.cga.ct.gov/2004/rpt/2004-r-0212.htm). Along with the use of nurse-patient ratios, whether legislated or not, factors that have influenced care outcomes include: 1. Shift length 2. Patient acuity 3. Staff mix 4. Environmental, administrative and financial factors The use of nurse-patient ratios has grown, and more than a dozen states now have authored bills and enacted legislation requiring them. As recently as a few months ago, [New York introduced a new bill *(*A3374*)* ](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/a3374)known as the “Safe Staffing for Hospital Care Act,” calling for minimum staffing levels for healthcare workers in different facilities, submission of staffing plans and restriction of most mandatory overtime. ##### Nurse staffing and patient safety is not just a numbers game 6:1, 4:1, 1:1. Can patient safety be ensured by numbers alone? As we continue to study our biggest safety concerns in patient care, we’re also considering staff safety. Protection from accidents and injuries in the workplace is important to staff and the patients they serve. Providing you with a place to work that is environmentally safe and includes the right amount of staff is crucial to your ability to assess and evaluate patients and plan and implement care. Staffing is being studied all the time, and nurse-patient ratios are only a part of that work. Many healthcare experts champion ratios. Others haven’t fully embraced them.Hospital restructuring, remodeling of care delivery systems, changing RN roles and patient populations are just some of the variables that healthcare leaders have been looking at since the early work by nationally known researcher Linda Aiken on nurse staffing and patient outcomes. Further information and research are needed. We can be very proud of all that’s been done, but there’s still more to do. These are the issues you need to understand and be concerned about and researchers need your careful consideration, opinions and voices. Here are some ways you can do just that. 1. Think about what you want to know, and know what you want to say. 2. Get answers to your questions. 3. Study the connections between staffing and safety. 4. Find good articles on studies and research outcomes, and share them with your colleagues. 5. Get involved. Whether you’re a nursing leader or staff, you have to determine what is best for each patient. Staffing matters. Education and skill matter. Care, caring, competence and compassion matte --- This post, [We must continue to assess nurse staffing and patient safety](https://www.nurse.com/blog/2019/06/18/continue-assess-nurse-staffing-and-patient-safety/), first appeared on [https://www.nurse.com](https://www.nurse.com/blog/2019/06/18/continue-assess-nurse-staffing-and-patient-safety/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [What to Know about New Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/29/what-to-know-about-new-management-standards-for-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Healthcare entities are facing several changes when it comes to managing pharmaceuticals considered to be hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These entities include hospitals, pharmacies, dentists, nursing and long-term care (LTC) facilities, as well as clinics and reverse distributors. The final rule for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) [Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/final-rule-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-and-amendment-p075) was released in the Federal Register on Feb. 22, 2019, and outlines a new set of sector-specific standards in lieu of the existing hazardous waste generator regulations. The final rule goes into effect Aug. 21, 2019, and it does not apply to pharmaceutical manufacturers (unless they act as reverse distributors) or production facilities. Among other things, the new regulation prohibits the disposal of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals down the drain and eliminates the dual regulation of RCRA hazardous waste pharmaceuticals that are also Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) controlled substances. Reducing intentional sewer disposal is one mechanism to help reduce the environmental loading of pharmaceuticals into our nation’s waters. While effective dates to adopt the rule may vary by state, the exception to state adoption is the ban on flushing pharmaceuticals down the toilet, rinsing them the sink or other “sewering” methods, which is effective in all states on Aug. 21, 2019. The rule also now mandates that LTC facilities be included in the requirements set out by the new rule regarding the generation, management, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. While the final rule does not increase the number of pharmaceuticals considered to be hazardous waste, it does include many changes that will impact LTC and healthcare facilities. While the new legislation was detailed in hundreds of pages, here is a summary, along with highlights on how the final rule’s regulations may affect healthcare facilities. #### **Key highlights include:** The rule maintains the household hazardous waste exemption for pharmaceuticals collected during pharmaceutical take back programs and events, while ensuring their proper disposal. Provides regulatory clarity on how pharmaceuticals must be managed under the DEA, EPA and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The new regulations eliminate the dual regulation of RCRA hazardous waste pharmaceuticals that are also DEA controlled substances. Offers regulatory relief to healthcare facilities for management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals: Does not count toward generator status, eases labeling and manifesting and clarifies wastes to be shipped to reverse distributors. Amends the listing of nicotine patches, gums and lozenges so they no longer have to be managed as hazardous waste. The EPA is excluding certain FDA-approved over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies from regulation as hazardous waste. Establishes a policy on the regulatory status of unsold retail items that are not pharmaceuticals and are managed via reverse logistics. #### **Summary of changes:** Small and Large Quantity Generators (SQG and LQGs) that meet the EPA’s new definition of a healthcare facility or reverse distributor must manage their hazardous pharmaceutical waste under new subpart P. Additionally, Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs) that meet the EPA’s new definition of healthcare facility or reverse distributor have the option of managing hazardous pharmaceutical waste under new subpart P. Facilities have less stringent options to dispose of containers with residual hazardous waste and P-listed wastes. P-listed wastes include chemicals that are either 100% pure, technical grade or the sole active ingredient in a chemical formulation. #### **Impact on generator status:** Under the new final rule, pharmaceutical waste (including P-listed wastes) will not count toward generator status. Hazardous waste from other areas of healthcare facilities and reverse distributors, such as solvents and other non-pharmaceutical waste – such as products or other retail waste – will still be used to determine generator status. More information on the categories of hazardous waste generators and their requirements can be found on the [EPA’s website](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/categories-hazardous-waste-generators). #### **Nicotine waste:** As mentioned above, under this final rule, the EPA edited the current listing for acutely hazardous nicotine and salts (P075), designating that FDA-approved, over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies such as patches, gums and lozenges will no longer be considered acutely hazardous waste. This new exception applies to all generators of hazardous waste, not just healthcare facilities as it is outside of subpart P. Other nicotine containing products such as prescription replacement therapies and e-cigarettes are not excluded from the P075 listing and would still be regulated as such. #### **Next steps:** Though these are final regulations, the current rules remain in effect until the effective date in the federal register and states adopt them. It is very important to understand that all current RCRA regulations are being enforced. It is recommended that facilities potentially impacted by the final rule review the regulations and begin planning for the changes to take effect. --- This post, [What to Know about New Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals](https://www.environmentalleader.com/2019/06/what-to-know-about-new-management-standards-for-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals/), first appeared on [https://www.environmentalleader.com](https://www.environmentalleader.com/2019/06/what-to-know-about-new-management-standards-for-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Seven Pharmacy Regulations Health Execs Must Watch](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/29/seven-pharmacy-regulations-health-execs-must-watch/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Health system executives are finding it difficult to stay ahead of the multiple trends culminating at once—reimbursement pressures, rising drug costs, regulatory complexity (340B), and the central role of pharmacy in value-based care. Ed Francis, a senior director of life sciences at [West Monroe Partners](https://www.westmonroepartners.com/), says changes in drug pricing represents a particularly important issue that health executives will need to watch out for in the coming year, starting with optimizing the drug rebate system. “Congress and the executive branch have discussed everything from eliminating the system entirely to writing laws that increase pricing transparency,” he says. “Even without government intervention there has been movement with some new PBMs that offer rebates as 100% pass-through to consumer. Other companies have emerged that are offering online drug price comparisons in a local area. All of this will help to solve the problem.” Here are five other policies to keep an eye on in the year ahead. ##### 1. USP 800 Pharmacy expert Ernie Gates, president of [Gates Healthcare Associates](https://gateshealthcareassociates.com/), believes that compliance with [USP 800](https://www.usp.org/compounding/general-chapter-hazardous-drugs-handling-healthcare)—the new workplace safety standard for pharmacy—will bedevil many healthcare organizations and the cost of non-compliance could be staggering. USP 800 is about protecting the healthcare worker, patient, and environment from accidental exposure to hazardous drugs and requires changes to standard operating procedures across an organization, beginning with receipt of a hazardous drug and ending with disposal. “Many pharmacies, including those inside of institutions such as hospitals, are not prepared to comply with USP 800, which goes into effect later this year,” he says. “This could be problematic for any healthcare organization that is dependent upon pharmacies, including health plans that operate or simply reimburse pharmacies.” ##### **2. Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)** The [DSCSA](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-supply-chain-integrity/drug-supply-chain-security-act-dscsa) was designed so an electronic system could track and trace certain prescription drugs in the United States. Katrina Harper, senior clinical manager, pharmacy for Vizient, says what’s important with DSCSA is compliance with current regulations to ensure the integrity of the pharmaceutical within the supply chain. “We are now starting to see enforcement actions in the form of fines,” she says. “One large wholesale distributor was the FDA’s first ever warning letter for non-compliance. They also need to be preparing to comply with the new aspects of this regulation that take effect in 2020.” By 2020, all Rx products covered under DSCSA must be serialized, and all transactions can only involve serialized product. ##### **3. The Lowest Price Act** [This act was signed into law](https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2553?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22know+the+lowest+price+act%22%5D%7D&r=1) on October 10, 2018 and will become effective either on or after January 1, 2020. Brian Romig, director at [Navigant](https://www.navigant.com/), says it blocks Medicare Advantage plan providers or providers of a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan from using gag clauses that prohibit pharmacists from alerting Medicare customers of differences between their insurance copay and what the patient would pay without using health insurance coverage. “The act was implemented to increase price transparency for consumers covered under Medicare or Medicare Advantage,” he says. “Health system pharmacists can help patients find better pricing by advising that there are options available to them.” ##### **4. EPA update of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) standards** These [regulations](https://www.epa.gov/rcra) were published in early 2019 to clarify an organization’s responsibility related to the disposal of hazardous and controlled substance pharmaceuticals in the waste stream. “The good news is that there will be improved alignment to DEA requirements for disposal and the change in requirements may impact an organization’s waste generation classification which could result in lower costs,” says Joyce Thomas, associate principle, pharmacy advisory services for [Vizient](https://www.vizientinc.com/). ##### **5. CMS Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment Proposed Rule CY 2019 (OPPS)** Romig explains this [proposed rule](http://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/cms-finalizes-medicare-hospital-outpatient-prospective-payment-system-and-ambulatory-surgical-center) further expands cuts to the 340B Drug Pricing program made in 2018 and institutes a site-neutrality payment policy for hospital outpatient departments by cutting reimbursement by 40% for the most commonly reimbursed G-codes in order to match payment under the [Physician Fee Schedule](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/medicare-fee-for-service-payment/physicianfeesched/). “The proposed rule also includes a request for information related to a potential Competitive Acquisition Program for Part B drugs and biologics, which would run through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation,” he says. ##### **6. Provider status changes** Expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists is being considered in state legislatures and in Congress. This is particularly true in states with large underserved areas. “In Congress, a main consideration is whether Medicare should cover payments to pharmacists in these underserved areas,” Romig says. “More than half of the 100 total members in the U.S. Senate have signed on to support the [Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act](https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/109) [S 109). The bill has surpassed the number of votes necessary to pass this legislation in the Senate. The same bill is HR 592 in the House of Representatives.” The bill would provide for Medicare coverage and payment for certain pharmacist services that are furnished by a pharmacist in a health-professional shortage area, and that would otherwise be covered under Medicare if furnished by a physician. On the state level, many are considering allowing pharmacists to prescribe oral contraceptives, while others would allow them to prescribe treatments for flu or strep throat. Virginia is considering allowing pharmacists to perform opioid abuse counseling. Pennsylvania is discussing allowing pharmacists to counsel for tobacco cessation. *The author, Keith Loria, is an award-winning journalist who has been writing for major newspapers and magazines for close to 20 years.* --- This post, [Seven Pharmacy Regulations Health Execs Must Watch](https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/news/seven-pharmacy-regulations-health-execs-must-watch), first appeared on [https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com](https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/news/seven-pharmacy-regulations-health-execs-must-watch). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Three Key Recommendations to Improve HIPAA Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/03/three-key-recommendations-to-improve-hipaa-compliance/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Three Key Recommendations to Improve HIPAA Compliance](https://thedoctorweighsin.com/hipaa-compliance/), first appeared on [https://thedoctorweighsin.com](https://thedoctorweighsin.com/hipaa-compliance/). --- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandates industry-wide standards for proper management of health care information and electronic billing. HIPAA compliance requires protection as well as the confidential handling of all protected health information (PHI). According to HIPAA rules, any company that deals with protected information must have a physical network and security measures that are followed to ensure compliance. It may be safe to say that many organizations are still perplexed about HIPAA audits, enforcement, and compliance. As a result, the number of organizations that fail to meet compliance each year remains high. In fact, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), approximately 70% of organizations are not HIPAA compliant. To begin understanding compliance, healthcare organizations would be wise to consider three key recommendations. ##### Three key recommendations to improve HIPAA compliance ##### **1. Analyze the past to avoid making the same mistake twice** It is important for hospitals and healthcare facilities to look at some of the common mistakes that are repeatedly observed in HIPAA security reviews. HIPAA states that out of all the reviews completed, there are a number of frequent compliance violations and issues that are found each year. They include lack of safeguards to protect health information, impermissible uses and disclosures of protected health information, lack of patient access to their personal health information, lack of administrative safeguards on electronically protected health information and the use or disclosure of more than the minimum protected health information. Protecting valuable data by analyzing past mistakes is an important step in the compliance process. ##### 2. Perform a risk assessment and GAP analysis of your organization’s HIPAA compliance Preventative measures to use when assessing an organization’s compliance with HIPAA include risk analysis and GAP analysis. The confusion and lack of understanding around the two approaches is common among healthcare professionals in the marketplace. Not understanding the differences between the two can be detrimental to an organization. It can put them at a significantly higher risk of a HIPAA violation. According to the [HHS Office of Civil Rights (OCR) guidance materials](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/index.html), healthcare organizations must specifically conduct a risk analysis to be deemed within HIPAA compliance. ###### **–The GAP analysis** A HIPAA GAP analysis can be used to measure the organizations’ information security standing against HIPAA, which is part of HHS audit protocol. Comparing the organization’s current practices to the HHS OCR audit protocol will identify the strengths and weakness of the security program. From there, the organization can determine whether they have reasonable and appropriate administrative, physical and technical safeguards in place to protect patient health. Performance of the GAP Analysis also allows the organization to develop an audit response toolkit. This includes the data and documentation that would be able to support compliance with the HIPAA regulations to regulatory agencies. ###### –The risk analysis The risk analysis is a required control as defined in the audit protocol. Without conducting a thorough and comprehensive risk analysis, a healthcare organization can not identify applicable threats and vulnerabilities that allow them to take corrective action. Completing a thorough risk analysis provides insight into the organization’s security position. It also allows for change before an audit takes place. Risk analyses should be updated at least annually to ensure they reflect current operational practices. The risk assessment should evaluate the security, use, and disclosure of PHI against HIPAA’s privacy, security and breach notification implementation specifications. ###### **–Documentation** To begin, an organization should document any ePHI (Electronic Personal Health Information) transmitting or processing services. This includes any business associates or employees that receive and use the ePHI. It’s important to evaluate all aspects of the organization’s operation to verify all uses and disclosures of ePHI are identified. Don’t assume that your IT shop is aware of all of your uses and disclosures. Make inquire into all of the operational areas of your organization. ##### **3. Develop an action plan and a response toolkit** For many healthcare organizations, the question is not if they will receive a HIPAA audit or an OCR investigation, but when. When this happens, the OCR, the part of HHS responsible for completing HIPAA audits, will contact the organization. They ask for a variety of documents and data in preparation for the audit/investigation. ###### **–Review and Determination** Once these documents and data are reviewed, the OCR will send the organization a preliminary copy of its findings. This preliminary report gives healthcare organizations the opportunity to respond to the OCR. And have their responses included in the final report. From the final report, the OCR will determine if an organization was in compliance with HIPPA. And, if not, where an organization was lacking. If an organization was not in total compliance, the OCR will provide corrective action. In addition, they will provide technical assistance the organization can use to work toward compliance. ###### **–Be prepared** Develop an action plan. And evaluate the organization’s information security against the OCR audit protocol to develop an audit response toolkit. This will leave organizations with practical actions that serve their best interest, eliminate mistakes, and mitigate risk. In conclusion, utilizing the help of professionals with expertise in HIPAA compliance is always recommended. --- This post, [Three Key Recommendations to Improve HIPAA Compliance](https://thedoctorweighsin.com/hipaa-compliance/), first appeared on [https://thedoctorweighsin.com](https://thedoctorweighsin.com/hipaa-compliance/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [$10.5 Million in Worker Training Grants are Available Through OSHA](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/02/10-5-million-in-worker-training-grants-are-available-through-osha/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [$10.5 Million in Worker Training Grants are Available Through OSHA](https://www.ehstoday.com/osha/105-million-worker-training-grants-are-available-through-osha), first appeared on [https://www.ehstoday.com](https://www.ehstoday.com/osha/105-million-worker-training-grants-are-available-through-osha). --- Nonprofit organizations searching for ways to help their workers identify and prevent workplace injuries now have an opportunity to apply for training grants through OSHA. The agency opened $10.5 million in available funds through Susan Harwood Training Grants for community and faith-based organizations, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, Indian tribes, and colleges and universities. Harwood Training Grants give organizations the money needed to provide in-person, hands-on training for workers and employers in small businesses; industries with high injury, illness and fatality rates; and vulnerable workers, who are underserved, have limited English proficiency or are temporary workers. The grants will fund training and education to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards. The program is named after Susan Harwood, a former director of the Office of Risk Assessment in OSHA’s Health Standards Directorate, who died in 1996. During her 17-year tenure with the agency, Harwood helped develop OSHA standards to protect workers exposed to bloodborne pathogens, cotton dust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos and lead in construction. Grants are available in three areas: Targeted Topic Training, Training and Educational Materials Development, and Capacity Building. **Targeted Topic Training** grants support educational programs that address identifying and preventing workplace hazards. These grants require applicants to conduct training on OSHA-designated workplace safety and health hazards. **Training and Educational Materials Development** grants support the development of quality classroom-ready training and educational materials that focus on identifying and preventing workplace hazards. **Capacity Building** grants support organizations in developing new capacity for conducting workplace safety and health training programs, and must provide training and education based on identified needs of a specific audience or a set of related topics. Details on the grants and how to apply are available at [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/ "Grants page"). Harwood applications must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. --- This post, [$10.5 Million in Worker Training Grants are Available Through OSHA](https://www.ehstoday.com/osha/105-million-worker-training-grants-are-available-through-osha), first appeared on [https://www.ehstoday.com](https://www.ehstoday.com/osha/105-million-worker-training-grants-are-available-through-osha). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Is texting at work acceptable for nurses?](https://wastemedic.com/2019/05/01/is-texting-at-work-acceptable-for-nurses/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Is texting at work acceptable for nurses?](https://www.nurse.com/blog/2019/04/09/is-texting-at-work-acceptable-nurses/), first appeared on [https://www.nurse.com/](https://www.nurse.com/blog/2019/04/09/is-texting-at-work-acceptable-nurses/). --- *A nurse reader asked what she should do about a personal text message she sent to her husband’s ex-wife.* The reader did not include what she sent the ex-wife, but whatever the message, her employer charged her with “improper telephone communication” for texting at work. The reader’s supervisor told her the ex-wife personally came to the hospital to complain about the text and spoke with the supervisor, CNO, CEO and HR department. The ex-wife also informed hospital administration about their personal family situation, which apparently included an “ugly divorce and custody battle.” The nurse is concerned about being [reported to the state board of nursing](https://www.nurse.com/blog/2010/11/23/whats-the-best-way-to-find-a-job-after-recently-being-sanctioned-by-my-states-board-of-nursing/) by the employer and whether her job is in jeopardy. ##### Hospital policies governing mobile devices and texting at work It is not known what policy or policies this nurse’s employer adopted for the use of communication devices at work, but a breach of the policy occurred as evidenced by the improper communication charge. This particular hospital might only [approve the use of smartphones for patient care issues](https://www.nurse.com/blog/2015/07/29/are-there-legal-issues-with-a-facility-having-rns-text-patient-information/), communicating with other staff or seeking information about a particular diagnosis. It is also not known if the facility requires the nursing staff only use a smartphone issued by the facility or if they are allowed to bring their own device to work. We also don’t know which of the two was used to text the ex-wife. Regardless of these issues, the nurse who submitted the question has used her phone in a manner not approved by the employer. As a result, it is quite possible she will be terminated. The nurse can grieve the termination if she believes it was unfair or not consistent with the employer’s [policy governing employee conduct and smartphone use.](https://www.nurse.com/ce/a-helping-handheld-computer-technology-at-the-point-of-care) That may be an uphill battle. The text message, whatever its contents, was shared with the employer. Its existence cannot be denied. Whether truthful or not, the ex-wife’s comments to the nurse’s administrators raise additional character concerns. ##### Professional licensure concerns about texting at work There are several licensure worries this nurse faces as well. Initially, if she is terminated from her job, the state nurse practice act may require the employer or the nurse herself to report the termination to the board. If this is required, the nurse will need to be honest and truthful about why the termination occurred. Because the use of a smartphone for personal reasons such as texting at work can cause a risk to patient safety, the board may determine discipline is necessary. If the employer policy was not adhered to, this will be an additional point the board must evaluate. The board also might see her behavior as unprofessional conduct likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public. Although you may think an unprofessional conduct allegation would only be based upon your nursing practice, such as breaching nurse-patient confidentiality, signing on a work computer with another person’s code or negligent patient care, that is no longer the case. Boards of nursing are expanding the definition of unprofessional conduct. Because you are a licensed professional, you have an obligation to be “professional” at all times, whether or not you are practicing nursing. Thus, being convicted of a DUI or shoplifting, or texting your husband’s ex-wife while at work and stoking an ongoing feud, may result in you being professionally disciplined for unprofessional conduct. ##### Was this nurse’s texting at work unusual? A 2014 study determined the frequency of non-work related use of communication devices. A group of 825 respondent members of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses met the study inclusion criteria and answered a 30-question survey. The use of a personal mobile device while working (not during breaks or meal times) was reported by 78% of respondents. Meanwhile, 39% of respondents reported regularly sending personal emails and text messages while working. “Regularly” was defined as sometimes, often or always. The study, [“Non-Work-Related Use of Personal Mobile Phones by Hospital Registered Nurses,”](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4319148/) also noted the frequent use of such communication devices can result in “distracted” nurses and, therefore, impact safe nursing care. ##### What you need to know about using your phone at work Despite the fact this nurse’s cell phone usage for personal texting at work may not be unusual, her experience and the above study provide several points you should keep in mind. - Know and follow your employer’s policies on the use of communication devices and personal texting at work. - Think carefully before texting anything personal. This may place you in danger of losing your job or facing a board of nursing disciplinary proceeding, which might lead to you being considered unprofessional or unethical. - Know your nurse practice act and state nursing rules and what both say about the conduct expected of you as a licensee. - [Analyze the language in the nurse practice act and state rules](https://www.nurse.com/ce/protect-yourself-know-your-nurse-practice-act) that specifically allow the board to take disciplinary action against you when not practicing nursing. - Conduct yourself as a professional at all times, whether on duty or not. Never expose your patients to an unreasonable and foreseeable risk of harm when using a communication device for any reason. --- #### Take these courses on hospital policy: [**Facebook: Know the Policy Before Posting** ](https://www.nurse.com/ce/facebook) The fundamental function of Facebook (and other social networking sites, such as Twitter) is allowing “friends” to share information. Friends are people who have agreed to communicate with and allow one another some level of access to personal information. Anyone with access to the Internet can join Facebook, the most popular social networking site, and connect with contacts. As of June 2015, Facebook claims more than 1.49 billion monthly active users. In healthcare, Facebook posts can influence the hiring process, violate patient privacy and result in termination of employment. This module informs healthcare professionals of the risks of social networks, which break down the walls separating our personal and professional lives. [**The Nurses’ Bill of Rights: Do You Know Your Rights?** ](https://www.nurse.com/ce/the-nurses-bill-of-rights) The American Nurses Association (ANA) held a nursing staffing summit in Washington, D.C., in 2000. In a survey preceding the summit, 75% of nurses reported the quality of nursing care at their facilities had declined because of inadequate staffing and decreased nurse satisfaction. More than 200 summit attendees determined the need for a document to detail what nurses need and deserve to do the best for their patients. This need served as the impetus for the Nurses’ Bill of Rights, which was approved by the ANA board of directors in 2001. The Nurses’ Bill of Rights is a statement of professional rights rather than a legal document. It establishes an informal covenant between nurses and their employing institutions to help guide organizational policy and to focus discussions between nurses and employers on issues related to patient care and working conditions. Nurses can advocate more effectively for patients’ rights when they have critical information about their own rights. Not every nurse is familiar with the Nurses’ Bill of Rights or related rights described by various state boards of nursing and nursing associations in their position statements. This module provides an overview of them. **[Increasing Your Nursing Influence Through Leadership: Boards! ](https://www.nurse.com/ce/increasing-your-nursing-influence-through-leadership-boards)** Nurses are influential and trusted. As a profession, nursing has been rated as one of the most honest and ethical for well over a decade. With the trust that nurses have merited from the public, what is a significant way for nurses to impact public and community health? Active involvement on boards! One of the goals of the significant The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health report was that nurses practice to the best of their capacity including pursuing leadership positions to improve healthcare in America. Nurses are key leaders that should be at the forefront of decision-making to improve the health of communities. Learn key info about why and how joining a board, commission, or coalition can help you influence public health with the skills you already hold! The Nurses on Boards Coalition has a goal: 10,000 nurses as members of various boards by 2020. --- This post, [Is texting at work acceptable for nurses?](https://www.nurse.com/blog/2019/04/09/is-texting-at-work-acceptable-nurses/), first appeared on [https://www.nurse.com/](https://www.nurse.com/blog/2019/04/09/is-texting-at-work-acceptable-nurses/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Hospitals, Healthcare, and Long-Term Care Facilities: New Requirements for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals](https://wastemedic.com/2019/05/01/hospitals-healthcare-and-long-term-care-facilities-new-requirements-for-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Hospitals, Healthcare, and Long-Term Care Facilities: New Requirements for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=75e761c8-863c-491a-80e6-75de293ddd06&utm_source=Lexology%20Daily%20Newsfeed&utm_medium=HTML%20email%20-%20Body%20-%20General%20section&utm_campaign=Lexology%20subscriber%20daily%20feed&utm_content=Lexology%20Daily%20Newsfeed%202019-04-29&utm_term=), first appeared on [https://www.lexology.com/](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=75e761c8-863c-491a-80e6-75de293ddd06&utm_source=Lexology%20Daily%20Newsfeed&utm_medium=HTML%20email%20-%20Body%20-%20General%20section&utm_campaign=Lexology%20subscriber%20daily%20feed&utm_content=Lexology%20Daily%20Newsfeed%202019-04-29&utm_term=). --- The [new hazardous waste pharmaceuticals rule](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/22/2019-01298/management-standards-for-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-and-amendment-to-the-p075-listing-for?utm_campaign=subscription%20mailing%20list&utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email) published February 22 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) applies to all “healthcare facilities.” Hospitals, physicians’ offices, optical and dental providers, long-term care facilities and pharmacies, among others, are subject to the new rule and will have to update their waste management programs and training, as soon as **this summer** in most cases. While most states must adopt most of the new rule prior to the rule becoming effective, the new sewer prohibition (discussed below) will apply to all healthcare facilities in the U.S. effective August 21. ##### **Compliance Matters** Failure to comply with the new rule poses a significant risk of financial penalty, reputational risk and environmental harm. Moreover, violation of environmental requirements can lead to suspension or debarment from participation in federal programs such as Medicare. In January, Milwaukee-based Froedtert Health paid a $360,000 penalty to the State of Wisconsin to settle allegations regarding improperly disposed pharmaceutical hazardous waste from 2013 to 2016. These penalties and actions are likely to be increasingly common as the EPA and states scrutinize hazardous pharmaceutical waste disposal procedures. ##### **Rule Applicability** While the new rule governs “healthcare facilities” and pharmaceutical “reverse distributors,” it applies only to pharmaceutical waste that is classified as *hazardous waste*. It is likely that healthcare facilities will choose to dispose of some non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste as hazardous waste to ensure compliance and to avoid having to determine which pharmaceuticals are hazardous. Fortunately, the EPA rule permits this over-management. The rule does not apply to infectious waste, medical waste or sharps waste. ##### **Sewer Ban** Effective August 21, all healthcare and long-term care facilities in the U.S. must stop sending hazardous waste pharmaceuticals to the sewer. Many pharmaceuticals that are currently sewered are likely *non-hazardous* and therefore exempt from the rule. Healthcare facilities must either ensure that employees are *very clear* on which pharmaceuticals can be sewered or implement a policy prohibiting the sewering of all pharmaceuticals. ##### **New Management Standards** In addition to the sewer prohibition, the new rule establishes sector-specific hazardous waste regulations (under 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 266 Subpart P) for healthcare facilities. The management requirements will be applicable in a few states on August 21. Other states must adopt by July 1, 2021 or, if a statutory amendment is required prior to adoption, by July 1, 2022. Healthcare facilities that are Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs) of hazardous waste – those that generate no more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month and no more than 2.2 pounds of acutely hazardous waste at any one time – are *not required* to comply with the new sector-specific hazardous waste regulations. VSQGs can instead choose to manage hazardous waste pharmaceuticals under the new sector-specific requirements or continue managing any hazardous waste pharmaceuticals in compliance with the traditional hazardous waste management requirements in 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 262. Healthcare facilities that are classified as Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) or Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) of hazardous waste *must* manage all hazardous waste pharmaceuticals pursuant to the new sector-specific requirements, once the given state adopts the requirements. New management requirements detail how hazardous waste pharmaceuticals must be stored, shipped, and whether and how the pharmaceuticals can be sent to a reverse distributor. ##### **Properly Determine Generator Status** VSQGs are not required to comply with the new sector-specific hazardous waste regulations. For purposes of determining whether it is subject to the new rule, a facility must combine all hazardous waste from the facility – including both non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical hazardous waste. If the facility is an SQG or LQG using this approach, the facility must manage its hazardous waste pharmaceuticals pursuant to the rule. Importantly, and while subject to state adoption, there are some items that the rule indicates will not count toward generator status, including, for example, over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy products and empty warfarin containers. Healthcare facilities are often classified as LQGs because they generate more than 2.2 pounds of acutely hazardous waste at any one time. Common hospital pharmaceutical hazardous waste streams may include, among many others: warfarin and salts (EPA Code P001); arsenic/arsenic trioxide (EPA Code P012); nicotine and salts (EPA Code P075); physostigmine (EPA Code P204). Non-pharmaceutical hazardous waste streams may include, among many others, surface disinfection products, clean-up waste, photo-processing solutions associated with x-rays, and “universal waste” such as fluorescent bulbs and batteries. ##### **Reverse Distribution of Prescription Pharmaceuticals** Healthcare facilities often send pharmaceuticals to reverse distributors which facilitate manufacturer credit and arrange for proper disposal. For the first time, the EPA has regulations specific to this important process. The rule details what is a “potentially creditable hazardous waste pharmaceutical,” which can be sent to a reverse distributor and what is a “non-creditable hazardous waste pharmaceutical.” Healthcare facilities must send “non-creditable hazardous waste pharmaceuticals” directly to a hazardous waste disposal facility using a licensed hazardous waste transporter. ##### **Regulation of Long-Term Care Facilities** The EPA rule classifies long-term care facilities as “healthcare facilities.” Examples include “hospice facilities, nursing facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and the nursing and skilled nursing care portions of continuing care retirement communities.” Excluded from the long-term care facility definition are: “group homes, independent living communities, assisted living facilities, and the independent and assisted living portions of continuing care retirement communities.” The rule establishes a rebuttable presumption that long-term care facilities with 20 beds or fewer will be presumed to be VSQGs and, therefore, new management standards are not mandatory for those facilities. The sewering prohibition, however, will apply (effective nationally on August 21) to long-term care facilities with 20 or fewer beds. ##### **New Reporting Requirement for Unauthorized Waste** The new rule includes a requirement that reverse distributors complete an unauthorized waste report, which will be submitted to the EPA or the State hazardous waste program, detailing any waste that is received from a healthcare facility that the reverse distributor is not authorized to receive. For example, the reverse distributor would be required by law to submit to the regulatory authority an unauthorized waste report detailing that its customer improperly sent items such as non-pharmaceutical hazardous waste and medical or infectious waste. #### **Steps for Compliance** 1. Stop sewering hazardous waste pharmaceuticals by August 21. 2. Identify your generator status and determine whether the new management requirements (separate from the sewer prohibition) for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals are mandatory for a facility. SQGs and LQGs *must* comply with the new rule. 3. If the new management requirements apply to your facility, determine whether your facility uses a reverse distributor. If yes, carefully assess whether material sent to reverse distributors is compliant with the new rule. 4. Consider opportunities under the new rule that were not previously available, such as a new exemption to EPA hazardous waste regulations where the pharmaceutical is also subject to DEA regulations. --- This post, [Hospitals, Healthcare, and Long-Term Care Facilities: New Requirements for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=75e761c8-863c-491a-80e6-75de293ddd06&utm_source=Lexology%20Daily%20Newsfeed&utm_medium=HTML%20email%20-%20Body%20-%20General%20section&utm_campaign=Lexology%20subscriber%20daily%20feed&utm_content=Lexology%20Daily%20Newsfeed%202019-04-29&utm_term=), first appeared on [https://www.lexology.com/](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=75e761c8-863c-491a-80e6-75de293ddd06&utm_source=Lexology%20Daily%20Newsfeed&utm_medium=HTML%20email%20-%20Body%20-%20General%20section&utm_campaign=Lexology%20subscriber%20daily%20feed&utm_content=Lexology%20Daily%20Newsfeed%202019-04-29&utm_term=). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Facing Escalating Workplace Violence, Hospital Employees Have Had Enough](https://wastemedic.com/2019/05/01/facing-escalating-workplace-violence-hospital-employees-have-had-enough/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Facing Escalating Workplace Violence, Hospital Employees Have Had Enough](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/08/709470502/facing-escalating-workplace-violence-hospitals-employees-have-had-enough), first appeared on [https://www.npr.org/](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/08/709470502/facing-escalating-workplace-violence-hospitals-employees-have-had-enough). --- *According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, incidents of serious workplace violence are [four times](https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hospitals/workplace_violence.html) more common in health care than in private industry. Most assaults come from patients and patients’ families.* Across the U.S., many doctors, nurses and other health care workers have remained silent about what is being called an epidemic of violence against them. The violent outbursts come from patients and patients’ families. And for years, it has been considered part of the job. When you visit the Cleveland Clinic emergency department these days — whether as a patient, family member or friend — a large sign directs you toward a metal detector. An officer inspects all bags and then instructs you to walk through the metal detector. In some cases, a metal wand is used — even on patients who come in on stretchers. Cleveland Clinic officials say they confiscate thousands of weapons like knives, pepper spray and guns each year. The metal detectors were installed in response to what [CEO Tom Mihaljevic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/5752-tomislav-mihaljevic) is calling an epidemic. “There is a very fundamental problem in U.S. health care that very few people speak about,” he says, “and that’s the violence against health care workers. Daily — literally, daily — we are exposed to violent outbursts, in particular in emergency rooms.” Many health care workers say the physical and verbal abuse comes primarily from patients, some of whom are disoriented because of illness or from medication. Sometimes nurses and doctors are abused by family members who are on edge because their loved one is so ill. Cleveland Clinic also has introduced other safety measures — such as wireless panic buttons incorporated into ID badges and more safety cameras and plainclothes officers in ERs. But these incidents aren’t limited to emergency rooms. Allysha Shin works as a registered nurse in neuroscience intensive care at the University of Southern California’s Keck Hospital in Los Angeles. One of the most violent incidents she has experienced happened when she was caring for a patient who was bleeding inside her brain. The woman had already lashed out at other staff, so she had been tied to the bed, Shin said. She broke free of the restraints and then kicked and punched Shin in the chest — before throwing a punch at her face. “There was this one point where she swung, and she had just glanced off the side of my chin. If I hadn’t dodged that punch, she could have knocked me out,” Shin says. “And she very well could have killed me.” The encounter left Shin shaken and anxious when she returned to work days later. She still has flashbacks. She used to be afraid to speak about these types of attacks, she says, because of what she calls a culture of accepting violence in most hospitals. “It is expected that you are going to get beat up from time to time,” Shin says. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, incidents of serious workplace violence are [four times](https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hospitals/workplace_violence.html) more common in health care than in private industry. And a poll conducted by the [American College of Emergency Physicians](http://newsroom.acep.org/2018-10-02-Violence-in-Emergency-Departments-Is-Increasing-Harming-Patients-New-Research-Finds) in 2018 found nearly half of emergency physician respondents reported being physically assaulted. More than 60 percent of them said the assault occurred within the previous year. Groups representing doctors and nurses say while the voluntary safety improvements that some hospitals have enacted are a good first step, more needs to be done. There is still a code of silence in health care, says Michelle Mahon, a representative of the labor group National Nurses United. “What happens if they do report it?” she says. “In some cases, unfortunately, they are treated as if they are the ones who don’t know how to do their job. Or that it’s their fault that this happened.” “There’s a lot of focus on de-escalation techniques,” Mahon adds. “Those are helpful tools, but oftentimes they are used to blame workers.” In California, the nurses’ labor union pushed for a law giving OSHA more authority to monitor hospital safety. The group is now backing a national effort to do the same thing. “The standard that we are recommending federally holds the employer responsible,” Mahon says. “It mandates reporting of incidents and transparency.” The [Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act](https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/7141/text), recently introduced in Congress, would require hospitals to implement plans to prevent violence. And any hospital could face fines for not reporting incidents to OSHA, Mahon adds. The goal of the legislation — and of the union — is to hold administrators more accountable for acts of violence in their hospitals. --- *This story is part of NPR’s reporting partnership with Ideastream and Kaiser Health News.* --- This post, [Facing Escalating Workplace Violence, Hospital Employees Have Had Enough](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/08/709470502/facing-escalating-workplace-violence-hospitals-employees-have-had-enough), first appeared on [https://www.npr.org/](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/08/709470502/facing-escalating-workplace-violence-hospitals-employees-have-had-enough). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Association between the Nurse Work Environment & its Outcomes studied by Penn Nursing](https://wastemedic.com/2019/04/02/association-between-the-nurse-work-environment-its-outcomes-studied-by-penn-nursing/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Association between the Nurse Work Environment & its Outcomes studied by Penn Nursing](https://biopharmapress.com/association-between-the-nurse-work-environment-its-outcomes-studied-by-penn-nursing/), first appeared on [https://biopharmapress.com](https://biopharmapress.com/association-between-the-nurse-work-environment-its-outcomes-studied-by-penn-nursing/). --- There is a critical part played by the nurses in the patient safety & are often considered the last stroke of defense against unsafe medical practices and errors. Plenty of researches have been conducted to find out the relationship between the working environment of nurses and various patient & nurse safety and quality results. But up till now, there has not been any clear synthesis made to articulate this association. The nurse work environment includes all the elements of the organization that effects quality of nurse care for example the authority given to nurses in decision making, the support by manager, and the collaboration of nurse-physician. A new analysis from numerous independent studies of this subject has led to the development of ‘Centre for Health Outcomes and policy research’. In this meta-analysis, sixteen years of studies has finally found the 4 sets of outcomes associated with the work environment of nurses. These outcomes are: patient satisfaction, nurse assessments of safety & quality, job consequences, and the patient health outcomes. Doctor Eileen T, lead investigator of this research said: “Our quantitative synthesis of the results of many studies revealed that better work environments were associated with lower odds of negative outcomes ranging from patient and nurse job dissatisfaction to patient mortality.” The researchers viewed the worldwide studies systematically which reported experimental research incorporating the Practice Environment Scale of the Nurse Work index. Data from 2600+ hospitals, 165 thousand nurses, and 1.3M patients, was reported by the studies. The views of above-mentioned people was taken about the practice environment, safety & quality ratings, outcomes of nurse’ job, and satisfaction of patients. As mentioned by Eileen: “Our results support the unique status of the nurse work environment as a foundation for both patient and provider well-being that warrants the resources and attention of health care administrators.” --- This post, [Association between the Nurse Work Environment & its Outcomes studied by Penn Nursing](https://biopharmapress.com/association-between-the-nurse-work-environment-its-outcomes-studied-by-penn-nursing/), first appeared on [https://biopharmapress.com](https://biopharmapress.com/association-between-the-nurse-work-environment-its-outcomes-studied-by-penn-nursing/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Designing a Better Ambulance](https://wastemedic.com/2019/04/02/designing-a-better-ambulance/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Designing a Better Ambulance](https://www.emsworld.com/article/1222443/designing-better-ambulance), first appeared on [https://www.emsworld.com](https://www.emsworld.com/article/1222443/designing-better-ambulance). --- Today’s ambulances are far from perfect. For instance, “the cab area is filled with operational distractions and frequently too crowded for comfort or safety,” says Tracey Loscar, EMS operations chief for the Mat-Su Borough Department of Emergency Services in Wasilla, Alaska. “Meanwhile, the patient compartment has limited ability to protect the crew from impact injuries, specifically closed head injuries.” But what if ambulances could be made perfect? Or at least much better than they are today? We asked EMS professionals to imagine their “perfect ambulance” and what could be done to make real-world ambulances better. ##### **Safety First!** The perfect ambulance would be built to put safety first. It would “secure the patient, caregivers, and any other occupants with proper restraints,” says Ron Thackery, CEO of Thackery Group LLC and an expert on safety, risk management, procurement, and controlled-substances administration in EMS. “Patient restraints would meet SAE requirements in addition to any other regulations.” This “dream bus” would be outfitted with sufficient warning lights and conspicuous markings to make sure everyone could see it, Thackery adds. To protect occupants while driving, “equipping the unit with cameras, lane assistance, distance control for other vehicles, and drowsiness detection would be important.” ##### **Lots of Space** In the perfect ambulance sufficient compartment space would allow multiple caregivers to attend to a patient. In the real world working space can be tight—sometimes too tight. “Much of this has to do with the size of the ambulance and how much you consider placement of items like onboard suction, sharps containers, and monitor mounts,” says Tom Bouthillet, battalion chief of EMS in Hilton Head Island, S.C. “When the ECG, NIBP, SpO2, and CO2 are attached and the monitor is mounted to one side of the patient or the other, it’s an obstacle to switching sides.” The good news: With proper planning, a real-world ambulance can maximize its interior working space. To make this happen, “consider purchasing a monitor mount for each side of the ambulance,” Bouthillet advises. “Talk to the guys in the shop before they make decisions about radio placement and so on. Even trash can placement matters.” ##### **Logical Layouts** There’s much debate surrounding which ambulance interior layouts would be perfect for EMS providers and their patients. “I prefer the design that changes the single bench seat into bucket options that have swivel/movement capability,” says Loscar. “A rotational bucket design, high-backed with a good restraint system, is very appealing to me.” Meanwhile, when it comes to carrying patients inside, “I would find a way to raise or mount the stretcher higher within the ambulance, reducing the need for the crew to bend and reach while doing patient care,” she adds. As well, “an optional ramp system or additional safe method for easy ambulatory entry would make it safer for patients and crews,” Loscar observes. After all, “crews are not the only people who need to step into an ambulance. In multipatient scenarios or for patients with minor ailments who are ambulatory, ambulances can be difficult to navigate.” ##### **Keep It Simple and Usable** Experts generally agree that perfect ambulances would have drawers, cupboards, and door covers that are safe and easy to work with. “Take away small knobs and narrow drawers,” says Loscar. “We need clean, open spaces with recessed areas that have padded perimeters, so small items can be contained instead of being at risk of rolling off and becoming inaccessible.” “ Caregivers should be able to reach all necessary equipment and supplies from their seated and restrained positions,” adds Thackery. At the same time, “the ambulance should have an alarm system indicating whether any occupants are seated and unrestrained.” “Having automatic power locks for exterior compartments is a huge plus,” Bouthillet says. “Certain types of exterior compartment doors are difficult to close, and they shouldn’t be.” All of this is attainable in the real world, he adds. “So take your time with the details when you spec out a truck and make sure you involve tenured paramedics with good judgment.” ##### **Patient Comfort** The dream bus would be warm enough to keep patients comfortable, but this isn’t often the case with crews working on the street. “For some reason firefighters in particular think it should be 67ºF in back of the ambulance,” says Bouthillet. “This is too cold for most elderly patients.” To ensure sufficient warmth for patients, “it’s important to make sure the truck’s power supply can run lights, sirens, and climate control simultaneously for long periods of time,” he adds. “In the old days the lights inside the truck would pulsate because the truck was underpowered. Nowadays our ambulances have a separate generator to help power the climate control in the back. It also means you can have power with the ignition turned off.” ##### **Ergonomics Matter** The perfect ambulance would accommodate the physical needs of the EMS crews who essentially live in them during a shift. Doing so would minimize crew injuries and fatigue, resulting in enhanced working conditions and thus better care of patients. “A crew spends all day going in and out of the vehicle, so the ergonomics of where and how their equipment is secured, along with how it’s removed and returned to the vehicle, is vital,” says Loscar. “Any and all attempts to reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries, such as to shoulders or knees, should be considered during the design phase, not addressed after the compartment is already built.” In this vein, “I see stretcher-loading systems like Stryker’s Power-LOAD as serving both patient and provider safety, as many mishaps occur during loading and unloading—and back injuries can be career ending,” says Bouthillet. ##### **So Do Creature Comforts** A dream bus should also accommodate the nonmedical needs of EMS crews. It should include “creature comforts” such as cup holders, ample leg room, storage for personal items, and mobile hotspots to connect providers’ smartphones to the world. “Creature comforts sound like a luxury, but we do refer to the truck as our ‘home for the next 12 hours,’” Loscar notes. “For agencies using system status management and remote posting, offering creature comforts can make a difference in both enhanced functionality and improved morale.” ##### **Achievable Goals** The ideas outlined by the operators who spoke with *EMS World* not only fit in “perfect” ambulances, but those of the real world. They are within reach today for EMS agencies—as long as you include them when designing your next vehicle. Procurement officers take note: There’s a lot you can do to buy ambulances that are better for EMS crews and their patients, even if these buses aren’t actually perfect. *James Careless is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to EMS World.* #### **Sidebar: More EMS Agencies Thinking Small** In a rethinking of the traditional full-size box ambulance style, EMS and fire departments nationwide are moving toward smaller, consumer-style chassis designs to realize advantages such as cost savings, increased maneuverability, and speedier response. Star City Volunteer Fire Department, a single-station service covering Star City, W.V.—adjacent to Morgantown and West Virginia University—recently purchased a 2019 Ford Transit T-350 to better serve the needs of its community and responders. Star City EMS operates under a hybrid paid/volunteer model with over 30 full- and part-time staff and four ALS vehicles. “This is a large purchase for our department,” says Sam Hamilton, captain of EMS field operations, who worked with builder Osage Ambulances to design the new vehicle with input from a core group of staff members who compiled a wish list of specifications. “We literally started with a shell and designed it from the bottom up,” says John Hitchens, EMS administrator for the Star City Fire Department, adding that features such as vertical oxygen loading, removal of the rear bench in favor of a captain-style seat and “airway seat,” minimal cabinetry for greater ease of movement, and other details made the vehicle a true custom build. “If it was feasible, we did it,” says Hitchens. “We wanted to make it something nobody had seen.” While compromises naturally come with a smaller patient compartment, the slimmer body design holds marked advantages over the service’s full-size ambulances. “It’s lighter without being top-heavy, things are within easy reach, and it’s easier to drive,” says Hitchens, adding that he’s noting a trend in the industry toward smaller vehicles. While larger ambulances still serve their purpose, Hitchens says, smaller models allow agencies to keep costs in line, improve transport safety, and maintain a professional level of service. Following a final state inspection and signoff, Medic 29 is scheduled to begin service this spring. *—Jonathan Bassett* --- This post, [Designing a Better Ambulance](https://www.emsworld.com/article/1222443/designing-better-ambulance), first appeared on [https://www.emsworld.com](https://www.emsworld.com/article/1222443/designing-better-ambulance). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [EPA Issues New Waste Rules for Hospitals, Medical Clinics and Pharmacies](https://wastemedic.com/2019/02/21/epa-issues-new-waste-rules-for-hospitals-medical-clinics-and-pharmacies/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [EPA Issues New Waste Rules for Hospitals, Medical Clinics and Pharmacies](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6c2f7191-534b-4123-a93d-17464fd4f738), first appeared on [https://www.lexology.com](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6c2f7191-534b-4123-a93d-17464fd4f738). --- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) recently issued new regulations for managing pharmaceutical waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”). The rules specify new requirements for hazardous waste management for healthcare facilities that generate pharmaceutical wastes. In issuing these rules, EPA aimed to achieve two objectives: reduce the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater and balance the support for appropriate recycling or reuse with proper management of waste pharmaceuticals. These changes will impact a broad range of healthcare facilities, defined under the regulations to include hospitals, medical clinics, and retail pharmacies. They also apply to pharmaceutical manufacturers who act as reverse distributors. The new rules will take effect on the federal level six months from the rule’s publication, which is expected shortly, however certain requirements will require adoption by the states. For healthcare providers, compliance with RCRA is especially challenging, in part because they handle a wide variety of hazardous pharmaceutical products in small quantities. Because hazardous waste determinations must be made at the point of generation, healthcare workers will require careful training to comply with the new rules. For example, certain containers with residues can be considered hazardous waste even where the entirety of the medication was dispensed. Failure to adhere to RCRA and underlying regulations can result in penalties of up to $72,718 per violation per day. The most notable features of the new rule are as follows: ##### **New Procedures for Health Care Facilities.** The rules are contained in a new Subpart P to Title 40 of Federal Code of Regulations Part 266 governing hazardous waste pharmaceuticals, so that they are treated differently than manufacturing facilities which generate hazardous waste on an industrial scale. As an example, healthcare facilities subject to the new rule will no longer have to maintain a central hazardous waste accumulation area and will be able to store pharmaceutical wastes for up to one year, as compared to 90 days under the general Part 262 provisions. A key issue for generators of pharmaceutical waste under the new regulations will be determining the amount of hazardous pharmaceutical waste they generate. Healthcare facilities that generate more than 100 kg of hazardous waste, or more than 1 kg of acute hazardous waste per month (e.g., various chemotherapy drugs that are considered P-listed hazardous waste) are subject to the new Part 266 subpart P. Healthcare facilities generating hazardous waste pharmaceuticals below the threshold amounts are considered very small quantity generators and are largely exempt from the new subpart. ##### **No Sewering of Waste.** Notably, however, very small quantity generators are nonetheless still subject to new provisions prohibiting the “sewering” or “flushing” of pharmaceutical waste, and new empty container standards—requirements that apply to all healthcare providers under the rule. Moreover, very small quantity generators are subject to optional provisions regarding hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical hazardous waste allowing for off-site disposal provided certain conditions are met. ##### **Reverse Distribution**. Importantly, the new rules retain the controversial definition that prescription pharmaceuticals are “solid waste” when they are sent to a reverse distributor, creating a trap for the unwary. The new rules differentiate between prescription pharmaceuticals and non-prescription pharmaceuticals—such as over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, and homeopathic medications—which are exempt from the new “solid waste” definition when sent to reverse logistic centers so long as they have “a reasonable expectation of being legitimately used/reused or reclaimed.”3 EPA stated in the rule preamble that it included this qualifier because it remains concerned about overuse of reverse logistics centers. Healthcare facilities discarding non-prescription pharmaceuticals may therefore still face some uncertainty when determining when the solid waste exemption applies. For example, unsold retail items that are broken, damaged, or leaking may not have “a reasonable expectation of being legitimately used/reused or reclaimed” such that they must be considered solid wastes at the healthcare facility, depending on the extent of damage to the package. Failure to heed this requirement could lead to RCRA violations as well as Department of Transportation violations related to shipments of hazardous materials. ##### **Exemptions for Nicotine Replacement Therapies and Over-the-Counter Pharmaceuticals.** In response to retailers long-standing request, EPA provided an exemption for nicotine replacement therapies under the new rule allowing that FDA approved over-the-counter nicotine patches, gums, and lozenges will be considered nonhazardous wastes not subject to RCRA disposal requirements. The exemption does not apply to prescription nicotine therapies or e-cigarettes, however. --- This post, [EPA Issues New Waste Rules for Hospitals, Medical Clinics and Pharmacies](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6c2f7191-534b-4123-a93d-17464fd4f738), first appeared on [https://www.lexology.com](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6c2f7191-534b-4123-a93d-17464fd4f738). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [A Secure Healthcare Prescription](https://wastemedic.com/2019/03/13/a-secure-healthcare-prescription/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [A Secure Healthcare Prescription](https://securitytoday.com/articles/2019/03/01/a-secure-healthcare-prescription.aspx), first appeared on [https://securitytoday.com](https://securitytoday.com/articles/2019/03/01/a-secure-healthcare-prescription.aspx). --- *Hospitals are improving security, operational efficiencies, and patient safety* By Courtney Dillon Pedersen Hospitals and other healthcare facilities face unique security and surveillance challenges. These often large, multi-building/multi-level facilities operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round—there is no downtime allowed for their operation. In most cases, these environments are fairly open with staff members, patients and their families, vendors, emergency and support teams always moving throughout the facility. With a mix of many different common areas including waiting rooms, pharmacies, restaurants, gift shops, parking and many private and restricted areas, healthcare properties require a high level of flexibility and reliability from their security systems. ### **A Real-time Situational Picture** While hospitals, clinics, laboratories, doctors’ offices and nursing homes may use some physical security technologies such as security guards, access control systems, metal detectors and RFID security tags, only video surveillance offers the real-time situational picture for taking proactive and preventive action, as well as evidential recording for analysis, resolution, possible prosecution and liability purposes. According to Ryan Mellow, key account manager for Milestone Systems, who is experienced in dealing with healthcare projects, this sector faces many diverse challenges that video technology can resolve. The biggest security concerns are centered around regulation compliance, safety matters, and the protection of people, property and physical assets. Common security problems for healthcare facilities include: - Loss of high-value medical equipment and assets; internal or external theft - Access, use and theft of drugs and other pharmaceutical items - Securing ‘hot labs’ with nuclear medicines used for radiation - Workplace, domestic or street violence - Patient elopement, accountability - Illegal parking - Infant abduction - Vandalism - Liability “A typical deployment in today’s healthcare environment revolves around a main facility that acts as the centralized point, which may or may not have a security operations center that is manned,” Mellow said. “The system then rolls out to other physical locations, such as outpatient centers, clinics, labs, supply sites and pharmacies.” Mellow explained that typically, authorized user access is defined in the system to see the live or archived video, which usually is recorded locally at the other sites, but the overall system is managed from the central facility. Increasingly, system administrators are utilizing existing IT infrastructure, running the video management software on virtualized servers and taking advantage of existing data center resources. “With everything else a hospital needs to deal with, cybersecurity is extremely important in a healthcare setting,” Mellow said. “With data security, privacy issues and HIPAA regulations, the possibility of private health information being hacked can be very damaging both from a reputational standpoint and a financial standpoint.” It’s critical that any surveillance network today use system-hardening features to help users develop policies that deter network attacks. Dual user authentication, end-to-end video encryption and digital signing plus encryption of exported video all play a role in a good cybersecurity plan. ### **Open Platform Developments** Developments in security and surveillance solutions based on open platform VMS are helping hospital and healthcare facilities protect people and property, provide situational awareness, and enhance operations. Advantages of an open platform IP video surveillance system include: - Seamless integration with other security systems (building management, access control, RFID, retail point-of-sale applications) and a unified point of control for inter-operability - The ability to add visual situational awareness and alerts to improve response times in emergency situations - Superior information sharing with first responders, such as ambulance, police and fire departments - Low total cost of ownership (TCO) and substantial cost savings through the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and third-party applications - Protection against future system obsolescence and extensive “forklift upgrades” - Easy and cost-effective expansion as needs grow - Ability to add new innovations as they become available Open architecture platforms make it much easier to integrate with other security or business elements, like access control systems, lighting and perimeter gates and doors. Since many IP network cameras have digital outputs (I/O), the VMS can be used to program cameras to activate switches upon alarm signals to close, lock or open doors, turn lights on or off, set off alarms or other actions. The benefits of an open platform extend beyond security-related integrations and play a key role in integrations with systems for staff shift monitoring, building control and management systems, traffic management systems, business intelligence analytics and complying with regulations for hygiene, fire and environmental issues. Video monitoring is useful for operational efficiencies in managing deliveries, cleaning services, safe food preparation and staff training. ### **Video Analytics** Research shows that although nothing is more accurate than a trained human eye, a human observer’s effectiveness degrades quickly after short periods of time and as the number of cameras increase. Software, on the other hand, never tires. Software is always watching, always analyzing and always ready to sound an alarm or send an alert. Some solutions integrate multiple video analytics systems (both server- and camerabased) under a single, easy-to-use interface to correlate alerts from different systems, to reduce false alerts and give security the best intelligence of a potential incident. Video analytics technology has significantly advanced over the past few years, improving its ability to provide real-time intelligence. Today’s video analytics software can provide alerts of suspicious activity, such as a person abandoning a bag or backpack, signaling a possible bomb threat. Video analytics software can count people or detect if they are moving or grouping too tightly together, an action that might indicate a fight or gang activity. More advanced programs actually learn normal human patterns in a location, such as hallways or waiting areas, and can highlight and log behaviors of individuals who act or move in unusual ways. ### **Scaling and Interoperability** While IP networking makes it easy to connect cameras and other IP video surveillance components, it does not necessarily mean “interoperability” or “open platform.” “IP camera” simply means the product uses the Internet Protocol (IP) to exchange data. It does not guarantee that two brands of products that are IP-based will “plug and play” and instantly work together. Many manufacturers of video surveillance hardware (particularly proprietary DVRs and NVRs) encode equipment to only work with their own equipment or software. They lock users into their solutions. Such proprietary solutions can make it difficult to scale a video surveillance system to include offerings like access control, intrusion detection and video analytics from other vendors. They also keep integrators from being able to utilize best-of-breed components at the most competitive price. Hospitals of all types and sizes stand to see lower total cost of ownership, greater effectiveness and more opportunities for integrations by choosing a genuine open platform, IP-based video surveillance solution. Milestone Systems, along with many of its integration and development partners, has worked with hospitals and healthcare facilities around the world to deploy effective video solutions. Integrated systems and new ways of thinking about video for both security and non-security uses are helping healthcare organizations provide safe, efficient, and secure healing environments. ### **Massachusetts General Hospital Integrated Video** With 1,300 cameras recording 24/7 and more than 1,000 investigations to process per year, Massachusetts General Hospital’s security team was previously not able to keep up with the vast amounts of recorded video. “The number of investigations we were doing was taking huge amounts of time for reviewing video, and that was really a waste of time,” said Bonnie Michelman, MGH executive director of Police, Security and Outside Services and Consultant for Partners Healthcare. “We needed to augment heavily with very good, state-of-the-art technology that allows us to combine our intelligence, labor, policies and procedures, in order to create a better holistic approach to enterprise risk management.” A unified system was required to balance the video surveillance needs of a busy hospital campus with remote satellite locations while upholding the highest level of security possible, maintaining operational flow and providing customer satisfaction that includes expectations of privacy. Michelman and her team decided on the Milestone XProtect VMS platform. Camera count was increased from 400 to 1,300, and standardized with Axis network cameras connected directly to the IP network. To deal with the marked increase in video data, MGH’s team chose BriefCam Syndex Pro, a powerful set of analytic tools intended to reduce the time and effort needed to conduct video reviews, post-event video investigation and real-time video monitoring. The BriefCam solution ties in seamlessly with the Milestone video management interface, providing efficient workflow for investigators. ### **Large Bulgarian Hospital Keeps Safe with Video** Uni Hospital is one of the largest, most modern healthcare facilities in Bulgaria. With more than 20,000 patients a year, security is extremely important for keeping patients, visitors and staff safe, and protecting expensive medical equipment. The video system was an integral part of the whole hospital enterprise right from the beginning. The security system is used for monitoring open spaces, parking spaces and common areas. Video plays a very important role in controlling and monitoring the quality of service and care for patients. With the integration of biometric identification (fingerprint) into the access control system, access to critical premises such as laboratories and drug stores is controlled. Doctors and nurses have access only to premises that are directly related to their work. Four Milestone Husky M50 servers are used with XProtect Professional and Milestone Smart Client, combined with thirdparty integrations, including access control, biometrics and fire alarms. The flexibility and openness of the Milestone software has been a major advantage to the project. Thanks to this innovative system the hospital doesn’t need to invest much in physical security as the reliable surveillance is achieved with fewer human resources. The system’s automated events and alarms minimize the risk of human errors and reduce operating costs significantly. The flexibility of the open platform video software enables the hospital to expand and optimize the system to meet all future needs. ### **Kansas Community Hospital Searches Fast for Evidence** A busy Community Hospital in Kansas is an example of a successful migration to digital video from an analog system. The hospital’s Environmental Services & Security Director remembers an incident when a car drove up to the emergency room and dropped off an unconscious man with a drug overdose, then took off so as not to get involved. “Finding in our surveillance the images of the person who dropped him off and the car he was driving only took us five minutes. We knew what time he arrived and went right to that date and time to see the evidence,” he said. “If we’d still had our old analog security system, it would have taken us two-and-a-half hours searching through videotape to get that evidence.” The director recalls that they shared the footage with the police and after following up they realized that those people were involved in other criminal activities in the area. The XProtect software allows easy export of portions of video, should law enforcement officials request them. ### **Central Hospital in Finland Trains Challenged Parents** A Central Hospital in Finland was looking for an effective way to help parents with babies and young children who have challenging sleeping and feeding problems. Practice and research has demonstrated that video methods are essential tools for clinical interventions when treating problems in child-parent relationships. Therefore, the authorities decided to use Milestone XProtect video surveillance to treat the troubled families. “Thanks to the video, we can provide better help to parents with babies and toddlers who often have sleeping and feeding problems,” said the Child Psychiatrist and Clinical Director, Clinic of Child Psychiatry. “The software is an important tool in helping families with problems they cannot solve by themselves. The end result of training with the interactions on video is healthier and happier babies and parents with increased knowledge and peace of mind.” ### **Nebraska Healthcare Complex Improves Safety** In Nebraska, a leading healthcare institution was looking for an opportunity to improve safety for patients, while also reducing its overhead costs. An operations manager was asked to investigate video monitoring as an option. “Our goal was to ensure patient safety and to reduce costs,” she said. “We always have a certain population of patients who are confused and agitated; patients who we are not comfortable to leave alone in their rooms. It was previously necessary to staff those rooms for round-the-clock observation. At a time when changing budget priorities meant we needed to reduce our staffing, installing video monitoring cameras at almost every bedside was the best option and helped us a great deal.” --- This post, [A Secure Healthcare Prescription](https://securitytoday.com/articles/2019/03/01/a-secure-healthcare-prescription.aspx), first appeared on [https://securitytoday.com](https://securitytoday.com/articles/2019/03/01/a-secure-healthcare-prescription.aspx). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Patients Who Receive Information About the Importance of Safe Disposal are Three Times More Likely to Dispose of Unused Prescription Opioid Medications](https://wastemedic.com/2019/03/13/patients-who-receive-information-about-the-importance-of-safe-disposal-are-three-times-more-likely-to-dispose-of-unused-prescription-opioid-medications/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Patients Who Receive Information About the Importance of Safe Disposal are Three Times More Likely to Dispose of Unused Prescription Opioid Medications](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190220005278/en/Patients-Receive-Information-Importance-Safe-Disposal-Times), first appeared on [https://www.businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190220005278/en/Patients-Receive-Information-Importance-Safe-Disposal-Times). --- *Survey study sponsored by Purdue Pharma and published in the Journal of Pain Research examines factors that contribute to the safe disposal of opioids* STAMFORD, Conn.–([BUSINESS WIRE](https://www.businesswire.com/))–Purdue Pharma L.P. today announced the publication of a survey study that found one-third of patients disposed of their unused opioid medication, and those who received education about the importance of safe disposal were approximately three times more likely to do so. The survey study, which was undertaken to inform the design of future drug take-back programs by gaining a better understanding of drivers of drug disposal behavior, was sponsored by Purdue and recently published in the peer-reviewed [Journal of Pain Research](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dovepress.com%2Farticles.php%3Farticle_id%3D44186&esheet=51943055&newsitemid=20190220005278&lan=en-US&anchor=Journal+of+Pain+Research&index=1&md5=f94bbf5a1319ed41ac0945eb1ddfadf3)*.* “The findings of this survey study highlight the importance of effective drug take-back programs in helping prevent prescription opioid diversion,” said Daniel Buffington, PharmD, MBA, president & practice director, Clinical Pharmacology Services and lead study author. “We believe these data offer valuable and actionable insights that have the potential to drive marked improvements in safe disposal practices.” The cross-sectional survey study was conducted from September 2016 to October 2016 and assessed the self-reported behaviors, drivers, and barriers of the disposal of unused opioid medication among 152 respondents. All survey study participants had a history of acute or chronic pain, had been treated with prescription opioid medication within the preceding two years, and had unused opioid medication. “Purdue is pleased to support and participate in this important research that shows a clear need to continue patient education and increase awareness of proper opioid medication disposal methods,” said Thomas Alfieri, PhD, director, Medical Affairs Strategic Research, Purdue Pharma and study co-author. “By identifying potential areas for education and improvement in drug take-back programs, efforts may be made to increase patients’ utilization of them, which may help to reduce the incidence of opioid misuse and accidental poisoning.” Survey questions addressed history of disposing of unused opioid medication, motivations for disposing of or keeping leftover opioid medication, beliefs about incentives used to promote safe disposal, and barriers to using medication take-back programs. Overall, 33 percent (n=50) of surveyed patients reported that they disposed of their unused opioid medication. However, patients who received information about the importance of and methods for appropriate medication disposal were almost three times more likely to report disposing of unused opioid medication compared to those who did not receive such information. The most frequently reported methods for disposal were via a drug disposal kiosk or other local take-back program (50 percent; n=25) and flushing the medication down the toilet (26 percent; n=13). Forty percent (n=60) of patients reported they received information about the importance of properly disposing of unused opioid medication, and a similar proportion of patients (36.2 percent) reported that they received information about appropriate methods for disposing of unused medication. Patients who disposed of unused opioids reported doing so as part of a routine practice of disposing of all excess medication, an awareness of the risks posed by unused opioids, or with instruction from a trusted healthcare provider. For patients who kept their unused opioid medication, the greatest influencing factor was a desire to have the medication on-hand should they need it in the future. Selection bias, resulting from the use of a research panel and the limited demographic data collected, is inherent in this survey study, and the respondents may not be representative of all patients who have unused opioid medication. Additionally, the validity of the data collected relied on the accuracy of self-reporting, and the nature of the survey questions may have resulted in respondents feeling pressure to respond in a way reflecting socially desirable behavior. Additional research and analysis would provide additional insights regarding effective patient motivation factors surrounding opioid disposal. Purdue supports the responsible use and disposal of all prescription medications, including opioids. For additional information, please visit [https://www.purduepharma.com/patients-caregivers/responsible-use-of-opioids/](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.purduepharma.com%2Fpatients-caregivers%2Fresponsible-use-of-opioids%2F&esheet=51943055&newsitemid=20190220005278&lan=en-US&anchor=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.purduepharma.com%2Fpatients-caregivers%2Fresponsible-use-of-opioids%2F&index=2&md5=c5ab2147957611b97a33165ce660a109). #### **About Purdue Pharma L.P.** Purdue Pharma and its subsidiaries develop and provide prescription medicines that meet the evolving needs of healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers. We were founded by physicians and are currently led by a physician. Beyond our efforts to provide quality medications, Purdue Pharma is committed to supporting national, regional and local collaborations to drive innovations in patient care while also continuing our efforts to address the opioid crisis. Purdue established Imbrium Therapeutics to further advance its emerging portfolio and develop its pipeline in the areas of CNS, non-opioid pain medicines, and select oncology through internal research, strategic collaborations and partnerships. Other Purdue subsidiaries include Greenfield Bioventures. For more information, please visit [www.purduepharma.com](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.purduepharma.com%2F&esheet=51943055&newsitemid=20190220005278&lan=en-US&anchor=www.purduepharma.com&index=3&md5=c94739976fed57ea8fb81da25baf09e7). --- This post, [Patients Who Receive Information About the Importance of Safe Disposal are Three Times More Likely to Dispose of Unused Prescription Opioid Medications](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190220005278/en/Patients-Receive-Information-Importance-Safe-Disposal-Times), first appeared on [https://www.businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190220005278/en/Patients-Receive-Information-Importance-Safe-Disposal-Times). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Four ways to manage healthcare waste sustainably](https://wastemedic.com/2019/03/13/four-ways-to-manage-healthcare-waste-sustainably/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Four ways to manage healthcare waste sustainably](https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/four-ways-to-manage-healthcare-waste-sustainably/), first appeared on [https://www.eco-business.com](https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/four-ways-to-manage-healthcare-waste-sustainably/). --- The progress of modern medicine in the recent years has been astounding. A wearable pancreas is already increasingly common, continuously monitoring blood sugar levels and dispensing insulin as needed. Soon, we may even be able to finely edit our DNA, using molecular scissors to snip out genetic defects. But as global healthcare charges forward, it leaves behind a waste crisis waiting to explode. For instance, the [World Health Organization](http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs253/en/) estimates 16 billion injections are administered worldwide every year without proper disposal, while an average of 0.5kg of hazardous waste per hospital bed per day is generated in high-income countries like the US. For the record, Phnom Penh in Cambodia produced 342.54kg of healthcare waste from 3,114 hospital beds, according to a 2003 Cambodia Environmental Association survey, and Japan creates 285,000 tonnes in infectious waste and 945,000 tonnes of non-infectious also in 2003. What makes the quantity of healthcare waste worse is that it’s not separated into hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams. Hospitals produce very unique waste items. There are sharp objects, such as used needles and syringes; pharmaceutical waste, like expired and contaminated drugs; and infectious waste, including soiled dressings, blood and bacterial cultures. Either directly or indirectly, these medical wastes pose large-scale health risks through release of pathogens and toxic pollutants. Improper management of medical wastes can lead to bigger health and environmental impacts such as radiation burns, sharps-inflicted injuries, toxic exposure to pharmaceutical products—especially antibiotics and cytotoxic drugs—as well as mercury and dioxin leaks that could eventually seep into the ground and pollute our water, agricultural land and even the air through the incineration of medical waste in waste-to-energy facilities. In many developing countries, strong national legislation and regulation policies focusing on hospital waste are in place. However, in the face of tight resource constraints, implementation remains a critical problem. Indeed, many countries [in Asia Pacific like the Philippines, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Laos, Malaysia and Palau ](http://iris.wpro.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665.1/11411/9789290617228_eng.pdf?sequence=1&ua=1)still have no functioning waste management systems specifically for healthcare waste. Meanwhile the rest of the waste is dumped or burned through waste-to-energy incineration facilities that harms the people and the planet. In particular, according to the [United States Environmental Protection Agency](https://www3.epa.gov/ttnchie1/ap42/ch02/final/c02s03.pdf), medical waste incineration produces emissions that contain significant air pollutants including particulate matter, metals, acid gases, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide to name a few. These substances can cause higher incidence of cancer and respiratory symptoms as well as possible congenital abnormalities and hormonal defects. Efforts on healthcare waste are essential not only to provide a safe and sustainable environment for the public but also in passing on available solutions and best practices to other hospitals on healthcare waste management. For that reason, here is a rundown of recommendations for hospitals and health centres on how to realise sustainable healthcare waste management, from the recently launched [*Sustainability in Action: Best Practices of Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Asia Members and other Countries*](https://www.slideshare.net/HCWHAsia/sustainability-in-action-best-practices-from-gghh-asia-members-and-other-countries): 1. **Plan**. Every sound management scheme (whether of waste items or not) starts with a solid plan. At this stage, hospitals will lay out their waste management strategy, as well as the roles and responsibilities of each member. Typically, this includes the creation of a waste management committee and the designation of a waste management officer who oversees the day-to-day handling and monitoring of waste. It is equally important for the hospital to know how much and what types of waste it generates, and to what degree it fluctuates. 2. **Minimise.**The worst way to deal with waste items is to dispose of them. That is, the most effective waste management solution is to not produce waste in the first place. This is an impossible standard, and in cases where waste is unavoidable hospitals should consider waste minimisation through the reuse of materials as long as patient safety is not compromised. To this end, hospitals should also be smarter with their procurement, opting instead for greener alternatives, such as non-mercury thermometers and recyclable plastic containers. 3. **Segregate.** Proper handling and segregation of waste is vital in keeping the hospital environment clean and restful. The immediate responsibility of proper healthcare waste segregation is on the person who produces the waste. At each point of waste generation, there should be separate, properly labelled and colour-coded containers appropriate for the specified type of waste. 4. **Dispose.** Prior to disposal, waste items should undergo a variety of treatment processes, to simultaneously minimise potential public health threats and reduce the damage to the environment. While the choice of treatment depends largely on the waste characteristics, immediate environment of the disposal facility and its impact on public and planetary health, the most common ones include: mechanical treatment, such as shredding and grinding; chemical treatment, which involves the use of disinfectants; and steam sterilisation such as using autoclaves in order to destroy pathogens. On that account, advancement of global healthcare takes not just modern technologies and top-of-the-line medications, but also requires the realisation of a truly sustainable and safe health care systems that understands the link between the sector’s landmark operations and the possible impacts it can create on the environment and people’s health. *Pats Oliva is Communications Campaigner at Health Care Without Harm Asia.* --- This post, [Four ways to manage healthcare waste sustainably](https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/four-ways-to-manage-healthcare-waste-sustainably/), first appeared on [https://www.eco-business.com](https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/four-ways-to-manage-healthcare-waste-sustainably/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Accidental Needlesticks: The Silent Killer](https://wastemedic.com/2019/03/13/accidental-needlesticks-the-silent-killer/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Accidental Needlesticks: The Silent Killer](https://www.physiciansweekly.com/accidental-needlesticks-the-silent-killer/), first appeared on [https://www.physiciansweekly.com](https://www.physiciansweekly.com/accidental-needlesticks-the-silent-killer/). --- *By Karen Daley* We all know that doctors and nurses work long hours under trying conditions, particularly in hospital emergency rooms, to save lives and bring healing and comfort to the sick. What too many people do not know is that healthcare workers face a potential silent killer every day that is so common it is routinely overlooked and ignored: accidental needlesticks. Every year in the United States, more than [400 million blood draws are performed](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/smashing-the-innovation-hierarchy-in-healthcare-innovating-around-blood-draws-in-our-kids.html). Some of these are carried out during routine doctor visits, some in outpatient laboratory settings, many in the emergency room (ER) or ambulances, where workers and patients are under extreme stress, circumstances can be chaotic, and safety measures compromised in the rush against time. Nearly every healthcare worker has a story about a needlestick or a near miss. Even the most experienced nurses and other practitioners, working long hours with no margin of error, will experience that sinking feeling of dread when the sharp end of a used needle accidentally punctures their skin with a potential to cause infection. My own story is from the summer of 1998, when I was working as a nurse in the emergency room (ER) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Asked by a colleague to perform a blood draw on a patient with difficult venous access, I was able accomplish the task on my first attempt. Unfortunately, when I went to dispose of the needle in the biohazard container on the wall behind me, I was accidentally stuck by another disposed needle poking out from the overfilled box. Like many nurses, I’d been stuck before, maybe half a dozen times, and had only reported about half of them. In this case, I decided to report my injury, at the supportive insistence of an ER colleague who witnessed it occur. Thank goodness I did, because it wasn’t long until I began having some vague symptoms that included weight loss, fatigue and malaise that concerned both me and my doctors. Five months later, I was diagnosed with HIV and hepatitis C, a result of that same inadvertent needlestick. In 1998, this meant a frightening and potentially life-threatening road ahead with long, intensive, and difficult treatment regimens. I was not alone in the circumstances surrounding my needlestick injury. More [than 2 million](http://www.who.int/occupational_health/topics/needinjuries/en/) infectious needlesticks are sustained by healthcare workers each year across the globe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and more than [1.3 million people die](http://www.wpro.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs_20120204/en/) annually as a result of unsafe injection practices. The reality is surely far grimmer: Surveys show that, like in my previous experiences, it is possible that as many as 50% of needlesticks may go unreported by healthcare workers. Doctors, nurses, paramedics and EMTs tend to be battle-hardened and resilient. Often, after getting stuck, a nurse will make a quick calculation: Was the patient a high-risk individual? Is it worth going through the drawn-out, anxiety-inducing process of reporting the stick, taking toxic medications and enduring the subsequent health surveillance? In some cases, healthcare workers might even be blamed for making the “careless mistake” of getting stuck. In a big-city ER, at the back end of a 12-hour shift, handling dozens of patients an hour – many of them frightened, unruly, violent, or otherwise challenging to provide care for – it is all too easy for a needle to miss its mark by a fraction of an inch and stick a healthcare worker. Determined to use my own experience to prevent this from happening to others, I worked with my nurse colleagues in the American Nurses Association (ANA) along with others, including elected officials, to advocate for federal legislation to improve needle safety. In 2001, during my term as president of the ANA affiliate in Massachusetts, President Clinton signed the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, which required hospitals to make safety-engineered sharps devices available to their workers whenever appropriate to prevent injuries similar to mine. In the first year after the law went into effect, needlesticks dropped by as [much as one-third](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23917907), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, based on that early success and projected estimates for continued injury reduction in the intervening years, federal and state governments and the industry itself have not kept an adequate focus on the issue. In fact, the national injury surveillance system for healthcare workers operated under the CDC was discontinued after December 2007. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is charged with regulatory enforcement, too often relies on employers to voluntarily comply with the law. Site surveys conducted by OSHA are normally triggered by confidential worker complaints or random OSHA inspections, which occur too infrequently. Despite the fact that injuries persist and remain underreported, they are once again invisible. We cannot let that continue. More than 60 blood borne pathogens can be transmitted through needlesticks. Future efforts to reduce US sharps injuries will require revitalized surveillance and compliance enforcement efforts along with ongoing efforts by employers to prevent future injuries and exposures. Hospitals are rightly focused on patient safety, and financial incentives exist that promote measures to be taken to protect patients from preventable illness and injury. It is important that institutional safety systems focus equally on worker safety as patient safety. If workers are not safe, patients are less safe. The reality for injured workers is that needlestick injuries can create significant burdens for them (even when no disease is transmitted) as well as employers and have meaningful impacts on patient care. My own injury and resulting infections have already given rise to over $1 million in healthcare costs and that is without even one hospitalization. If I had not reported my needlestick, those costs would have bankrupted me and likely ended my career, or even worse, my life. The momentum we were able to harness following my injury resulted in crucial public policy reform that has saved lives. That positive momentum has dramatically slowed in recent years and now shows signs of completely evaporating. We must do more to enforce the regulations that currently exist under that law and strengthen protections by taking advantage of new knowledge, new technologies and the increased awareness that experiences like mine have brought. Each of us either has or will watch helplessly and hopefully as a loved one is wheeled into an operating room, a trauma center or lab for tests that could mean life or death. We put our trust and faith in the nurses and doctors who are caring for them. These healthcare professionals are owed the same care they give to us. *Karen Daley was a clinical nurse for 26 years prior to her injury and is the former president of the American Nurses Association. She is a longtime advocate of sharps safety for healthcare workers and patients.* --- This post, [Accidental Needlesticks: The Silent Killer](https://www.physiciansweekly.com/accidental-needlesticks-the-silent-killer/), first appeared on [https://www.physiciansweekly.com](https://www.physiciansweekly.com/accidental-needlesticks-the-silent-killer/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Physicians report most sharps injuries among health care workers, data shows](https://wastemedic.com/2019/02/07/physicians-report-most-sharps-injuries-among-health-care-workers-data-shows/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Physicians report most sharps injuries among health care workers, data shows](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17923-physicians-report-most-sharps-injuries-among-health-care-workers-data-shows), first appeared on [https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17923-physicians-report-most-sharps-injuries-among-health-care-workers-data-shows). --- Physicians have surpassed nurses as the occupational group with the highest percentage of reported sharps injuries, recent data from the [International Safety Center](https://internationalsafetycenter.org/) shows. Researchers analyzed 2016 surveillance data from hospitals that voluntarily participate in ISC’s [Exposure Prevention Information Network](https://internationalsafetycenter.org/use-epinet/), a service that tracks occupational exposures in the health care industry. They found that 34.2 percent of workers who reported sharps injuries were physicians, compared with 33.4 percent who were nurses. In 2015, nurses comprised 37.8 percent of such injuries, compared with 29.2 percent for physicians. According to ISC, 2016 marked the first time that physicians experienced the highest percentage of sharps injuries since EPINet launched in the mid-1980s. NIOSH defines a sharps injury as “a penetrating stab wound from a needle, scalpel, or other sharp object that may result in exposure to blood or other body fluids.” Other findings include the ratio of sharps injuries per average daily census for all workers increased to 33.7 per 100 in 2016 from 31.7 in 2015; the ratio of blood and body fluid exposures per average daily census for all workers increased to 12.9 per 100 in 2016 from 11.4 in 2015.; about half of these exposures occurred in patient or exam rooms, while nearly 7 in 10 involved exposure to the eyes. Researchers associated the rise in sharps injuries with three primary causes: failure to use a safer medical device; failure to activate safety mechanisms when devices with sharps injury protections are used; and unsafe work practices during multi-step processes, such as passing instruments by hand during surgery. Only 30.2 percent of workers who suffered sharps injuries reported using a device equipped with a safety mechanism, with a majority failing to activate the safety feature. --- This post, [Physicians report most sharps injuries among health care workers, data shows](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17923-physicians-report-most-sharps-injuries-among-health-care-workers-data-shows), first appeared on [https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17923-physicians-report-most-sharps-injuries-among-health-care-workers-data-shows). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Why HIPAA matters: The toll of privacy breaches and compromised health data](https://wastemedic.com/2019/02/07/why-hipaa-matters-the-toll-of-privacy-breaches-and-compromised-health-data/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Why HIPAA matters: The toll of privacy breaches and compromised health data](https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2018/10/why-hipaa-matters-the-toll-of-privacy-breaches-and-compromised-health-data.html), first appeared on [https://www.dentistryiq.com](https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2018/10/why-hipaa-matters-the-toll-of-privacy-breaches-and-compromised-health-data.html). --- Knowledge is power, and nowadays this is truer than ever. The move to a digital economy has facilitated the explosion of [information consumption.](https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2017/09/6-best-practices-for-dental-websites.html) Knowledge about customers, patients, and employees has enabled health-care organizations to personalize products and services and make decisions that meet their needs, but perhaps not the needs of their patients. The insights health-care entities have about the people they serve is extensive, and issues arise when this information is misused, such as when information is accidentally compromised. Shockingly, [78%](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/78-of-healthcare-workers-lack-data-privacy-security-preparedness?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it) of health-care workers lack data privacy and security preparedness, which caused vulnerabilities that contributed to a total data breach cost to the industry of [$6.2 billion](https://www2.idexpertscorp.com/knowledge-center/single/healthcare-under-attack-89-percent-of-organizations-experienced-data-breach) in 2016. This is detrimental to the businesses involved, but what are the repercussions to individuals when their health information is mismanaged? At best, they’re embarrassed, but at worst they may face reputational, financial, or employment-related impacts. **Aetna fall-out: The consequences of stigma and discrimination on those who are breached** A prime example of employee negligence in handling sensitive information involved the insurance company Aetna. In 2017 they accidentally [disclosed](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/01/17/572312972/aetna-agrees-to-pay-17-million-in-hiv-privacy-breach) the HIV status of thousands of customers when they sent them a letter in a window envelope that had an opening large enough to read the letter. This was an unfortunate case where a mistake led to a privacy breach that had serious and long-lasting impacts on the people affected. Aetna’s actions left people extremely vulnerable and exposed. Not only family, but roommates and complete strangers could have been exposed to their private health information. In some cases, this caused emotional distress due to discrimination and harassment, with many people resigning from their jobs and unable to face the stigma. Some even had their homes vandalized and felt it necessary to move. While the stigma surrounding HIV may be less severe than it used to be, the reality is that serious discrimination still exists. Our right to privacy is linked to the values we have as a society around individual and personal autonomy. Breaches such as the Aetna one is an extreme case of the severe repercussions when this right to privacy is taken away from us. Protecting patient confidentiality is critical to ensuring people feel safe when they receive their health care. **HIPAA: Keeping patients at the center of things** How do we know that our personal health information is not going to be accessed by external parties or used to our detriment? This is more serious than a compromised password. Biometric, genetic, and some health information cannot be reset or changed at will. Regulations, [such as HIPAA,](https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2018/06/top-3-hipaa-compliance-best-practices-for-dentists.html) are vital to ensure the security and privacy of health information is top of mind for all health-care providers. HIPAA is important to ensure that electronic personal information is collected, used, and disclosed within the appropriate technological and procedural safeguards. For example, HIPAA has rules that guide health-care organizations and restrict who can view health information. HIPAA also gives agency to patients by allowing them control over who their information is released to. Health care providers need to ensure that they’re following the rules and keeping patients’ wellbeing at the center of all decisions. Aetna had to settle for $17 million. Other companies have paid more because of lawsuits or fines imposed by HIPAA violations. If we add to that the impact the breach had on reputations, the costs are substantial. Having a privacy program in place where personal health information is collected, used, disclosed, retained, and disposed of in a secure manner ensures your patients are protected and all health-care organizations can serve patients more effectively. --- This post, [Why HIPAA matters: The toll of privacy breaches and compromised health data](https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2018/10/why-hipaa-matters-the-toll-of-privacy-breaches-and-compromised-health-data.html), first appeared on [https://www.dentistryiq.com](https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2018/10/why-hipaa-matters-the-toll-of-privacy-breaches-and-compromised-health-data.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Wyoming Seeks to Repeal Hospital Privacy Regulation for HIPAA Clarity](https://wastemedic.com/2019/02/07/wyoming-seeks-to-repeal-hospital-privacy-regulation-for-hipaa-clarity/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Wyoming Seeks to Repeal Hospital Privacy Regulation for HIPAA Clarity](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/wyoming-seeks-to-repeal-hospital-privacy-regulation-for-hipaa-clarity), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/wyoming-seeks-to-repeal-hospital-privacy-regulation-for-hipaa-clarity). --- Wyoming state senators recently proposed a bill that would clarify regulations around patient privacy in the state. Introduced on [Tuesday](https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2019/SF0096), the legislation would repeal the state’s Hospital Records Act of 1991, which was designed to protect patient privacy rights in regards their medical records. The state law sought to provide patients with protections that federal laws did not cover, as HIPAA wasn’t enacted until 1996. At the time, the legislation covered hospital disclosures of patient data, patient authorizations prior to disclosure, privacy practices around publishing notes, authorizations for those who can act on behalf of the patient, retention rules, and security safeguards. While deemed effective, it became redundant after the enactment of HIPAA and its privacy and security rules, as the laws and compliance requirements are similar. “It was the state’s attempt to protect patient information and I actually think they did a really good job,” Wyoming Hospital Association President Eric Boley told local news outlet *[The Sheridan Press](https://thesheridanpress.com/101963/bill-seeks-to-clarify-hospital-privacy-regulations/)*. “But once HIPAA was enacted, some conflicts arose (between the two laws).” “If a patient was seen in a hospital, it fell under the Hospital Records Act, but if a patient was seen in a physician’s clinic, it fell under HIPAA,” he added. “There were just discrepancies in how the medical field could comply with law.” To Boley, those compliance complications could actually put providers at unnecessary risk. The repeal of the law is designed to create a clearer regulation without cutting back on patient privacy protections. The updated legislation removes Hospital Records Act language, when HIPAA is involved to create a more succinct data privacy law. For example, the quality assurance program mandated by the law would ensure organizations “record proceedings of formal quality assurance program activities and maintain documentation in a confidential manner. Quality assurance program minutes shall be available to the administrator.” The Hospital Act language was removed, while HIPAA-compliant language remained. The new legislation will “repeal provisions related to hospital record confidentiality and disclosure; recreate provisions related to medical staff committees as specified; amend references to repealed sections; and provide for an effective date.” The act has already passed three state Senate meetings and will move to the state House for introduction. If passed, the law would become effective by July 1, 2019. --- This post, [Wyoming Seeks to Repeal Hospital Privacy Regulation for HIPAA Clarity](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/wyoming-seeks-to-repeal-hospital-privacy-regulation-for-hipaa-clarity), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/wyoming-seeks-to-repeal-hospital-privacy-regulation-for-hipaa-clarity). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Target to Pay $7.4 Million for Improperly Disposing Hazardous Waste in Calif. Landfills – Again](https://wastemedic.com/2019/02/03/target-to-pay-7-4-million-for-improperly-disposing-hazardous-waste-in-calif-landfills-again/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Target to Pay $7.4 Million for Improperly Disposing Hazardous Waste in Calif. Landfills – Again](https://obrag.org/2019/02/target-to-pay-7-4-million-for-improperly-disposing-hazardous-waste-in-calif-landfills-again/), first appeared on [https://obrag.org](https://obrag.org/2019/02/target-to-pay-7-4-million-for-improperly-disposing-hazardous-waste-in-calif-landfills-again/). --- Good ol’ Target. As the giant mega-company was readying the former antique mall for its new Ocean Beach store, over on the environmental side, it was “disposing of batteries, light bulbs, medical waste and other environmentally hazardous materials improperly in landfills across the state” of California. And it got busted – and now it has agreed to pay a $7.4 million settlement to California. It appears the Minnesota-based company violated a $22.5 million stipulated judgment from 2011 over similar allegations of improper disposal of hazardous retail waste. The settlement comes out from claims the Minnesota-based company violated a $22.5 million judgment it stipulated to when it got busted earlier in 2011 over similar allegations of improper disposal of hazardous retail waste. And San Diego was involved in the legal settlement as both the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and the San Diego City Attorney’s Office were parties , along with 21 other district attorneys, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the Los Angeles city attorney. San Diego DA Summer Stephan said in a statement: *“This settlement holds Target accountable for this second violation of environmental laws that involve the improper disposal of a long list of hazardous materials. This case serves as a reminder to corporations of the importance of environmental protection laws that safeguard the public’s health.”* Included in the settlement are enhanced environmental compliance measures with which Target must comply. In the [*San Diego Union-Tribune*](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/sd-me-target-lawsuit-20181205-story.html)‘s report, it stated: *Target previously settled allegations of improper waste disposal in 2011, and as part of that stipulated judgment, the company agreed to annual compliance audits. Throughout 2012 and 2014, state officials and regulators inspected the company’s trash compactors, where they discovered electronics, batteries, aerosol cans, compact fluorescent light bulbs and medical waste.* *The medical wasted included syringes, over-the-counter and prescribed pharmaceuticals, and confidential medical information from its customers.* *The prosecutors alleged that during 2012 and 2014, Target unlawfully disposed of a total of 2,038 items of hazardous waste, 175 items of confidential medical information of customers and 94 items of medical waste.* Here’s a break-down of some of the payments Target must make according to terms of the settlement, approved in Alameda County Superior Court: Target will pay $3.2 million in civil penalties and spend at least $3 million to conduct three annual inspections and audits to ensure its facilities are in compliance with rules regulating the dumping of hazardous materials; $900,000 in attorney’s fees and costs associated with investigation and enforcement activities; $300,000 in civil penalties and $43,330 in enforcement costs to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Of course, $7.4 million is only a drop in the ol bucket for Target. Target is the ***11th largest retailer in the world*** and based just on its revenue and profits from the last three years, [***Target is worth $62.6 billion***](https://www.gobankingrates.com/making-money/business/how-much-is-target-worth/). --- This post, [Target to Pay $7.4 Million for Improperly Disposing Hazardous Waste in Calif. Landfills – Again](https://obrag.org/2019/02/target-to-pay-7-4-million-for-improperly-disposing-hazardous-waste-in-calif-landfills-again/), first appeared on [https://obrag.org](https://obrag.org/2019/02/target-to-pay-7-4-million-for-improperly-disposing-hazardous-waste-in-calif-landfills-again/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [4 Ways to Improve Your Hospital Quality and Safety Rankings](https://wastemedic.com/2019/01/13/4-ways-to-improve-your-hospital-quality-and-safety-rankings/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [4 Ways to Improve Your Hospital Quality and Safety Rankings](https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/4-ways-improve-your-hospital-quality-and-safety-rankings), first appeared on [https://www.healthleadersmedia.com](https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/4-ways-improve-your-hospital-quality-and-safety-rankings). --- Nearly two decades after the Institute of Medicine published its groundbreaking healthcare **[safety report](http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/1999/To-Err-is-Human/To%20Err%20is%20Human%201999%20%20report%20brief.pdf)** “*To Err Is Human*,” medical errors remain a leading cause of death in this country. To rise to this challenge, hospitals from coast to coast are engaged in efforts to boost quality and safety such as initiatives aimed at hospital-acquired infections. For one hospital in particular, a poor **[Leapfrog](http://www.leapfroggroup.org/)** Hospital Safety Grade rating in 2014 became a launching pad for improved quality and **[safety](https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/new-patient-safety-panels-3-pronged-strategy)**. “When we got a ‘D’ from Leapfrog, that was our wake-up call. We had done good patient safety work before, but it wasn’t the fanatic level that we have now,” says Leigh Hamby, MD, MHA, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Piedmont Healthcare, an integrated healthcare system with 11 hospitals and almost 100 physician and specialist offices throughout Atlanta and North Georgia. Since launching systematic initiatives to improve quality and safety in 2014, the health system has posted gains. - In November 2018, six of Piedmont’s 11 hospitals received “A” grades in The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2018 Hospital Safety Grade ratings - From July 2016 to June 2018, Piedmont reduced hospital-acquired infections 40% - One Piedmont hospital has not reported a hospital-acquired infection for more than a year Hamby says there are four ways Piedmont implemented better quality and safety at the healthcare organization and boosted its rankings. ### 1. Reallocate staff’s time and focus One of the first quality and safety initiatives that Piedmont started was reforming quality and safety staff allocation. Hamby says about 80% of the staff’s time was dedicated to surveillance such as chart reviews, rather than improvement projects. He says the department, which has a staff of about 75, had to change. “When I started looking at our hospitals and who was charged with quality and safety, they were not working on infections and other elements of the Leapfrog grades. When Leapfrog says hospital-acquired infections are important and people are working on something else, that told me we were working on the wrong things.” The department’s functions were split into three branches: surveillance, analysis, and improvement. The improvement branch was divided into design and implementation segments. “We took most of the folks doing the work—most of whom were clinicians reviewing charts—and put people on the design and implementation sides. Our original resource allocation was about 80% looking for problems and maybe 20% trying to fix problems. We \[have now\] put it at 50-50,” Hamby says. ### 2. Commit to a scientific approach Piedmont’s approach to clinical care is rooted in best scientific practices, Hamby says. “What we have done is to be fanatical about making sure every patient gets every component of the things we know scientifically they should be getting.” Central lines and other implantable devices are infection risks and hospitals can lower risk through a science-based approach to care, he says. Hamby says the clinical team only inserts devices when needed and then removes them as soon as it is safe to do so. “You follow all of the procedures that science calls for while the devices are in to prevent an infection, and we measure performance on a patient-by-patient and hour-by-hour basis.” To prompt clinicians and nurses about care steps, reminders have been built into Piedmont’s EMR, Hamby says. “We are giving frontline caregivers real-time tools that help them remember the things they are supposed to do for the patient.” ### 3. Standardize care into ‘promise packages’ Piedmont has adopted an expanded approach to clinical care order sets that the health system calls promise packages. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a prime example, Hamby says. “The promise package is literally everything that you would do. For CAUTI, it’s a policy, it’s a training program, it’s a documentation element in the EMR, and it’s all the dashboards and reporting. You take all that up and call it a promise package,” he says. When new expanded order sets are rolled out, many members of the quality and safety staff are enlisted to assist in implementation, Hamby says. “We provide elbow-to-elbow support anywhere from seven to 14 days, depending on the complexity of the promise package. We get in the field and sort through the bugs in software or questions the nurses have.” After a 60-day trial period, effective promise packages become order sets for the entire health system and responsibility for order set compliance is shifted to hospital CEOs. Compliance to promise packages and other order sets is crucial to quality and safety, Hamby says. “In the old days, we would be happy with 80% compliance,” he says, but Piedmont found it needed to be within the 95%­–99% compliance range, especially because of medical departments such as the ICU with significant utilization of implanted devices. Regular reporting of compliance rates can avert safety events, he says. “It gives you the ability to identify problems in the process measure before it becomes an outcome problem. If I’ve got 10 doctors doing colon surgery and I know who is not compliant to the order set, I can intervene before it leads to an infection.” ### 4. Reach for zero harm Piedmont embraced a zero-harm strategy as part of the fallout from the “D” Leapfrog grade in 2014, Hamby says. “We look at our harm count every month. Our harm count is comprised of four components: hospital-acquired infections, serious safety events, hospital-acquired conditions, and patient safety indicators as described by **[AHRQ](https://www.ahrq.gov/)**. Every month, we know how many harms we have, and we have programs to address them,” he says. Benchmarking has no value in the pursuit of zero harm, Hamby says. “I don’t care if we are the best in the country. If we’re not at zero, we’re not done. I think benchmarking is an excuse for when you can stop working on something. We’re going to keep on working until we get to zero harm,” he says. Piedmont’s goal is to attain zero harm by 2024, and Hamby says the 10-year time frame is realistic. “Ten years is a long time, but this is a pretty complicated business. Sick patients, by their very nature, require lots of complicated treatment. Since the IOM report in 1999, as a nation, we have not gotten all that much better.” If health systems and hospitals can create high-reliability organizations, there should be significant economic and operational gains, he says. “Let’s just say we woke up tomorrow and no more harm ever happened. One of the things we would realize almost immediately is an increased capacity of the healthcare system to accommodate more people. We would reduce wait times for service,” Hamby says. --- This post, [4 Ways to Improve Your Hospital Quality and Safety Rankings](https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/4-ways-improve-your-hospital-quality-and-safety-rankings), first appeared on [https://www.healthleadersmedia.com](https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/4-ways-improve-your-hospital-quality-and-safety-rankings). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Collaboration and innovation key to stemming risks for shift worker health and safety](https://wastemedic.com/2019/01/13/collaboration-and-innovation-key-to-stemming-risks-for-shift-worker-health-and-safety/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Collaboration and innovation key to stemming risks for shift worker health and safety](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17852-shift-worker-health-and-safety), first appeared on [https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17852-shift-worker-health-and-safety). --- The ongoing demand for round-the-clock services fuels many industries. Enter shift work, which is a way of life for nearly 15 million Americans, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows. The prevalence of shift work has spurred multiple studies on its potential adverse effects on employee health and safety. Among the studies is 2017 research from Chinese and Dutch scientists that found permanent night shift workers are 29 percent more likely to become overweight or obese than workers on rotating shifts. In January, another group of Chinese researchers concluded that women who have been long-term shift workers may be 19 percent more likely to develop breast, skin and gastrointestinal cancer. Studies also link shift work to fatigue. A recent [series of reports](https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/safety-topics/fatigue/survey-report) from the National Safety Council attributes 13 percent of workplace injuries to fatigue. So the risks are well-documented, but are they well-known? And what about the remedies? “It’s a complicated story, and I think it’s really important to recognize these risks, and we need to understand them and we need to treat them,” said Hans Van Dongen, Washington State University professor and director of the school’s Sleep and Performance Center. “But at the same time, I want to say that just because you’re a shift worker, you’re not necessarily doomed just because of that.” ### Wary of weariness For employees who work rotating or night shifts, remaining alert can be especially challenging when the body’s circadian clock is compromised – that is, the body is active when it believes it should be resting. According to a 2016 study from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, shift work can disrupt circadian clocks, decreasing a person’s sleep quality, mood, metabolism and cardiovascular health while boosting the risk for some diseases. A lack of awareness may be compounding the problem. Additional NSC findings show that 74 percent of employers underestimate the prevalence of workplace fatigue, while 73 percent don’t communicate with workers about it. Mike Wells is director of environmental health and safety for North America at Ardagh Group, a metal beverage packaging company headquartered in Dublin. “Our clear objective is to have zero safety incidents, with each member of our team returning home safe to their family and friends every day,” Wells said. “An example of one of the issues we face in keeping our people safe is fatigue. We can have lapses of attention, especially when we’ve put in multiple, repetitive hours on equipment. We train our people to be aware of what our bodies are telling us and to take a break, refresh, stay alert at all times.” Numerous guidelines and resources exist to help combat on-the-job fatigue. The National Sleep Foundation suggests that shift workers try these measures: - Take a walk before shifts start – ideally in daylight, which is a natural stimulant. - Drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee and soda during the first half of the shift, but avoid them for several hours before sleeping. - Take short breaks to move around when possible. NIOSH directs shift work employers to: - Set at least 10 consecutive hours of protected off-duty time each day. This is intended to help workers sleep seven to eight hours each day. - Provide brief breaks every one to two hours during demanding work, and allow for longer meal breaks. - Acknowledge that five eight-hour shifts or four 10-hour shifts typically are tolerable. If 12-hour days are required, include more frequent breaks or trend toward “lighter” tasks, such as desk work. - Educate employees on the nature of shift work and resources available. At Ardagh, “fatigue is addressed in our consistent messaging on staying alert,” Wells said. “And it’s not just individual safety. A pillar of our efforts is watching out for our teammates. If we notice someone close to us having fatigue or performance issues, our people call it out and get the teammate the help they need to remain safe and focused.” He said summer months often present additional challenges for workers, including covering shifts for vacationing co-workers and, for employees with school-age children, resting during off-duty hours amid a busier home environment. Still, Wells finds that engineering controls and employee programs are effective in keeping employees safe and productive. Ardagh employees maintain the same 12-hour shifts for extended durations and toggle between different tasks while working – minimizing the risk of fatigue driven by repetition. The organization’s new “Map Your Moves” initiative directs workers to use active, procedural thinking when completing tasks both familiar and new. “The focus remains keeping our people comfortable, alert, and watching out for individual and team safety every day,” Wells said. ### Managing fatigue ‘in real time’ In September 2017, NSC introduced its [Fatigue Cost Calculator](http://nsc.org/forms/real-costs-of-fatigue-calculator), a free online tool intended to help employers gauge how much fatigue is affecting their bottom line while providing strategies to help mitigate the problem. Emily Whitcomb, senior program manager of the fatigue initiative at NSC, said officials from several shift work-reliant industries – including construction, transportation, utilities and manufacturing – have offered positive feedback about the resource. “These four industries often require 24/7 operations, putting their workforce at a higher risk of fatigue,” Whitcomb said. “Safety is a priority for these industries, and tired employees are more likely to make mistakes. Safety management systems that address fatigue risk is a best practice to reducing near misses, safety-critical incidents, injuries and fatalities.” An example of such a system exists in the aviation industry. FedEx, a national cargo delivery company, has more than 230 sleep rooms adjacent to the operations center at its Memphis, TN, headquarters. These facilities provide pilots the opportunity to rest between their late or overnight inbound and outbound flights, offering private quarters and an automated wake-up call program. Pilots napping can enhance safety for about 65 percent of trips that depart at night, organizational findings show. Van Dongen praises the advantages of strategic napping, saying that any sleep achieved when the body is at or near its window of circadian low is crucial to helping it become refreshed. However, he notes that some shift work industries have been slow to embrace strategic napping because of concerns over cost effectiveness or lost productivity. Daniel Patterson, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, said that although some emergency medical service providers prohibit on-duty employee napping, he and fellow researchers believe they have found an emerging solution – regardless of policy. A research team at Pitt has created an experimental mobile tool for studies involving out-of-hospital emergency medical technicians and paramedics, as well as flight nurses and flight paramedics. The device aims for immediate intervention, sending text messages to EMS workers at various intervals and prompting them to respond with their present fatigue level on a scale of zero to five. Should a worker respond with a “four” or “five,” a specific text from a bank of messages will be returned, instructing the worker to address his or her fatigue through measures such as exercising, conversing with a work partner, consuming caffeinated beverages or napping, when allowed. “It’s like an automated back-and-forth dialogue,” Patterson said. “We’ve shown in two trials – one of them has already been published, the other is currently under review at a journal – that trying to intervene in real time actually has a positive impact on certain types of shifts.” Patterson said he and his colleagues have observed positive results in 12-hour shifts more frequently than shifts of longer duration. Another pilot program is in progress at The Dow Chemical Co., which is developing wearable technology that would track vital signs, eye movement and head positioning for night shift workers who operate motor vehicles or heavy equipment. “Obviously, when we have people monitoring critical processes, we want them to be at a high state of alertness,” said Dave Ott, who leads the Total Worker Health team at the Midland, MI-based company. “For us, being able to gather data wirelessly from multiple people and study patterns and trends is really going to be critical.” ### Moving forward The need for shift work isn’t going away, experts note. That’s why Van Dongen stresses the importance of collaboration among employers, employees, industry stakeholders and scientists to help address continued concerns about fatigue and long-term health risks among shift workers. “The things those people want to accomplish aren’t so much different, right?” Van Dongen said. “Everybody would love to see a shift work setting be productive. That’s good for the employer. But it’s also good for the employee, because it means more income and more job security and all those things. At the same time, everybody would love to see that the employees are safe, because if the employees are not safe and they are then, therefore, absent from work … that reduces productivity. “And so all these things are intertwined, but people look at it from different angles. … (But) when everybody recognizes and decides that they all want to accomplish the same thing, then all of a sudden that leads to really cool moments of creativity.” Research into shift worker health endures in the meantime. Van Dongen recently co-authored a study that found individual digestive organs contain separate biological clocks that may influence the metabolism of night shift workers and help explain the link between shift work and adverse health issues such as obesity and diabetes. Van Dongen said that further studies and innovations such as those at FedEx and Pitt can be vital to achieving additional success in enhancing shift worker safety and health. “I’ve seen settings that have really been transformed in this process this way,” Van Dongen said. “And so I’m very hopeful in that regard and very positive that when there’s people that are pushing for change and they do it in a concerted and collaborative manner, it’s quite possible to make shift workplaces safer and healthier while keeping the economy running and doing the right things. --- This post, [Collaboration and innovation key to stemming risks for shift worker health and safety](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17852-shift-worker-health-and-safety), first appeared on [https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com](https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17852-shift-worker-health-and-safety). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Drugs and syringes have become such a problem in Starbucks bathrooms that the company is installing needle-disposal boxes](https://wastemedic.com/2019/01/13/drugs-and-syringes-have-become-such-a-problem-in-starbucks-bathrooms-that-the-company-is-installing-needle-disposal-boxes/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Drugs and syringes have become such a problem in Starbucks bathrooms that the company is installing needle-disposal boxes](https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-workers-petition-bathroom-needle-disposal-boxes-2019-1), first appeared on [https://www.businessinsider.com](https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-workers-petition-bathroom-needle-disposal-boxes-2019-1). --- Starbucks is installing boxes for safe disposal of syringes in the bathrooms of certain locations, following workers’ reports of discarded needles and sometimes concerning conditions. The coffee giant is exploring remedies after employees expressed fears about being pricked by uncapped needles and experiencing related health risks. Starbucks is testing solutions, including installing sharps-disposal boxes, using heavier-duty trash bags to prevent needle pokes, and removing trash cans from certain bathrooms. “These societal issues affect us all and can sometimes place our partners (employees) in scary situations, which is why we have protocols and resources in place to ensure our partners are out of harm’s way,” Starbucks representative Reggie Borges told Business Insider. As of Wednesday, more than 3,700 people have signed a [petition](https://www.coworker.org/petitions/needle-disposal-boxes) on Coworker.org, calling for Starbucks to place needle-disposal boxes in high-risk bathrooms. “My coworkers and I had all experienced needles left behind in the bathroom, store, and even in our drive-thru,” said one person who signed the petition after working at a Starbucks location in Lynnwood, Washington, for three years. The three Starbucks employees who spoke with Business Insider for this article asked to either remain anonymous or to be referred to by only their first name, in order to speak frankly. “My primary fear when I worked there would be taking out the bathroom garbages,” the former employee, who quit in 2018, told Business Insider. “I was terrified that if I went to take the bag out, I would get poked by a needle I didn’t know was there.” ## Bathrooms as a battleground ![starbucks bathroom ](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5c361f46bd77304e4465f674-750-563.jpg)“While that was on the severe end of trashed, we regularly walk in to tons of wet toilet-seat covers and toilet paper on the floor … sometimes on the walls,” Jamie told Business Insider. Business Insider Starbucks trains employees on how to safely deal with hypodermic needles. According to the company, any employee who feels unsafe performing a task is encouraged to speak with his or her manager and will not be made to perform the action. “I can’t emphasize enough that if our partners are ever in a position where they don’t feel comfortable completing a task, they are empowered to remove themselves from the situation and alert their manager, ” Borges said. “As we always do, we are constantly evaluating our processes and listening to partner feedback of ways we can be better.” However, some workers said that in the fast-paced workplace, policies are sometimes ignored, and inadvertent needle pricks remain a problem. In October, [ three Starbucks employees in Seattle told local news](https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-workers-open-bathroom-hypodermic-needle-pokes-2018-10) that they encountered hypodermic needles on the job nearly every day. They said they had to take antiviral medications to protect themselves from HIV and hepatitis. Following the incident, Starbucks began installing sharps boxes in certain Seattle locations. Sharps boxes are containers that allow people to safely discard needles, syringes, and lancets that might otherwise pierce a trash bag and poke workers. While not every Starbucks location has the same issues, baristas across the US have expressed concerns about needles and other disturbing materials found in bathrooms — a common problem in the restaurant industry. ![starbucks blood](https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5c360ce60df1762b146bd6bd-750-563.jpg)Blood on the wall and floor of a Starbucks bathroom, photographed in May 2018. Business Insider A Starbucks employee named Jamie, from the Twin Cities area in Minnesota, said she has found an array of worrisome items in bathrooms over the last 13 years, some of which she has provided photos of for this story. According to Jamie, she and other coworkers have encountered drugs, alcohol bottles, blood on floors and walls, condoms and condom wrappers, and needles (capped and uncapped) on floors and in the trash. The issues surrounding baristas who deal with syringe disposal and needle pricks are symptomatic of a problem that extends far beyond Starbucks. In a study led by Brett Wolfson-Stofko for New York University’s Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, [58% of the 86 New York City business managers surveyed](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27768996) said they had encountered drug use in their businesses’ bathrooms. Another Center for Drug Use and HIV Research study of 15 service-industry workers found that a significant majority had encountered drug use, syringes, or both in bathrooms while on the job. Wolfson-Stofko told Business Insider that employees he interviewed expressed concerns about being pricked by needles or having customers injure themselves. People who are inadvertently pricked by needles often pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket for emergency-room visits, tests, and medication. “They’re concerned about their health,” Wolfson-Stofko said of the workers surveyed. “They’re concerned about their customers’ health.” According to Wolfson-Stofko, installing sharps containers is one of the first things that businesses can do to keep workers safe and help them avoid contact with improperly discarded syringes. Wolfson-Stofko also suggested that companies can support in-store workers by providing training on how to deal with overdosing customers and supporting the installation of supervised injection facilities in their community. ## Are open-bathroom policies to blame? Starbucks is in a unique position because, unlike many other chains, its bathrooms are not for paying customers only. In May, Starbucks announced plans to open up its bathrooms to everyone, sparking some [ concerns about whether doing so could make the stores less safe](https://www.businessinsider.com/megyn-kelly-criticizes-starbucks-open-bathroom-policy-2018-5). “I think the bathroom policy has definitely changed the store’s environment,” one manager who works at a Starbucks location in Southern California told Business Insider. “It’s great that Starbucks wants to try and include everyone, but that means that they include absolutely everyone.” According to the manager, workers have been forced to close down the location’s restrooms a number of times after finding drugs, needles, or blood. Despite workers’ care in cleaning bathrooms, at least one worker was pricked by a stashed needle, the manager said. However, other employees said they felt that the issues predated the new bathroom policy. According to Wolfson-Stofko, there has been minimal research into how Starbucks’ new policy may have impacted bathrooms’ safety. More generally, he said that most bathroom policies — such as keeping doors locked or providing unlock codes on receipts — simply give workers an “illusion of control.” “Even before Starbucks said anyone could use the bathroom, that was not deterring people who would inject drugs,” Wolfson-Stofko said. The opioid epidemic continues to be a major issue across the country. More than 70,000 people died because of drug overdoses in the US in 2017, up 9.6% from 2016, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wolfson-Stofko said Starbucks’ efforts could help lead other companies to more directly address improperly discarded needles and worker safety. Seeing such a large company take action, he said, “will hopefully encourage other businesses to take employees’ concerns seriously.” --- This post, [Drugs and syringes have become such a problem in Starbucks bathrooms that the company is installing needle-disposal boxes](https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-workers-petition-bathroom-needle-disposal-boxes-2019-1), first appeared on [https://www.businessinsider.com](https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-workers-petition-bathroom-needle-disposal-boxes-2019-1). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [OCR Fines Providers for HIPAA Violations, Failure to Follow “Basic Security Requirements”](https://wastemedic.com/2018/12/13/ocr-fines-providers-for-hipaa-violations-failure-to-follow-basic-security-requirements/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [OCR Fines Providers for HIPAA Violations, Failure to Follow “Basic Security Requirements”](https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/news-item/cybersecurity/ocr-fines-providers-hipaa-violations-failure-follow-basic-security), first appeared on [https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/](https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/news-item/cybersecurity/ocr-fines-providers-hipaa-violations-failure-follow-basic-security). --- Florida-based Advanced Care Hospitalists PL (ACH) has agreed to pay $500,000 to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for a number of HIPAA compliance failures, including sharing protected health information with an unknown vendor without a business associate agreement. ACH provides contracted internal medicine physicians to hospitals and nursing homes in west central Florida. ACH provided services to more than 20,000 patients annually and employed between 39 and 46 individuals during the relevant timeframe, according to OCR officials. Between November 2011 and June 2012, ACH engaged the services of an individual that claimed to be a representative of a company named Doctor’s First Choice Billings, Inc. (First Choice). The individual provided medical billing services to ACH using First Choice’s name and website, but allegedly without the knowledge or permission of First Choice’s owner, according to OCR officials in a press release published last week. A local hospital contacted ACH on February 11, 2014 and notified the organization that patient information was viewable on the First Choice website, including names, dates of birth and social security numbers. In response, ACH was able to identify at least 400 affected individuals and asked First Choice to remove the protected health information from its website. ACH filed a breach notification report with OCR on April 11, 2014, stating that 400 individuals were affected; however, after further investigation, ACH filed a supplemental breach report stating that an additional 8,855 patients could have been affected. According to OCR’s investigation, ACH never entered into a business associate agreement with the individual providing medical billing services to ACH, as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules, and failed to adopt any policy requiring business associate agreements until April 2014. “Although ACH had been in operation since 2005, it had not conducted a risk analysis or implemented security measures or any other written HIPAA policies or procedures before 2014. The HIPAA Rules require entities to perform an accurate and thorough assessment of the potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of an entity’s electronic protected health information,” OCR officials stated in a press release. In a statement, OCR Director Roger Severino said, “This case is especially troubling because the practice allowed the names and social security numbers of thousands of its patients to be exposed on the internet after it failed to follow basic security requirements under HIPAA.” In addition to the monetary [settlement](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ach-signed-ra-cap.pdf), ACH will undertake a robust corrective action plan that includes the adoption of business associate agreements, a complete enterprise-wide risk analysis, and comprehensive policies and procedures to comply with the HIPAA Rules. In a separate case announced this week, OCR also fined a Colorado-based hospital, Pagosa Springs Medical Center, $111,400 to settle potential HIPAA violations after the hospital failed to terminate a former employee’s access to electronic protected health information (PHI). Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC) is a critical access hospital, that at the time of OCR’s investigation, provided more than 17,000 hospital and clinic visits annually and employs more than 175 individuals. The [settlement](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pagosa-springs-medical-center-signed-ra-cap.pdf) resolves a complaint alleging that a former PSMC employee continued to have remote access to PSMC’s web-based scheduling calendar, which contained patients’ electronic protected health information (ePHI), after separation of employment, according to OCR. OCR’s investigation revealed that PSMC impermissibly disclosed the ePHI of 557 individuals to its former employee and to the web-based scheduling calendar vendor without a HIPAA required business associate agreement in place. The hospital also agreed to adopt a substantial corrective action plan as part of the settlement, and, as part of that plan, PSMC has agreed to update its security management and business associate agreement, policies and procedures, and train its workforce members regarding the same. “It’s common sense that former employees should immediately lose access to protected patient information upon their separation from employment,” Severino said in a statement. “This case underscores the need for covered entities to always be aware of who has access to their ePHI and who doesn’t.” Covered entities that do not have or follow procedures to terminate information access privileges upon employee separation risk a HIPAA enforcement action. Covered entities must also evaluate relationships with [vendors](https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/hci100 "Vendors Healthcare Informatics 100") to ensure that business associate agreements are in place with all business associates before disclosing protected health information. --- This post, [OCR Fines Providers for HIPAA Violations, Failure to Follow “Basic Security Requirements”](https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/news-item/cybersecurity/ocr-fines-providers-hipaa-violations-failure-follow-basic-security), first appeared on [https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/](https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/news-item/cybersecurity/ocr-fines-providers-hipaa-violations-failure-follow-basic-security). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [4 tips for managing medical waste at ASCs](https://wastemedic.com/2018/11/02/4-tips-for-managing-medical-waste-at-ascs/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [4 tips for managing medical waste at ASCs](https://www.beckersasc.com/supply-chain/4-tips-for-managing-medical-waste-at-ascs.html), first appeared on [https://www.beckersasc.com/](https://www.beckersasc.com/supply-chain/4-tips-for-managing-medical-waste-at-ascs.html). --- Written by Angie Stewart | November 01, 2018 Hospitals and ASCs generate about 2 million tons of general, hazardous, radioactive or infectious medical waste each year, according to [All Points Medical Waste](https://allpointsmedicalwaste.com/surgery-center-medical-waste/). Here are four strategies for disposing of waste properly: 1. Ensure staff members separate and discard all waste materials in accordance with safety regulations. 2. Enlist a certified provider to manage and haul away medical waste. 3. Maintain the proper size and placement of sharps containers, red bags and other waste bins, and make sure they’re not overfilled. 4. Implement a consistent schedule for waste pick-up. --- This post, [4 tips for managing medical waste at ASCs](https://www.beckersasc.com/supply-chain/4-tips-for-managing-medical-waste-at-ascs.html), first appeared on [https://www.beckersasc.com/](https://www.beckersasc.com/supply-chain/4-tips-for-managing-medical-waste-at-ascs.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [HIPAA and data sharing: Rethinking both for the Digital Age](https://wastemedic.com/2018/11/03/hipaa-and-data-sharing-rethinking-both-for-the-digital-age/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [HIPAA and data sharing: Rethinking both for the Digital Age](https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/hipaa-and-data-sharing-rethinking-both-digital-age), first appeared on [https://www.healthcareitnews.com/](https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/hipaa-and-data-sharing-rethinking-both-digital-age). --- By [Corinne Smith](https://www.healthcareitnews.com/author/corinne-smith) Ironically, HIPAA was written at a time when most providers were on paper charts and submitting paper claims. It established a framework for protecting patient information and focused heavily on the way providers shared patient information. The subsequent HITECH (Health Information for Economic and Clinical Health) Act of 2009 focused on the promotion of electronic medical records and “meaningful use” in the health information technology sector. #### **Health Information Trust (HITRUST) Alliance** **The rule:** The most meaningful development related to security in EHRs has been the formation of the Health Information Trust (HITRUST) Alliance (2007). Simply put, HITRUST combines regulations and standards into a single overarching security framework. **Where to improve:** HIPAA guidelines on security and protection of data and devices is vague and insufficient. It should incorporate the HITRUST guidance and certification process as a standard. Organizations that obtain HITRUST certification or utilize business associates with HITRUST certification should obtain some type of credit in the event of a breach as they have taken additional steps to protect patient data. #### **Organized Health Care Arrangements (OHCA)** **The rule**: Since HIPAA was originally implemented, data is shared in a more robust manner through complex health information exchanges, accountable care structures and untold variations on the same. HIPAA allows for sharing through Organized Health Care Arrangements (OCHAs). **Where to improve:** \[OCHAs\] are not well explained in HIPAA. I think HHS could expand on the use of OCHAs and better describe the permissible framework and operations of an OCHA. I have been involved in the formation of several OCHAs, but the concept is not clearly set out in HIPAA and there is no requirement to register an OCHA. The lack of clarity surrounding OCHAs causes providers some anxiety because there is little guidance and the OCHA cannot be registered or approved. It really creates an elegant solution allowing an integrated network of providers to share information to improve patient outcomes and reduce redundancies in paperwork, diagnostics and care. #### **Notice of Privacy** **The rule:** Currently, patients are signing the \[receipt of notice of privacy practice\] at every doctor visit. **Where to improve:** There has been a recent (spring 2018) proposal by the Department of Health and Human Services to eliminate the requirement that providers maintain the patient’s signed acknowledgement of the receipt of notice of privacy practice. It would eliminate paperwork at patient sign-in and reduce paper waste. It is rarely read by the patient, and I’ve never encountered a case where a patient claimed they didn’t receive the notice of privacy. With the advent of electronic medical records, the practice must scan the acknowledgement into the system or obtain an electronic signature in order to maintain the signature with the patient record. If there is a HIPAA breach, it is not in any way related to whether or not the patient received the notice of privacy. Elimination of this requirement would be a small but significant improvement. #### **Breach Reporting** **The rule:** Currently, providers who experience a breach of 500 or more patients must report it to the Office of Civil Rights, patients and the media. Those breaches are added to OCR’s breach reporting portal. **Where to improve:** The OCR breach reporting portal needs significant work. It’s very primitive in the way it must be completed. It assumes that all breaches were either caused 100 percent by the provider or the business associate. It doesn’t really accommodate reporting of more complex breaches involving cyber incidents or the multi-factorial causes. The other change needed is the threshold of whether the breach involves less than 500 patients or over 500 patients. With the aggregation of patient information in electronic systems, a cyber breach will frequently involve in excess of 500 patients. However, the nature of the breach may not be such that it truly requires public notice. A [recent article](https://journals.lww.com/frontiersonline/Abstract/2018/09000/Enterprise_Cybersecurity___Building_a_Successful.3.aspx) in the Frontiers of Health Services Management, indicates that 90 percent of hospitals have experienced at least one data breach over a recent two-year period. Given the high volume of data breaches, OCR cannot keep up with the reporting and patients become immune to the onslaught of notification letters they receive making the communication less meaningful. #### **Business Associate Agreements** **The rule:** Under HIPAA, “A covered entity \[must\] obtain satisfactory assurances from its business associate that they’ll appropriately safeguard the PHI it receives or creates on behalf of the covered entity. The satisfactory assurances must be in writing, whether in the form of a contract or other agreement between the covered entity and the business associate.” **Where to improve:** HIPAA should clarify when BAAs are required. BAAs should not be required between healthcare providers that are both treating the patient. I have seen many situations where two covered entities argue over who is the business associate. A business associate agreement is absolutely essential with vendors providing a service to the covered entity in order to ensure the vendor acknowledges the requirement to comply with HIPAA. A hospital and a physician should never need a business associate agreement between them. The other extremely burdensome requirement is that the provider is required to keep a log of all business associate agreements. While there are many good reasons for keeping such a log, it’s not practical in most organizations unless there is a full-time HIPAA privacy officer and staff. *Corinne Smith is a healthcare attorney with Clark Hill Strasburger.* --- This post, [HIPAA and data sharing: Rethinking both for the Digital Age](https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/hipaa-and-data-sharing-rethinking-both-digital-age), first appeared on [https://www.healthcareitnews.com/](https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/hipaa-and-data-sharing-rethinking-both-digital-age). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Behind the Curtain of Sharps Injury Prevention and Device Reprocessing](https://wastemedic.com/2018/11/03/behind-the-curtain-of-sharps-injury-prevention-and-device-reprocessing/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Behind the Curtain of Sharps Injury Prevention and Device Reprocessing](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/sterile-processing/behind-curtain-sharps-injury-prevention-and-device-reprocessing), first appeared on [https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/sterile-processing/behind-curtain-sharps-injury-prevention-and-device-reprocessing). --- By Karen A. Daley, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Amber H. Mitchell, DrPH, MPH, CPH Current efforts to reduce sharps injuries (SIs) are most typically associated with those occurring to direct care staff. Less apparent are risks to those working behind the scenes. Ongoing efforts to enhance sharps safety include research, advancements in medical science and safety technology, policy engagement, injury surveillance, regulatory enforcement and public awareness initiatives surrounding injuries and their impact. In November 2017, *Infection Control Today* published a report summarizing the ongoing work of the ANA SI Prevention Stakeholder Group – a group of sharps safety experts and advocates who have been participating in quarterly conference calls for the past three years to network and discuss ongoing issues, activities and strategies related to SI prevention across the U.S. In July 2017, the group held a sentinel meeting at ANA headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., during which workgroups were formed to focus on actionable strategies with the potential to advance SI prevention in the U.S. What follows is an update of that ongoing work as well as a discussion of SI risks and considerations for healthcare workers who function in a critical, but often underappreciated role – device and instrument reprocessing. **ANA SI Prevention Stakeholder Workgroup Updates** The ANA SI Prevention Stakeholder workgroups have been targeting four important areas: terminology; media; policy; and safer operating rooms The Terminology Workgroup was formed to address continuing language and acronym inconsistencies used by researchers, policy experts and industry leaders that contribute to widespread confusion around the meaning of terminology. The workgroup has been engaged in ongoing efforts to simplify language that can be more clearly understood and universally applicable with simple acronyms, particularly as they relate to sharps devices with SI prevention features. The primary definition and acronym currently proposed by the Terminology Workgroup are: sharps with injury protections (SIPs). SIPs are defined as: devices with integral features to prevent percutaneous injuries that may cause exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Efforts are underway to find opportunities to publish letters or commentary to generate further discussion and feedback. The Media Workgroup will function ad hoc as the need arises to initiate communications and craft informational notices. They will disseminate communications whenever there is a topic, product or project that warrants media or public attention. The Policy Workgroup has been identifying SI prevention standards and engaging with accrediting and licensing agencies to encourage their adoption and incorporation as part of site surveys and/or inspection processes. In the early 2000s, shortly after the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act was incorporated into the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, accrediting bodies like the Joint Commission were quite active incorporating elements of sharps safety into their surveys. This focus has diminished in recent years and as such, the Joint Commission will be the first organization we hope to work with. The Policy Workgroup has concluded that state-level advocacy and engagement may provide the best opportunity for greater enforcement of existing policies and enhancement of safer practices. Focusing on local efforts allows for more targeted discussions about gaps in SI prevention policies and practices, and access to appropriate technologies. A groundswell of state-based education and awareness initiatives that motivate federal lawmakers could lead to expanded national policy to promote safer working environments for the delivery of healthcare. Stay tuned for future activities regarding to state and local policy including the development of guidance for healthcare institutions. Injuries in the operating room (OR) most often involve suture needles, disposable hypodermic needles and syringes, and scalpel blades. According to incident data from the Massachusetts Sharps Injury Surveillance System and the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet), more than 50 percent of these injuries are reported by physicians. Injuries can occur before use with tearing or sharps penetration of a contaminated glove, during use, between steps of a multi-step procedure with a device that may be used many times during one procedure, and after use. The injuries that occur between steps and after use are historically associated with “passing” injuries that happen when a no-hands passing (neutral zone) practice is not in place. Implementation of safer programs for workers is directly related to safer outcomes for patients and should include not only instituting safer technologies and practices, but openness to collaborations, new ideas and innovative technologies that improve outcomes and minimize or eliminate injuries. To focus on decreasing injuries in the OR, the Safe OR Pilot Workgroup was formed. The Workgroup is currently recruiting facilities to pilot a Safe OR “bundled” approach that includes improving uptake of SIPs, activation of SIP mechanisms, alternatives to sutures for skin closure, use of no-hands passing neutral zones, and double gloving. The Safe OR Pilot Workgroup will begin working with a small number of facilities to gather injury data, develop targeted interventions, educational campaigns and evaluation tools, and determine impact over time. It will then identify which program elements and collaborative relationships work best and offer it as a program to a larger number of facilities. Metrics of the Safe OR Pilot may include injuries, usage rates of SIP devices compared to non-SIP devices, compliance with safer practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) use. Metrics can include differences pre- and post-pilot for the use of scalpels and blades with SIP features, blunt sutures and skin closure alternatives, no-hands passing neutral zones, and double gloving. The next face-to-face meeting of the ANA SI Prevention Stakeholder Group will be held at ANA headquarters in Silver Spring, Md. July 25-26, 2019. #### **Safety Concerns Relating to Device and Instrument Reprocessing** According to EPINet, approximately 25 percent of all sharps injuries occur to downstream non-users. The Safe OR Pilot Workgroup will attempt to help pilot facilities reduce OR injuries, but SIs also occur during device reprocessing. Professionals who encounter risks based on their work in sterile processing (SP) and central supply (CS) departments of healthcare facilities are often overlooked because they are not responsible for direct patient care. SP/CS employees are responsible for collecting, counting, cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing and repackaging all reusable medical devices and equipment used by clinical and diagnostic teams. They are often exposed to bloodborne and infectious pathogens as they experience SIs and splashes and splatters, so protecting them is central to any SI prevention program. The Safe OR Pilot workgroup will include elements to ensure continued focus on protecting this critical workforce and the impact they have on safe surgical outcomes for staff and patients alike. According to EPINet incident data, exposures frequently occur when: disassembling and cleaning surgical instruments that are caked with blood and tissue; lifting, transporting, and emptying trays filled with instruments; sorting instrument trays when disposable devices have not been discarded safely; and cleaning patient care items (e.g., wheelchairs) when devices have been left in them. Medical devices with SIPs are not in place just to protect the users of those devices, but also those who may come into contact with them downstream. Of utmost importance is the need for direct users to remember that there is no substitution for safe disposal of single use devices. #### **Reprocessing SI Prevention Measures** There are several actions that can be taken to prevent injuries among workers in CS and SP. Donning appropriate PPE, including gloves, gowns, and face shields, minimize risk of exposure from splashes. Minimizing risk of a SI can also often be achieved by double gloving. Utilizing baskets to move devices and instruments from one cleaning stage to the next minimizes manual handling of instruments. This can be employed in CS and SP as well as in operating and procedure rooms where devices are used and then placed in a solution for soaking immediately after use. Working with staff in operating and procedure rooms to ensure that instruments are placed in baskets or other containers with the sharp ends facing in the same direction helps those in CS and SP in the event they reach into a basin for a device. Ideally, tools (e.g., forceps) are used to pick up individual instruments, and brushes or sponges with handles are used for initial cleaning of the instruments. Healthcare facilities can greatly reduce their SIs in their sterile processing department by collaborating with the OR staff to eliminate all disposable sharps sent for reprocessing. The OR staff should dispose of sutures, needles, and blades immediately after the surgical procedure, so that the kits and trays sent to SP present lower risk of injury. While injuries among staff in CS and SP departments may constitute a small percentage of SIs facility-wide, their impact on the injured worker can be significant. Workers in these departments should be encouraged to report any SIs or splashes immediately to ensure appropriate post-exposure follow-up. This is particularly important as CS and SP staff may not know who the source patient is, thus limiting the ability for learning their serostatus – information which impacts post-exposure care and treatment. SI surveillance and prevention is often focused on direct care staff. Healthcare facilities are encouraged to review processes at each stage in the life cycle of devices and instruments and engage staff in implementing prevention measures appropriate for each stage. *Karen A. Daley, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a nationally recognized sharps safety expert and policy advocate and served as president of the American Nurses Association from 2010 to 2014.* *Amber Hogan Mitchell, DrPH, MPH, CPH is the president and executive director of the International Safety Center. The Center is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet®) to healthcare facilities around the world for free.* --- This post, [Behind the Curtain of Sharps Injury Prevention and Device Reprocessing](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/sterile-processing/behind-curtain-sharps-injury-prevention-and-device-reprocessing), first appeared on [https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/](https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/sterile-processing/behind-curtain-sharps-injury-prevention-and-device-reprocessing). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [Complying with the HIPAA Privacy Rule During Emergency Situations](https://wastemedic.com/2018/10/15/complying-with-the-hipaa-privacy-rule-during-emergency-situations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Complying with the HIPAA Privacy Rule During Emergency Situations](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/complying-with-the-hipaa-privacy-rule-during-emergency-situations), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com/](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/complying-with-the-hipaa-privacy-rule-during-emergency-situations). --- #### The last thing on healthcare professionals’ minds in emergency situations is complying with the HIPAA Privacy Rule, but it should be a priority. Emergency situations and natural disasters, such as hurricanes, pandemics, or mass casualties, can quickly overwhelm healthcare systems. The last thing on people’s minds in those situations is complying with the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Sometimes, but not always, HHS steps in and issues a waiver of some HIPAA requirements. For example, during Hurricane Florence, which ravaged the Carolina coast and produced devastating flooding, HHS Secretary Alex Azar [waived sanctions and penalties](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/azar-waives-hipaa-privacy-rule-sanctions-for-hurricane-response) under certain HIPAA Privacy Rule provisions in the areas affected by the emergency. As a result, hospitals and other healthcare organizations were given a HIPAA waiver of up to 72 hours from the time they first implemented their disaster protocol. But not all emergencies come with a reprieve from adherence to the federal law. During crises that do not include a HIPAA waiver, healthcare organizations that do not have a clear understanding of their obligations to patient privacy may risk liabilities and potential penalties for non-compliance. During an emergency situation, healthcare organizations should seek a balance between disclosing patient information when necessary to respond to an emergency and protecting patient privacy. This balance should be incorporated into a health organization’s emergency preparedness and response plan. ![](https://healthitsecurity.com/images/site/features/_normal/2018-01-12riskmanagement.jpg)Source: thinkstock **HIPAA Privacy Rule Provides Leeway in Emergencies** The HIPAA Privacy Rule, even without a waiver, includes [provisions designed to help healthcare organizations deal with emergencies](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/how-do-hipaa-rules-patient-privacy-apply-in-emergencies). “Those are the provisions that allow you to disclose information to law enforcement in order to identify people, to disaster assistance entities like The Red Cross, and to public health entities,” explained Melissa Markey, an attorney with the law firm of Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman. “Those provisions apply all the time. You don’t need to look for a waiver or notification from HHS to use those provisions,” Markey told *HealthITSecurity.com*. Matt Fisher, a healthcare attorney at Mirick O’Connell, agreed that flexibilities are built into HIPAA. “HIPAA allows pretty broad use of PHI for treatment purposes or healthcare operations. Obviously, coordination of care in the instance of a hurricane or other natural disaster can be a big issue that needs the attention of healthcare organizations.” In its Hurricane Florence bulletin, HHS said that the HIPAA Privacy Rule allows patient information to be shared without a waiver under the following conditions: *Treatment*: Covered entities can disclose, without the patient’s authorization, PHI as necessary to treat the patient or to treat another person. *Public health activities*: Covered entities can disclose PHI without authorization to a public health authority, to a foreign government at the direction of a US public health authority, and to people at risk of contracting or spreading a disease, state law permitting. *Disclosures to family, friends, or others involved in patient care*: Covered entities can share PHI with a patient’s family, members, relatives, friends, or other people identified by the patient as involved in his or her care. They also can share information about a patient to identify, locate, and notify family members, guardians, or anyone else responsible for the patient’s care. This information may include the patient’s location, general condition, or death. *Disclosures to prevent an imminent threat*: Covered entities can share PHI to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health and safety of an individual or the public at large. A provider may disclose a patient’s PHI to anyone who can prevent or lessen the threatened harm, including family, friends, caregivers, and law enforcement, without a patient’s permission. *Disclosures to media or others not involved in patient care*: Covered entities may release limited facility directory information to acknowledge someone is a patient and provide basic information about the patient’s condition in general terms. However, this requires that the patient has not objected to or restricted the release of that information or, if the patient is incapacitated, that the covered entity believes release of the information is in the best interest of the patient and is consistent with any prior expressed preferences of the patient. *Minimum necessary*: Covered entities must make reasonable effort to limit the information disclosed to the “minimum necessary” to accomplish the purpose. A *business associate* (BA) may disclose patient information as permitted by the Privacy Rule to a public health authority on behalf of a covered entity or another business associate to the extent authorized by its business associate agreement. Dave Gacioch, a healthcare attorney with McDermott Will & Emery, explained that “much of what is included in the HIPAA rules turns on reasonableness under the circumstances, and disaster situations are very relevant to provisions that require reasonable safeguards.” “As a general rule of thumb, my guidance to our healthcare provider clients would be that HIPAA largely still applies in an emergency. But do what’s in the best interests of your patients and your community and that will usually put you on the right track to meet your compliance obligations in a disaster situation,” he told *HealthITSecurity.com*. [![](https://healthitsecurity.com/images/site/features/_normal/2017-12-08employee-training-resource.jpg)](https://healthitsecurity.com/images/site/features/_large/2017-12-08employee-training-resource.jpg)Source: Thinkstock **What Impact Do HIPAA Waivers Have on Hospitals?** In the case of natural disasters, pandemics, and mass casualty events, HHS can waive HIPAA requirements and penalties if the President declares an emergency or disaster and the HHS Secretary declares a public health emergency. Emergencies during which HHS [has issued a HIPAA waiver](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/index.html) include the 2017 California Wildfires and Hurricanes Florence, Maria, Irma, Harvey, and Katrina. HHS [explained](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/1068/is-hipaa-suspended-during-a-national-or-public-health-emergency/index.html) that the HHS Secretary can waive sanctions and penalties for the following HIPAA Privacy Rule provisions: - Requirement to obtain a patient’s agreement to speak with family members or friends involved in the patient’s care - Requirement to honor a request to opt out of the facility directory of patients - Requirement to distribute a notice of privacy practices - Patient’s right to request privacy restrictions - Patient’s right to request confidential communications If the Secretary does issue a waiver, it only applies in the emergency area and for the emergency period identified in the public health emergency declaration. The waiver will only be applicable to hospitals that have instituted a disaster protocol, and it will only be good for up to 72 hours from the time the hospital implements its disaster protocol. When a Presidential disaster declaration or HHS emergency declaration ends, a covered entity would need to comply with all HIPAA Privacy Rule requirements for any patient still under its care, even if 72 hours had not elapsed since the disaster protocol was implemented. Fisher stressed that a waiver doesn’t suspend compliance with the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, but provides healthcare organizations with “a little bit more leeway” in sharing patient information. Markey advised healthcare organizations to try to acquire patient consent to share his or her information even when a HIPAA waiver is in effect. “If it is possible to accommodate patient privacy rights, it’s best practice to still honor them. The waiver is intended to help hospitals that are in the middle of the emergency. But we still need to respect privacy as much as we possibly can,” she said. ![](https://healthitsecurity.com/images/site/features/_normal/2017-12-08employeetraining.jpg)Source: Thinkstock **Planning Is the Best Solution in Emergencies** Planning is the best approach for healthcare organizations to ensure HIPAA compliance during an emergency. Organizations should develop and implement an emergency preparedness and response plan that contains instructions on how to comply with the HIPAA Privacy Rule and what to do if HHS issues a waiver. “Just because there’s an emergency doesn’t mean that HIPAA should be fully disregarded,” observed Fisher. “Obviously, you’re going to be running and operating under more stressful circumstances. If you prepare ahead of time, then you’re not going to be figuring things out on the fly and you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.” To help healthcare organizations include HIPAA compliance in their emergency plans, HHS has developed a [decision tool](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/decision-tool-overview/index.html). The tool focuses on the source of the information being disclosed, the entity to whom the information is being disclosed, and the purpose of the information being disclosed. HHS advises organizations to start with the question that is most relevant to their emergency preparedness planning needs and follow the information flow to find the appropriate answer. HHS has also provided a process flow at-a-glance chart to graphically display how the tool works. [![](https://healthitsecurity.com/images/site/features/_normal/HIPAA_and_Emergencies.png)](https://healthitsecurity.com/images/site/features/_large/HIPAA_and_Emergencies.png)Source: HHS HHS stressed that the tool does not address other federal, state or local privacy laws that may apply in specific circumstances. Because the decision-making tool focuses on issues relevant to emergency preparedness, it does not present all the uses and disclosures permitted by the Privacy Rule, nor does it discuss all the rule’s requirements, HHS explained. Gacioch recommended that HIPAA compliance be considered as part of an organization’s broader disaster response or emergency operations plan. “Focus that plan on how you’re going to take care of your patients and serve your community in a time of need, but factor in HIPAA considerations where possible consistent with those broader goals,” he said. “HIPAA doesn’t go away during disasters, but organizations are well-served if they plan and prepare for disasters before they occur and act during disasters in a way that puts their patients’ and communities’ needs first. It will be difficult for regulators to subsequently challenge actions that meet that standard,” Gacioch concluded. --- This post, [Complying with the HIPAA Privacy Rule During Emergency Situations](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/complying-with-the-hipaa-privacy-rule-during-emergency-situations), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com/](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/complying-with-the-hipaa-privacy-rule-during-emergency-situations). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Making Hospitals a Safe Place to Work – Preparedness for Hospital Staff](https://wastemedic.com/2018/09/18/making-hospitals-a-safe-place-to-work-preparedness-for-hospital-staff/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Making Hospitals a Safe Place to Work – Preparedness for Hospital Staff](http://nursing.advanceweb.com/making-hospitals-a-safe-place-to-work-preparedness-for-hospital-staff/), first appeared on [http://nursing.advanceweb.com/](http://nursing.advanceweb.com/making-hospitals-a-safe-place-to-work-preparedness-for-hospital-staff/). --- #### From workplace violence to bloodborne pathogen exposure, OSHA and other organizations are paying more attention to hospital safety protocols that go beyond awareness for patients. Dangers that exist in healthcare settings are typically thought of as hospital-acquired infections, biohazard exposure, incidence of medical errors and fall risks. These quagmires remain worthy of attention and protocols that promote safety, yet are primarily focused on patients. But these can also affect nurses and other providers who are tasked with protecting patients. The jeopardy that healthcare staff is exposed to daily is serious, and these issues are not going unnoticed. In 2013, one in five reported nonfatal occupational injuries occurred among workers in the healthcare and social-assistance industry, the highest number of such injuries reported for all private industries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Furthermore, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that healthcare personnel in the United States experienced seven times the national rate of musculoskeletal disorders compared with all other private sector workers in 2011. “According to OSHA, working in a hospital is the most dangerous place in the United States,” said Allan F. Brack, a training and education consultant with Qlicksmart, a company that develops safety products and provides education on the prevention of sharps injuries. “There’s no question that this is becoming a big deal. The vast majority of hospitals do not meet OSHA requirements.” These requirements cover a landscape of risks, such as bloodborne pathogen exposure, workplace violence, and the providing of protective equipment and respiratory safety. OSHA requirements related to pathogens include the drafting of written control plans designed to eliminate or minimize exposure while ensuring the plan is accessible to employees and updated annually. As part of that updating, management should also consider implementation of available and effective medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure. Employers are also expected to solicit input from non-managerial employees who are responsible for patient care and who are potentially exposed to injuries from contaminated sharps in the identification, evaluation and selection of effective practice controls as part of said plans. “One of the biggest areas of concern, and not all hospitals are aware, is OSHA’s enforcement of bloodborne pathogen issues, along with back injuries and workplace violence,” Brack said. Pertaining to protective equipment, OSHA requires the provision of materials that protect the eyes, face, head and extremities, as well as protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers. All items must be maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition by reason of exposure to hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards or mechanical irritants that could cause injury or impairment through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. From the respiratory perspective, employers should make respirators available for times when the air may be contaminated by dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays or vapors. While the primary goal is prevention of atmospheric contamination, the establishment and maintenance of a respiratory program is also part of the regulations set by OSHA. According to Brack, there is disconnect between OSHA standards and the recognition of such standards by hospital administration. “Many hospitals are working under the assumption that the Joint Commission is the one responsible \[for all safety protocol\], and they’re wrong,” he said. “In June 2015, OSHA sent out a directive to all regional offices that they should be inspecting hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities independent of the Joint Commission. Meaning, they’re seeing a lot of injuries.” And as OSHA has intensified inspections, fines that have been levied for various unsafe practices have been delivered at an immense level, Brack said “Fines are ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he continued.” Another area of concern has been workplace violence. OSHA’s statistics show that nearly two million American workers report workplace violence annually while many more are said to go unreported. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an agency governed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, defines workplace violence as acts (including physical assaults and threats of assaults) directed toward people at work or on duty ranging from incidents including offensive or threatening language to homicide. Nurses working in psychiatric wards, emergency departments, waiting rooms and geriatric units remain most at risk, as are those who work alone, lack appropriate security onsite, lack training and policies for preventing and managing crises, and are transporting patients. Risks increase if patients are exposed to long waiting times and/or staff members find themselves in poorly lit corridors, rooms, parking lots and other areas. NIOSH officials suggest employers take steps to prevent violent acts, such as developing safety and health programs that involve management and employees, and cover topics such as hazard identification and prevention, safety and health training, and appropriate reporting measures in the event of violence. Brack also warns of the “job pressures” that can also contribute to unsafe situations, not necessarily connected to violence specifically but more in the sense of employees being generally at risk. “We live in a world where you have to react quickly in order to meet the efficiencies of the hospital’s plan,” he said. “You get many injuries that could be avoided if the basic rules of compliance were being followed. There’s got to be correlation between cutting corners due to \[job\]pressures and being injured. You either are safe, or you are not safe.” According to OSHA, having safety and health management systems has helped reduce “personal, financial and societal costs that injuries, illnesses and fatalities impose.” Research also reportedly demonstrates that such systems are effective in transforming workplace culture; reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities; lowering workers’ compensation and other costs; improving morale and communication; and improving processes, products and services. Characteristics that make safety programs effective include management commitment, employee participation, integration of health and safety with business planning, and continuous system evaluation. OSHA’s research has also found that organizational factors are the most significant predictors of safe behaviors, citing studies that show compliance with standard precautions increases when workers believe there is a commitment to safety and when institutions place an emphasis on interventions that are intended to improve organizational support for employee health and safety. --- This post, [Making Hospitals a Safe Place to Work – Preparedness for Hospital Staff](http://nursing.advanceweb.com/making-hospitals-a-safe-place-to-work-preparedness-for-hospital-staff/), first appeared on [http://nursing.advanceweb.com/](http://nursing.advanceweb.com/making-hospitals-a-safe-place-to-work-preparedness-for-hospital-staff/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Healthcare Facilities Discover Pain Relief For the Datacenter](https://wastemedic.com/2018/09/06/healthcare-facilities-discover-pain-relief-for-the-datacenter/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Healthcare Facilities Discover Pain Relief For the Datacenter](https://www.infoworld.com/article/3303800/data-center/healthcare-facilities-discover-pain-relief-for-the-datacenter.html), first appeared on [https://www.infoworld.com](https://www.infoworld.com/article/3303800/data-center/healthcare-facilities-discover-pain-relief-for-the-datacenter.html). --- People who work at healthcare facilities suffer from pains of their own, and the source of the pain may surprise you. It is kind of pain has nothing to do with the human body, and the relief cannot come from the medical staff. It’s the pain of managing an aging IT infrastructure. IT administrators have a tough time in healthcare datacenters these days. Legacy IT systems can be difficult to manage and grow. Over time, a siloed architecture can make an infrastructure more complex, more costly, and harder to upgrade. As if that’s not challenging enough, HIPAA regulations impose stringent rules on medical databases to ensure the protection of patient information. Although products are available that can mitigate the risk of catastrophic datacenter failure and data breaches, it’s hard to know which ones will integrate smoothly into a legacy IT environment. It’s equally important that, as legacy IT is refreshed and modernized, new systems are resilient and overcome complexity and cost headaches. ### **Prescription for healthcare facilities: HIPPA-compliant hyperconverged solutions** But relief from datacenter pain is available – and no, you don’t need a prescription. Technology can ease the pain of legacy infrastructures for IT operations and can even mend fractured data protection strategies. Both of these benefits help keep costs – and IT operations’ blood pressure – down. Healthcare IT professionals are discovering the benefits of deploying [hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI)](https://www.hpe.com/us/en/integrated-systems/hyper-converged.html) in their datacenters and at remote sites. Hyperconverged infrastructure combines up to a dozen discrete IT infrastructure components and advanced data services into a single x86-based building block that easily scales as requirements demand and provides similar costs and experiences of public clouds. Some hyperconverged solutions include built-in data protection and validated data security solutions as well. A HIPAA-compliant HCI offering typically includes an array of compliance monitoring and enforcement tools, along with VM-centric management, that simplifies management of the combined solution from a single console. The hyperconverged infrastructure controls the efficient movement of VMs across datacenters. The data encryption solution allows the IT admin to key, clone, restore, and rekey VMs, instructing the system to shred old encryption keys. Cloned and restored VMs can be rekeyed as well, which means data cannot be duplicated and stolen by simply using data services. A security platform that performs encryption with zero downtime helps to increase compliance with various regulations and best practices. **Weeks Medical Center**,a critical access hospital offering medical, surgical, and intensive care services, chose [HPE SimpliVity](https://www.hpe.com/us/en/integrated-systems/simplivity.html) [powered by Intel®](http://www.intel.com/) hyperconverged infrastructure for [improved risk mitigation](https://h20195.www2.hpe.com/V2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=a00007992ENW) and HIPAA compliance. . In addition to $100,000 annual cost savings, they realized backup and recovery improvements, including restoration of massive PACS (medical image) files in minutes. **Neil Medical Group** provides pharmacy dispensing and consulting services to Long Term Care facilities in the US. Recently, they [refreshed their legacy IT infrastructure](https://h20195.www2.hpe.com/V2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=a00007937ENW), simplifying operations and improving data protection for critical applications. They also experienced a 25% increase in application performance with HPE SimpliVity hyperconverged infrastructure, and as much as 137:1 data efficiency using always-on deduplication and compression. **Altrecht**, a Netherlands-based healthcare company that treats more than 25,000 patients annually, [consolidated 8 racks of legacy equipment](https://h20195.www2.hpe.com/V2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=a00008164enw) down to two racks of hyperconverged infrastructure systems. Rapid and efficient data protection allows them to back up and recover VMs in minutes compared to hours with their previous infrastructure. The **Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP)** is the largest diagnostic pathology service provider in Namibia, handling all public health sector pathology testing and providing disease monitoring services. When it was time to refresh their IT, NIPleveraged hyperconverged infrastructureto [build a private cloud](https://h20195.www2.hpe.com/V2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=a00017586enw&cc=us&lc=en) to shield sensitive data. They now achieve fast, simple full backups and replication and have consolidated 40U to 6U of rack space with HPE SimpliVity. They also streamlined their IT operations and realized a 94:1 data efficiency ratio. All of these healthcare facilities choose Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to refresh their aging infrastructure. HPE SimpliVity hyperconverged systems are helping healthcare IT teams all over the world find pain relief by simplifying their IT operations and protecting their critical data. HPE has validated HPE SimpliVity interoperability with HyTrust DataControl, a security and compliance platform for virtual machines that offers simple encryption key management. This [implementation and best practices guide](https://h20195.www2.hpe.com/v2/Getdocument.aspx?docname=a00026728enw) explains how, with HyTrust DataControl, HPE SimpliVity hyperconverged infrastructure becomes a HIPAA-compliant solution that secures application data through encryption. --- This post, [Healthcare Facilities Discover Pain Relief For the Datacenter](https://www.infoworld.com/article/3303800/data-center/healthcare-facilities-discover-pain-relief-for-the-datacenter.html), first appeared on [https://www.infoworld.com](https://www.infoworld.com/article/3303800/data-center/healthcare-facilities-discover-pain-relief-for-the-datacenter.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Good Incident Response Plans Are a Must](https://wastemedic.com/2018/09/06/good-incident-response-plans-are-a-must/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Good Incident Response Plans Are a Must](https://www.renalandurologynews.com/hipaa-compliance/good-incident-response-plans-are-a-must/article/787918/), first appeared on [https://www.renalandurologynews.com/](https://www.renalandurologynews.com/hipaa-compliance/good-incident-response-plans-are-a-must/article/787918/). --- Tom Walsh, founder and managing partner of tw-Security, a health care privacy and information security firm in Overland Park, Kansas, related an incident that shows how the best intentions can go wrong. A small health care clinic that was acquired by a larger group had not switched to the purchaser’s medical records system. The clinic had a ransomware breach on a Friday afternoon, and, over the weekend, the IT support “blew away” the server and loaded a new operating system. He did this to avoid paying ransom and allow doctors access to the system first thing Monday morning. Later, when the group’s IT security officer asked for the audit logs to prove a breach had not occurred, the logs had been erased with the rest of the system. There was no way to prove a breach had not occurred. The group had to report the breach to patients and the media because more than 500 patient records were involved. “The burden of proof showing there hadn’t been a breach is on the organization,” Walsh said. “Making one misstep can get someone into a great deal of legal trouble.” A systematic process must be followed to prove any incident did not result in a breach, but most organizations fail to take incident responses seriously. According to a [2016 report](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/HIPAA-cyber-awareness-monthly-issue-6.pdf) by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), nearly half of providers queried in a survey did not have formal incident response plans and 55% had no incident response team. This is problematic considering 61% of the respondents had experienced a data breach in the past 2 years. ## Logging incidents HIPAA regulations require providers to have an incident response plan that is documented and regularly updated. Like most aspects of HIPAA, this is typically only checked in the case of an audit after a breach. That does not mean providers should not heed the requirement, however. Having this paperwork helps prove providers took the required steps after a breach and may mitigate fines. The purpose of an incident report is to identify and track problems, contain and reduce the impact of incidents, correct the causal issues, prevent recurrences, and demonstrate compliance. If the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) conducts an audit, it would want to see an incident log. If providers do not have one “it means they are perfect or they are clueless,” Walsh said. “And nobody is perfect, there are always going to be some things that happen.” Providers should have incident reports as far back as 6 years. Over that period, nearly every office has had a misdirected fax, handed the wrong form to a patient, or had a system outage, Walsh noted. “It happens all of the time, and OCR knows that,” Walsh said. ## What to include The good news about incident breach reports is they are relatively straightforward for small practices, according to Julian Jacobsen, co-founder of J.J. Micro IT Consulting of St. Louis, Missouri. Anything that could possibly be a breach should be listed on an incident report. If a laptop was stolen, for instance, that should be noted even if a practice is not sure protected health information was on it. For the report, a practice needs to demonstrate they understand the incident and can document the process the organization goes through when one occurs. According to Jacobsen, the following areas should be covered in the plan: - What constitutes an incident? - What steps should be taken to respond to an incident? - How should each step be documented? - How is an incident and breach differentiated? - Who makes the final decision of whether an incident should be considered a breach? - How and when should affect patients be contacted? - How and when should the media be contacted in case of a breach? - How and when should HHS be contacted? A good way to ensure a practice has everything that HHS might want in an incident report is to check the department’s website, Walsh said. The HHS site offers a [sample form](https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/doc/Breach%20Portal%20Questions%20508.pdf) that lists the information required when reporting a breach in the portal. Another good method is a walk-through. Create a fictitious scenario and see how the practice’s staff responds and if the plan meets the requirements. “There is real value in this,” Walsh said. “You don’t want to wait until you are knee deep in an incident to see you have holes in the process. There should also be documentation that these plans have been reviewed and updated on an annual basis. Updates are typically only necessary if there have been changes to the law or the workplace (i.e. an employee listed as responsible for an aspect of the plan is no longer employed), Jacobsen said. ## Who should be involved? Depending upon the size of the organization, different people may take part in the incident response team. In smaller practices, it is often the practice owner, IT person, and security officer who work together to create the plan. Someone like the security officer needs to be a point of contact responsible for getting it written and followed. In a larger organization, HIPAA privacy and security officers might coordinate to create the plan and have the practice’s decision makers to sign off on it, Jacobsen said. These officers might work with practice owner, an IT staffer and director, office manager, and human resource staff and director. A point person still needs to be in charge. Generally, Jacobsen recommends looking outside of the practice for help with HIPAA compliance. An inexpensive option that “doesn’t do a great job, but they would at least have something” is an online compliance program. These can cost around $500 and an office will get a binder with a checklist for things they should be doing for compliance. An audit and remediation work for a small practice by a consultant, he said, would more likely fall into the $3,000 to $5,000 range. --- This post, [Good Incident Response Plans Are a Must](https://www.renalandurologynews.com/hipaa-compliance/good-incident-response-plans-are-a-must/article/787918/), first appeared on [https://www.renalandurologynews.com/](https://www.renalandurologynews.com/hipaa-compliance/good-incident-response-plans-are-a-must/article/787918/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Cloud for healthcare presses on but is slowed by HIPAA anxiety](https://wastemedic.com/2018/09/06/cloud-for-healthcare-presses-on-but-is-slowed-by-hipaa-anxiety/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Cloud for healthcare presses on but is slowed by HIPAA anxiety](https://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/opinion/Cloud-for-healthcare-presses-on-but-is-slowed-by-HIPAA-anxiety), first appeared on [https://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/](https://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/opinion/Cloud-for-healthcare-presses-on-but-is-slowed-by-HIPAA-anxiety). --- *Facing mounting pressure to take steps toward the healthcare cloud, hospital systems find themselves balancing modern infrastructure trends with HIPAA safeguards.* Imagine a mortgage company telling a household it was too slow in moving to the cloud: Cut the cable cord and start streaming! Buy a smart speaker to order pizza! Have backyard security cameras upload footage to the web for review anytime, anywhere! Homeowners might be aghast, insulted or just plain confused by such mandates. Yet that’s the world of hospital IT professionals, who feel constant pressure to migrate to the cloud for healthcare activities. I think back to a story I wrote from the HIMSS conference when the former chairman of Alphabet reprimanded the audience about [slow-moving cloud projects](https://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/news/252436510/Reprimand-on-healthcare-and-cloud-computing-spurs-HIMSS-debate). In some ways, fighting the cloud movement is a losing battle. Many [bank systems have shifted to the cloud](https://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/news/450402640/Public-cloud-and-big-banks-finally-on-the-same-page), and the savvier financial institutions have figured out a way to make life easier for customers through this change in IT architecture. With cloud for healthcare, the yellow-brick road comes with unique potholes. For starters, some hospitals are spooked by the idea of cloud-based patient data that’s not only sensitive, but also subject to tough HIPAA regulations. The idea of putting at least some HIPAA compliance in the hands of third-party cloud vendors can draw beads of sweat upon the brows of IT staff at healthcare organizations. Healthcare’s enthusiastic foray into IoT — 60% of healthcare organizations already use IoT, according to a [study](https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/eo/HPE_Aruba_IoT_Research_Report.pdf) from Aruba Networks, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company — also brings with it cloud concerns. For example, connected medical devices using IoT sensors offer tremendous real-time monitoring, but data protection in that setting might not be ideal. There are two long-heralded, but at times under-used, steps that hospitals can take to protect data as it moves to the healthcare cloud. HIPAA business associate agreements should come into play when medical facilities contract with cloud vendors. And the good ole [HIPAA risk assessment](https://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/feature/To-prep-for-OCR-HIPAA-audits-try-tech-risk-assessment) — in which IT folks weigh the risks to patient data security against potential actions to thwart the threats — serves as a tool to gauge how well hospitals and cloud providers safeguard protected health information. A homeowner might shrug off any attempts to force cloud migration, but for medical organizations, that option is dwindling. As the cloud for healthcare gains momentum, health systems must move to protect their valuable assets as they migrate, or elevate, there. --- This post, [Cloud for healthcare presses on but is slowed by HIPAA anxiety](https://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/opinion/Cloud-for-healthcare-presses-on-but-is-slowed-by-HIPAA-anxiety), first appeared on [https://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/](https://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/opinion/Cloud-for-healthcare-presses-on-but-is-slowed-by-HIPAA-anxiety). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Are your vendors HIPAA compliant? Find out before it’s too late](https://wastemedic.com/2018/08/20/are-your-vendors-hipaa-compliant-find-out-before-its-too-late/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Are your vendors HIPAA compliant? Find out before it’s too late](https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2018/08/are-your-vendors-hipaa-compliant-find-out-before-it-s-too-late.html), first appeared on [https://www.dentistryiq.com/](https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2018/08/are-your-vendors-hipaa-compliant-find-out-before-it-s-too-late.html). --- Organizations operating within dentistry and the healthcare industry more generally face constant regulatory pressure at the federal and state levels. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), for example, sets rules relating to the safeguarding of protected health information (PHI) that significantly impact the way organizations collect, store, and transmit their patients’ medical data. Failure to abide by these rules can have significant repercussions for HIPAA-covered entities. Maintaining sufficient HIPAA-compliance standards within an organization is one thing, but keeping PHI protected once it leaves the relative security of a practice’s four walls is another challenge entirely. In circumstances where third party vendors come into contact with PHI—via data-storage services, communication providers, or document-disposal companies, for example—organizations must ensure any organization undertaking the work is also fully HIPAA compliant. Under HIPAA, any third party that comes into contact with PHI through the work it undertakes on behalf of the covered entity is known as a business associate, or BA for short. Before granting any level of access of PHI (or its electronic equivalent, ePHI) to a BA, both parties must enter into a contract that details commitments to HIPAA compliance and provides assurances relating to the safeguarding of PHI and ePHI. This contract is known as a business associate agreement (BAA). Failure to comply with this process can pave the way for significant financial and reputational damage. Last year, for example, a children’s digestive health center was ordered to pay a settlement of $31,000 to the US Department of Health and Human Services following an investigation into one of its BAs, which had been storing patient records for several years in the absence of signed BAA.1 More recently, Dignity Health reported a breach to HHS after it allowed a BA to receive PHI without a valid BAA being in place. Despite the fact the contractor was trusted and had been used previously, the lack of an up-to-date BAA between the two parties—which was caused by a clerical error—meant that PHI was being exchanged unlawfully. To protect against potential breaches caused by third-party vendors, HIPAA-covered entities should take the following points into consideration. ### **Commitments to HIPAA** If a vendor is working in association with your business or providing services that result in the handling of PHI, seek reassurance that they recognize themselves as a BA. It is not enough for vendors to simply claim that they are HIPAA compliant; request evidence of their HIPAA compliance and administrative capabilities and ask to review their HIPAA policies and procedures, such as a recent risk analysis and evidence of employee training. ### **Understand how your BAs protect and store PHI** It is essential to understand the steps each of your BAs takes to collect, store, process, and transfer PHI. Never disclose PHI to any BA unless a signed BAA exists between both parties. If possible, check whether the BA has a designated HIPAA privacy or security officer and gain an understanding of how the organization plans to handle security incidents and breach notifications. And if that organization plans to outsource the handling or processing of your PHI to a third party, they must have a signed BAA with that third party to ensure that the chain of responsibility remains unbroken. ### **Read the small print** A fully compliant vendor will not hesitate to sign a BAA, outlining all the terms as required by HIPAA. Be sure to read the contents of this carefully and take note of any additional terms and conditions that are permitted but not required by HIPAA. ### **Don’t be fooled by the conduit exception rule** Some entities come into contact with PHI but do not have direct access to it, such as internet service providers, couriers, or the United States Postal Service. These entities act as mere conduits of information, and as such are not required to sign a BAA. With the exception of the examples above, almost every other type of company that handles protected health-care information will be required to sign a BAA. ### **The takeaway** To avoid significant financial and reputational damage, dentists and dental practices should ensure their vendors are taking the proper steps to remain compliant. By taking the proactive steps described here, dentists can gain peace of mind—knowing they’ve minimized their business’ risk and kept their patients’ data safe. --- This post, [Are your vendors HIPAA compliant? Find out before it’s too late](https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2018/08/are-your-vendors-hipaa-compliant-find-out-before-it-s-too-late.html), first appeared on [https://www.dentistryiq.com/](https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2018/08/are-your-vendors-hipaa-compliant-find-out-before-it-s-too-late.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Hospital Hit with $4.3 Million Fine for “Snail’s Pace” HIPAA Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2018/07/17/hospital-hit-with-4-3-million-fine-for-snails-pace-hipaa-compliance/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Hospital Hit with $4.3 Million Fine for “Snail’s Pace” HIPAA Compliance](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/hospital-hit-with-4-3-million-fine-for-28027/), first appeared on [https://www.jdsupra.com/](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/hospital-hit-with-4-3-million-fine-for-28027/). --- Healthcare organizations take note: not following your own data security rules can be costly, very costly. And the more time it takes to comply, the faster the fines stack up. An administrative law judge [recently upheld](https://www.pbwt.com/content/uploads/2018/06/alj-cr5111.pdf) the fourth largest HIPAA fine – a $4.3 million penalty – issued to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for not following its own data security policies. MD Anderson’s cyber program required the encryption of devices containing electronic protected health information or ePHI. In three separate instances dating back to 2012 and 2013, ePHI for more than 35,000 individuals was exposed when two unencrypted thumb drives and a laptop went missing. It was only after the theft of the unencrypted laptop containing the ePHI of approximately 30,000 individuals that MD Anderson began mass encryption of its laptops. This was in May 2012, six years after MD Anderson wrote its policies requiring the encryption of laptops. MD Anderson’s 2006 policy also required the encryption of ePHI on transportable media. But it did not distribute encrypted USB devices until September 2012, two months after one of the two unencrypted thumb drives were lost. The second unencrypted thumb drive was lost in November 2013. Collectively, the two thumb drives contained the ePHI of more than 5,800 individuals. The ALJ found that, despite enacting encryption policies in 2006 designed to implement HIPAA’s data security requirements and with full knowledge that the institution’s failure to implement such policies presented a risk to its patients’ ePHI, MD Anderson implemented the policies at a “snail’s pace.” ALJ Steven T. Kessel said that MD Anderson’s slow implementation of security measures was “shocking.” He also ruled that, even though HIPAA “regulations governing ePHI do not specifically require devices to be encrypted,” they do require “that all systems containing ePHI be inaccessible to unauthorized users.” Entities covered under the regulations are provided substantial discretion in choosing how to accomplish this but “the bottom line is that whatever mechanisms an entity adopts must be effective.” And once a mechanism is chosen, the entity is “obligated to make it work.” MD Anderson’s failure to follow its own guidelines resulted in a penalty of $2,000 per day from March 24, 2011 through January 25, 2013, a separate penalty for “each day of \[MD Anderson’s\] failure to protect its devices.” ALJ Kessell also imposed penalties of $1,500,000 for the years 2012 and 2013, the maximum amount allowed per year. This amount properly reflected “the gravity of the loss.” MD Anderson says it will appeal the decision. We will report on future developments. --- This post, [Hospital Hit with $4.3 Million Fine for “Snail’s Pace” HIPAA Compliance](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/hospital-hit-with-4-3-million-fine-for-28027/), first appeared on [https://www.jdsupra.com/](https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/hospital-hit-with-4-3-million-fine-for-28027/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [2018 HIPAA Compliance: How to Keep Your ePHI Protected](https://wastemedic.com/2018/07/17/2018-hipaa-compliance-how-to-keep-your-ephi-protected/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [2018 HIPAA Compliance: How to Keep Your ePHI Protected](https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2018/07/2018-hipaa-compliance-how-keep-your-ephi-protected-perfcon),[ ](https://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/proactive-ways-to-prevent-improper-pharmaceutical-disposal/article/781063/) first appeared on [https://healthtechmagazine.net/](https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2018/07/2018-hipaa-compliance-how-keep-your-ephi-protected-perfcon). --- There has been quite a fuss lately over offering patients greater access to their health records, particularly with the [introduction of Apple’s EHR app](https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2018/03/apple-launches-ehr-app-39-hospitals-board), which promises to bring electronic health records into patients’ pockets and introduce the era of **bring-your-own-data** in healthcare. But often that desire to bring patients into the fold gets quashed by a fear of cybersecurity and [HIPAA compliance around health information](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/how-hipaa-regulations-apply-to-key-patient-data-access-situations). Recently, for instance, a man was stopped from taking a photo of his own X-ray when a radiologist feared it might violate HIPAA regulations, which kicked off a [discussion of similar incidents on Twitter](https://twitter.com/hmkyale/status/996525312166060033). These incidents arise mainly because providers simply **don’t understand the ramifications** of HIPAA and other health IT laws — and where to draw the line with access. Indeed, understanding the nuances of these regulations is particularly difficult now that technology affects all corners of healthcare: from telemedicine to remote patient monitoring to consumer glucose monitors to smartphones with thousands of health apps. This ubiquity has created new challenges for providers and patients, particularly when it comes to ensuring the privacy and security of patients’ protected health information (PHI) in accordance with regulations, such as **HIPAA and the HITECH Act**. ## What Is the HITECH Act of 2009? The [Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/hitech-act-enforcement-interim-final-rule/index.html), better known as the HITECH Act, was signed into law in February 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which sought to address new needs as healthcare IT infrastructure began to expand and change exponentially. In particular, this legislation incentivized providers to adopt EHR systems, as well as **expanded security and compliance requirements**. Moreover, it allowed the Health and Human Services Department to **expand its enforcement of HIPAA** requirements with the aim to [increase provider vigilance](https://wayback.archive-it.org/3926/20131018161347/http:/www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/10/20091030a.html) and consumer confidence in how patient data is handled and secured. With this in mind, it can seem understandable that the waters around patients’ access to data can be quite murky. ## New Data Privacy Challenges for Providers Traditionally, healthcare **providers have been held responsible** for all aspects of privacy and security of patient data because they have created and controlled it. But boundaries shifted once electronic medical records came into play. The roles surrounding data privacy and ownership are now blurred. One of the main challenges that comes with this change in ownership involves **the use of smartphones by patients** — in particular, patients using those devices to capture elements of their own medical data. The story of the man who was stopped from taking a photo of his own X-ray is not unusual. Often providers are reluctant to grant certain types of access, claiming that it would violate HIPAA, but most of the time that’s not the case. ## What Are the Medical Records Release Laws? In September 2015, the Office of Civil Rights, a division of HHS, [issued guidance for consumers](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/righttoaccessmemo.pdf) regarding medical record release laws that sought to **encompass both HIPAA and HITECH guidance**. **Patients have the right to**: 1. See and get a copy of their medical records 2. Have errors and omissions in their medical records corrected (or their disagreements documented) 3. Get a paper or electronic copy of their medical records 4. Request the provider send their medical records to another party with permission While there is fear from a provider’s point of view, the language in this guidance is clear and specific. It broadly provides patients access to their medical data and does not specifically limit patients’ methods of acquisition. Patients have the right to see any single element of their record or the entire set of data, except for the few exclusions HIPAA has set aside (these exclusions are minimal and not relevant in this discussion). Diagnoses, lab results, a picture of a cut or an X-ray image are all part of the medical record. If patients are **legally permitted to see and obtain a copy of their records** in their preferred form and format, then it follows that the patient should be able to take a picture of that information during an office visit or consultation with their provider. While the story of the man who was stopped from taking a photo of his X-ray garnered plenty of attention, many times doctors do allow patients to take pictures. For example, a patient in an emergency department had a gash in her hand from a dropped glass. She asked the doctor if she could take a picture of her hand while glass was being removed. The doctor said yes. The patient posted a few of the pictures on her social media site. The photos include the physician’s hands but no identification of the provider. ## Provider Concerns in the Bring-Your-Own-Data Era While there is some hesitation around protecting ePHI, HIPAA is clear: **Patients have the right to their own medical data** in any form or format. Although the provider traditionally owns the systems that record and manage that data, they don’t own the data itself. A patient can use technology (including a smartphone) to copy that data, even if it’s on a computer screen in a physician’s office. Some providers will ask for a signed release, but that is not specifically required. Patients must also understand that once they are in possession of that data, whether it’s a photocopy, electronic copy or photograph, they are solely responsible for the privacy and security of that data. Provider concerns are twofold. First, there is a concern they will **still be held accountable for the privacy and security of patient data** they no longer control. Second, providers have traditionally controlled access to medical records because, as the creators of the data, they were uniquely qualified to interpret and act upon that data. With the consumerization of healthcare, many **patients are taking an active and informed role in their own care**. This requires access to the entire medical record, not just limited portions decided by the provider. Studies show that engaged and informed patients have better outcomes. Providing access to medical records through viable technologies, including web portals, apps or even smartphone cameras, is the new reality of care. Patients are now included as part of the care team and are responsible for the privacy and security of the data they handle — their own. The next step may be helping patients **understand the importance of protecting that health data**. *Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice. For specific guidance, contact your HIPAA privacy officer or legal representative.* --- This post, [2018 HIPAA Compliance: How to Keep Your ePHI Protected](https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2018/07/2018-hipaa-compliance-how-keep-your-ephi-protected-perfcon),[ ](https://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/proactive-ways-to-prevent-improper-pharmaceutical-disposal/article/781063/) first appeared on [https://healthtechmagazine.net/](https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2018/07/2018-hipaa-compliance-how-keep-your-ephi-protected-perfcon). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Proactive ways to prevent improper pharmaceutical disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2018/07/17/proactive-ways-to-prevent-improper-pharmaceutical-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Proactive ways to prevent improper pharmaceutical disposal](https://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/proactive-ways-to-prevent-improper-pharmaceutical-disposal/article/781063/), first appeared on [https://www.mcknights.com/](https://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/proactive-ways-to-prevent-improper-pharmaceutical-disposal/article/781063/). --- As the use of pharmaceuticals in long-term care facilities increases, so does the need for proper management of its waste. With the potential to cause harm for facilities, their residents and the environment, it is imperative that LTC owners and operators understand the current regulatory environment and best practices for pharmaceutical waste. A recent Associated Press investigation found that hospitals and LTC facilities were flushing nearly [250 million](https://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2009/04/19/tons-of-released-drugs-taint-us-water?PageNr=1) pounds of medication each year. Consequently, this improper disposal of waste likely contaminated [40 million](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/pharmaceuticals-in-the-water/) Americans’ drinking water, as sewage treatment plants and septic systems are not required to deal with such pollutants. However, controlling the use and disposal of medicinal waste grows more challenging every year with the increased frequency of pharmaceutical use in LTC facilities. For instance, 27% of nursing home facility residents take nine or more medications on a regular basis, according to recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [findings](https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/Reports/downloads/lewingroup.pdf). This high usage has made it difficult for staff to guarantee correct disposal. Improper removal of medicine can have serious, damaging effects. By following these preventative steps, LTC facilities can minimize costs, improve regulatory compliance and ensure proper pharmaceutical disposal in order to protect facilities, residents and the environment. **Waste segregation** LTC facilities should develop a formal plan for pharmaceutical waste management. Owners and operators can begin by determining the source of discarded drugs and how they are managed from other facility waste streams. Facilities should also decide how they will segregate nonhazardous pharmaceutical waste from hazardous waste, as it is important to separate it to avoid commingling with other waste streams. Furthermore, should waste be subjected to commingling, facilities will then have to treat it as though it were the most strictly regulated type, as even a small quantity of hazardous waste commingled with regular solid waste requires it to be handled as hazardous waste. **Staff training** Routine training is also essential to ensure proper medicinal disposal. Training should occur on an ongoing basis at all levels, in case of turnover. Staff should understand their responsibilities regarding pharmaceutical waste management and the importance of regulatory compliance. For example, it is critical for all staff members to know that they can never put hazardous waste into sharps containers or red bags. Moreover, facilities can further improve programs by collecting and monitoring training data. When needed, facilities should take corrective action. However, it is equally important that improvements and accomplishments are celebrated amongst the entire staff to encourage positivity between the group. **Pharmaceutical takeback services** Finally, facilities should integrate pharmaceutical takeback services. One great way to do this is by installing a medication collection kiosk where nurses and residents can dispose of unused and/or expired drugs. Not only does this help reduce the environmental impact of improper medication disposal, but it also helps prevent drugs from ending up in an abuser’s hands. After all, half of people who abuse prescription drugs receive them from friends and family for free, according to [data](https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_2686/ShortReport-2686.html) from the National Survey for Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Waste disposal services also help reduce operational costs and administrative hassles, along with ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. --- This post, [Proactive ways to prevent improper pharmaceutical disposal](https://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/proactive-ways-to-prevent-improper-pharmaceutical-disposal/article/781063/), first appeared on [https://www.mcknights.com/](https://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/proactive-ways-to-prevent-improper-pharmaceutical-disposal/article/781063/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste --- ### [1.13M Records Exposed by 110 Healthcare Data Breaches in Q1 2018](https://wastemedic.com/2018/06/05/1-13m-records-exposed-by-110-healthcare-data-breaches-in-q1-2018/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [1.13M Records Exposed by 110 Healthcare Data Breaches in Q1 2018](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/1.13m-records-exposed-by-110-healthcare-data-breaches-in-q1-2018), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/1.13m-records-exposed-by-110-healthcare-data-breaches-in-q1-2018). --- Around 1.13 million patient records were compromised in 110 healthcare data breaches in the first quarter of 2018, according to [data released](https://protenus.com/press/press-release/113m-patient-records-breached-from-january-to-march-2018) May 3 in the Protenus Breach Barometer. Healthcare insiders were most likely to snoop on family members—a whopping 77.10 percent of privacy violations in the first quarter. Snooping on fellow co-workers was the second most common insider violation, followed by snooping on neighbors and celebrities, according to proprietary nonpublic data collected by Protenus, an AI platform used to analyze access to patient data inside electronic health records. In the largest breach disclosed in first quarter, an unauthorized third-party gained access to an Oklahoma-based healthcare organization’s network that stored patient billing information for 279,856 patients. Although Protenus did not disclose the name of the organization, this appears to be a reference to the breach at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSUCHS). The center [said in January](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/potential-wv-health-data-breach-from-laptop-theft-affects-43k) that it learned that there had been unauthorized computer network access by a third party on November 7, 2017, and the third party removed folders containing Medicaid data from the network on November 8. Medicaid numbers, healthcare provider names, dates of service, and limited treatment information may have been in the server folders, along with one Social Security number. Medical records were not on the server, OSUCHS stressed. If healthcare employees breach patient privacy once, there is a greater than 20 percent chance that they will breach it again in three months’ time, and there is a greater than 54 percent chance they will do it again in one year, according to Protenus data. Healthcare organizations accumulate risk that compounds over time when proper detection, reporting, and education do not occur, according to Protenus. The Breach Barometer found that it takes healthcare organizations an average of 244 days to detect a breach once it has occurred. For 2017, the Breach Barometer [found](https://post-healthcare.com/5-6m-patient-records-breached-in-2017-as-healthcare-struggles-to-comprehensively-and-proactively-2ec85ff4916) that 5.6 million patient records were compromised in 477 total breaches. Of the 477 reported incidents in 2017, 379 involved healthcare providers, 56 involved health plans, 23 involving business associates or third parties, and 19 involved some other type of covered entity such as schools or law firms. Breaking down the 477 incidents last year by type, 37 percent involved insiders, 37 percent involved hacking by outsiders, 16 percent involved loss or theft, and 10 percent were unknown. There were 176 insider-related incidents, affecting 1.7 million patient records. There were 102 incidents involving insider error in 2017, and 70 incidents involving insider wrongdoing. In one case of insider wrongdoing, a hospital employee snooped on patients’ information for 14 years before the breach was discovered. The breach affected 1,100 patient records and remained undetected until one of the patients called in with a complaint. “This is an unfortunate example of how detrimental insider threats can be for a healthcare organization. This entity will now face a multitude of costs associated with a breach in addition to already taking additional measures to further secure their patients’ sensitive medical information,” the report observed. Protenus found that healthcare hacking incidents involving ransomware or other types of malware doubled from 2016 to 2017. There were 64 hacking incidents involving ransomware or other types of malware last year, compared to 30 incidents in 2016. Theft was also an issue, with 58 breaches affecting 218,000 patient records. It took on average 308 days for an organization to discover a breach, up from 233 days in 2016. At the same time, it took 73 days on average to report a breach to HHS once it was discovered, significantly down from the 344 days on average to report to HHS in 2016, the report noted. These numbers are surprising, given that the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule requires that data breaches affecting 500 individuals or more must be reported to HHS within 60 days of discovery. “In general, healthcare entities are able to detect hacking incidents quicker than insider incidents, but hackings tended to have longer gaps between the discovery of the breach and reporting it. This may be due, in part, to law enforcement officials asking organizations not to disclose the breach publicly as they can continue their investigation,” the report observed. --- This post, [1.13M Records Exposed by 110 Healthcare Data Breaches in Q1 2018](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/1.13m-records-exposed-by-110-healthcare-data-breaches-in-q1-2018), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/1.13m-records-exposed-by-110-healthcare-data-breaches-in-q1-2018). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Did EMS Worker Commit HIPAA Violation With Facebook Post?](https://wastemedic.com/2018/06/05/did-ems-worker-commit-hipaa-violation-with-facebook-post/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Did EMS Worker Commit HIPAA Violation With Facebook Post?](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/did-ems-worker-commit-hipaa-violation-with-facebook-post), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/did-ems-worker-commit-hipaa-violation-with-facebook-post). --- Did an emergency medical services (EMS) worker in Roane County, Tennessee, commit a HIPAA violation with a Facebook post that described the peculiar location of an emergency response—a chicken coop? The EMS worker was part of a team that responded to a call about Leon Raymond, who had suffered a heart attack in his chicken coop. “The first responders arrived and started CPR on him while I held his hand and sat next to him. Of course I was crying,” Leon’s wife Kathy [told](https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2018/05/30/hipaa-law-violations-tennessee-paramedic-roane-county-ems/655603002/) USA Today Network-Tennessee. She was asked to leave while the EMS team worked on her husband. Later, the EMS worker posted on her Facebook account, “well, we had a first…We worked a code in a chicken coop! Knee deep in chicken droppings.” In the comment section to her post, the worker also wrote, “It was awful,” and “I’m pretty sure y’all could smell us in dispatch,” [reported](http://www.wate.com/news/local-news/harriman-family-upset-over-ems-worker-s-facebook-post/1206664841) WATE.com. Raymond called the Roane County EMS to complain about the post, but they didn’t return her call. She then spoke with Roane County Executive Ron Woody, who apologized and said that the county’s attorney did not think the post was a HIPAA violation. Woody told USA Today Network-Tennessee: “We had an employee that should not have been on Facebook discussing anything regarding her work. We have consulted with that employee and we are going to meet with the whole group of them … (and explain) that what’s business is business and what’s personal is personal and we don’t want to intersect the two.” The county attorney “indicated that it was probably not (a violation) of HIPAA,” but acknowledged the post “should not have been done,” Woody said. Raymond is considering filing a lawsuit against the county. “This is wrong for her to just get a slap on the wrist. I don’t want her to be able to have a job as an EMS worker if she does not have more compassion than that. Even though she did not mention his name, she said it was the first time they had ever had a call in a chicken coop. Everybody knows where my husband died.” In discussing the application of HIPAA to EMS workers, Chris Kelly, chief legal officer at EMS Consultants in Atlanta, [observed](https://www.emsworld.com/article/220099/legal-lesson-month-phase-3-hipaa-audits): “HIPAA isn’t always at the top of most ambulance services’ priority lists. It’s complicated, certainly not written with medical professionals who perform their skills in the backs of moving vehicles in mind, and not a key piece of what we need to do to protect our communities in case of emergency.” Kelly noted that OCR last year began performing unannounced onsite audits for HIPAA compliance, so EMS teams should be more vigilant about HIPAA compliance. According to a [slideshow](https://doh.sd.gov/documents/EMS/STEMS-HIPAA.pdf) called “HIPAA Training for EMS Personnel” prepared by the Southern Tier Emergency Medical System, HIPAA regulations affect how EMS workers use and transfer patient information. HIPAA requires EMS agencies to appoint a compliance officer and create standard operating procedures for workers to follow. Of relevance to the Roane County case, HIPAA mandates training of EMS personnel and administrative support staff on the law’s requirements. EMS personnel must follow HIPAA regulations during patient care situations, when transporting patient information, for administrative functions, and in retaining, managing, and releasing patient information. In situations where the patient is conscious, EMS personnel must notify the patients of their HIPAA rights in a timely manner and must request patients sign a statement acknowledging that they are aware of these rights. PHI may only be shared by EMS agencies and personnel for treatment, payment, or operational needs. Because EMS agencies operate in the field, HIPAA uses a “reasonableness” standard regarding PHI disclosure and privacy, the slideshow related. Whether the Facebook post of the Roane Country EMS worker would be a HIPAA violation is difficult to access, given that the patient’s name was not disclosed. However, Raymond argues that the unique location of the chicken coop means that her husband was obviously the subject of the post. --- This post, [Did EMS Worker Commit HIPAA Violation With Facebook Post?](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/did-ems-worker-commit-hipaa-violation-with-facebook-post), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/did-ems-worker-commit-hipaa-violation-with-facebook-post). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [When medical devices get hacked, hospitals often don't know it](https://wastemedic.com/2018/05/16/when-medical-devices-get-hacked-hospitals-often-dont-know-it/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [When medical devices get hacked, hospitals often don’t know it](http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/when-medical-devices-get-hacked-hospitals-often-dont-know-it), first appeared on [http://www.healthcareitnews.com/](http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/when-medical-devices-get-hacked-hospitals-often-dont-know-it). --- The threat to medical devices is real and happening now – and it’s a patient safety issue, much more than one of HIPAA compliance. The past three months have seen a record high in medical device recalls, increasing 126 percent in the first quarter of 2018 from last year, according to the Stericycle Recall [Index](https://www.stericycleexpertsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Expert-Solutions-US-Recall-Index-Q1-2018.pdf). The biggest culprit was software, which is unsurprising given the increase in high-tech devices that often run on legacy systems. While many healthcare systems have legacy platforms running on some aspect of its network — think MRIs and X-Ray machines — medical devices are one tool that can directly put patients at risk if a breach or software failure were to occur. “Security on devices doesn’t just impact HIPAA, it affects patient safety,” said Christian Dameff, MD, an emergency room doctor at the University of California San Diego. Not only is patient safety a real issue with a medical device breach, these hacks are already happening, explained Jeff Tully, an anesthesiologist and pediatrician at UC Davis. [WannaCry](http://www.healthcareitnews.com/directory/wannacry) crippled the legacy systems at the [U.K. National Health Service](http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/after-wannacry-knocked-it-offline-uks-national-health-service-banks-new-security-center-improve), and they weren’t the initial target. The attack hindered the ability to provide care, and with medical devices, those impacted are the critical groups of patients, said Tully. “There’s an argument that says ‘well, tell me someone whose pacemaker has been hacked.’ But we may not even know when it happens.” Tully and Dameff took unsuspecting physicians and placed them in simulated medical device hacks — and then asked if they thought a pump was hacked. “And all of them said no,” said Tully. “They have implicit trust, and they lack the infrastructure. It’s a perfect set up for \[medical devices\] to be compromised.” The trouble is antiquated, legacy systems with hardcoded passwords that can be found with a simple Google search, explained Tully. People aren’t looking for these types of breaches. Depending on the target, it can be pretty simple to get in, explained Dameff. While a large hospital network is less likely to have a successful hack in this area with a developed, seasoned architecture, smaller providers with less resources may not be so lucky. “The security shortage, coupled with architecting these networks, legacy devices, antiquated systems — and huge attack surfaces — these are messes we’ll be cleaning up,” said Dameff. The pair have researched hacks on pacemakers, light scopes, insulin pumps and the like, and Tully said they demonstrate the impact on patient care if a hacker was able to break into the device. As both are active doctors, their mission is personal. “Our big goal is to translate to people who may not understand the impact on those in the care setting,” said Dameff. “What we need to do moving forward is to change the paradigm to create a strategy to secure these devices.” The hope is to challenge assumptions and educate CISOs to take into consideration these elements, and see the clinical scenarios that can occur when a medical device is compromised, explained Tully. It’s about “acknowledging that it’s going to happen, what am I going to do to prepare now?” he added. Tully and Dameff will show actual simulations of the anatomy of a medical device hack at the HIMSS Healthcare Security Forum in San Francisco. --- This post, [When medical devices get hacked, hospitals often don’t know it](http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/when-medical-devices-get-hacked-hospitals-often-dont-know-it), first appeared on [http://www.healthcareitnews.com/](http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/when-medical-devices-get-hacked-hospitals-often-dont-know-it). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [7k patients file HIPAA violations in the past 5 years: 5 things to know](https://wastemedic.com/2018/05/16/7k-patients-file-hipaa-violations-in-the-past-5-years-5-things-to-know/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [7k patients file HIPAA violations in the past 5 years: 5 things to know](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/7k-patients-file-hipaa-violations-in-the-past-5-years-5-things-to-know.html), first appeared on [https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/7k-patients-file-hipaa-violations-in-the-past-5-years-5-things-to-know.html). --- There [have been](http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/445910339/hipaa-complaints-in-past-5-years-resulted-in-7-100-ocr-enforcement-actions-substantial-fines) almost 7,100 patient and employee complaints of HIPAA violations in the past five years, which have forced organizations to change their operations and pay substantial fines, according to an [analysis ](http://www.melamedia.com/category_s/117.htm)by *Health Information Privacy/Security Alert.* *Health Information Privacy/Security Alert* reviewed HHS Office for Civil Rights reports and enforcement actions from Jan. 1, 2013, through Dec. 31, 2017 for its analysis. Here are five things to know. 1. Approximately 3,467 complaints were filed with OCR in 2013 that resulted in organizational changes. 2. In 2014,1,288 complaints were reported, followed by 733 in 2015, 727 in 2016 and 863 in 2017. 3. Six resolution agreements were made, resulting in thousands of dollars of fines for various organizations. 4. No included in the Health Information Privacy/Security Alert analysis were the tens of thousands of actions taken to address Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act breach reporting. 5. “Patient complaints under HIPAA matter and have resulted in serious fines,” said Dennis Melamed, editor and publisher of *Health Information Privacy/Security Alert*. “About a dozen resolution agreements in the last five years originated with complaints and resulted in meaningful fines.” --- This post, [7k patients file HIPAA violations in the past 5 years: 5 things to know](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/7k-patients-file-hipaa-violations-in-the-past-5-years-5-things-to-know.html), first appeared on [https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/7k-patients-file-hipaa-violations-in-the-past-5-years-5-things-to-know.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [What Healthcare Providers Must Know About the New HIPAA Security Rule](https://wastemedic.com/2018/04/03/what-healthcare-providers-must-know-about-the-hipaa-security-rule/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [What Healthcare Providers Must Know About the HIPAA Security Rule](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/what-healthcare-providers-must-know-about-the-hipaa-security-rule), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/what-healthcare-providers-must-know-about-the-hipaa-security-rule). --- Healthcare organizations are facing increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity attacks, which is pushing entities to remain vigilant in keeping protected health in formation (PHI) secure. The HIPAA Security Rule is a national standard that can help organizations maintain current and comprehensive healthcare data security. Established in 2003, the HIPAA Security Rule was designed “to protect the privacy of individuals’ health information while allowing covered entities to adopt new technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care,” [according to HHS](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/laws-regulations/index.html). The Security Rule was also created to be flexible for healthcare organizations, allowing entities to “implement policies, procedures, and technologies that are appropriate for the entity’s particular size, organizational structure, and risks to consumers’ e-PHI.” Cybersecurity attacks are on the rise, showing that covered entities cannot afford to ignore their ever-evolving data security needs. Just under half of providers and health plans (47 percent) said they had instances of security-related HIPAA violations or cybersecurity attacks impacting data, according to KPMG’s [2017 *Cyber Healthcare & Life Sciences Survey*](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/hipaa-data-breaches-cyber-attacks-reported-by-47-of-orgs)*.* Thirty-seven percent of respondents in the 2015 survey said the same. Healthcare organization leaders are also expecting cybersecurity attacks to continue in the near future. Sixty-seven percent of interviewed CISOs said they think their organization will experience a cybersecurity attack in 2018, a [2018 Ponemon & Opus survey](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/67-of-cisos-believe-a-cybersecurity-attack-will-happen-in-2018) found. CISOs said their top concerns with regard to cybersecurity were a careless employee falling for a phishing scam (65 percent), a significant disruption caused by malware (61 percent), a cyberattack causing significant downtime (59 percent), and a large-scale data breach involving more than 10,000 customer or employee records (53 percent). In response, organizations are investing in new technologies to help prevent, detect, and mitigate new threats. Seventy-six percent of those surveyed by KPMG said they planned to make more investments in technology (i.e. software, firewalls, encryption), while 83 percent said they would invest in stronger policy/controls around data access and processes. As entities build up their cybersecurity defenses, they will need to utilize the Security Rule to account for potential risks and adopt cybersecurity measures that match their specific needs and infrastructure goals. Understanding the HIPAA Security Rule, its required safeguards, and other key measures will help healthcare providers create a current and comprehensive approach to data security. ### **What are the required safeguards under the HIPAA Security Rule?** The Security Rule requires covered entities to maintain reasonable and appropriate administrative safeguards, technical safeguards, and physical safeguards. **Administrative safeguards** are policies and procedures designed “to manage the selection, development, implementation, and maintenance of security measures to protect electronic protected health information and to manage the conduct of the covered entity’s workforce in relation to the protection of that information,” according to HHS. Covered entities must implement policies and procedures that help guide employees in the proper care and use of ePHI. For example, security training requirements and correct delegation of certain security responsibilities would be classified as [administrative safeguards](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/a-review-of-common-hipaa-administrative-safeguards). HHS explains that **technical safeguards** are “the technology and the policy and procedures for its use that protect electronic protected health information and control access to it.” [Technical safeguards](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/implementing-hipaa-technical-safeguards-for-data-security) include the specific technology that providers implement for ePHI security. Anti-virus software, multi-factor or two-factor authentication, data encryption, de-identification of data, firewalls, mobile device management (MDM), and remote wipe capability are all types of technical safeguards. **Physical safeguards** are “physical measures, policies, and procedures to protect a covered entity’s electronic information systems and related buildings and equipment, from natural and environmental hazards, and unauthorized intrusion,” HHS states. For example, covered entities should review their facility access controls, workstation use, workstation security, and device and media controls during [physical safeguard](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/understanding-physical-safeguards-healthcare-data-security) implementation. All physical access to PHI and ePHI must be considered. Some healthcare organizations may have secondary physical locations where data is stored, or entities may allow employees to work from their own homes. These additional locations would need to be considered for complete data security. The Security Rule does not require a standard checklist of specific safeguards. Instead, covered entities must utilize technologies and strategies that are “reasonable and appropriate” for their needs. These needs can vary by organization size and type. For example, a large hospital system might allow physicians to use their own smartphones or tablets for work purposes. In this case, the hospital system would likely benefit from installing data encryption on the devices, or even having an MDM policy in place. However, a single physician practice may not have the same technical safeguard needs. Instead, the practice could improve its security measures by having current anti-virus and anti-malware on its computer. Lackluster or outdated safeguards can lead to healthcare data breaches, many of which have made recent headlines. In Marcy of 2017, a Pennsylvania grand jury indicted a former healthcare employee, following a 2013 data breach involving [weak administrative safeguards](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/administrative-safeguard-need-highlighted-in-tx-indictment). The individual was able to use his passwords to defraud a healthcare organization. The facility had hired Brandon A. Coughlin in January 2013 to work as an in-house computer systems administrator. Coughlin resigned one month later at the management’s request. “Using the administrative passwords he knew from his employment, on September 18, 2013, Coughlin hacked the computer network of the healthcare facility, disabled all administrative accounts needed to control any and all of the computer servers of the healthcare facility, and deleted users’ network shares, business data, and patient health information data, including patient medical records, causing a loss of more than $5000,” the Attorney’s Office explained. Healthcare organizations need to diligently monitor their safeguards, ensuring they remain current and are updated as needed to account for new technologies or for changes in employment at their facilities. ### **What the Security Rule says about risk analyses** The Security Rule requires covered entities to [perform a regular risk analysis](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/the-role-of-risk-assessments-in-healthcare) as part of their administrative safeguards. With a risk analysis, healthcare organizations must evaluate the likelihood and impact of potential risks to ePHI and then implement appropriate security measures to address identified risks. Additionally, entities will need to “document the chosen security measures and, where required, the rationale for adopting those measures and maintain continuous, reasonable, and appropriate security protections.” HHS will use the following criteria to determine the likelihood that PHI was inappropriately used or disclosed in a potential breach: - The nature of the information involved - The authorized person responsible - Whether PHI was actually acquired or viewed - To what extent the risk to the PHI was mitigated Covered entities can use these four factors to help assess their own potential risk areas. For example, a hospital should ensure it has properly documented which employees are allowed access to PHI, and to what extent that access is allowed. If there is a breach of information, the hospital can use its internal audit process to see if one of those employees was involved in the incident. Risk analysis should be an ongoing process, with entities regularly reviewing their records and tracking PHI access to better detect security incidents, HHS stresses. Organizations will also benefit from conducting regular re-evaluations of potential PHI risks. > Entities must understand what the threats are, what their own abilities are, and what the resulting potential impact on them as a healthcare organization may be. Staying up to date on potential risks can help guide investment. The [2018 HIMSS Analytics HIT Security and Risk Management Study ](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/healthcare-risk-assessments-key-driver-for-security-investments)found that 60 percent of healthcare providers identify risk assessments as the number one driver for security investments. Additionally, 94 percent of IT leadership and professionals said risk assessment was a driver for security investments in 2017, while only 74 percent of respondents said the same the previous year. Healthcare entities must be able to protect sensitive data, protect their ability to deliver care, have a quick response time, and ensure a minimal impact should an incident occur, said Axel Wirth, Symantec Healthcare Solutions Architect, to *HealthITSecurity.com*. Organizations need to make wise investments, especially because there is never enough money for security, he added. “A risk analysis, risk assessment, risk management-driven approach is the right way of doing it,” he emphasized. “But understanding your risk and the spectrum of risk in healthcare is very broad.” “Entities must understand what the threats are, what their own abilities are, and what the resulting potential impact on them as a healthcare organization may be.” [***EHNAC: Risk Assessments, IoT Security Crucial in Attack Mitigation***](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/ehnac-risk-assessments-iot-security-crucial-in-attack-mitigation) [***Implementing the NIST CSF for Improved Healthcare Data Security***](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/implementing-the-nist-csf-for-improved-healthcare-data-security) ### **What are other key aspects of the Security Rule?** There are two types of measures within the Security Rule: **required measures**, which must be adopted, and **addressable measures**, which allow more flexibility based on the entity’s “reasonable and appropriate” needs. Access control is one technical safeguard requirement that includes both required and addressable measures. “Access controls provide users with rights and/or privileges to access and perform functions using information systems, applications, programs, or files,” the HHS Security Series explains. “A covered entity can comply with this standard through a combination of access control methods and technical controls.” There are four implementation specifications for access controls, half of which are required and half of which are addressable. Unique user identification and an emergency access procedure are both required. In contrast, the implementation of an automatic logoff option and having [encryption/decryption methods](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/the-difference-between-healthcare-data-encryption-de-identification) in place are considered addressable. A hospital would be required to have unique user identifications in place for each employee. However, the hospital will need to determine through its risk analysis whether or not data encryption is appropriate. If BYOD options are available, the hospital may decide that data encryption is necessary to lower the risk of ePHI exposure as devices are moved from one place to another. > A covered entity must periodically review and update its documentation in response to environmental or organizational changes that affect the security of electronic protected health information (e-PHI). This is also a good example of why a regular risk analysis is important for comprehensive data security. A provider that only recently implemented a new technology, such as BYOD, may have originally decided that there was no need for data encryption. But with the change in potential risk to ePHI through the portable devices, the entity may now determine that data encryption is necessary. The Security Rule also discusses the importance of documenting policies and procedures. “A covered entity must maintain, until six years after the later of the date of their creation or last effective date, written security policies and procedures and written records of required actions, activities or assessments,” HHS states. “A covered entity must periodically review and update its documentation in response to environmental or organizational changes that affect the security of electronic protected health information (e-PHI).” Healthcare organizations need to consider their documentation of policies and procedures. Employee training methods, ePHI storage and transfer, or connected medical devices all require documentation. Entities should note specific devices being used, and whether or not they store or transfer ePHI. Thorough documentation is also [critical for audit preparation](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/what-entities-need-to-know-about-upcoming-ocr-hipaa-audits), or for an OCR investigation in the wake of a data breach. Should a data breach occur at an organization, the potential subsequent OCR investigation will require that the entity submit all documentation that discusses their potential risk. Documentation on all data breach prevention, mitigation, and response must also be submitted for the audit process. Comprehensive and current data security measures will also be key for a HIPAA audit, explained Stuart Pologe to *HealthITSecurity.com* in an earlier interview. Pologe is COO of Night Nurse, a 24-hour, 365-days-a-year triage support and medical-home compliance provider which went through an [in-depth risk assessment audit](https://healthitsecurity.com/news/preparing-for-an-ocr-hipaa-risk-assessment-audit) completed in early 2017. The audit’s goal was to verify the integrity of patient-identifiable information (PII) and PHI in the organization’s systems. “The questions required everything from base descriptions of our services and procedures to in-depth descriptions of each technical component of our system infrastructure,” Pologe said. “The report also required a vulnerability assessment for each technology component, and how these risks were mitigated.” Phase one consisted of compiling the required documentation, which was quite extensive, he explained. The detailed, on-site inspection phase came next, and the final stage entailed remediation. “The auditors provided extensive reporting and required areas of improvement, based on the many examinations conducted,” Pologe said. “Anything and everything considered a tangible risk was highlighted for mitigation. Additional requirements were provided with compliance time frames of 30 days, six months and one year to achieve the maximum level of compliance.” Pologe added that the HIPAA audit may be a dreaded task for many organizations, and that it can be very time consuming. However, the audit process can help entities improve their compliance levels and better understand the many hidden risks that can lead to a data breach. Using the HIPAA Security Rule as a guide will help healthcare providers find the right balance between innovation and security. Entities that implement meaningful technical, administrative, and physical safeguards that meet HIPAA specifications can adopt new technologies to improve patient care, but still ensure that PHI in all its forms stays secure. --- This post, [What Healthcare Providers Must Know About the HIPAA Security Rule](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/what-healthcare-providers-must-know-about-the-hipaa-security-rule), first appeared on [https://healthitsecurity.com](https://healthitsecurity.com/features/what-healthcare-providers-must-know-about-the-hipaa-security-rule). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Lawmakers seek OSHA standard on workplace violence prevention in health care](https://wastemedic.com/2018/04/03/lawmakers-seek-osha-standard-on-workplace-violence-prevention-in-health-care/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Lawmakers seek OSHA standard on workplace violence prevention in health care](http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/16776-lawmakers-seek-osha-standard-on-workplace-violence-prevention-in-health-care), first appeared on [http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/](http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/16776-lawmakers-seek-osha-standard-on-workplace-violence-prevention-in-health-care). --- [Rep. Ro Khanna](https://khanna.house.gov/) (D-CA) and 12 other House Democrats have introduced legislation intended to curb workplace violence in health care facilities. The [Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act](https://khanna.house.gov/sites/khanna.house.gov/files/Final%20Bill%20Text.pdf), introduced March 8, would direct OSHA to create a standard that would require health care facilities to develop and implement facility- and unit-specific workplace violence prevention plans. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ [Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries](https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm), at least 58 hospital workers died as a result of workplace violence between 2011 and 2016. In 2016, the Government Accountability Office found that health care workers at inpatient facilities were five to 12 times more likely to encounter nonfatal workplace violence than all other workers. The legislation follows [regulation enacted in 2014 in California](http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/14874-california-approves-regulations-to-prevent-workplace-violence-in-state-health-care-settings), which went into effect in 2017, directing Cal/OSHA to craft a workplace violence prevention standard. The law requires all covered health care employers in California to develop and issue – by April 1 – plans to prevent workplace violence and ensure the safety of patients and workers. The bill introduced by Khanna is similar: Workplaces would create and implement comprehensive violence prevention plans with input from doctors, nurses and custodial workers. The bill stresses prevention, training and worker participation. It defines workplace violence broadly to include not only physical acts of violence, but threats of violence. It emphasizes staffing as a crucial ingredient in preventing violence from occurring and responding quickly when it does. “Health care workers, doctors and nurses are continuously at risk of workplace violence incidents – strangling, punching, kicking and other physical attacks – that can cause severe injury or death,” Khanna said in a March 8 press release. “This is simply unacceptable. The Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act puts a comprehensive plan in place and is a national solution to this widespread problem modeled after the success seen in California.” National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union of registered nurses, applauded the bill. “Right now, health care facilities are not doing enough to prevent these violent incidents,” NNU Co-President Deborah Burger said in a press release. “Under the proposed federal standard, hospitals would need to assess and correct for environmental risk factors, patient specific risk factors, staffing and security system sufficiency. There are a number of interventions that can reduce violence in the hospital. “For example, affixing furniture and lighting so they can’t be used as weapons, maintaining clear lines of sight between workers while they are caring for patients, and providing easy access to panic buttons or phones to call for help. It is imperative that nurses, doctors, and other health care workers, along with security staff and custodial personnel, are all involved in the development and implementation of these plans.” --- This post, [Lawmakers seek OSHA standard on workplace violence prevention in health care](http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/16776-lawmakers-seek-osha-standard-on-workplace-violence-prevention-in-health-care), first appeared on [http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/](http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/16776-lawmakers-seek-osha-standard-on-workplace-violence-prevention-in-health-care). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [HHS announces $3.5 million HIPAA settlement with Fresenius resolving five breach reports](https://wastemedic.com/2018/02/05/hhs-announces-3-5-million-hipaa-settlement-fresenius-resolving-five-breach-reports/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [HHS announces $3.5 million HIPAA settlement with Fresenius resolving five breach reports](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/hhs-announces-35-million-hipaa-settlement-fresenius-resolving-five-breach-reports), first appeared on [https://www.natlawreview.com/](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/hhs-announces-35-million-hipaa-settlement-fresenius-resolving-five-breach-reports). --- *Friday, February 2, 2018* Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), a provider of products and services for people with chronic kidney failure, has agreed to pay $3.5 million to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and adopt a comprehensive corrective action plan to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules. OCR’s investigation into five separate FMCNA-owned covered entities revealed what it determined to be a failure to conduct accurate and thorough risk analyses of potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI). The investigation found the FMCNA covered entities impermissibly disclosed the ePHI of some of their patients by providing unauthorized access for a purpose not permitted by the Privacy Rule. The covered entities were also found to have failed to: - implement policies and procedures to address security incidents - implement policies and procedures to govern the receipt and removal of hardware and electronic media that contain ePHI within and outside of the facility - administer policies and procedures to safeguard their facilities and equipment from unauthorized access, tampering, and theft - execute a mechanism to encrypt and decrypt ePHI “The number of breaches, involving a variety of locations and vulnerabilities, highlights why there is no substitute for an enterprise-wide risk analysis for a covered entity,” said OCR Director Roger Severino. “Covered entities must take a thorough look at their internal policies and procedures to ensure they are protecting their patients’ health information in accordance with the law.” As a result of these violations, FMCNA will pay $3.5 million and must complete a risk analysis and risk management plan, revise policies and procedures on device and media controls as well as facility access controls, develop an encryption report, and educate its workforce on policies and procedures as a part of their corrective action plan. The entire press release can be found [here](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2018/02/01/five-breaches-add-millions-settlement-costs-entity-failed-heed-hipaa-s-risk-analysis-and-risk.html). The resolution agreement and corrective action plan may be found on the OCR website [here](http://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/compliance-enforcement/agreements/FMCNA/index.html). --- This post, [HHS announces $3.5 million HIPAA settlement with Fresenius resolving five breach reports](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/hhs-announces-35-million-hipaa-settlement-fresenius-resolving-five-breach-reports), first appeared on [https://www.natlawreview.com/](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/hhs-announces-35-million-hipaa-settlement-fresenius-resolving-five-breach-reports). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Stop the splashes, spills: How hospitals can ensure safe disposal of infectious fluid waste](https://wastemedic.com/2018/01/10/stop-splashes-spills-hospitals-can-ensure-safe-disposal-infectious-fluid-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Stop the splashes, spills: How hospitals can ensure safe disposal of infectious fluid waste](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/stop-the-splashes-spills-how-hospitals-can-ensure-safe-disposal-of-infectious-fluid-waste.html), first appeared on [https://www.beckershospitalreview.com](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/stop-the-splashes-spills-how-hospitals-can-ensure-safe-disposal-of-infectious-fluid-waste.html). --- *Written by Mackenzie Bean | January 09, 2018* For clinical leaders on the front lines of healthcare, keeping patients and staff safe is the No. 1 priority. “Hospitals must foster safe working environments for clinical staff so they can focus on caring for patients,” said Cindy Witt, RN, senior consultant of clinical operations at Dublin, Ohio-based Cardinal Health. Ms. Witt has an extensive background in nursing, starting her career as a nurse clinician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and serving as first assistant to surgeons at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston. She believes proper waste disposal practices are a crucial part of a safe working environment. However, low personal protective equipment compliance during waste disposal and potential exposure to airborne contaminants, spills and splashes can pose an immediate, yet preventable, risk to staff members’ safety. Solidifying infectious liquid waste can help prevent exposure incidents and protect staff during the disposal process. Ms. Witt spoke with *Becker’s Hospital Review* about how hospitals can improve waste disposal practices and achieve a safer work environment for staff members. *Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.* **Question: As you work with different hospitals, what perioperative concerns do you most often hear about?** **Cindy Witt:** Mostly, staff and leadership are concerned with infection prevention and improving safety for both patients and staff members. Clinicians have always been concerned with infection prevention, but given the change in healthcare reimbursement, it has become a critical focus for facilities. Patient outcomes are always the foremost concern, but increasingly the financials of an institution are directly related to infection prevention. In addition, staff safety is directly related to infection prevention. The products and practices that are utilized to support infection prevention are the same products and practices that support the safety of the employee as care is given. If facilities focus on one goal and not the other, they won’t realize the desired outcome for patients and healthcare workers. It’s critical in today’s environment to always address both. **Q: Why are airborne contaminants, spills and splashes such a concern?** **CW:** Operating room directors and infection control specialists often assume staff members are consistently following their facility’s waste disposal protocols. However, low PPE compliance during waste disposal, where a healthcare worker may be exposed to airborne contaminants, spills and splashes, can threaten safety. Most facilities aim to be meticulous about transferring waste and disposing of it safely. But even so, staff can overlook minor procedural details. Not only is this risky and costly, it is inconsistent with recommended best practices from the CDC, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation. Every time healthcare workers pour fluid from an open canister into the drain, they can be exposed to airborne contaminants and possible splashback. Paired with improper personal protective equipment, or PPE, workers could be exposed to hazardous pathogens, such as Hepatitis B and HIV. Therefore, hospitals should look at their waste disposal practices and consider making some changes. **Q: What are the clinical and financial consequences of poor waste management practices?** **CW:** Despite annual training, research shows as many as 17 percent of waste disposal handlers do not follow proper protocols, and up to 24 percent do not wear a gown or facial protection.1 This includes not only clinical staff, but also those in environmental services. Think about it this way: What happens when a toilet flushes? Numerous studies have found aerosolized germs and fecal matter can plume as high as 15 feet from a single flush. These germs can be inhaled, swallowed and spread throughout the room, where they are further transmitted via people’s hands. Unfortunately, you don’t always know if a patient is infected with a bloodborne pathogen. Since not all patients have been diagnosed, waste handlers should assume that every contact with blood and bodily fluids is a potentially infectious exposure. In addition to the health risk, fluid waste exposure can be costly. A single exposure incident can cost up to $3,000 to cover treatment, employee time off and follow-up. Hospitals have been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for improperly managing medical waste. In the long run, the cost and risk of staff exposure during waste disposal far outweigh the cost of prevention. **Q: How can facilities improve waste disposal practices to help avoid these risks and contribute to a safer work environment for staff?** **CW:** When workers deal with potentially infectious fluids, reducing their exposure to spills, splashback and aerosolized contaminants is critical. To help ensure a safe environment for patients and staff, numerous infection prevention protocols and products are used throughout hospitals. Waste management steps like disconnecting suction equipment, carrying a canister full of liquid to a waste site, and the actual disposal can all be potential hazard points. A canister of fluid waste that has been solidified helps prevent exposure incidents like spills, splashbacks or the inhalation of airborne contaminants. Liquid waste solidifiers, which have been used in the medical industry for more than 25 years, are the preferred disposal method for many hospitals, surgery centers and labs. Generally, facilities find the use of solidifiers to be an easy-to-implement practice. There are also solidifier products that decontaminate waste as it gels, further reducing the risk of dangerous bloodborne pathogens. Although proper PPE is still important, using a disinfecting product like this can reduce staff safety risk due to infectious waste exposure and allows hospitals to eliminate the questionable practice of pouring contaminated fluid down open drains. In all but eight states, hospitals can use solidifiers to convert fluid to a noninfectious gel, which allows staff members to dispose canisters in nonregulated white trash bags, instead of the red bags used for regulated medical waste. With average regulated medical waste disposal costing 28 cents per pound, and up to 40 percent of regulated medical waste being from suction canisters, the ability to utilize nonregulated white bag trash can significantly decrease waste disposal expenses. 1\. Key Group Research “Fluid Management & Waste Disposal Survey” June 30, 2017. --- This post, [Stop the splashes, spills: How hospitals can ensure safe disposal of infectious fluid waste](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/stop-the-splashes-spills-how-hospitals-can-ensure-safe-disposal-of-infectious-fluid-waste.html), first appeared on [https://www.beckershospitalreview.com](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/stop-the-splashes-spills-how-hospitals-can-ensure-safe-disposal-of-infectious-fluid-waste.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [3 things you need to do after receiving an OSHA citation](https://wastemedic.com/2017/12/04/3-things-need-receiving-osha-citation/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [3 things you need to do after receiving an OSHA citation](https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/human-resources/2017/12/3-things-you-need-to-do-after-receiving-an-osha.html), first appeared on [https://www.bizjournals.com/](https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/human-resources/2017/12/3-things-you-need-to-do-after-receiving-an-osha.html). --- *Dec 4, 2017, 3:15am EST* If your company has been inspected and violations have been noted, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has six months to send a list of citations. If your company receives a citation, it will include a list of all violations, proposed penalties for each of those violations, and a timeframe by which the cited hazard must be corrected. Don’t panic. There are three things you need to do after you receive an OSHA citation. ### **First: Post it** Be sure to post a copy of each citation at or near the place the violation(s) occurred for three days or until the violation(s) is corrected, whichever is longer. This is required. Citations that cannot be posted near the violation(s) must be posted in a prominent place where all affected employees will see it (e.g., the cafeteria or break room). ### **Second: Review it** Carefully review the citation and associated penalties. The penalties outlined in the citation are proposed penalties, not final penalties. These are based on the violation type and several other factors, including: - The gravity of the violation, which is the primary consideration. OSHA looks at the severity of the injury or illness that could result from the alleged violation and the probability that an injury or illness could occur. - The size of the business, because small businesses usually don’t have the financial or safety resources available to large companies. This means that under OSHA’s penalty structure, small employers are eligible for a larger penalty reduction than large employers. However, if the gravity and number of violations indicates a lack of concern for employee safety, only a partial reduction, rather than a full reduction, may be recommended. - Documentation that the employer is trying to provide a safe and healthful workplace in “good faith.” This must be a written safety and health program. No reduction will be given if the employer doesn’t have one. - Quick fixes that are done for violations immediately in the presence of the compliance officer. - A history showing that the employer hasn’t been cited for any serious, willful, or repeat violations in the last five years. Once all of the details of the citation have been read and understood, a company has several options for how to proceed. ### **Third: abate it** Also included in the citation is the abatement period. This is the timeframe by which the violation must be corrected. OSHA typically sets this to be the shortest interval within which they feel the employer can reasonably be expected to correct the violation. It’s always indicated as a specific date, not a number of days. Typically, you would need to make the correction within 30 days from when the citation was issued. In some situations, abatement can’t be completed within 30 days (e.g., new parts or equipment need to be ordered, delivered, and installed). In these cases, OSHA would grant more than 30 days to fix the problem. At this point, your company can agree to the Citation and Notification of Penalty and correct the cited condition and pay any penalties, or it can contest the citation, proposed penalty, and/or abatement date. Before deciding on either of these options, a company can request an informal conference with an OSHA area director to discuss any issues related to the citation and notification of penalty. --- This post, [3 things you need to do after receiving an OSHA citation](https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/human-resources/2017/12/3-things-you-need-to-do-after-receiving-an-osha.html), first appeared on [https://www.bizjournals.com/](https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/human-resources/2017/12/3-things-you-need-to-do-after-receiving-an-osha.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [HHS releases limited HIPAA waiver during Hurricane Harvey: 5 things to know](https://wastemedic.com/2017/08/31/hhs-releases-limited-hipaa-waiver-hurricane-harvey-5-things-know/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [HHS releases limited HIPAA waiver during Hurricane Harvey: 5 things to know](http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/hhs-releases-limited-hipaa-waiver-during-hurricane-harvey-5-things-to-know.html), first appeared on [http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/](http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/hhs-releases-limited-hipaa-waiver-during-hurricane-harvey-5-things-to-know.html). --- Written by Jessica Kim Cohen | August 30, 2017 HHS issued a limited [waiver](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hurricane-harvey-hipaa-bulletin.pdf) of HIPAA sanctions and penalties during Hurricane Harvey, which HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, [declared](http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/population-health/price-declares-public-health-emergency-in-wake-of-hurricane-harvey.html) a public health emergency in Texas Aug. 26 and Louisiana Aug. 28. The HIPAA Privacy Rule cannot be suspended during emergencies. However, the HHS secretary may waive certain provisions to allow covered entities to share patient information to assist in disaster relief efforts and patient care. “Often questions arise about the ability of entities covered by the HIPAA regulations to share information, including with friends and family, public health officials and emergency personnel,” the HHS bulletin reads. Here are five provisions for which Dr. Price waived HIPAA sanctions and penalties. 1\. The requirements to obtain a patient’s agreement to speak with family members or friends involved in the patient’s care 2\. The requirement to honor a request to opt out of the facility directory 3\. The requirement to distribute a notice of privacy practices 4\. The patient’s right to request privacy restrictions 5\. The patient’s right to request confidential communications The waiver applies to areas in Texas and Louisiana through the emergency period defined by Dr. Price. The waiver applies for up to 72 hours after a hospital implements its disaster protocol. Once the public health emergency declaration terminates, a hospital must immediately resume complying with HIPAA provisions for patients still under its care. Click [here](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hurricane-harvey-hipaa-bulletin.pdf) to view the full bulletin. --- This post, [HHS releases limited HIPAA waiver during Hurricane Harvey: 5 things to know](http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/hhs-releases-limited-hipaa-waiver-during-hurricane-harvey-5-things-to-know.html), first appeared on [http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/](http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/hhs-releases-limited-hipaa-waiver-during-hurricane-harvey-5-things-to-know.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Where is your PHI Data Traveling Today?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/08/25/phi-data-traveling-today/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Where is your PHI Data Traveling Today?](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=197651cc-8d38-4667-9a30-1ae123da7037), first appeared on [https://www.lexology.com/](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=197651cc-8d38-4667-9a30-1ae123da7037). --- [Dickinson Wright](https://www.lexology.com/contributors/16667/) | August 23, 2017 With most vendors offering and pushing cloud computing solutions and offsite data backup, or guaranteeing offsite backup of data they process for you, many HIPAA covered entities and business associates are questioning whether and how they can take advantage of cloud computing while complying with regulations protecting the privacy and security of electronic protected health information. At the same time, the rise of offshore IT services, including distributed storage, by cloud data providers creates issues that most healthcare providers have not yet realized. Even if some of the issues are realized, many covered entities and their business associates do not know where their data is currently being processed, stored, or backed up. In fact, storage or processing of personal health information (“PHI”) overseas may or may not be permitted or at least require additional resources, such as additional or more detailed risk assessments. There currently are no federal regulations or statutes that prevent storing or processing PHI offshore or overseas; however, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and the U.S. Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”) within the HHS, have all issued regulations or provided guidance that restrict storing or processing PHI offshore. In addition, there are four states that ban any Medicaid data from being stored or processed overseas (Arizona, Alaska, Ohio and Wisconsin), two more that only allow offshore contracts under extremely limited circumstances, and nine more that have specific requirements that must be met before any offshore processing or storage of Medicaid data is allowed. Even if a healthcare provider is not located in one of the above states, if the provider has treated a patient of those states, state regulators may argue that the healthcare provider must comply with their laws, regulations, and guidance, as applied to the resident of their state. Even more concerning is that even though Delaware does not have any laws or statutes banning offshore processing or data storage, Delaware recently started adding provisions to all of their contracts (similar to Wisconsin) that the State (Delaware) will not permit project work to be done offshore. There may be additional states adding these prohibitions to their contracts in the future. If extra regulatory burden and potential state law bans were not enough by themselves, any PHI stored offshore likely will be subject to local law of the country in which it is stored. Furthermore, these local laws may allow for actions or even access to the data that directly conflicts with requirements on healthcare providers under HIPAA/HITECH, even if the vendor signed a BAA. Due to the issues in enforcing HIPAA and HITECH, and even a BAA against an overseas vendor, HHS has basically stated that it is the duty of the healthcare provider or vendor for deciding how to vet data services vendors and comply with expected additional requirements when conducting a risk assessment on overseas providers. At this point, most healthcare providers question if any offshore or offsite data storage or processing is worth any potential cost savings, or if OCR has any further guidance. In the fall of 2016, OCR prepared guidance that explained how federal health information privacy and data security rules apply to cloud services. In summary, this guidance helped data service companies, but at the expense of covered entities by primarily placing the burden on the covered entities, specifically hospitals, insurers, doctors, and other healthcare providers. In looking at data service vendors, OCR decided that data service subcontractors of the covered entities’ business associates are actually business associations of the business associates. According to the OCR, covered entities must assess the cloud services providers’ or offshore providers’ data security efforts, but HIPAA does not require the cloud services providers to allow covered entities audit them. As such, covered entities are required to determine how well a cloud services provider handles system reliability, data security, and data backup and recovery, without the ability to perform an audit. While this is problematic when dealing with domestic cloud service providers, it creates additional issues when dealing with overseas cloud service providers. While OCR allows use of overseas providers, as of right now the rules of HIPAA and HITECH fail to address any international aspects, leaving no requirements but also no protections for covered entities. If you select a domestic provider, the laws and regulations regarding PHI apply to both parties, but if an overseas provider is selected, HIPAA and HITECH will not apply, unless they contractually agreed to comply with such laws and regulations. If there is a breach and the overseas provider refuses to defend against or pay any fines or fees levied related to the breach, the covered entity may be liable for paying. It is also important to note that while an international provider may agree to sign a BAA, many international providers do not understand the requirements of HIPAA and HITECH, while most domestic providers have a greater understanding. Even if you know where the company with whom you are contracting is located, do you know where they send the backup data? Do they send data for processing or backup to other agents, subcontractors, vendors, or other data providers overseas? You may not realize your data is regularly taking international trips, and may be better traveled than you are. In addition, if a relationship is terminated with an international provider, how will you ensure that the data is wiped from the system? Healthcare providers generally must require a certificate of destruction when terminating data services, and will you be able to comply with this provision with an offshore provider? In contract with cloud service providers, including backup providers, e-mail providers, and other processing entities, covered entities and their BAAs must determine where their data is located, and if it is offshore, they must analyze if any of the information is prohibited from being exported by any state or local regulations. If not, next it must be determined if there is an extra compliance burden associated with the data being offshore, and if that extra compliance burden and the associated risk of being offshore are worth any cost savings by using the offshore provider. If an entity knows that some of its data may be banned from being exported overseas, or would raise too much risk or compliance burden, then language banning such exports should be placed in the agreements, including any BAAs. [Dickinson Wright](https://www.lexology.com/contributors/16667/) – [Craig A. Phillips](https://www.lexology.com/16667/author/Craig_A_Phillips/) --- This post, [Where is your PHI Data Traveling Today?](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=197651cc-8d38-4667-9a30-1ae123da7037), first appeared on [https://www.lexology.com/](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=197651cc-8d38-4667-9a30-1ae123da7037). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Recent Events Increase the Importance of HIPAA Risk Analyses and HIPAA Policies](https://wastemedic.com/2017/08/25/recent-events-increase-importance-hipaa-risk-analyses-hipaa-policies/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Recent Events Increase the Importance of HIPAA Risk Analyses and HIPAA Policies](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/recent-events-increase-the-importance-73227/), first appeared on [http://www.jdsupra.com/](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/recent-events-increase-the-importance-73227/). --- August 23, 2017 Recent events highlight the fact that threats to customer and patient data continue to increase. In recent months, government agencies, news outlets, and others have spent considerable time investigating and reporting on major worldwide ransomware attacks, including the “Petya” and “WannaCry” events. Moreover, numerous companies have reported significant malware or security breach events, including InterContinental Hotels Group, Arbys, Dun & Bradstreet, Saks Fifth Avenue, UNC Health Care System, Chipotle, Gmail, and Verizon, among many others. Healthcare providers and companies have become particular targets, also. Since the beginning of July alone, *HIPAA Journal* has reported on more than 20 security incidents involving providers and health care companies, including Peachtree Neurological Clinic in Atlanta (ransomware), Tampa Bay Surgery Center (data theft), and White Blossom Care Center in San Jose, California (former employee inappropriately accessing information). For health care providers and health care companies, this increase in threats to patient data increases the importance of robust HIPAA compliance measures to help guard against such threats. Most importantly, health care providers and companies should (1) conduct an assessment of potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (i.e., a HIPAA risk analysis) in their possession and (2) create and implement HIPAA policies and procedures. These measures form the foundation of overall HIPAA compliance, and both are specifically required under the HIPAA regulations. Without them, health care providers and companies will be unable to satisfy HIPAA requirements and will be more vulnerable to HIPAA security incidents. The Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) at the U.S. Department of Human Services remains focused on these core compliance measures, as is evident from recent HIPAA settlements. On April 12, 2017, OCR announced a $400,000 settlement with Metro Community Provider Network (“MCPN”), a federally qualified health center, after a breach report indicated that a hacker had accessed employee e-mail accounts through a phishing campaign and obtained the electronic protected health information of 3,200 individuals. In announcing the settlement, OCR cited MCPN for failing to conduct a risk analysis until the breach occurred and subsequently conducting a risk analysis that was insufficient to meet HIPAA requirements. Shortly thereafter, on April 24, 2017, OCR announced a $2.5 million settlement with CardioNet, a cardiac monitoring provider, after a laptop containing the information of 1,391 individuals was stolen from an employee’s vehicle. In the settlement, OCR pointed to CardioNet’s failure to conduct a sufficient HIPAA risk analysis and to the fact that its HIPAA Security Rule policies and procedures were in unimplemented draft form (i.e., had not been formally adopted). These settlements indicate that, in addition to leaving health care providers and companies vulnerable to security incidents, failure to conduct HIPAA risk analyses and to create and implement HIPAA policies and procedures will likely lead to substantial fines if OCR conducts an investigation triggered by an OCR audit, a company breach report, or the filing of a complaint by a concerned patient or employee. Thus, health care providers and their business associates should ensure that they take these key steps toward overall HIPAA compliance to be prepared for OCR investigations and to better protect themselves and their patients in the current environment. --- This post, [Recent Events Increase the Importance of HIPAA Risk Analyses and HIPAA Policies](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/recent-events-increase-the-importance-73227/), first appeared on [http://www.jdsupra.com/](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/recent-events-increase-the-importance-73227/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Palmetto Health fined for mishandling hazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/2017/08/17/palmetto-health-fined-mishandling-hazardous-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Palmetto Health fined for mishandling hazardous waste](http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article167303467.html), first appeared on [http://www.thestate.com/](http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article167303467.html). --- By Jeff Wilkinson August 15, 2017 1:32 PM The Palmetto Health Richland has been fined $28,000 by DHEC for mishandling hazardous materials. Among the violations were that hospital staff failed to keep containers holding hazardous waste closed during storage; failed to mark containers of hazardous waste; failed to maintain aisle space to allow the unobstructed movement of personnel and emergency equipment; and failed to properly keep manifests of the materials. DHEC ordered the hospital to rectify the situations, keep proper records and institute a training program in addition to the fine. A spokeswoman for the hospital said that the violation arose when the waste disposal company that handled the medical waste at Palmetto Health Baptist and Palmetto Health Richland went out of business and was purchased by a competitor. The new company mislabeled and handled nonhazardous medical waste as though it were hazardous, spokeswoman Tammie Epps said, resulting in a fine because of the greater amount of waste that was erroneously processed as hazardous. “With this change in disposal companies also came labeling and handling process changes, which resulted in nonhazardous waste being labeled and handled as hazardous waste,” she said in an e-mail. “The two hospitals have long been classified as low producers of hazardous medical waste. This labeling and handling error resulted in a significant increase in the amount of waste being processed as if it were hazardous, when it was not.” In turn, she said, the increase caused the hospitals to be reclassified as greater producers of hazardous waste, and required Palmetto Health “to meet different regulations and reporting requirements that we unknowingly didn’t meet, resulting in the fine.” Palmetto Health has since hired a new company to handle waste, Epps said. “No hazardous medical waste was placed in the environment as a result of this processing error,” she said. Read more here: [http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article167303467.html#storylink=cpy ](http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article167303467.html#storylink=cpy) --- This post, [Palmetto Health fined for mishandling hazardous waste](http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article167303467.html), first appeared on [http://www.thestate.com/](http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article167303467.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [What is the HIPAA Complaint Process?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/08/15/hipaa-complaint-process/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [What is the HIPAA Complaint Process?](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/what-is-the-hipaa-complaint-process-74713/), first appeared on [http://www.jdsupra.com/](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/what-is-the-hipaa-complaint-process-74713/). --- *August 9, 2017* The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for enforcing the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. Any person who believes that a covered entity or business associate is not complying with HIPAA may file a complaint with OCR (complaints may also be submitted directly to a covered entity). Here is a high-level overview of the OCR complaint process from intake and review through investigation and resolution: **Intake and Review**. During this step, OCR reviews the complaint to determine whether it can or will take action. OCR may take action on a complaint if it meets the following conditions: - The activity took place after HIPAA’s effective dates: April 14, 2003 for violations of the Privacy Rule and April 20, 2005 for violations of the Security Rule; - The complaint is filed against an entity that is required to comply with HIPAA’s Privacy Rule and Security Rule; - The complaint alleges an activity that, if true, would be a violation of HIPAA’s Privacy Rule or Security Rule; and - The complaint is filed within 180 days of the date the person knew or should have known of the violation. OCR has discretion to waive this requirement for good cause. If the complaint includes a possible criminal violation, OCR can report the complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for review. If the DOJ declines the case, it can return the complaint to OCR for possible investigation. **Investigation**. OCR will notify an individual if their complaint has been accepted. The named organization will also be notified. Both the organization and the complainant may be asked to provide information about the alleged incident which may include the circumstances surrounding the incident as well as the organization’s related policies, procedures and practices. **Resolution**. After OCR reviews the information provided during the investigation, it may attempt to resolve the case by obtaining resolution in the form of voluntary compliance, corrective action, and/or a resolution agreement. OCR also has authority to impose civil monetary penalties (CMPs) on the entity allegedly responsible for the violation. Entities who may be facing CMPs may have additional rights, such as the right to a hearing before an administrative law judge to determine whether the penalties are supported by the evidence. Approximately 62 percent of complaints filed with OCR since April 14, 2003 have been determined by OCR not to be eligible for enforcement. According to OCR’s website, some of the most frequently investigated compliance issues relate to improper use or disclosure of health information, lack of safeguards to protect health information, and lack of patient access to health information. \[[View source](http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/DataPrivacyAndSecurityInsider/%7E3/cxu6SMJqlL0/).\] --- This post, [What is the HIPAA Complaint Process?](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/what-is-the-hipaa-complaint-process-74713/), first appeared on [http://www.jdsupra.com/](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/what-is-the-hipaa-complaint-process-74713/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Three Essential Best Practices for HIPAA Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2017/08/15/three-essential-best-practices-hipaa-compliance/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Three Essential Best Practices for HIPAA Compliance](http://www.healthstream.com/resources/blog/blog/2017/08/14/three-essential-best-practices-for-hipaa-compliance), first appeared on [http://www.healthstream.com/](http://www.healthstream.com/resources/blog/blog/2017/08/14/three-essential-best-practices-for-hipaa-compliance). --- [](https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/finalrule/finalrule_faq.html)*August 14, 2017* **This blog post is taken from a recent Webinar featuring Marti Arvin, Vice President of Audit Strategy at CynergisTek.** There have been 17 HIPAA enforcement actions since the beginning of 2016, over a period of 15 months. Most of these were the result of self-disclosure where the organization was required to contact the Office for Civil Rights (OCR about a notifiable breach. Two of the 17 were the result of a complaint filed by individuals regarding the protection of their data. Fifteen, or almost 90%, were resolved by settlement with a resolution agreement and corrective action plan. Two were resolved via the formal resolution process. Here are some best practices for ensuring your organization remains compliant. **Monitor and Update BAAs** Some of the key issues involved in these cases are the absence of a business associate agreement (BAA) or failure to update the BAA for changes under the HITECH law. I’ve seen organizations with BAAs that include language to the effect the BAA would automatically include any amendments to the rule. The problem here is that HITECH changes were not technically amendments to the rule. OCR is likely looking for more structured and formal language addressing HITECH changes. Many organizations tell me they don’t feel comfortable that they’re capturing all their business associate relationships. If your contracting goes through a single source within your organization, this is easier to do. If it’s decentralized, then anyone who can enter into an agreement must fully understand what triggers the need for a BAA or know who can help them. The key takeaways here: have a process for identifying, evaluating, monitoring and ending business associate agreements. **Monitor and Audit Access to PHI** Organizations must have a strong program for auditing access and monitoring access by both your workforce members and the employees of any third parties with access to your systems. Many do this well for their workforce members, but find it more challenging to do so for third parties. You should require affiliated organizations to provide proof of training and consider conducting a site visit. It’s important to know their privacy and security incident history. What have they had happened? What are some of the issues that they’ve encountered? **Perform Adequate and Routine Risk Analyses** Another key finding is the failure to perform a risk analysis or conducting an inadequate risk analysis. Risks must be assessed on a routine basis. For example, if you performed one in 2005 and another in 2010, and you haven’t performed one since, OCR is unlikely to find this adequate. I suggest letting no more than three years elapse between assessments. The OCR audit process for phase two requires an organization to provide both their prior and most recent risk assessments along with evidence of mitigation of identified risks. To learn more, watch the full Webinar [here](http://www.healthstream.com/resources/webinars/download/2017/03/21/archived-webinars/best-practices-for-hipaa-compliance). --- This post, [Three Essential Best Practices for HIPAA Compliance](http://www.healthstream.com/resources/blog/blog/2017/08/14/three-essential-best-practices-for-hipaa-compliance), first appeared on [http://www.healthstream.com/](http://www.healthstream.com/resources/blog/blog/2017/08/14/three-essential-best-practices-for-hipaa-compliance). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Sharps Injuries - Providers face new reporting requirements](https://wastemedic.com/2017/07/27/sharps-injuries-providers-face-new-reporting-requirements/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Sharps Injuries – Providers face new reporting requirements](http://www.repertoiremag.com/sharps-injuries.html), first appeared on [http://www.repertoiremag.com/](http://www.repertoiremag.com/sharps-injuries.html). --- New reporting requirements from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration may make it easier to ascertain just how many sharps injuries and/or needlesticks are incurred every year by healthcare workers. The agency is betting that the requirements will “nudge” providers to take extra steps to safeguard their employees. Under the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers must provide their workers with worksites free of recognized serious hazards. To that end, OSHA has for decades required employers to keep track of their workers’ injuries and illnesses by recording them in what is often called an “OSHA log.” But under a final rule that became effective January 1, 2017, OSHA now requires that some of this recorded information be submitted to OSHA electronically for posting to the OSHA website. OSHA hopes that releasing the data in standard, open formats will: - Encourage employers to increase their efforts to prevent worker injuries and illnesses, and, “compelled by their competitive spirit, race to the top in terms of worker safety.” - Enable researchers to examine these data in ways that may help employers make their workplaces safer and healthier and may also help to identify new workplace safety hazards before they become widespread. In addition, the final rule includes provisions that encourage workers to report work-related injuries or illnesses – including sharps injuries – to their employers, and prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for making those reports. “\[B\]ehavioral science suggests that public disclosure of the data will ‘nudge’ employers to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses in order to demonstrate to investors, job seekers, customers, and the broader public that their workplaces provide safe and healthy work environments for their employees,” says OSHA on its website. “Currently, employers cannot compare their injury experience with other businesses in their industry; they can only compare their experience with their industry as a whole. Access to establishment-specific data will enable employers to benchmark their safety and health performance against industry leaders, encouraging them to improve their safety programs.” **More data needed** “Since OSHA hasn’t yet released its electronic reporting portal for uploading forms, it’s hard to tell if this will be easy or take some time” for providers to comply with the new reporting requirements,” said Amber Mitchell, DrPH, MPH, CPH, International Safety Center president and executive director. As of press time, the majority of providers with whom she had spoken were uncertain of the impact the new requirements would have on them. “As long-time occupational health practitioners, we are happy about \[the new reporting rule\], since current national estimates of all injuries and illnesses are gravely under-reported with no federal reporting requirement in place,” she says. “Without data, we don’t have resources available to adequately protect working Americans. We know what affects our patients, and we have essentially no idea how caring for patients affects our healthcare worker population. This isn’t right, or fair.” The nonprofit International Healthcare Worker Safety Center, originally housed at theUniversity of Virginia, focuses on collecting and analyzing data that identifies healthcare worker safety hazards. The Center conducts epidemiological research, surveillance, and outreach on sharps injuries, needlesticks, blood, and body fluid exposures. Its work is fueled in part by its free occupational injury and exposure surveillance tool – the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet®). SUBHEAD: The OSHA log Employers have been required to keep an Occupational Injury and Illness Log ever since the OSHA Recordkeeping Rule (29 CFR 1904) was implemented in the early 1990s. Traditionally, the logs have been requested by OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) during OSHA inspections, or by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the course of surveying a particular industry. OSHA says that the logs protect both employers and employees by: - Identifying which high-risk hazards need focus based on the number and severity of injuries or illnesses recorded. - Identifying which job functions or tasks result in an undue number of injuries or illnesses, so they can be addressed through training, controls, etc. - Identifying successes (or failures) year after year to determine how controls or interventions are working to prevent exposures. - Acting as a form of new-employee recruitment and retention to showcase a safer workplace. - Keeping track of workers compensation or other insurance cases. Both the OSHA Recordkeeping Rule and the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) require that employers record all work-related needlestick injuries and cuts from sharp objects that are contaminated with another person’s blood or other potentially infectious material. In addition, a blood or body fluid exposure that touches non-intact skin and requires medical treatment is also recordable. These incidents must be kept in a Sharps Injury Log, in addition to being captured in the OSHA 300 Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. Since keeping both the OSHA 300 and Sharps Injury Logs are already required, providers shouldn’t incur any additional costs associated with the new reporting requirement, says OSHA. Though OSHA has yet to set up its electronic reporting portal, when it does, it will likely be a simple upload function, according to the agency. SUBHEAD: Electronic submission requirements The new electronic reporting requirement applies to the following: - Workplaces with 250 or more employees that are currently required to keep records from OSHA Forms 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), and 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report.) - Workplaces with 20-249 employees that are classified in certain industries (including healthcare) with historically high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses. Beginning in 2019, the submission deadline will be changed from July 1 to March 2. The electronic submission requirements do not change an employer’s obligation to complete and retain injury and illness records. OSHA will post on its public website ([www.osha.gov](http://www.osha.gov)) establishment-specific injury and illness data it collects under the new rule. The agency says it will remove any personally identifiable information before the data are released to the public. States that operate their own job safety and health programs, also called OSHA State Plan states, must adopt requirements that are substantially identical to the requirements in this rule within six months after publication of the final rule. *For FAQs about the new reporting rule, go to* [*https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/finalrule/finalrule\_faq.html*](https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/finalrule/finalrule_faq.html) --- This post, [Sharps Injuries – Providers face new reporting requirements](http://www.repertoiremag.com/sharps-injuries.html), first appeared on [http://www.repertoiremag.com/](http://www.repertoiremag.com/sharps-injuries.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [How to make sure your dental practice is EPA compliant](https://wastemedic.com/2017/07/26/dental-practices-epa/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [How to make sure your dental practice is EPA compliant](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2017/07/how-to-make-sure-your-dental-practice-is-epa-compliant.html), first appeared on [http://www.dentistryiq.com/](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2017/07/how-to-make-sure-your-dental-practice-is-epa-compliant.html). --- July 24, 2017 By Samantha Sharon **Every day, your dental practice handles infectious**, hazardous, and pharmaceutical waste materials. That’s why dental practices are subject to [strict federal (EPA)](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/apex360/2017/06/epa-s-new-rules-for-amalgam-waste-will-go-forward-reducing-dentists-disposal-of-mercury-into-water-supply.html), state, and local regulations to ensure the proper handling and disposal of all bio-hazardous materials. From a regulatory standpoint, most dental offices meet the EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements for proper management and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous solid materials to reduce waste and promote beneficial reuse. **Know the facts** Generally speaking, dental offices produce relatively small amounts of infectious and hazardous waste. Requirements for disposal and record of infectious and hazardous waste depends on the location (state) of your practice. Some states have other requirements for small quantity generators, for example, obtaining an EPA identification number or complying with additional hazardous waste material storage standards. To make sure your practice is [EPA compliant](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/12/epa-issues-final-rule-requiring-dentists-to-install-amalgam-separators.html), follow these three basic waste management requirements: 1\. Identify all practice-generated hazardous waste material. 2\. Never store great than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste on site at any time. 3\. Deliver all hazardous waste to an off-site treatment, recovery or disposal facility. **Reduce your risk** To help reduce your practice risk and uncertainty (how to manage hazardous materials), consider hiring a reputable company that specializes in the professional handling, transportation, and disposal of EPA-regulated waste. These specialized waste management companies provide (1) on-site waste containment and management, (2) regularly scheduled pickups, and (3) a record of office-produced regulated waste. It’s also important to know the EPA RCRA regulations stipulate a comprehensive “cradle to grave” hazardous waste management system, ensuring proper handling from the point of generation through disposal. Make sure your practice meets both EPA and state requirements by going to the [EPA’s online resource](http://www.envcap.org/statetools/hzrl/) that provides a complete breakdown of all state regulations, requirements (i.e., permits), guidance, contact information, and helpful resources. **Mercury pollution issue** Mercury pollution is a significant global problem. It adversely affects, and remains in, the environment for a long time, plus it’s bioaccumulative, causing severe neurotoxic affects in humans. Bioaccumulation is when organisms accumulate or absorb adverse substances, such as mercury, at a faster rate than can be expelled by catabolism and excretion. Bioaccumulation has damaging effects to our food chain organisms, particularly fish and shellfish. The EPA determined dental practices were the main source of mercury discharges into public water works systems, discharging 5.1 tons of mercury per year, with most of it subsequently released into the environment.(1) That’s why in 2014 the EPA proposed new technology-based, pre-treatment water standards under the Clean Water Act to regulate pollutant discharges into publicly owned water treatment works and sewers by all existing and new dental practices. The EPA concluded that the easiest way to handle the removal of concentrated mercury from the public water waste stream is directly at the dental office. Based on comprehensive studies and research, the EPA proposed that dental practices install amalgam separators and implement best management practices to help control mercury discharge, plus ancillary metals found in dental amalgam, into public water systems. The EPA determined that amalgam separators are the best and most affordable option to capture mercury, plus other metals, before water is released into publicly owned water treatment works and sewers. With this new program, the EPA expected to reduce 8.8 tons of metal discharges per year, with mercury estimated to be over one-half of that total. **EPA regulation update** Effective July 14, 2017, the EPA approved a new regulation that requires existing dental practices, dental schools, and clinics that discharge waste water into a public water system to install an amalgam separator by July 14, 2020. This regulation helps protect the public water systems from amalgam discharge and waste. It also prohibits practices from using certain line cleaners that contain bleach or chlorine. Here’s what you should know about this new EPA regulation: 1\. If your practice has an existing amalgam separator, you can continue to operate it for its lifetime or 10 years, whichever comes first. 2\. Existing amalgam separators must meet EPA standards set by the final rule. To find out if your separator is in compliance, visit [EPA Guidelines & Standards for Dental Offices](http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-12/documents/dental-elg_final_fact-sheet_12-2016.pdf). 3\. Practices must submit a one-time compliance report. At this time, the EPA has not prepared an example compliance report. See the Federal Register notice for additional information. 4\. All new amalgam separators must meet EPA final rule standards. 5\. The average cost of a separator is $850 with an annual operational cost of $528. Installation costs $250 on average. There could be extra costs if your practice needs additional plumbing for the separator. The final EPA regulation takes into account most of the ADA’s recommendations for best amalgam waste management practices. To learn more about how mercury affects the public water system, public health, food products, and how you can better manage your practice mercury waste, visit these reliable and current online resources. **U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)** [State Mercury Medical/Dental Waste Programs](http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/mercury/laws.htm) **American Dental Association (ADA)** [Best Management Practices for Amalgam Waste (American Dental Association (ADA).](http://www.ada.org/1540.aspx) [ADA Directory of Dental Waste Recyclers Nationwide, State and Regional Services](http://www.ada.org/%7E/media/ADA/Member%20Center/FIles/Recyclers_Direct_4_02_12.ashx) **Center for Disease Control (CDC)** [CDC Infection Control Recommendation](https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/pdf/recommendations-excerpt.pdf) --- This post, [How to make sure your dental practice is EPA compliant](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2017/07/how-to-make-sure-your-dental-practice-is-epa-compliant.html), first appeared on [http://www.dentistryiq.com/](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2017/07/how-to-make-sure-your-dental-practice-is-epa-compliant.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Couple Expecting Gifts From Amazon Receive Bag Of Medical Waste Instead](https://wastemedic.com/2017/07/20/couple-expecting-gifts-amazon-receive-bag-medical-waste-instead/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Couple Expecting Gifts From Amazon Receive Bag Of Medical Waste Instead](http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/18/couple-expecting-gifts-from-amazon-receive-bag-of-medical-waste-instead/), first appeared on [http://dailycaller.com/](http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/18/couple-expecting-gifts-from-amazon-receive-bag-of-medical-waste-instead/). --- [Eric Lieberman](http://dailycaller.com/author/eric-lieberman/) Tech and Law Reporter 5:09 PM 07/18/2017 A couple from New Hampshire reportedly opened a box from Amazon over the weekend, but instead of seeing the products they ordered, they received a bag of medical waste. Danielle McKenzie said her husband first noticed that something was awry when he was able to smell the container, WHDH Boston [reports](http://whdh.com/news/new-hampshire-couple-receives-bag-of-medical-waste-in-box-from-amazon/). After opening the parcel, he realized there must have been a mistake, whether with Amazon’s distribution and supply-chain services or the company that delivered the package. “It looked like there were probably 40 or 50 used ultra sound, or EKG little patchy things, with all of the tubing attached to them,” said Danielle, adding that there was a lot of “sticky gel stuff.” Before handing the potentially dangerous package over to a local fire department for proper disposal, Danielle contacted Amazon to ask why she was delivered a biohazard. The Amazon spokesperson “was very, very apologetic. She was mortified and could not believe what was going on,” Danielle said. While Amazon [purveys](https://www.amazon.com/Biohazard-Waste-Containers/b?ie=UTF8&node=393322011) medical waste containers and is extending itself into a [vast](http://dailycaller.com/2017/06/16/amazon-looking-to-block-store-customers-from-checking-prices-on-their-phones/) [array](http://dailycaller.com/2017/06/21/walmart-amazon-feud-heats-up/) of [industries](http://dailycaller.com/2017/06/13/amazon-sues-former-exec-over-suspicions-he-took-trade-secrets-to-new-startup/), it does not seem to work with companies in the disposal of such refuse or sewage. “We’ve worked directly with the customer to make things right,” an Amazon spokesman told The Daily Caller News Foundation, while declining to elaborate further. *[Follow Eric on Twitter](https://twitter.com/_EricLieberman_)* --- This post, [Couple Expecting Gifts From Amazon Receive Bag Of Medical Waste Instead](http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/18/couple-expecting-gifts-from-amazon-receive-bag-of-medical-waste-instead/), first appeared on [http://dailycaller.com/](http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/18/couple-expecting-gifts-from-amazon-receive-bag-of-medical-waste-instead/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [5 HIPAA and HITECH violations your dental practice is making](https://wastemedic.com/2017/07/07/5-hipaa-hitech-violations-dental-practice-making/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [5 HIPAA/HITECH violations your dental practice is making,](http://gazette.com/5-hipaahitech-violations-your-dental-practice-is-making/article/1606462) first appeared on [http://gazette.com/](http://gazette.com/5-hipaahitech-violations-your-dental-practice-is-making/article/1606462). --- July 4, 2017 *Pssst — I think we need to talk.* Your dental practice — does it have a HIPAA/[HITECH](https://www.frontierit.com/blog/not-just-hipaa-what-small-businesses-need-to-know-about-hitech-compliance) compliance plan? No? You’re not the only practice without one, trust us. If your business doesn’t have a plan, however, it’s nearly impossible to ensure you’re not violating HIPAA/HITECH — and [violations can cost thousands, if not millions, of dollars](https://www.frontierit.com/blog/5-hipaa-hitech-breaches-that-cost-businesses-millions). Here are five violations your dental practice is probably guilty of — along with proper fixes — courtesy of the IT experts at Frontier IT in Colorado Springs. **Problem:** Open wifi **Solution:** Secure it As blogger and HIPAA risk assessor Amy Wood [notes on DentistryIQ](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/08/do-your-dental-patients-witness-you-violating-hipaa.html), “I know more about 90% of the offices I walk into by accessing their wifi before I even speak with the doctor.” Using a free app, Wood can “see all devices, cell phones of patients and staff, office computers, printers, tablets, laptops, and the server” of practices with open wifi, she writes. “If I can do that with a free app, a thief or even a bored 14-year-old with a laptop can siphon patient information and an office would never know about it,” Wood adds. A simple [Twitter search for “hacked dentist wifi”](https://twitter.com/search?q=hacked%20dentist%20wifi&src=typd) serves as a great example of the importance of this. **Problem:** Unencrypted electronic personal health information (ePHI) **Solution:** Encrypt it As Dr. Lorne Lavine explains in an [article on the Modern Dental Network](http://www.dentalproductsreport.com/dental/article/your-dental-practice-completely-hipaa-compliant), many businesses don’t encrypt their ePHI because they don’t understand the need for encryption. “HIPAA has defined encryption as an ‘addressable’ concern, meaning, if it’s reasonable and appropriate, you must do it,” Lavine writes. “… The problem is encrypting your data is both reasonable and appropriate.” As Lavine points out, there went your get-out-of-jail-free card! The good news: Encrypting your data can be as simple as storing it on a self-encrypting drive or downloading a free program (though it’s undoubtedly better to consult with an MSP, or managed service provider, to ensure that your data encryption plan is foolproof — and hackerproof). **Problem:** Discussing patients in earshot of other patients **Solution:** Just don’t We’re going to go out on a limb and assume that this is the most pervasive HIPAA violation because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good bit of juicy gossip? But just how sure are you that a patient isn’t in earshot? Bottom line: It simply isn’t worth the risk. **Problem:** Storing patient records on a non-HIPAA-compliant file-sharing service **Solution:** [Get Autotask Workplace](https://www.frontierit.com/cloud-services/autotask-workplace)Free online file-sharing services make accessing documents from anywhere, at any time, a breeze — such a breeze, in fact, that it might be tempting to upload patient files for easy team access. Danger, Will Robinson! This is a flagrant HIPAA violation. A couple years back, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, a Massachusetts-based hospital, was fined more than $200,000 for uploading the ePHI of nearly 500 patients to such a service “without first assessing the risks associated with the use of the service,” [according to DataPrivacyMonitor.com](https://www.dataprivacymonitor.com/hipaahitech/use-of-file-sharing-service-leads-to-218400-fine-for-hipaa-violations/). Happily, there exist convenient, affordable HIPAA and HITECH-compliant file-sharing services like [Autotask Workplace](https://www.frontierit.com/cloud-services/autotask-workplace) that allow employees to easily create, manage, organize and collaborate on files — without risking hefty fines. **Problem:** No back-up of medical files **Solution:** [Datto Backupify](https://www.frontierit.com/cloud-services/datto-backupify) HIPAA/HITECH requires that your patients’ files are backed up and recoverable in case of disaster, whether that’s a fire at your medical facility, a disgruntled employee’s revenge or a ransomware attack. With HIPAA-compliant solutions like Datto Backupify, there’s no need to worry that your files are gone forever. What’s more, Backupify encrypts your data and even backs up your Office 365 calendar and contacts three times a day. *Just how HIPAA/HITECH compliant is your practice?* Perhaps you’re now beginning to question many procedures and practices at your clinic. What’s a busy dentist or dental office manager to do? Contact an MSP, or managed service provider. MSPs specialize in working with small- to mid-sized businesses that don’t have their own IT departments. An MSP can [tailor an affordable service plan](https://www.frontierit.com/managed-services/consulting) to your dental practice, offering you only what you need like [server and network monitoring](https://www.frontierit.com/managed-services/server-network-monitoring) or [disaster recovery planning](https://www.frontierit.com/managed-services/server-network-monitoring), according to the experts at Frontier IT. Perhaps even better, partnering with an MSP can provide you with peace of mind that your patients’ valuable data is secure and your business is safe from potentially devastating fines. --- This post, [5 HIPAA/HITECH violations your dental practice is making,](http://gazette.com/5-hipaahitech-violations-your-dental-practice-is-making/article/1606462) first appeared on [http://gazette.com/](http://gazette.com/5-hipaahitech-violations-your-dental-practice-is-making/article/1606462). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [You are entitled to leave your EMR vendor — and take your data with you](https://wastemedic.com/2017/07/07/entitled-leave-emr-vendor-take-data/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [You are entitled to leave your EMR vendor — and take your data with you](http://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/you-are-entitled-to-leave-your-emr-vendor-and-take-your-data-with-you/article/673049/), first appeared on [http://www.mcknights.com/](http://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/you-are-entitled-to-leave-your-emr-vendor-and-take-your-data-with-you/article/673049/). --- Josh Pickus July 05, 2017 EMR vendors that are providing cloud-based products and services to long-term care providers are required by law to maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of protected health information. Unfortunately, there continue to be situations where EMR vendors are holding data hostage to discourage providers from switching to a different vendor.\* Long-term care providers I work with have told me about instances where vendors have taken steps to disrupt the availability of data by purposefully slowing data transfers to third parties or delivering data in an unusable format unless the provider pays a substantial fee. These actions not only appear to violate HIPAA, but also have the potential to seriously harm providers’ businesses and disrupt patient care. If you are working for a long-term care provider and want to do more to protect your organization from data disputes with EMR vendors, here are a few steps worth considering. Before you begin the process of negotiating contracts with an EMR vendor, get appropriate legal counsel, either inside your organization or, if necessary, outside. The lawyer who you choose to work with should have two capabilities: A familiarity with commercial contracts between software vendors and healthcare providers, and good command of the law that surrounds HIPAA requirements for data portability. Even though legal counsel can be costly, it’s risky to go through EMR contract negotiations without it. While many vendor contracts are fair and reasonable, the costs of agreeing to a bad contract can dwarf any legal fees you incur. Among other things, bad clauses related to your access to data upon termination can lead to paying substantial extra fees or incurring the risk of business interruption. Once you have counsel, work with them to include language in your contract that specifies what will happen to PHI if the agreement is terminated. This termination clause should stipulate that the EMR vendor will either provide the PHI data in a usable format without charge or at a modest fee that’s specified in the contract, or destroy it. Since many long-term care providers wish to retrieve PHI after terminating an EMR vendor agreement, it’s critical to discuss with your legal counsel, with input from IT personnel, how you can assure that data will be in a usable format. For example, mandating that data be provided in a .csv file or other common format can help avoid problems later. If there is a stipulation in the contract that you must pay for the data transfer, make sure that the fee is both modest and specified. Most vendors should be willing to do this for you for free, but a fee of $1000 or less for data transfer is generally considered to be reasonable. You will end up with compromise in some areas with any contract, but the rights to PHI data is one area where you should stand firm. There is no legitimate basis for an EMR vendor to say they won’t make your PHI data available to you in a usable format for a reasonable fee. If you are currently working with an EMR vendor and are happy with the service being provided, you may still want to review the contract’s provisions regarding data transfer upon termination. Addressing any vague or confusing language is often much easier in the context of a healthy vendor relationship than it is upon termination. If you are currently trying to end a relationship with your EMR vendor, and the vendor is threatening to charge a large fee in order to return your PHI in a readable format, you have a couple of options. First, you can complain to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (HHS OCR). Details on the information required for a complaint are available through the [HHS.gov](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/%20ling-a-complaint/complaint-%20process/index.html) site, and you can file your complaint through the [OCR portal](https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/smartscreen/main.jsf). You can also work with legal counsel to send a letter to the vendor. The letter’s specific contents would differ depending on the contract, but it’s worth noting that HIPAA states that business associates (such as EMR vendors) must maintain the availability of all PHI maintained on behalf of a covered entity (such as long-term care providers). Maintaining availability means ensuring that the PHI is accessible and usable upon demand by the covered entity. Neither providing data in a scrambled format nor charging a substantial additional fee for data access seem consistent with HIPAA’s requirement that data be “accessible and usable upon demand.” The issue of long-term care providers protecting their PHI data from being held hostage may seem like a strange one for me, a CEO of an EMR vendor, to raise. However, in an age where long-term care providers are increasingly relying on EMR systems to run their businesses, I believe it’s crucial for our industry to be transparent about the availability of PHI. I believe that shining a light on this issue will allow us to build the trust that’s necessary for healthy relationships between EMR vendors and long-term care providers. *Josh Pickus is the CEO of [Optima Healthcare Solutions](https://www.optimahcs.com/)* --- This post, [You are entitled to leave your EMR vendor — and take your data with you](http://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/you-are-entitled-to-leave-your-emr-vendor-and-take-your-data-with-you/article/673049/), first appeared on [http://www.mcknights.com/](http://www.mcknights.com/marketplace/you-are-entitled-to-leave-your-emr-vendor-and-take-your-data-with-you/article/673049/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Awrel releases enterprise version of HIPAA-compliant texting app](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/29/awrel-releases-enterprise-version-hipaa-compliant-texting-app/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Awrel releases enterprise version of HIPAA-compliant texting app](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2017/06/awrel-releases-enterprise-version-of-hipaa-compliant-texting-app.html), first appeared on h[ttp://www.dentistryiq.com/](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2017/06/awrel-releases-enterprise-version-of-hipaa-compliant-texting-app.html). --- June 28, 2017 [ By DentistryIQ Editors ](http://www.dentistryiq.com/content/diq/en/authors/diq-editors.html "About DentistryIQ Editors") *New version of HIPAA-compliant texting application to help large dental practices, labs, and device companies reduce risk when sharing protected health information.* [Awrel, a Boston-based dental software-as-a-service provider,](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/05/first-hipaa-compliant-texting-app-now-available-for-dental-industry.html) recently released [Awrel Enterprise](http://awrel.com/awrel-enterprise/), a new enterprise version of its HIPAA-compliant texting and desktop solution. The solution meets demand from corporate dental practices, dental labs, and dental device companies who are seeking to speed information exchange and enhance workflow. The first-of-its-kind Awrel solution overcomes risks of violating [HIPAA law ](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html)when texting protected health information via native Apple and Android texting environments. Organizations can use Awrel simultaneously in a synchronized way on both mobile and desktop devices to create new efficiencies for information sharing, collaboration, and storage. Awrel Enterprise provides an intuitive, HIPAA-compliant framework for administrators to easily create and manage a secure corporate network where multiple users share and archive text messages, documents, photos, CT-scans, STL files, and all types of dental digital files. It provides an administrative console to add and delete users, define user permissions, create groups (for messaging and alerts), and create topics (to categorize information). “We’ve had great feedback from hundreds of dentists now using Awrel across dental offices, and we’ve done significant work with dental laboratories and dental device manufacturers,” said [Arnold Rosen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnold-rosen-dds-mba-28b3b636/), DDS, Awrel CEO and a practicing prosthodontist who founded Awrel in May 2016. “With our new enterprise platform, these entities can quickly and cost-effectively address privacy requirements while also impacting their bottom lines as they refine cumbersome, time-intensive business and clinical workflows.” Large dental practices use Awrel to exchange information across sites, labs use Awrel to speed interaction with referring dentists, and device companies use Awrel to support product development and deployment. Awrel Enterprise can be custom branded, offering private-label opportunities for corporations to secure new revenue streams. “When considering the value chain in dentistry, we must factor in the efficiency of more instantaneous communication and collaboration. Despite advances in information technology, our industry faces unnecessary delays because most dental professionals are tethered to tedious HIPAA-compliant desktop systems. Some resort to the familiarity of native smart phone texting,” said Claudio Levato, DDS, a practicing dentist and thought leader in dental technology integration. “When we text to speed a process, we break federal law. Awrel was founded to address this issue. Productivity can be increased and outcomes can be improved.” In addition to enabling peer-to-peer communication and collaboration among dental professionals, the Awrel app can enhance patient engagement and customer satisfaction by enabling practitioner-to-patient text exchanges. Awrel is built on a platform that enables ready integration with practice management systems, EHRs, and third-party systems. The company offers 30-day free trials at [awrel.com/awrel-enterprise/](http://awrel.com/awrel-enterprise/). --- This post, [Awrel releases enterprise version of HIPAA-compliant texting app](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2017/06/awrel-releases-enterprise-version-of-hipaa-compliant-texting-app.html), first appeared on h[ttp://www.dentistryiq.com/](http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2017/06/awrel-releases-enterprise-version-of-hipaa-compliant-texting-app.html). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Keeping Telemedicine HIPAA Compliant](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/21/keeping-telemedicine-hipaa-compliant/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Keeping Telemedicine HIPAA Compliant](http://hitconsultant.net/2017/06/20/keeping-telemedicine-hipaa-compliant/), first appeared on [http://hitconsultant.net/](http://hitconsultant.net/2017/06/20/keeping-telemedicine-hipaa-compliant/). --- by Our Thought Leaders | 06/20/2017 ***Editor’s Note:** Brady Ranum is VP of Products and Strategy at [Dizzion](http://www.dizzion.com/), a cloud delivered desktop and end user computing solutions provider.* The healthcare industry is currently experiencing two major trends that are on a potentially dangerous collision course: the rise of telemedicine (and the corresponding increase in remote workers) and a spike in healthcare data breaches. As early as 2014, a [telemedicine survey by Foley & Lardner](https://www.foley.com/files/Publication/0585f5b1-1205-4be7-be5a-4e14602a4fac/Presentation/PublicationAttachment/39c25a9b-5ff1-4ee8-b861-4ea2d71718ae/2014%20Telemedicine%20Survey%20Executive%20Summary.pdf) found that an astonishing 90 percent of healthcare organizations had already implemented or began developing a telemedicine program. Much of this has taken the form of remote appointments and monitoring, with the [American Hospital Association](http://www.aha.org/research/reports/tw/15jan-tw-telehealth.pdf) finding that “70 percent of patients are comfortable communicating with their health care providers via text, e-mail or video.” Meanwhile, data breaches compromising personal health information (PHI) are on the rise. Healthcare data breaches affecting more than 500 records rose by 17 percent in 2016, according to data from the Office of Civil Rights. With medical information now reportedly worth 10 times more than credit card information, according to [Reuters](http://www.reuters.com/article/us-cybersecurity-hospitals-idUSKCN0HJ21I20140924), this trend isn’t likely to subside any time soon. This makes HIPAA compliance and data security more important than ever before. As PHI and health services are put into the hands of more service providers outside traditional settings it’s imperative that healthcare organizations and their business associates have solutions in place to enhance security and strengthen compliance measures. **Telemedicine and HIPAA Compliance** Securing and protecting PHI has proven difficult enough for many organizations, with breaches commonly caused by unauthorized employees accessing records they shouldn’t be and the loss, theft or leak of unencrypted data. The rise of [telemedicine ](http://hitconsultant.net/category/technology/telehealth-2/)adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Now PHI is being regularly discussed and transferred electronically and in real-time via voice, video and files – sometimes with providers in the healthcare organization’s physical location, sometimes with contractors at a call center and sometimes with work at home care givers. Part of the HIPAA [Security Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/laws-regulations/index.html) requires covered entities to put technical safeguards in place to protect against unauthorized access to PHI that is transmitted over an electronic network. This is commonly interpreted as meaning that the transmission and storage method must be encrypted. While patients may be comfortable communicating with care givers via text, email and video, these tools aren’t inherently HIPAA compliant (because the transmission isn’t encrypted), leaving the healthcare organization and its business associates open to a data breach and HIPAA violation. **Is Technology the Solution?** While initially hesitant to adopt new [IT solutions ](http://hitconsultant.net/category/health-it/)– particularly cloud based solutions – because of security concerns, the healthcare industry as a whole has recently been turning to technology to solve emerging issues, gain productivity advances and even strengthen security. This same approach can be taken to address HIPAA compliance as healthcare organizations and third party service providers move deeper into telemedicine. When evaluating new technology services to enable telemedicine, covered entities should seek out providers that specialize in HIPAA compliance and offer a verified compliant solution. Choosing a solution that has undergone an independent audit by cybersecurity risk management advisors provides peace of mind that the solution truly is HIPAA compliant. This independent verification and asking the right questions during solution research are key as many organizations have higher level compliance that doesn’t necessarily trickle down to individual services, solutions or products. As a final piece, a healthcare organization should only work with partners that are willing to sign a business associate agreement, a key provision of the HIPAA compliance standard. For an added layer of security and assurance, organizations should make sure that any employee or contractor accessing PHI is working within a secure, HIPAA compliant virtual desktop. This is particularly important with remote care givers since an in-house IT team has less (sometimes even no) control over the remote agent’s computer to ensure updated security measures. VPN’s aren’t a comparable solution because applications and data are still stored on local endpoints instead of the secure (off-device) environment offered by a virtual desktop. **Capitalizing on the Opportunity of Remote Healthcare Workers** Telemedicine offers an enormous opportunity for healthcare organizations to lower overhead while offering patients the kind of access to care they want by embracing a more remote model. In order to do this successfully, securely and in compliance with today’s (and tomorrow’s) standards, organizations can’t blindly move forward, putting any technology and solution provider in place. Remote working programs have been growing in popularity across industries, but in order for healthcare to adopt this model they need to actively seek out technology that meets HIPAA requirements and allows remote care givers to be productive, secure and compliant at the same time. While there is no “silver bullet” solution to data security or HIPAA compliance, adopting solutions that are custom designed to address these key areas of importance can help healthcare organizations create stronger programs and more comfortably move into the future of remote working and telemedicine. --- This post, [Keeping Telemedicine HIPAA Compliant](http://hitconsultant.net/2017/06/20/keeping-telemedicine-hipaa-compliant/), first appeared on [http://hitconsultant.net/](http://hitconsultant.net/2017/06/20/keeping-telemedicine-hipaa-compliant/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Hazardous Waste Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Oncology, P.A. Enter into Consent Agreement](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/15/hazardous-waste-enforcement-u-s-environmental-protection-agency-texas-oncology-p-enter-consent-agreement/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Hazardous Waste Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Oncology, P.A. Enter into Consent Agreement](http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=e42c7904-f974-46d5-8578-90398ee4150c), first appeared on [http://www.lexology.com/](http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=e42c7904-f974-46d5-8578-90398ee4150c). --- [Mitchell Williams Selig Gates & Woodyard PLLC](http://www.lexology.com/contributors/22415/) | June 12, 2017 The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and Texas Oncology, P.A. (“TO”) entered into a June 7th Consent Agreement (“CA”) addressing alleged Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) violations. See Docket No. RCRA-06-2017-0931. The CA states that it addresses TO locations in: - Fort Worth, Texas - Baytown, Texas - McAllen, Texas - Dallas, Texas (Two locations) - Brownsville, Texas - El Paso, Texas (Two locations) TO is stated to be a “generator” of hazardous waste at the previously referenced locations as that term is defined in the relevant section of the Texas Administrative Code. EPA is stated to have conducted an investigation and records review (“investigation”) of TO’s performance as a hazardous waste generator and its compliance with the RCRA regulations, for the time period between January 2012 through January 2017. It is alleged that EPA discovered: > . . . that at times Respondent’s hazardous waste determinations for different hazardous drugs/chemotherapy agents were mischaracterized in connection with the transportation of those hazardous wastes for offsite disposal. The CA further alleges that on separate occasions amongst the listed TO locations, hazardous waste was mischaracterized on manifest. It is specifically alleged that TO provided a manifest showing that at least on one occasion, a pre-printed P-listed acutely hazardous waste profile and code was crossed out and changed to reflect the actual hazardous waste being transported. The alleged violations in the CA include: - Failure to make adequate hazardous waste determinations - Failure to comply with manifest requirements TO is required within 90 calendar days of the effective date of the CA to provide in writing certification in regards to compliance with the alleged issues referenced in the CA. The CA provides that TO neither admits nor denies the specific factual allegations and conclusions contained in the document. A civil penalty of $43,900 is assessed. [A copy of the CA can be downloaded here.](http://www.lexology.com/webfiles/Texas%20Oncology.pdf) --- This post, [Hazardous Waste Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Oncology, P.A. Enter into Consent Agreement](http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=e42c7904-f974-46d5-8578-90398ee4150c), first appeared on [http://www.lexology.com/](http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=e42c7904-f974-46d5-8578-90398ee4150c). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Tips to Ensure Healthcare Marketing Campaigns are HIPAA Compliant](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/15/tips-ensure-healthcare-marketing-campaigns-hipaa-compliant/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Tips to Ensure Healthcare Marketing Campaigns are HIPAA Compliant](https://tech.co/marketing-campaigns-hipaa-healthcare-2017-06), first appeared on [https://tech.co/](https://tech.co/marketing-campaigns-hipaa-healthcare-2017-06). --- June 13, 2017 Searching for health-related information on the Internet is perhaps one of the most popular activities today. Statistics reported by Pew research data indicates that about 72% of internet users have been found looking for healthcare information online. And in an attempt to keep pace with the changing trends, marketers are inclining more towards digital marketing tactics, making it necessary for their digital campaigns to be crafted in adherence to [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html) (HIPAA) regulations. If marketers are not HIPAA-ready yet or are not knowledgable about compliance measures, then it’s high time that they check out these valuable tips to stay on a safer side. ## **Sharing Patient Information is a Big No** With the digital intervention, the health care industry has become vulnerable to data breaches, leaks, and unwanted disclosures leading to [misuse of patient data](https://www.medicoreach.com/blog/top-5-healthcare-security-challenges-needs-attention/) and other medical information. In the light of such an alarming situation, HIPAA rules and regulations came into force for protecting patient confidentiality and satisfying the Privacy Rule from getting into wrong hands via digital channels and marketing campaigns. And so to be HIPAA compliant, marketers need to avoid the use of protected health information (PHI) for marketing purpose in a way that can reveal patient’s identity online. The best way to deal with the ordeal is to either seek for written authorization for the use of data from the patient itself or segment such information by eliminating identifiers such as names, administrative details, geographic and biometric identifiers, etc. ## **Don’t Use Real Life Patients Images** Being too desperate to win the digital war can land healthcare organizations into trouble. Making their digital presence [HIPAA compliant is mandatory](https://www.recordnations.com/2014/03/why-is-hipaa-so-important/) on a marketer’s part to avoid being heavily fined. While trying to decorate the healthcare marketing brochure, the landing pages of the website or their brand’s social media profile, marketers should hire actors or use stock photos to portray patients receiving care or being diagnosed rather than referring to real-life patient photos. ## **Being Ignorant of Minute Details May be Dangerous** Using treatment success stories as examples for marketing purposes is fine only if it does not violate HIPAA rules and places patient data at risk. While narrating the case study or client testimonial as part of marketing, marketers should be careful of what information they are sharing. Even sharing of patient case history and other details via direct messages are considered to be a violation of HIPAA. ## **Train Your Marketing Team with HIPAA Regulations** What equally matters in the field is how knowledgeable and well informed the marketing team of a medical organization is about HIPAA rules, regulations and punishment details. The people who are the behind the development of any healthcare email marketing campaign, social media blogs, and content marketing campaigns must be competent enough to pass the compliance challenge for their brand. Also, if the marketing campaign involves third-party vendors, then marketers must ensure that they are HIPAA certified to avoid violation of rules. ## **On a Healthy Note** Though HIPAA has restricted the marketing efforts of the healthcare industry up to certain limits, still it’s not impossible to develop and [deliver effective marketing messages](https://tech.co/5-major-emerging-trends-in-the-healthcare-industry-2016-08) to a targeted audience while being compliant. For example, healthcare organizations can market content on general topics such as healthcare tips, educational documents excluding patient-specific data and much more to make sure that their marketing strategies don’t pose security threats to the electronically stored medical information. Remember, penalties for noncompliance may incur heavy losses for your healthcare business which may range from a potential fine of $100 to $50,000 per violation depending on the level of negligence. --- This post, [Tips to Ensure Healthcare Marketing Campaigns are HIPAA Compliant](https://tech.co/marketing-campaigns-hipaa-healthcare-2017-06), first appeared on [https://tech.co/](https://tech.co/marketing-campaigns-hipaa-healthcare-2017-06). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [Giving a Speech? Be Careful About Privacy Violations](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/05/giving-speech-careful-privacy-violations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Giving a Speech? Be Careful About Privacy Violations](http://www.govinfosecurity.com/blogs/giving-speech-be-careful-about-privacy-violations-p-2486), first appeared on [http://www.govinfosecurity.com/](http://www.govinfosecurity.com/blogs/giving-speech-be-careful-about-privacy-violations-p-2486). --- [Marianne Kolbasuk McGee](http://www.govinfosecurity.com/authors/marianne-kolbasuk-mcgee-i-626) ([HealthInfoSec](https://www.twitter.com/HealthInfoSec)) • June 2, 2017 A recent speech by a health insurance company executive is stirring up debate about whether a patient’s [privacy](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/privacy-c-151) can be violated even if the patient’s name is never revealed. An executive from health insurer WellMark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, in a speech at a local [Rotary Club](https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1637/Stories/laura-jackson-wellmark) meeting, tried to illustrate the complexity of health insurance by describing a specific case, according to the [*Des Moines Register*](http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2017/05/31/hemophilia-patient-costing-iowa-insurer-1-million-per-month/356179001/). She said the insurer is spending about $1 million per month to cover medical care for a 17-year-old boy with hemophilia, a blood-clotting disorder. > *“Senior leadership helps define the culture of an organization and is responsible for knowing and complying with the HIPAA privacy and security requirements to ensure patients’ rights are fully protected.”* Although Jackson reportedly did not name the hemophilic patient or his hometown, the website [Law360](https://www.law360.com/health/articles/927720/blue-cross-exec-tests-hipaa-by-describing-12m-patient?nl_pk=f7ac5c98-7174-4fa8-b8ac-74e89b70f296&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=health) reported that some privacy experts have complained that the details shared by the WellMark executive sure seem to at least come close to a potential [HIPAA](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/hipaa-hitech-c-282) privacy violation. Here’s why. The advocacy organization [Hemophilia Federation of America](http://www.hemophiliafed.org/about-hfa/what-is-hfa/) describes hemophilia as “very rare – only about 20,000 Americans have the disorder.” And consider this: Iowa only has about 3 million residents, and the insurance executive described the patient as a 17-year-old boy, making it feasible for members of the community or the teenagers’ friends and extended family to figure out that he’s the patient supposedly costing WellMark $12 million a year. “If there are only a handful of male teens in the state that suffer from hemophilia … \[regulators\] could argue that there is a reasonable basis that this information could be used to identify the patient,” according to one attorney interviewed by Law360. ### HIPAA Enforcer Comments I asked the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights, which enforces HIPAA, to comment on whether the WellMark executive’s presentation constitutes a reportable HIPAA privacy [breach](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/breach-response-c-324) or even a near-miss. But an OCR spokeswoman would not specifically address the WellMark incident. The spokeswoman points out, however, that the agency recently took enforcement action against a healthcare provider in a case involving disclosure of just one patient’s information to the news media without the individual’s consent. So that shows that the nation’s HIPAA enforcer pays attention to even the smallest incidents. “As reinforced with OCR’s recent $2.4 million settlement with [Memorial Hermann Health System](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/hefty-penalty-for-improper-disclosure-one-patients-info-a-9908), organizations must continue to protect patient privacy when making statements to the public and elsewhere,” the OCR spokeswoman says. “Senior leadership helps define the culture of an organization and is responsible for knowing and complying with the HIPAA privacy and security requirements to ensure patients’ rights are fully protected.” The HIPAA Privacy Rule, she notes, “protects all ‘individually identifiable health information’ held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associate, in any form or media, whether electronic, paper or oral.” Privacy attorney David Holtzman, vice president of compliance at security consulting firm Cynergistek, says balancing the public’s right to know with the privacy of the patient is always challenging, especially when a public speaker represents a HIPAA covered entity. “OCR has taken a very strong stance that covered entities must take steps to prevent the disclosure of PHI to the public without the authorization of the individual. Even the perception of disclosing identifiable health information, especially when it finds its way into the media, could draw scrutiny,” he says. ### Avoiding Missteps Holtzman says covered entities and business associates can take specific steps to avoid privacy blunders. “Organizations that create or maintain PHI subject to the protections of the HIPAA Privacy Rule should have strong, clear policies that describe scenarios in which PHI can be disclosed and where it can’t,” he says. “Don’t limit [training](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/awareness-training-c-27) on how organizational policies protect PHI just to front-line staff. Require key executives and board leaders to understand how and where the HIPAA rules apply. Demonstrate a top-down approach to adopting a culture of compliance in your organization.” WellMark did not immediately respond to my request for comment on its executive’s recent presentation. --- This post, [Giving a Speech? Be Careful About Privacy Violations](http://www.govinfosecurity.com/blogs/giving-speech-be-careful-about-privacy-violations-p-2486), first appeared on [http://www.govinfosecurity.com/](http://www.govinfosecurity.com/blogs/giving-speech-be-careful-about-privacy-violations-p-2486). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Health Care: Cybersecurity in an Insecure World](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/05/health-care-cybersecurity-insecure-world/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Health Care: Cybersecurity in an Insecure World](http://www.thelegalintelligencer.com/id=1202788254777/Health-Care-Cybersecurity-in-an-Insecure-World?mcode=0&curindex=0&curpage=1), first appeared on [http://www.thelegalintelligencer.com/](http://www.thelegalintelligencer.com/id=1202788254777/Health-Care-Cybersecurity-in-an-Insecure-World?mcode=0&curindex=0&curpage=1). --- June 6, 2017 | Melanie Bork Graham and Leeza Garber, The Legal Intelligencer We are currently witnessing the most expansive digitization of health care in history (Professor Jonathan Weiner, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, September 26, 2014; Graham, M.B., Thomas Jefferson School of Population Health Capstone Proposal, July 2016). The national push to digitize comes with new regulatory standards for securing data and increased enforcement of the standards. The federal government is the main enforcement body for data security standards in health care. But the one thing we learned in the last year is that no system is secure—even our federal government systems are vulnerable to attack. Besides the splashy hack of the Democratic National Convention servers in 2016, the U.S. military computer system was hacked in 2008 through an infected flash drive. Just last month, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden issued an open letter stating that Senate email accounts lack the option to enable dual factor authentication—one of the most basic cybersecurity measures that exists. So how should a health care entity, operating in one of the most cyberattacked industries, approach compliance in this kind of environment? In 1996, HIPAA standardized electronic transactions in the health care sector and regulated the use of health data. HIPAA regulated the privacy and security of health data that constituted ­protected health information (PHI). The privacy rule protects PHI from unauthorized disclosure, including oral, paper based and digital. The security rule, which only applies to electronic PHI, requires specific safeguards. The HIPAA regulations were drafted with a certain flexibility. Generally, the security rule requires that data safeguards be reasonable and appropriate. The reasonableness factors include: the complexity and capabilities of the organization; technical infrastructure; costs and the probability and criticality of the potential risks. Specifically, the security rule has 42 standards to safeguard PHI, of which 22 are addressable. The addressable standards do not mandate specific technologies or uniform practices. The commentary to the rule makes clear that it was structured to be “reasonable and appropriate” due the “diversity of regulated entities and … unique characteristics of their environments.” Beginning in 2009, Congress enacted legislation to expand the national health information infrastructure. The HITECH Act was passed to, among other things, improve health care through the adoption of electronic health records (EHR). In 2010, HITECH authorized the payment of $25.9 billion in financial incentives through the meaningful use program to build infrastructure. The program provided funding to Medicare- and Medicaid-eligible providers to adopt EHRs. To quantify progress, the providers were required to meet data security standards. HITECH also expanded the scope of entities regulated, and strengthened enforcement. Entities became subject to increased OCR civil money penalties, post hoc OCR breach investigations, ad hoc OCR compliance audits and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforcement for deceptive and unfair trade practices. HHS and ONC continue to encourage the use of EHRs and enforcement of the security standards. In its 2017 strategic plan, HHS seeks to expand adoption of telemedicine technologies for remote care, increase health information exchange by providers across public and private systems and for notification and reporting between public health and clinical entities. At the same time, OIG’s 2017 workplan states that OIG will use audits to recoup meaningful use funds from providers that do not meet the security standards. Prior to HITECH, OCR enforced HIPAA through post-breach investigations in response to complaints and reports. After HITECH, the OCR enforcement process changed. First, HITECH mandated OCR to conduct random compliance audits in addition to targeted post breach investigations. Phase 2 of the HIPAA audit program, launched in 2016, is currently underway. The Phase 2 audit protocol focuses on areas of noncompliance identified during Phase 1. It is interesting to note that in November 2016, OCR issued an alert to HIPAA regulated entities of a phishing attack disguised as an OCR audit communication. Secondly, OCR changed the scope of the post breach investigations. In 2015, an OIG report determined that OCR enforcement was reactive rather than proactive to breach investigations. In response, OCR updated its database tracking system to recurrent breach data and we are seeing more enforcement actions. FTC is now getting in on the HIPAA enforcement game. Historically OCR enforced HIPAA pursuant to its statutory mandate, while FTC enforced non-HIPAA regulated data security standards pursuant to Section 5 of the FTC Act. But in recent years, FTC has begun enforcing consumer facing HIPAA regulated entities, claiming concurrent jurisdiction under the act. In the LabMD case, FTC commenced enforcement against a clinical laboratory, regulated by HIPAA as a business associate, after the company experienced a data breach. FTC claimed that LabMD’s lack of basic security measures for its medical data was an unfair and deceptive trade practice in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act. LabMD challenged the enforcement action arguing that FTC lacked authority to enforce HIPAA. The case is currently pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. As FTC has not promulgated any of its own data security standards this raises many questions. Among them, do the HIPAA reasonable and necessary factors promulgated by HHS apply to FTC enforcement of data security standards? Health care falls prey to cybersecurity threats for, arguably, three main reasons. First, records remain consistently valuable to criminals: any random “health care record” could contain a smattering of personal information, including Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and marital status alongside PHI. Access to this information combination could allow malicious actors to undertake a variety of transactions and create many types of fraudulent accounts from, potentially, a single stolen record. It is important to note, however, that these records’ actual monetary value on the dark net can be as low as one cent, depending on what the record contains. Second, health care records exist in multiple forms depending on the entity. Digital records can be housed on networks and devices, and paper records are still common in many facilities. Third, access control is a balancing act. As this type of information must be accessible quickly if necessary, it is difficult to add on security procedures as an afterthought if they have not been baked in beforehand. Verizon’s 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report points out that the health care industry is the only industry studied where “employees are the predominant threat actors in breaches.” Employees want the data for a variety of reasons, including to sell it/snoop/and commit identity theft. And unfortunately, this type of “insider misuse” is easily accomplished without a protocol for the principle of least privilege, meaning, the least amount of people necessary have access to the data for the least amount of time necessary. Other buzzy headline cybersecurity threats pop up in health care as well, but generally, the health care industry still suffers from more old-fashioned issues, like lost laptops, incorrect disposal of records, and misdelivery. This is not to say that ransomware, one of the buzziest of cyberthreats of late, isn’t on the rise in the health care field as well. Ransomware, a method by which criminals lock victims out of their data until a ransom is paid (unless, the criminals simply keep the money and forgo delivery of the promised encryption passcode), accounts for 72 percent of malware incidents in health care. The health care industry is certainly a ransomware target, be it the boutique cardiologist’s office or the major city hospital. The Verizon 2017 DBIR doesn’t count ransomware attacks as breaches because “we cannot confirm that data confidentiality was violated,” but: HHS “has given guidance that ransomware incidents should be treated as a breach for reporting purposes”—meaning, a digital forensic expert will need to review and analyze the affected system. Which provides a perfect point of transition to best practices, or put another way, how to play offense against a constantly moving, adapting, and changing target. It is normal for health care entities to feel overwhelmed in an environment where they are high value targets for cybercrime. But compliance should be guided by the reasonable and necessary factors. The key to balancing these factors is to foster an internal culture of compliance and leverage external resources. For the multitude of reasons provided herein, covered healthcare entities must be proactive about cybersecurity, and once a breach happens (because it will), must be able to react quickly and effectively. Having legal and digital forensics teams ready and waiting—who already possess a thorough knowledge of the entity’s technological system architecture, data flow, employees and compliance issues, is key. Simple tips like utilizing encryption for mobile devices, activation of dual factor authentication, and standing up policies and procedures addressing data privacy, malware, phishing and passwords are important. But also—understanding when to call in the attorneys (i.e., is the employee clicking on a phishing link an HR issue, or a potential breach?) and when to call in the forensic experts (i.e., that ransomware email is not an IT problem—but a forensic call to arms to analyze what the malware touched and potentially leaked) is equally significant. Assembling the right legal and digital forensic teams is a necessity for operators in the health care space. This is not to say that ransomware, one of the buzziest of cyberthreats of late, isn’t on the rise in the health care field as well. Ransomware, a method by which criminals lock victims out of their data until a ransom is paid (unless, the criminals simply keep the money and forgo delivery of the promised encryption passcode), accounts for 72 percent of malware incidents in health care. The health care industry is certainly a ransomware target, be it the boutique cardiologist’s office or the major city hospital. The Verizon 2017 DBIR doesn’t count ransomware attacks as breaches because “we cannot confirm that data confidentiality was violated,” but: HHS “has given guidance that ransomware incidents should be treated as a breach for reporting purposes”—meaning, a digital forensic expert will need to review and analyze the affected system. Which provides a perfect point of transition to best practices, or put another way, how to play offense against a constantly moving, adapting, and changing target. It is normal for health care entities to feel overwhelmed in an environment where they are high value targets for cybercrime. But compliance should be guided by the reasonable and necessary factors. The key to balancing these factors is to foster an internal culture of compliance and leverage external resources. For the multitude of reasons provided herein, covered healthcare entities must be proactive about cybersecurity, and once a breach happens (because it will), must be able to react quickly and effectively. Having legal and digital forensics teams ready and waiting—who already possess a thorough knowledge of the entity’s technological system architecture, data flow, employees and compliance issues, is key. Simple tips like utilizing encryption for mobile devices, activation of dual factor authentication, and standing up policies and procedures addressing data privacy, malware, phishing and passwords are important. But also—understanding when to call in the attorneys (i.e., is the employee clicking on a phishing link an HR issue, or a potential breach?) and when to call in the forensic experts (i.e., that ransomware email is not an IT problem—but a forensic call to arms to analyze what the malware touched and potentially leaked) is equally significant. Assembling the right legal and digital forensic teams is a necessity for operators in the health care space. *Melanie Bork Graham, of Ezold Law Firm, counsels businesses and health care providers on various matters, with an emphasis on business and health law, HIPAA and information privacy and security. Leeza Garber is corporate counsel and director of business development for cybersecurity, digital forensics, and technology consulting firm Capsicum Group. Learn more at capsicumgroup.com.* --- This post, [Health Care: Cybersecurity in an Insecure World](http://www.thelegalintelligencer.com/id=1202788254777/Health-Care-Cybersecurity-in-an-Insecure-World?mcode=0&curindex=0&curpage=1), first appeared on [http://www.thelegalintelligencer.com/](http://www.thelegalintelligencer.com/id=1202788254777/Health-Care-Cybersecurity-in-an-Insecure-World?mcode=0&curindex=0&curpage=1). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [HIPAA Spring Check-Up: Your Obligations to Safeguard Third-Party Patient Health Information in Medical Records Produced in Litigation](https://wastemedic.com/2017/05/25/hipaa-spring-check-obligations-safeguard-third-party-patient-health-information-medical-records-produced-litigation/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [HIPAA Spring Check-Up: Your Obligations to Safeguard Third-Party Patient Health Information in Medical Records Produced in Litigation](http://www.natlawreview.com/article/hipaa-spring-check-your-obligations-to-safeguard-third-party-patient-health), first appeared on[ http://www.natlawreview.com/](http://www.natlawreview.com/article/hipaa-spring-check-your-obligations-to-safeguard-third-party-patient-health). --- Tuesday, May 23, 2017 *You’ve had your apple a day, but you can’t keep the subpoenas away…* And, if your organization is facing a request seeking records or other materials that may contain *patient health information (“PHI”)*, it bears repeating that while ***[HIPAA](https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fff8da8f1c067c67c8e73621367c2b52&mc=true&node=se45.1.164_1512&rgn=div8)*** provides a number of methods through which covered entities that hold records containing PHI may produce such records, these guidelines are closely enforced by courts. By way of reminder, consent of the subject of the PHI is not a prerequisite to its production under HIPAA and the statute offers three litigation-related alternatives to obtaining consent from the subject of the implicated records. Specifically, 45 C.F.R. § 164.512(e) permits a covered entity to disclose PHI in the course of any judicial or administrative proceeding where: - the party seeking the PHI obtains a court order governing the production of the records; - the covered entity receives a written statement and documentation from the party seeking the PHI that it provided notice of the ligation to the subject, identified that the subject’s PHI was implicated in the request, gave the subject an opportunity to object, and received no such objection; or - the party seeking the PHI demonstrates the existence of a court-endorsed protective order that prohibits the parties from using or disclosing the PHI for any purpose other than the underlying litigation and requires the return to the covered entity or destruction of the PHI at the end of the litigation. However, as the United States District Court for the District of Kansas recently reiterated, even where the disclosure of PHI is permitted or permissible under HIPAA, any PHI should be produced in “de-identified” redacted format unless the subject of the medical records is a party to the lawsuit or the identity of the subject of the medical records is directly relevant to the claims and issues in the underlying case. *See* ***[Duffy v. Lawrence Mem. Hosp](https://www.privacyandsecuritymatters.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/05/Duffy-1.pdf)***., 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 49583 (D. Kan. Mar. 31, 2017). In *Duffy*, a false claims case, the parties had in place a protective order that the Court acknowledged bound the parties to keep the contents of the medical records produced confidential. However, that was not the end of the inquiry with respect to the production of the records that the Plaintiff argued it needed to show the extent to which the Hospital falsified records to obtain higher Medicare and Medicaid payments. The issue of de-identification arose in association with the Hospital’s motion to modify a previous discovery order compelling it to produce more than 15,000 patient records responsive to the Plaintiff’s document requests. As grounds for the motion, the Hospital represented that responding to the Plaintiff’s requests as contemplated by the Court’s discovery order would take 8,982 working hours and cost $230,000, including redactions that would take ten reviewers fourteen days at a cost of $37,259.50. The Plaintiff argued that there was no need for redaction because the Plaintiff was bound under the terms of the stipulated protective order to keep patient information produced confidential. While the Plaintiff made a creative argument given the scope of 45 C.F.R. § 164.512(e), she missed the key distinction between medical records specific to one of the parties in the underlying case and those of third parties. Specifically, the Court stated that, while it had “full confidence in the parties’ adherence to the terms of the protective order,” the medical records at issue related to patients who were not parties to the action and whose personal confidential information the Defendant had a legal duty to safeguard. For this reason, the Court directed the Defendant to produce the records only after redacting any PHI. ### Doctor’s Orders So the lesson is clear: if your organization maintains vast amounts of records that contain PHI of > any kind, be them medical records, clinical trial-related materials, correspondence with governmental agencies or other sensitive materials, even where a protective order is in place, make sure to consider and discuss with counsel redacting any PHI in records to be produced wherever the records involve unrelated third party subjects. Remember, this is true even where records may not contain full names (or names at all), social security numbers, or birth/death dates. ### Your HMO (“HIPAA Maintenance and Organization”) What PHI should covered providers be watchful for, even within materials that are not medical records in the tradition sense, to ensure produced records are de-identified? Be on the lookout for the following: - Names - All geographic subdivisions smaller than a state, including street address, city, county, precinct, zip code, and their equivalent geocodes\[1\] - All elements of dates (except year) for dates directly related to an individual, including birth date, admission date, discharge date, date of death; and all ages over 89 and all elements of dates (including year) indicative of such age, except that such ages and elements may be aggregated into a single category of age 90 or older - Telephone numbers - Fax numbers - Electronic mail addresses - Social security numbers - Medical record numbers - Health plan beneficiary numbers - Account numbers - Certificate/license numbers - Vehicle identifiers and serial numbers, including license plate numbers - Device identifiers and serial numbers - Web Universal Resource Locators (URLs) - Internet Protocol (IP) address numbers - Biometric identifiers, including finger and voice prints - Full face photographic images and any comparable images - Any other unique identifying number, characteristic, or code (including clinical trial numbers) \[1\] Except for the initial three digits of a zip code if, according to the current publicly available data from the Bureau of the Census: (1) the geographic unit formed by combining all zip codes with the same three initial digits contains more than 20,000 people; and (2) the initial three digits of a zip code for all such geographic units containing 20,000 or fewer people is changed to 000. --- This post, [HIPAA Spring Check-Up: Your Obligations to Safeguard Third-Party Patient Health Information in Medical Records Produced in Litigation](http://www.natlawreview.com/article/hipaa-spring-check-your-obligations-to-safeguard-third-party-patient-health), first appeared on[ http://www.natlawreview.com/](http://www.natlawreview.com/article/hipaa-spring-check-your-obligations-to-safeguard-third-party-patient-health). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance, News & Events --- ### [How OSHA's HazCom Standard Protects Both Employers and Employees](https://wastemedic.com/2017/05/17/oshas-hazcom-standard-protects-employers-employees/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [How OSHA’s HazCom Standard Protects Both Employers and Employees](http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3344772#ixzz4hN9oQwI2), first appeared on . --- New York, NY – May 15, 2017 – ([Newswire.com](https://www.newswire.com/)) *First adopted in the U.S. in 1983, the Hazard Communication standard is meant to protect workers who work with or around hazardous chemicals. While some employers may view the HazCom standard as a hassle, it protects employers just as much as it does employees, according to Msds Catalog Service LLC.* First adopted in the U.S. in 1983, the [Hazard Communication standard](http://shop.msdscatalogservice.com/HazCom-Policy_c16.htm) is meant to protect workers who work with or around hazardous chemicals. The regulation is enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and manufacturers, importers and employers all have rules that they must follow under the standard. The standard’s requirements are meant to protect workers, but employers are also protected by following the requirements. **What is the OSHA Hazardous Communication standard?** The OSHA HazCom standard outlines several rules for chemical manufacturers, distributors and importers as well as for employers who have hazardous chemicals in their workplaces. Chemical manufacturers and importers must make certain that the chemicals that they manufacture or import have labels that meet specific guidelines. The labels must accurately reflect the hazards that the chemicals carry and must have pictorials on them that show that the chemicals are hazardous. In addition to the labels, the manufacturers, distributors and importers are also required to provide [msds sheets](http://msdsdigital.com/) to the employers to whom they ship the chemicals so that the employers can understand what the hazards and health and safety risks of the chemicals are. Those msds must be provided and accessible to the employee in the form of a [msds book](http://shop.msdscatalogservice.com/M-sds-Books_c3.htm). **Requirements for employers that have hazardous chemicals in their workplaces** Since most chemicals are hazardous, almost all chemicals will fall under the requirements of the OSHA HazCom standard. Employers that use hazardous chemicals or have them in their workplaces must keep all of the [safety data sheets](http://msdsdigital.com/) in a place where employees can easily access them so that the employees are aware of the health risks that they pose. Employers also are required to have a training program for employees who will use or work around the hazardous chemicals so that the employees learn how to appropriately handle them and what types of safety equipment they should use. **Label requirements** The manufacturers, distributors and importers of chemicals are required to assess the chemicals in order to determine the hazards that they pose. They are then to label, tag or mark the chemicals with their identities and the proper hazard warnings. The identity information may be a trade name or the chemical formula. They may include precautionary information, and they must be conspicuous so that they are easily seen. Employers are responsible for making certain that every bottle of a hazardous chemical that they receive has a label. If the employers transfer the chemicals from one container into a new one, that new bottle must also be correctly labeled unless they fall under the container exemption. The suppliers should send the additional labels along with the chemicals. **Why the OSHA HazCom standard protects employers as well as workers** Exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace can lead to workers developing serious illnesses, including cancer, cardiac arrest, nausea, dizziness and others. Since some of these symptoms are also seen in such conditions as heart disease or influenza, it is important for workers to understand the risks of exposure so that they can receive the proper diagnoses. When workers develop serious medical conditions because of workplace exposures to hazardous chemicals, the employers stand to lose substantial amounts of money. The workers may miss many days’ worth of work or may be permanently unable to return. Workers who become ill because of workplace chemical exposures have the right to file claims with their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage. This may lead to litigation through the administrative process if the claim is denied or disputed, which can involve a substantial outlay of money to pay attorney fees and litigation costs. If the claim is approved, the employer’s premiums will likely increase. The standard’s requirements may help to prevent potential litigation by minimizing the risks that are posed by the chemicals. When workers understand the health risks of the chemicals, they are likelier to adhere to the safety rules for safe handling of them. Employers may also reduce the chance of workers contracting conditions from workplace chemical exposures with the required training. By training the employees on how to read the safety data sheets and use the appropriate safety gear that should be worn around the chemicals, the employers empower the workers to approach their jobs in a manner that is safer. While following OSHA’s safety standards in the workplace may seem like a hassle, the standards are important to protect the health of workers. Employers who follow the regulations and rules, including the HazCom standard, may also be protected. Reducing the risk of toxic exposures to hazardous chemicals may translate into fewer workers’ compensation claims, less missed work and fewer associated claims and cases involving substantial litigation costs. --- This post, [How OSHA’s HazCom Standard Protects Both Employers and Employees](http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3344772#ixzz4hN9oQwI2), first appeared on . ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Medical Waste, Safety & Compliance --- ### [Two HIPAA Mistakes Lead to Fines from OCR](https://wastemedic.com/2017/05/17/two-hipaa-mistakes-lead-fines-ocr/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Two HIPAA Mistakes Lead to Fines from OCR](http://www.natlawreview.com/article/two-hipaa-mistakes-lead-to-fines-ocr), first appeared on [http://www.natlawreview.com/](http://www.natlawreview.com/article/two-hipaa-mistakes-lead-to-fines-ocr). --- Monday, May 1, 2017 It was a busy April for the [Office for Civil Rights ](https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/)(“OCR”) (see our [prior post](http://www.natlawreview.com/article/gone-phishin-hack-leads-to-hipaa-settlement) on a settlement from earlier in April). On April 20, OCR [announced](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/compliance-enforcement/agreements/CCDH) a [Resolution Agreement ](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ra_cap_ccdh.pdf?language=en)with Center for Children’s Digestive Health, S.C. (“CCDH”) related to CCHD’s failure to enter into a business associate agreement with a paper medical records storage vendor. The cost of that missing agreement? $31,000. Then, on April 24, OCR [announced](https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2017/04/24/2-5-million-settlement-shows-not-understanding-hipaa-requirements-creates-risk.html?language=es) a [settlement](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cardionet-ra-cap.pdf?language=es) with CardioNet, a remote monitoring company for cardiac arrhythmias, related to CardioNet’s failure to implement compliant HIPAA policies and procedures and failure to conduct a sufficient risk assessment. The price of those failures? $2.5 million! ### CardioNet The CardioNet settlement is the first HIPAA settlement involving a wireless health services provider. The settlement arose from a breach investigation involving the theft of a CardioNet employee’s laptop from a car. That laptop contained the electronic protected health information (“ePHI”) of almost 1,400 individuals. As is typical in these HIPAA settlements, the stolen laptop was just the beginning of CardioNet’s woes. OCR’s investigation of the breach indicated that CardioNet has not finalized its HIPAA security policies and procedures and had not conducted a sufficient risk analysis and risk management process. Though the underlying facts of the CardioNet breach aren’t new (see the very similar facts of a [2014 settlement](https://wayback.archive-it.org/3926/20170127085330/https:/www.hhs.gov/about/news/2014/04/22/stolen-laptops-lead-to-important-hipaa-settlements.html) involving QCA Health Plan, Inc.), the settlement does indicate OCR’s interest in the HIPAA compliance of mobile health technology companies. Though these companies do not interact face-to-face with patients, if they meet the definition of a covered entity under HIPAA, they have the same compliance obligations as a hospital, physician, or health plan. Additionally, certain health technology companies may be business associates of covered entities. OCR previously published guidance on use scenarios under which a technology company would be a business associate, and therefore be subject to HIPAA compliance obligations. ### Center for Children’s Digestive Health The CCHD settlement arose from an investigation of CCHD’s business associate, FileFax, Inc. Filefax came under [scrutiny ](http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2015_05/20150506.html)from OCR and the Illinois Attorney General in 2015 after allegations that it had disposed of paper medical records of a health care provider client in a dumpster. In connection with the Filefax investigation, OCR initiated a compliance review of CCHD. Although CCHD had been disclosing protected health information (“PHI”) to FileFax since 2003, the two companies did not enter into a business associate agreement until October 2015. All told, CCHD disclosed the PHI of nearly 11,000 individuals without having the appropriate safeguards in place. The main takeaway from both settlements is that covered entities must ensure that their HIPAA programs are compliant, robust, and well-documented. In both instances, the underlying breach may have been avoided by having an appropriate HIPAA compliance program in place. However, even if the covered entities’ compliance programs hadn’t avoided the laptop theft or the bad conduct of a vendor, their real trouble began when OCR looked at broader non-compliance issues within the organization. --- This post, [Two HIPAA Mistakes Lead to Fines from OCR](http://www.natlawreview.com/article/two-hipaa-mistakes-lead-to-fines-ocr), first appeared on [http://www.natlawreview.com/](http://www.natlawreview.com/article/two-hipaa-mistakes-lead-to-fines-ocr). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Between RCRA and a Hard Place: Operating Under Conflicting Regulations](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/27/rcra-hard-place-operating-conflicting-regulations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Between RCRA and a Hard Place: Operating Under Conflicting Regulations](http://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2017/04/rcra-hard-place-operating-conflicting-regulations/#), first appeared on [http://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com](http://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2017/04/rcra-hard-place-operating-conflicting-regulations/#). --- [HazMat Transportation](http://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/category/hazmat-transportation/) Clare Condon Monday – April 24, 2017 Do federal hazardous materials transportation regulations outweigh how a state interprets and enforces hazardous waste regulations? In times when the federal government bends toward extreme leniency or extreme enforcement, cases such as one currently playing out in Oregon could have ramifications for environment, health, and safety managers (EHS) nationwide. What are states up to? Since the stated intent of the Trump administration is to have the states be the primary regulators and enforcers of EHS laws, what states are up to will be a recurring theme in the *Advisor.* In this case, the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is in a conundrum. Does it oppose a state regulatory interpretation and rule for industry or stand by the current administration’s intent to let states regulate and enforce? NORA, a trade association of recyclers, recently [petitioned PHMSA](http://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2017/01/recyclers-want-oregon-hazardous-waste-transport-rule-preempted/) for a determination as to whether federal hazardous material transportation law preempts an Oregon hazardous waste regulation that imposes a strict liability standard on hazardous waste transporters. **Note.** Under strict liability, some activities are known to be inherently dangerous, so if something goes wrong, the party is held legally responsible. ## **State Court Ruling** When NORA filed the petition with PHMSA, the Oregon Supreme Court was considering a case about the same question. The Court has since ruled and upheld the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission’s (EQC) interpretation, which is enforced by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The case involved a company that transported and treated hazardous waste without a manifest or a permit. The company argued that it was not in violation of hazardous waste permit and manifest requirements because it reasonably relied on the generator of the hazardous waste’s characterization of the waste. PHMSA regulations at 49 CFR 171.2(f) allow for a carrier that transports a hazardous material (in this case a hazardous waste) in commerce to rely on information provided by the offeror (in this case the generator) or a prior carrier, unless the carrier knows or, a reasonable person, acting in the circumstances and exercising reasonable care, would have knowledge that the information provided by the offeror or prior carrier is incorrect. The Oregon DEQ claims that since the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) provides strict liability for civil offenses, Oregon’s hazardous waste rules, which enforce a state program that was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, are not preempted. The Oregon Supreme Court upheld the EQC’s determination that Oregon’s regulations and statutes provided for strict liability for civil hazardous waste violations. The Court said that company’s reasonable reliance under the PHMSA reasonable care regulation was not relevant to determining compliance with the state hazardous waste rules and statutes. ## **Can’t Do Both** According to NORA, its members rely on the certifications of generators. The association presented some hypothetical situations that make it impossible or unfeasible to comply with both the Oregon rule and the PHMSA requirements. Essentially, the scenarios show that transporters, in an attempt to avoid liability, would be required to test for each hazardous waste characteristic and conduct exhaustive and expensive investigations, which the generator may not even permit. In addition, NORA claims that Oregon’s rule presents an obstacle in carrying out the federal PHMSA rule and will lead to transporters being liable for a generator’s mischaracterization of waste. ## **Key Takeaway for EHS Managers** Since there will be little or no guidance from the feds under the Trump administration, it makes state regulators even more likely to be influenced by what other states are up to. That’s why cases in states such as Oregon could be important to the regulated community in other states. The interpretations may look appealing to your state environmental agency. Make sure that you are in touch with your state environmental agency and aware of not only regulations or standards but how they are being interpreted by your agency. --- This post, [Between RCRA and a Hard Place: Operating Under Conflicting Regulations](http://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2017/04/rcra-hard-place-operating-conflicting-regulations/#), first appeared on [http://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com](http://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2017/04/rcra-hard-place-operating-conflicting-regulations/#). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [How healthcare organizations should prepare for a HIPAA audit](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/27/healthcare-organizations-prepare-hipaa-audit/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [How healthcare organizations should prepare for a HIPAA audit](https://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/how-healthcare-organizations-should-prepare-for-a-hipaa-audit), first appeared on [www.healthdatamanagement.com](https://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/how-healthcare-organizations-should-prepare-for-a-hipaa-audit). --- The time to prepare for a HIPAA audit is before the notification letter of a forthcoming audit hits a provider organization’s mailbox. Absent preparation, an entity facing an audit will have to scramble to develop policies and procedures for protecting health information, and performing that through a rush job will look exactly like a rush job to regulators, who are not easily fooled. It is much easier to expect that your organization will be audited and to have a plan in place, says Deborah Gersh, a partner and co-chair in the healthcare practice at the Ropes & Gray law firm in Chicago. “The key is to be prepared when you get that letter.” Developing a new philosophy on dealing with breaches also will be beneficial if a breach does occur. If a laptop is stolen, don’t let people fall into the trap of thinking, “it wasn’t our fault,” Gersh counsels. In cases in which devices are stolen, the HHS Office for Civil Rights expects healthcare organizations to file a police report; determine if the data on the device was encrypted and, if not, what data was compromised; mitigate the breach and protect affected individuals; and develop and implement an updated data protection plan. Protection plans are not just about policies and procedures, but about employees understanding what specific roles they will play if a breach occurs, Gersh says. Obviously, the chief information officer, chief information security officer and privacy officer know their overall job responsibilities, but they may not know what specific roles they must fulfill in the event of a breach. Gersh says they should be prepared to step into specific responsibilities and know the answers to the following questions: - Who contacts the police? - Who files a report? - Who shuts down the systems, and in what order? - Who determines which data was compromised? - Who compiles the data to determine who gets notified about the breach? If hackers infiltrate data networks, healthcare organizations should have an existing plan for the specific type of breach, just as there should be for a stolen laptop or any other common type of breach, she adds. This updated, well-documented plan will be an organization’s “lifeline of evidence” to present to OCR or the state if the organization experiences another incident in the future, according to Gersh. “Everyone on the team needs to know what the full game plan is.” That plan should include increased breach and security awareness, through which everyone in the organization is constantly aware of suspicious behavior, and knowing who the privacy and security officers are when they want to report something. Importantly, don’t think you’ll have 60 days to deal with a breach before reporting it, Gersh warns. That’s the federal timeline, but many states have shorter timelines, with some giving healthcare organizations only 10 days to make a report. What most gets organizations in trouble during a HIPAA audit is lack of documentation, which negates efforts to demonstrate that they have a coherent plan in place. Organizations sometimes are doing the right things, such as training all employees with access to protected health information, but they don’t have any documentation of the training and materials to show regulators. And often, they don’t have documentation of any certifications of privacy and security expertise, even if work on certifications were completed. There also may not be documentation on the organization’s business associates and their responsibilities if a breach occurs. If a business associate has a breach and it is their fault, there should be documentation that that business associate will be responsible to pay for remediation, Gersh adds. But the worst thing an organization can do is to not have a comprehensive risk analysis, because lacking an analysis is what gets an entity sanctioned by regulators. A comprehensive analysis can be overwhelming, but outside consultants can provide assistance. The bottom line is to view all of the requirements, which are time-consuming and expensive, as essential activities because breaches will happen, and having meaningful policies and documentations in place will considerably ease an organization’s risk during an audit, Gersh says. “You’re going to do it one way or another.” --- This post, [How healthcare organizations should prepare for a HIPAA audit](https://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/how-healthcare-organizations-should-prepare-for-a-hipaa-audit), first appeared on [www.healthdatamanagement.com](https://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/how-healthcare-organizations-should-prepare-for-a-hipaa-audit). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Lack of BAA at Center of New HIPAA Settlement](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/24/lack-baa-center-new-hipaa-settlement/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Lack of BAA at Center of New HIPAA Settlement](http://www.govinfosecurity.com/lack-baa-at-center-new-hipaa-settlement-a-9861), first appeared on [http://www.govinfosecurity.com](http://www.govinfosecurity.com/lack-baa-at-center-new-hipaa-settlement-a-9861). --- [Marianne Kolbasuk McGee](http://www.govinfosecurity.com/authors/marianne-kolbasuk-mcgee-i-626) ([HealthInfoSec](https://www.twitter.com/HealthInfoSec)) • April 24, 2017 Federal regulators have signed a $31,000 [HIPAA](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/hipaa-hitech-c-282) settlement with a small Illinois-based pediatric specialty practice, citing the lack of a business associate agreement with a vendor hired to store paper records containing patients’ protected health information. Although the April 21 settlement with the Center for Children’s Digestive Health centers on paper-based PHI, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights is sending another strong reminder to all covered entities and business associates about the importance of business associate agreements for vendor arrangements that involve the handling of any PHI, whether it be paper-based or electronic. “Covered entities and business associates have an absolute obligation to have a business associate agreement in place with contractors and vendors who handle protected health information when performing an activity or function on their behalf,” says privacy attorney David Holtzman, vice president of compliance at security consulting firm CynergisTek. “Take the time to review all your organization’s vendor agreements. Identify each contract that requires the vendor to create or maintain PHI. If a BA agreement updated to current requirements of the HIPAA Rule is not in place, have a BAA executed at once. If your vendor refuses to sign a BAA, you have no choice but to cease disclosing PHI to the contractor, have any PHI in their possession returned or securely disposed, and find a new replacement service provider.” ### Case Details In its [resolution agreement](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ra_cap_ccdh.pdf) with CCDH, which also includes a corrective action plan, OCR notes that HHS initiated in August 2015 a compliance review of CCDH to determine whether its disclosure of PHI to FileFax, Inc., a third-party vendor that stored inactive paper medical records for patients of CCDH, was permissible under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. [HHS](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/compliance-enforcement/agreements/CCDH) says in a statement that it launched a compliance review of the CCDH following the initiation of an investigation into FileFax. The agreement notes that HHS’ investigation found that while Park Ridge, Illinois-based CCDH began disclosing PHI to FileFax in 2003, neither company was able to produce a signed BAA. CCDH “failed to obtain satisfactory assurances from FileFax, in the form of a written business associate agreement, that FileFax would appropriately safeguard the PHI that was in FileFax’s possession or control,” HHS notes in the resolution agreement. In addition, the agreement notes, “CCDH impermissibly disclosed the PHI of at least 10,728 individuals to FileFax when CCDH transferred the PHI to FileFax without obtaining FileFax’s satisfactory assurances, in the form of a written business associate agreement.” Holtzman suspects, however, that the compliance review into CCDH is likely related to a serious incident involving FileFax in 2015. Hundreds of pounds of paper medical records belonging to patients of Suburban Lung Associates, another Chicago-area healthcare provider, were discovered in a dumpster outside the Northbrook, Ill., building of FileFax (see [*Dumped Records Case Illustrates BA Risks*](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/dumped-records-case-illustrates-ba-risks-a-7965)). Suburban Lung Associates had hired FileFax to retain and then properly destroy its patient documents. Holtzman suspects regulators’ investigation into that incident involving FileFax potentially uncovered the lack of a business associate agreement between the records storage vendor and CCDH. James Berman, M.D., president of CCDH, declined to comment on FileFax or what specifically spurred the OCR compliance review of CCDH. But he tells Information Security Media Group: “There was no breach of CCDH records being exposed to the public.” In a statement, OCR tells ISMG, “the focus of this resolution agreement is the lack of a business associate agreement by CCDH and FileFax, which CCDH should have obtained prior to disclosing any PHI to FileFax. The compliance review was initiated following a news report involving FileFax. This is not OCR’s first settlement that resulted from a compliance review that was initiated following a news report. With respect to FileFax, as a matter of policy, the OCR does not release information about current or potential investigations.” ### State Lawsuit Against FileFax Illinois attorney general [Lisa Madigan](http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2015_05/20150506.html) in May 2015 filed a lawsuit against FileFax related to the dumpster incident, alleging violations of the state’s Personal Information Protection Act, which ensures consumers’ personal information is protected in Illinois, and the state’s Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. However, the Illinois attorney general’s office tells ISMG that its suit against FileFax was settled. An October 2015 consent decree between the attorney general and FileFax indicates the company paid $30,000 to settle its case, and agreed to a corrective action plan that included steps it would take to safeguard patient records if it stayed in business, as well as steps it would take to protect those records if FileFax decides to closed down its business. ISMG attempted to contact FileFax for comment, but its publicly published phone number has been disconnected. Sources say the company is out of business. ### Corrective Action Plan OCR’s resolution agreement with CCDH requires that the practice take several steps, including: - Developing, maintaining and revising its HIPAA [privacy](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/privacy-c-151) and security rule related policies and practices – including matters pertaining to business associate agreements; - Distributing its updated HIPAA related policies and procedures – including those related to business associates – to its workforce; - Providing its workforce with [training](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/awareness-training-c-27) related to those policies and procedures. ### Common Problem? Not having business associate agreements “is a big deal now,” notes privacy attorney Kirk Nahra of the law firm Wiley Rein. “Every covered entity needs to make sure it has these agreements in place and should know that if they don’t – and something happens involving the BA – that there will be consequences,” he says. “OCR won’t let these slide without a really good explanation.” After a lack of [risk analysis](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/risk-assessment-c-44) and lack of [encryption](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/encryption-c-209), the lack of a business associate agreement appears to be one of the most common reasons for OCR settlement agreements, notes privacy attorney Adam Greene of the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine. “While some question the continued need for business associate agreements after the HITECH Act made business associates directly subject to portions of HIPAA, OCR clearly continues to believe that entering into a business associate agreement is an essential part of HIPAA compliance.” ### Other Settlements Indeed, this isn’t the first OCR HIPAA settlement focusing on inadequate or missing business associate agreements between a covered entity and a business associate. Last September, for example, OCR signed a $400,000 settlement with Care New England, an organization that provides centralized corporate support services for a number of New England-area covered entities, citing the lack of an updated business associate agreement (see [*Outdated BA Agreement Results in $400,000 HIPAA Settlement*](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/outdated-ba-agreement-results-in-400000-hipaa-settlement-a-9418)). But OCR’s $31,000 resolution agreement with CCDH contains one of the HIPAA enforcer’s smallest financial settlements to date. The smallest OCR financial settlement to date was a $25,000 resolution agreement signed in February 2016 with Los Angeles-based physical therapy provider, Complete P.T., Pool & Land Physical Therapy Inc. That HIPAA case involved the company failing to obtain patients’ permission before using their personal information for marketing purposes (see [*Case Shines Spotlight on HIPAA Marketing Rules*](http://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/case-shines-spotlight-on-hipaas-marketing-rules-a-8890)). Overall, the case with CCDH is also a reminder that no healthcare provider is exempt from HIPAA compliance, Holtzman says. “Although small in size, this settlement will get the attention of healthcare providers,” he says. “This is an opportunity for OCR to remind small physician practices that nobody gets a pass when it comes to safeguarding PHI from unauthorized disclosure. They will be held accountable for safeguarding patient information to the same standards of a large health care organization.” --- This post, [Lack of BAA at Center of New HIPAA Settlement](http://www.govinfosecurity.com/lack-baa-at-center-new-hipaa-settlement-a-9861), first appeared on [http://www.govinfosecurity.com](http://www.govinfosecurity.com/lack-baa-at-center-new-hipaa-settlement-a-9861). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Healthcare leaders crown employee cybersecurity awareness as primary threat concern](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/21/healthcare-leaders-crown-employee-cybersecurity-awareness-primary-threat-concern/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Healthcare leaders crown employee cybersecurity awareness as primary threat concern](http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/healthcare-leaders-crown-employee-cybersecurity-awareness-as-primary-threat/440833/), first appeared on [http://www.healthcaredive.com](http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/healthcare-leaders-crown-employee-cybersecurity-awareness-as-primary-threat/440833/). --- Author: Meg Bryant Published: April 20, 2017 ### Dive Brief: - Nearly 80% of healthcare leaders say employee awareness is their greatest security threat concern, despite 85% maintaining they have existing employee security awareness programs, according to a new survey. - The [survey](http://www.level3.com/-/media/files/brochures/en_hlth_pres_it_study.pdf) of 125 health IT executives — conducted by HIMSS Analytics for Level 3 Communications — found that one third are highly concerned that their organization will experience a security breach this year. - Ninety-nine percent of respondents ranked EHR systems as having the greatest significance for network uptime, followed by hospital interface systems ( 51%), remote patient monitoring (39%), communications (37%) and PACS storage (36%). ### Dive Insight: Most organizations use a variety of methods to mitigate cybersecurity risks, the survey reveals. Eighty-seven percent employ remote access/secure access controls, 85% use employee security awareness tactics and 75% utilize security counseling services like vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. “The security threats the healthcare industry is facing are real and they’re only increasing in volume and sophistication as bad actors continue to seek out coveted protected health information,” Chris Richter, senior vice president of global security services at Level 3, said in a [statement](http://investors.level3.com/investor-relations/press-releases/press-release-details/2017/Lack-of-Employee-Awareness-and-Education-are-Greatest-Threats-to-Healthcare-Security/default.aspx). “Aside from fostering and maintaining a culture of security, which includes regular employee security training, healthcare organizations should implement a security governance framework and appropriate technology controls. These include threat intelligence, DDoS mitigation and next generation firewalling and sandboxing — all critical next steps for healthcare providers to secure their networks.” And employee privacy and security missteps can be costly. In February, Memorial Healthcare Systems paid HHS [$5.5 million to settle potential HIPAA violations](http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/memorial-healthcare-systems-to-pay-55m-over-potential-hipaa-violations/436400/) after employees gained unauthorized access to 115,143 patients’ protected health information and disclosed them to affiliated physician office staff. The settlement and other recent ones like it underscore HHS’ determination to enforce HIPAA violations and providers and health systems need to find ways to prevent future breaches. About 80% of health executives in a recent Thales survey said their organizations plan to [step up security spending](http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/healthcare-organizations-stepping-up-security-spending-in-2017/436847/) in 2017. Compliance was the main driver for security spending in the U.S., with 57% of respondents, while data breaches (39%) and protecting reputation and brand (39%) led global concerns. ### Recommended Reading: - [LACK OF EMPLOYEE AWARENESS AND EDUCATOIN ARE GREATEST THREATS TO HEALTHCARE SECURITY](http://investors.level3.com/investor-relations/press-releases/press-release-details/2017/Lack-of-Employee-Awareness-and-Education-are-Greatest-Threats-to-Healthcare-Security/default.aspx) --- This post, [Healthcare leaders crown employee cybersecurity awareness as primary threat concern](http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/healthcare-leaders-crown-employee-cybersecurity-awareness-as-primary-threat/440833/), first appeared on [http://www.healthcaredive.com](http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/healthcare-leaders-crown-employee-cybersecurity-awareness-as-primary-threat/440833/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Hazardous Waste Disposal Day Scheduled for Hattiesburg & Surrounding Areas](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/15/hazardous-waste-disposal-day-scheduled-hattiesburg-surrounding-areas/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Hazardous Waste Disposal Day Scheduled for Hattiesburg & Surrounding Areas](http://m.wdam.com/wdam/db_389262/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=PFMiQOqT), first appeared on [http://www.wdam.com/](http://m.wdam.com/wdam/db_389262/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=PFMiQOqT). --- **HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM)** The City of Hattiesburg, along with Petal, Forrest County, and Lamar County have scheduled their hazardous waste disposal day. Right Way to Throw Away Day is an event held for people to properly dispose of household hazardous waste. Collection sites will be at the Bobby L. Chain Airport and the Lamar County Multi-Purpose Center on April 22 from 8:00- 2:00 p.m. Items allowed for drop off are: - Aerosols, All-purpose cleaners, Ammonia, Anti-freeze, - Appliances, Automobile Cleaner, Barbecue Lighter Fluid, - Batteries, Brake fluid, Chlorine Bleach, Detergents, - Disinfectants, Drain Opener, Furniture Polish, - Herbicides, Insecticides, Mothballs, Motor Oils, Oil - Filters, Oven Cleaners, Paint, Paint Thinner, Pesticides, - Photographic Development Chemicals, Pool Chemicals, - Rodent Poison, Rubber Cement, Rug and Upholstery - Cleaner, Silver Polish, Tires, Transmission Fluid, - Turpentine, Varnish, Water Sealer, Wood Finish Items not allowed for drop-off are: - Ammunition - Explosives - Medical Waste - Syringes - Radioactive Material - PCB’s This event is in partnership with Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, USM and William Carey University. For more information on the event call 601-545-4500 or 601-794-1024. --- This post, [Hazardous Waste Disposal Day Scheduled for Hattiesburg & Surrounding Areas](http://m.wdam.com/wdam/db_389262/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=PFMiQOqT), first appeared on [http://www.wdam.com/](http://m.wdam.com/wdam/db_389262/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=PFMiQOqT). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** News & Events --- ### [Social Media Policy Instructions for Your Medical Practice](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/09/social-media-policy-instructions-medical-practice/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Social Media Policy Instructions for Your Medical Practice](http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/blog/social-media-policy-instructions-your-practice), first appeared on [www.diagnosticimaging.com](http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/blog/social-media-policy-instructions-your-practice). --- By [Michael Sacopulos, JD](http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/authors/michael-sacopulos-jd) In this digital age, every business needs two social media policies: one for material posted in the organization’s official social media communications, and one for employees’ mentions of work-related matters in their personal social media communications. The unique nature of a medical practice makes such policies essential, as HIPAA regulations require all providers have policies, procedures, and systems to protect patient privacy. Here are some tips for creating and implementing an effective social media plan at your practice. - **Outline Extent of the Policy:** Employees need know that you are not trying to run their personal lives, online or off, and your policy only applies to work-related matters. - **Technology Covered:** List the most popular social media sites and apps, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, etc. Include business and healthcare-related review sites like Angie’s List, Yelp, RateMDs, HealthGrades, and others. Note that the rapid growth of social media creates new apps and platforms, and the policy will apply to new/future social media entities as well. - **Unacceptable Online Behavior:** This section informs employees that online activities such as posting personal health information (PHI), giving medical opinions or advice, revealing confidential business information, breaking any laws, impersonating others, making intentionally malicious comments, and other behaviors detailed are unacceptable. - **Policy Violations:** Makes employees aware that violations will have consequences, and defines the scope of those consequences. This section should also include language that indemnifies the practice against liabilities for actions in violation of the policy. - **Policy Amendments:** Informs employees that social media polices are subject to changes and updates, and that revisions will require employee review and sign-off. - **Term of Policy:** This makes employees aware that to protect patient privacy and business confidentiality, the life of the policy extends beyond their term of employment. [Reports](https://www.nlrb.gov/news-outreach/news-story/acting-general-counsel-issues-second-social-media-report) and decisions issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) deal with specific cases. They have not resulted in a one-size-fits-all set of employee social media rules, nor is it likely they will. A review of the Board’s memos and opinions points toward some guidelines your practice can use to help create a reasonable policy. **Implementing a Social Media Policy:** - Make sure your policy stays within the bounds of the law. - Avoid vague terminology and sweeping statements. Deal in specifics, not generalities. - Define terms, unacceptable behaviors, and potential disciplinary actions. Use examples when appropriate. - Cover the policy in your staff HIPAA training and annual compliance review. - Update your policy when necessary. This is an extremely dynamic area. Social media entities, labor law and HIPAA regulations are all subject to change. - Make sure all employees receive, read, understand, and sign off on the policy and any updates. - Enforce the policy in a reasonable and fair manner. Thoroughly document violations and disciplinary actions.\\ --- This post, [Social Media Policy Instructions for Your Medical Practice](http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/blog/social-media-policy-instructions-your-practice), first appeared on [www.diagnosticimaging.com](http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/blog/social-media-policy-instructions-your-practice). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Watch out for these HIPAA violations in online reviews](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/07/watch-hipaa-violations-online-reviews/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Watch out for these HIPAA violations in online reviews](http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/watch-out-these-hipaa-violations-online-reviews?page=0,0), first appeared on [www.modernmedicine.com](http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/watch-out-these-hipaa-violations-online-reviews?page=0,0). --- When most physicians think of the [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)](http://www.modernmedicine.com/tag/hipaa), their immediate thought is a data breach. But they should also be keenly aware that they can violate the federal law simply by replying to a negative online review. Most physicians are familiar with Yelp. Besides being the leading crowd-sourced rating site for restaurants, hotels and just about anything consumers want to buy, Yelp is host to healthcare reviews. Some patients complain about repeated lengthy wait times to see their doctor. Others criticize their doctor for what they consider to be unnecessary and expensive diagnostic tests, or they complain about the doctor’s poor bedside manner. Doctors often defend themselves and their practice if they receive a negative review, replying to a comment or bad rating, or carrying on a dialogue with the patient reviewer. But this interaction can potentially expose personal medical information, resulting in a HIPAA violation. For example, a patient with painful scoliosis complains about the long wait to see a neurosurgeon for spinal surgery, and gives the doctor a one-star rating. Even if the patient discloses his diagnosis, the surgeon is in violation of HIPAA if he responds by advising the patient to get an MRI before scheduling an appointment. Proper etiquette for responding to negative reviews **Stake your claim** For review sites like Yelp, doctors should start by searching the site to find out if anyone has reviewed them on an unclaimed page. They can claim it as their profile page and take control of it, or create a new page. **Use caution with criticism** Physicians should think about interacting with an unhappy reviewer on Yelp in the same way they would speak to an unhappy patient in the office. Physicians need to be especially careful when defending themselves against a negative review, and even avoid identifying the reviewer as a patient. Keep replies short and simple. The physician should thank the reviewer for taking the time to share his concern and invite him or her to have a phone conversation to discuss the matter. **Periodically monitor reviews and ratings** Make sure your practice has a clear policy regarding responses to patient complaints as part of its HIPAA policies and procedures for employees. Have front office staff notify the physician of a negative review so that he or she can respond to the patient directly. **Talk it out** As a best practice during a follow-up phone call, physicians should listen to the complaint and let the patient know how they plan to resolve it, or discuss reasons for prescribing a treatment. Patients are more likely to update negative reviews if they know they’ve been heard. --- This post, [Watch out for these HIPAA violations in online reviews](http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/watch-out-these-hipaa-violations-online-reviews?page=0,0), first appeared on [www.modernmedicine.com](http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/watch-out-these-hipaa-violations-online-reviews?page=0,0). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [First Aid Preparedness](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/03/first-aid-preparedness/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [First Aid Preparedness](https://ohsonline.com/articles/2017/04/01/first-aid-preparedness.aspx?admgarea=news), first appeared on [www.ohsonline.com](https://ohsonline.com/articles/2017/04/01/first-aid-preparedness.aspx?admgarea=news). --- *Having trained personnel ready and willing to render first aid will reassure other co-workers and make them feel safer themselves.* By Fred Elliott (Apr 01, 2017) An OSHA enforcement case announced in December 2016 is a good example of the kind of worker injury where a co-worker might have to respond quickly with first aid assistance. The agency proposed $274,934 in penalties against an Ohio plastics manufacturer after a pneumatic bench cutter severed a 27-year-old employee’s finger as she cut rubber material in June 2016. Along with the penalties came four repeated, six serious, and three other-than-serious violations filed by OSHA against the company, which also was placed in the OSHA Severe Violators Enforcement Program, according to OSHA. The key standards for ensuring employees are ready and able to provide first aid care to an injured or sick co-worker are familiar ones. The OSHA standard for general industry is 29 CFR 1910.151, medical services and first aid, and the one for logging operations is 29 CFR 1910.266, with 1910.266(d)(2) addressing first aid kits and, in Appendix B, both first aid training and CPR training. This Appendix B provides a list of topics for what OSHA considers to be the “minimal acceptable first-aid and CPR training program” for employees engaged in logging, and it’s a handy guide for other workplaces, as well. The appendix states that first aid and CPR training should be delivered in a variety of methods and should include practical exercises and examinations (both written and practical), and the length of the training must be enough to ensure the trainees understand the concepts of first aid and can demonstrate their ability to perform the various procedures needed to help someone experiencing: - Respiratory arrest - Cardiac arrest - Hemorrhage - Lacerations/abrasions - Amputations - Musculoskeletal injuries - Shock - Eye injuries - Burns - Loss of consciousness - Extreme temperature exposure (hypothermia/hyperthermia) - Paralysis - Poisoning - Loss of mental functioning (psychosis/hallucinations, etc.) It says the training should cover CPR; the application of dressings and slings; treatment of strains, sprains, and fractures; immobilization of injured persons; handling and transporting injured persons; and the treatment of bites, stings, or contact with poisonous plants or animals. **‘Reasonably Accessible’: OSHA’s Construction First Aid Standards** The OSHA standards relevant to the construction industry are 29 CFR 1926.23, first aid and medical attention, and 1926.50, medical services and first aid. The first one of those simply says first aid services and provisions for medical care “shall be made available by the employer for every employee covered by these regulations.” The second is more detailed, though its text is not much longer; it says employers are to ensure, before a project starts, that “prompt medical attention in case of serious injury” is available. If there is no infirmary, clinic, hospital, or physician “reasonably accessible in terms of time and distance to the worksite” for treating injured workers, the employer is to ensure that a trained person with valid certification of that training is available at the site to provide first aid. As recently as January 2007, OSHA explained in a letter of interpretation what “reasonably accessible” means. OSHA interprets the term “near proximity” to mean that emergency care must be available within three to four minutes of the workplace in question, according to that letter. If there is no employee on site who is trained to provide first aid, emergency medical services must be available within 3-4 minutes to aid a worker who has suffered a fall, amputation, suffocation, or other serious accident, it said. This 1926.50 standard also covers first aid kit contents, which are to be in individually sealed packages for each type of item and placed in a waterproof container, and they are to be checked by the employer before being sent out to each job and at least weekly to make sure that items that have been used are replaced. It says either proper equipment shall be provided for transporting an injured person to a doctor or hospital, or there must be a communication system for contacting an ambulance service, and that there must be eyewash and shower equipment available for immediate emergency use to flush the eyes and body of workers who may be exposed to corrosive materials. Emergency phone numbers should be posted prominently at the job site, as well. First aid trainers note that immediate treatment of an injured or ill employee could save that person’s life, should he or she be experiencing a heart attack. Minutes count for injured or sick employees—equally important, having trained first aid personnel ready and willing to respond will reassure other co-workers and make them feel safer themselves. Training helps to prevent safety issues as well as to manage events, should they occur. Many organizations provide first aid and CPR training. CPR/AED and first aid certifications are good for two years. --- This post, [First Aid Preparedness](https://ohsonline.com/articles/2017/04/01/first-aid-preparedness.aspx?admgarea=news), first appeared on [www.ohsonline.com](https://ohsonline.com/articles/2017/04/01/first-aid-preparedness.aspx?admgarea=news). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [HazCom: Understanding ‘Hazard Not Otherwise Classified’](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/27/2163/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [HazCom: Understanding ‘Hazard Not Otherwise Classified’](http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/15447-hazcom-understanding-hazard-not-otherwise-classified), first appeared on [www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com](http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/15447-hazcom-understanding-hazard-not-otherwise-classified). --- *Responding is Robert Ernst, editor – workplace safety, [J. J. Keller & Associates Inc.](https://www.jjkeller.com/home), Neenah, WI.* The revised Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) created a need to identify hazards not covered by the classes adopted from GHS or that OSHA did not adopt. So OSHA created the “Hazard Not Otherwise Classified” definition to cover health or physical hazards for which the standard lists a hazard class, but whose effect either falls below the cut-off value/concentration limit of the hazard class or is under a GHS hazard category that has not been adopted by OSHA. OSHA’s definition for HNOC ensures hazards covered under the previous standard remain covered under the revised standard. ## Determining criteria A manufacturer’s or importer’s hazard classification must account for all hazards, including identified hazards that fall outside OSHA’s established categories. An HNOC classification is determined using the weight-of-evidence criteria found in the standard for health or physical hazards. The hazard refers to the intrinsic hazards of a particular chemical in normal conditions of use or foreseeable emergencies. Scalds caused by exposure to chemicals at high temperatures, or slips and falls caused by treading on a solid chemical shaped in a rounded form or spilled liquids are not covered physical effects under the HNOC definition. For example, water would not be classified as an HNOC merely because an employee might be scalded by contact with boiling water or may contract hypothermia by being immersed in cold water for a long period of time. Similarly, water is not classified as an HNOC by virtue of the fact that an employee might be injured when slipping and falling on a wet surface or when sprayed by water at high pressure. ## Are chemical byproducts required to be included in SDS Section 2 in HNOC, or merely as warning language throughout the SDS? The manufacturer must provide classification of the hazards of the chemical. If through that process an HNOC is identified, that information should appear with the identification of hazard class and category in Section 2. There are no harmonized label elements for HNOCs. Therefore, HNOCs need not be addressed on an HCS label. No signal word or pictogram has been designated for HNOCs, so none should be assigned to an HNOC hazard. The label preparer may add supplemental information regarding HNOC hazards as long as it does not undermine or cast doubt on the required label information. OSHA does not specify the format of the label, only the information required to be on it. Supplemental information does not need to be separated from the label’s required information, but it cannot impede identification of the signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements – the required HazCom label information. As long as all of the required information is present, and the placement of the supplemental information doesn’t hinder identification of the required information, then the layout of the label is up to the preparer. Editor’s note: This article represents the independent views of the author and should not be construed as a National Safety Council endorsement. --- This post, [HazCom: Understanding ‘Hazard Not Otherwise Classified’](http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/15447-hazcom-understanding-hazard-not-otherwise-classified), first appeared on [www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com](http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/15447-hazcom-understanding-hazard-not-otherwise-classified). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Hey Dentists: No Business Associate Agreement, No Problem](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/27/hey-dentists-no-business-associate-agreement-no-problem/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Hey Dentists: No Business Associate Agreement, No Problem](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/hey-dentists-no-business-associate-62736/), first appeared on [www.jdsupra.com](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/hey-dentists-no-business-associate-62736/). --- According to the U.S. Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR), dental practices are not required to have a business associate agreement with their dental laboratory before sharing protected health information. The HIPAA Privacy Rule applies to covered entities (including dental practices) and their business associates. As you know, for the past few years, dental practices have been the target of increased HIPAA audits by the OCR. On March 22, 2017, the American Dental Association (ADA) announced[\[1\]](http://www.ruderware.com/blue-ink-blogs/health-care/hey-dentists-no-business-associate-agreement-no-problem/#_ftn1) that OCR had clarified to the ADA that a dental laboratory is not a dentist’s business associate when the communication is for treatment purposes. Specifically, in its correspondence to the ADA, the OCR said, “a covered entity such as a dentist is not required to have a business associate agreement with another health care provider such as a dental laboratory when disclosing \[protected health information\] for treatment of an individual.” It’s important to note, this clarification is not a blanket exemption from the requirement to have business associate agreements between dental practices and dental laboratories. In certain instances, business associate agreements are still required, for example the OCR pointed out that if the laboratory provides “other (nontreatment) services or functions on behalf of the provider that fall within the definition of business associate and require access to protected health information.” --- [\[1\]](http://www.ruderware.com/blue-ink-blogs/health-care/hey-dentists-no-business-associate-agreement-no-problem/#_ftnref1) --- This post, [Hey Dentists: No Business Associate Agreement, No Problem](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/hey-dentists-no-business-associate-62736/), first appeared on [www.jdsupra.com](http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/hey-dentists-no-business-associate-62736/). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [Why HR managers should review their HIPAA procedures](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/16/hr-managers-review-hipaa-procedures/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This post, [Why HR managers should review their HIPAA procedures](https://www.benefitnews.com/opinion/why-hr-managers-should-review-their-hipaa-privacy-and-procedures), first appeared on [www.benefitnews.com](https://www.benefitnews.com/opinion/why-hr-managers-should-review-their-hipaa-privacy-and-procedures). --- HIPAA audits are on the rise, and so are associated fines. In 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Civil Rights collected $23 million in fines, a 300% increase over 2014, the previous record year for fines. The increase in audits — combined with everything from changes in technology, the addition of a health and wellness program and concerns about hacking — serve as a good reminder why employers should revisit HIPAA training often to ensure compliance. Many of the employers facing fines are healthcare providers, health plans or healthcare clearinghouses (organizations considered as covered entities under HIPAA). But most HR professionals handle protected health information (PHI) to some extent — which puts them in danger of violating the HIPAA Privacy Rule. **Employers need a formal approach to HIPAA** Employers should have a written policy in place about how they handle PHI and designate PHI handlers and a HIPAA privacy officer. The policy should outline what types of information are considered PHI and how employers may and may not use it. It should also include a procedure for handling complaints and a process for employees to file them if they think their privacy rights are being violated. Employees who may handle PHI should be trained on the dos and don’ts of handling protected health information — especially as it relates to electronic information. It’s vital for the HR team to understand the implications of handling PHI in emails, storing it on the cloud, or communicating about it over other electronic formats. And when discussing matters containing PHI with an employee, it’s important to have a signed HIPAA authorization form for the release of employee health information. Lastly, the HIPAA privacy officer should review health plan documents and ensure that agreements with vendors who handle PHI, called “business associate agreements,” are up to date. The federal government considers such vendors to be business associates of the plan sponsor. As companies hit with steep fines in 2016 would tell you, the penalties for HIPAA violations can be high. They start at $100 per incident but can increase up to $25,000 per violation per year. These violations can also be “stacked” if an individual makes more than one violation, or if more than one standard is violated. In addition to federal rules, employers may also be subject to state privacy rules that further limit how PHI is used. The increase in the number of audits, as well as changes in how employees might communicate about PHI or store information, make it more important than ever to ensure you and your team have covered all the bases should your company be hit with a HIPAA audit. --- This post, [Why HR managers should review their HIPAA procedures](https://www.benefitnews.com/opinion/why-hr-managers-should-review-their-hipaa-privacy-and-procedures), first appeared on [www.benefitnews.com](https://www.benefitnews.com/opinion/why-hr-managers-should-review-their-hipaa-privacy-and-procedures). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ### [EPA FAQ: What environmental benefits does EPA expect from new management standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-environmental-benefits-epa-expect-new-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). --- **Question:** What environmental benefits does EPA expect from new management standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals? **Answer:** EPA is proposing to reduce the risk caused by hazardous waste pharmaceuticals that enter the environment through flushing down the sink or toilet. Specifically, this proposal is projected to prevent the flushing of over 6,400 tons of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals annually by banning healthcare facilities from using this practice to dispose of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. With this proposal, EPA strives to improve compliance at healthcare facilities (including hospitals, clinics, and retail stores with pharmacies) and pharmaceutical reverse distributors that generate and manage hazardous waste pharmaceuticals in order to improve environmental protection. Additionally, this proposed rule creates an environmentally preferable, convenient and practical management system that EPA encourages the healthcare sector to use for all waste pharmaceuticals. --- This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** FAQs --- ### [EPA FAQ: When will this rulemaking go into effect?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-will-rulemaking-go-effect/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). --- ## Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule **Question:** When will this rulemaking go into effect? **Answer:** As required by the Administrative Procedure Act, this rulemaking must undergo the notice and comment process. Once public comments are received, comments will be reviewed and the proposed rulemaking will be re-evaluated to determine if changes are warranted. This process takes several months to over a year depending on the number and nature of these comments. EPA expects that this rulemaking will be finalized in 2016 and will be effective at the federal level six months after promulgation. Authorized states will be required to adopt this rule and to modify their RCRA programs in order to retain their authorized status because this rule is more stringent than current RCRA generator regulations. However, generally this rule will not become effective in states authorized for the RCRA program until states have adopted the rule. The exception to this is the ban on flushing hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. This particular requirement is being proposed under the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments. Requirements promulgated under this authority become effective in all states on the effective date of the federal regulation, which is generally six months after promulgation of a final rule. --- This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPGcgY2xpcC1wYXRoPSJ1cmwoI2NsaXAwXzM0M18xMDE2KSI+CjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik03Ljk5OTk5IDBDMTIuNDE4MyAwIDE2IDMuNTgxNzMgMTYgNy45OTk5OUMxNiAxMi4wOTAyIDEyLjkzMDMgMTUuNDYzIDguOTY5MjEgMTUuOTQxNFYxMC40NDQ3TDExLjEzMzQgMTAuNDQ0N0wxMS41ODIzIDhIOC45NjkyMVY3LjEzNTM5QzguOTY5MjEgNi40ODk0NSA5LjA5NTkxIDYuMDQyMjYgOS4zODY1NyA1Ljc1NjU2QzkuNjc3MjYgNS40NzA4NCAxMC4xMzE5IDUuMzQ2NjIgMTAuNzg3OCA1LjM0NjYyQzEwLjk1MzggNS4zNDY2MiAxMS4xMDY2IDUuMzQ4MjcgMTEuMjQyMiA1LjM1MTU3QzExLjQzOTQgNS4zNTYzOCAxMS42MDAxIDUuMzY0NjcgMTEuNzEyIDUuMzc2NDRWMy4xNjAzMkMxMS42NjczIDMuMTQ3ODkgMTEuNjE0NSAzLjEzNTQ3IDExLjU1NTQgMy4xMjMyNEMxMS40MjE0IDMuMDk1NTQgMTEuMjU0OCAzLjA2ODgzIDExLjA3NTcgMy4wNDUzN0MxMC43MDE2IDIuOTk2MzYgMTAuMjcyOSAyLjk2MTU0IDkuOTcyOTIgMi45NjE1NEM4Ljc2MTYgMi45NjE1NCA3Ljg0NjE0IDMuMjIwNjggNy4yMDcxMyAzLjc1NzQ2QzYuNDM1OTIgNC40MDUyNyA2LjA2NzM5IDUuNDU3NDggNi4wNjczOSA2Ljk0NjU5VjcuOTk5OTlINC40MTc3MlYxMC40NDQ3SDYuMDY3MzlWMTUuNzY0NEMyLjU4Mjg4IDE0Ljg5OTkgMCAxMS43NTE4IDAgNy45OTk5OUMwIDMuNTgxNzMgMy41ODE3MyAwIDcuOTk5OTkgMFoiIGZpbGw9IiM0MzQ5NjAiLz4KPC9nPgo8ZGVmcz4KPGNsaXBQYXRoIGlkPSJjbGlwMF8zNDNfMTAxNiI+CjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxNiIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxNiIgZmlsbD0id2hpdGUiLz4KPC9jbGlwUGF0aD4KPC9kZWZzPgo8L3N2Zz4K) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** FAQs --- ### [EPA FAQ: How do these proposed regulations differ from the current hazardous waste generator regulations?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-proposed-regulations-differ-current-hazardous-waste-generator-regulations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). --- ## Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule **Question:** How do these proposed regulations differ from the current hazardous waste generator regulations? **Answer:** Under current requirements any facility that generates hazardous pharmaceutical waste is subject to the RCRA hazardous waste generator regulations. These regulations vary depending on the total amount and type of hazardous waste generated at the site in a calendar month. Many healthcare facilities are considered large quantity generators (LQGs) because they generate more than 1 kilogram (kg) of acute hazardous waste per month. Under the proposed management standards, generators of hazardous pharmaceutical wastes will manage their hazardous waste pharmaceuticals under subpart P of part 266 in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), instead of the standard RCRA generator regulations found in part 262. Compared to the hazardous waste generator regulations, healthcare facilities operating under the new standards will have the following benefits: 1. A healthcare facility will not become a LQG, with all the associated requirements, when it generates more than 1 kg of acute hazardous waste pharmaceuticals in a month; 2. A healthcare facility will not have to comply with the satellite accumulation area regulations, which are a poor fit for healthcare facilities; 3. The facility will not need to specify hazardous waste codes on manifests; 4. The facility will be able to accumulate hazardous waste pharmaceuticals on site without a RCRA permit for 365 days, an increase of 275 days over the current generator regulations; and 5. The facility will have basic training requirements. Additionally, the proposed standards are tailored to how pharmaceutical reverse distributors operate and will replace the standard generator regulations for the accumulation and management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals at pharmaceutical reverse distributors. --- This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** FAQs --- ### [EPA FAQ: Why do hazardous waste pharmaceuticals need new management standards?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-need-new-management-standards/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). --- ## Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule **Question:** Why do hazardous waste pharmaceuticals need new management standards? **Answer:** Healthcare workers and retail pharmacy employees are often unfamiliar with or confused by RCRA hazardous waste management requirements, prompting them to dispose of hazardous pharmaceuticals as municipal waste or medical waste. This proposed rule would streamline the current regulations governing these wastes, ensuring that larger quantities of hazardous pharmaceutical wastes are managed properly. Additionally, the rule proposes a tailored set of management standards specifically designed to reduce the complexity of the RCRA hazardous waste regulations for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. It streamlines the collection and handling requirements for widely-dispersed hazardous wastes and facilitates their inclusion in the hazardous waste management system. If this proposal is finalized, EPA expects that management of hazardous waste pharmaceutical would improve and the regulatory burden for many hazardous waste pharmaceutical generators would decrease. This proposal provides a solution to many of the issues facing healthcare facilities. By proposing a convenient and practical system for the management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals that is easy to comply with, EPA will encourage healthcare facilities to manage all of their pharmaceutical waste – non-hazardous and hazardous – under the rule when finalized. --- This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** FAQs --- ### [EPA FAQ: Why is management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals difficult under the RCRA subtitle C hazardous waste generator regulations?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-management-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-difficult-rcra-subtitle-c-hazardous-waste-generator-regulations/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). --- ## Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule **Question:** Why is management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals difficult under the RCRA subtitle C hazardous waste generator regulations? **Answer**: Hazardous waste generation and management practices at healthcare facilities differ from practices of industrial hazardous waste generators in several ways that make the application of RCRA subtitle C hazardous waste regulations difficult. Pharmaceutical waste is typically generated at a large number of points in relatively small quantities across a facility, such as at nursing stations, pharmacies and patient, emergency and operating rooms. Furthermore, generators of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals tend to generate hundreds of different types of pharmaceutical waste while, in contrast, many industrial generators tend to generate only a few predictable waste streams in large quantities at relatively few generation points. Some of the difficulties that generators of hazardous pharmaceutical wastes have expressed concerning the current hazardous waste generator regulations relate to making the waste determination, generator status upgrade due to generation of acutely hazardous waste, hazardous waste listings, and accumulation time limits. --- This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** FAQs --- ### [EPA FAQ: Which pharmaceuticals are considered hazardous waste?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-pharmaceuticals-considered-hazardous-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). --- ## Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule **Question:** Which pharmaceuticals are considered hazardous waste? **Answer:** As thousands of over-the-counter and prescription drugs are currently approved for sale in the United States, it is difficult to provide a precise number of pharmaceuticals that are considered hazardous waste. However, as with any other waste, a solid waste is considered hazardous waste if it meets a listing or exhibits a characteristic described in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 261. There are approximately 30 commercial chemical products listed on the P and U hazardous waste lists that have pharmaceutical uses. As the P and U lists are based on chemical designations, this number does not completely represent the total number of brand name pharmaceuticals that may actually be listed hazardous wastes. For example, the following chemotherapy drugs, CTX, Cytotoxan, Neosar and Procytox, are all designated as a U058 hazardous waste for cyclophosamide. In addition, waste pharmaceuticals may also be hazardous because they exhibit one or more of the four characteristics of hazardous waste: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity. For example, solutions containing more than 24 percent alcohol exhibit the ignitability characteristic. Pharmaceuticals exhibiting the corrosivity characteristic are generally limited to compounding chemicals, including strong acids, such as glacial acetic acid, and strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide. Depending on the concentration in different pharmaceutical preparations, pharmaceuticals may also exhibit the toxicity characteristic because of the use of arsenic (D004), barium (D005), cadmium (D006), chloroform (D022), chromium (D007), lindane (D013), m-cresol (D024), mercury (D009), selenium (D010), and silver (D011). For more assistance determining which pharmaceuticals may be hazardous waste, see the [Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Wiki](http://hwpharms.wikispaces.com/). --- This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** FAQs --- ### [EPA FAQ: What is the definition of pharmaceutical under the proposed rule?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-definition-pharmaceutical-proposed-rule/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). --- ## Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule **Question:** What is the definition of pharmaceutical under the proposed rule? **Answer:** The proposed definition of pharmaceutical is “any chemical or biological product that is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, care, treatment, or prevention of disease or injury of a human or other animal; or any chemical or biological product that is intended to affect the structure or function of the body of a human or other animal. This definition includes, but is not limited to: dietary supplements as defined by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, residues of pharmaceuticals remaining in containers, personal protective equipment contaminated with pharmaceuticals, and clean-up material from spills of pharmaceuticals.” EPA believes a broad definition of pharmaceutical will benefit the healthcare sector, which has struggled with complying with the industry-oriented framework of the RCRA regulations. --- This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** FAQs --- ### [EPA FAQ: What is the definition of healthcare facility under the proposed rule and what is a pharmaceutical reverse distributor?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-definition-healthcare-facility-proposed-rule-pharmaceutical-reverse-distributor/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). --- ## Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule **Question:** What is the definition of healthcare facility under the proposed rule and what is a pharmaceutical reverse distributor? **Answer:** EPA is proposing healthcare facility to mean any person that: 1. provides preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, maintenance or palliative care, and counseling, service, assessment or procedure with respect to the physical or mental condition, or functional status, of a human or animal or that affects the structure or function of the human or animal body; or 2. sells or dispenses over-the-counter or prescription pharmaceuticals. This definition includes, but is not limited to, healthcare facilities include hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, health clinics, physicians’ offices, optical and dental providers, chiropractors, long-term care facilities, ambulance services, coroners and medical examiners, pharmacies, long-term care pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, retailers of over-the-counter medications; and veterinary clinics and hospitals. Pharmaceutical reverse distributors are entities that help healthcare facilities calculate and receive credit from pharmaceutical manufacturers when healthcare facilities have unused pharmaceuticals that they no longer need. Reverse distributors generally have contracts with healthcare facilities to help the healthcare facility manage its unused and sometimes expired waste pharmaceuticals. Healthcare facilities send their unused pharmaceuticals to a reverse distributor they have a contract with and the reverse distributor reviews the unused pharmaceuticals received and works with the pharmaceutical manufacturer to facilitate providing manufacturer credit back to the healthcare facility. Then the pharmaceutical reverse distributor sends the waste pharmaceuticals for disposal. --- This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** FAQs --- ### [EPA FAQ: Who is affected by this rulemaking?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-affected-rulemaking/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). --- ## Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule **Question:** Who is affected by this rulemaking? **Answer:** Healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical reverse distributors that generate and manage hazardous waste pharmaceuticals will follow these new, tailored standards for managing their hazardous waste pharmaceuticals instead of the industry-oriented hazardous waste generator regulations. This rule does not apply to pharmaceutical manufacturing, production facilities or other generators of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. --- This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** FAQs --- ### [EPA FAQ: Why is EPA proposing management standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-epa-proposing-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). --- ## Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule **Question:** Why is EPA proposing management standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals? **Answer:** EPA has two primary reasons for this proposal. First, to address concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the difficulty in implementing the industry-oriented Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste regulations for the management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals generated at healthcare facilities and managed at pharmaceutical reverse distributors. This rule proposes to revise and tailor the hazardous waste regulations to improve the management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals by the healthcare sector and thereby enhance protection of human health and the environment. Second, a number of studies have documented the presence of various pharmaceutical active ingredients and metabolic by-products in surface waters and groundwater in the United States. The pharmaceuticals entering the environment, through flushing or other means, are having a negative effect on aquatic ecosystems and on fish and animal populations. These findings highlight the increasing importance of pharmaceutical use and management, leading EPA to propose changes to the hazardous waste management standards for pharmaceuticals. --- This content, [Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed), first appeared on [www.epa.gov](https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/frequent-questions-about-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-proposed). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** FAQs --- ### [A Strong Culture of Safety Begins With Leadership](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/02/strong-culture-safety-begins-leadership/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** ###### Published: March 2, 2017 This post, [A Strong Culture of Safety Begins With Leadership](http://www.outpatientsurgery.net/surgical-facility-administration/patient-safety/a-strong-culture-of-safety-begins-with-leadership--03-02-17), first appeared on [www.outpatientsurgery.net](http://www.outpatientsurgery.net/surgical-facility-administration/patient-safety/a-strong-culture-of-safety-begins-with-leadership--03-02-17). --- Healthcare leaders who fail to promote and support safety protocols within their facilities are at least partially to blame for such adverse events as wrong-site surgery and delays in treatment, according to a Sentinel Event Alert released by The Joint Commission. “A strong culture of safety begins with leadership — their behaviors and actions set the bar,” says Ana Pujols McKee, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer at The Joint Commission. “I urge all healthcare leaders to make safety culture a top priority.” The alert outlines [11 steps to creating a culture of safety](https://www.jointcommission.org/sea_issue_57/). How many are in place at your facility? 1. **Build trust** Encourage staff members to voluntarily report and learn from adverse events and close calls. 2. **Define accountability** Make sure staff members understand the difference between human errors that are blameworthy and mistakes that result from system breakdowns. 3. **Collaborate Promote** behaviors that demonstrate respect in interactions, activities and programs aimed at improving the safety culture. 4. **Communicate** Team members must understand the policies that support safety culture and the importance of reporting adverse events, close calls and unsafe conditions. 5. **Celebrate safety champions** Recognize staff members who identify unsafe conditions or make suggestions for improving patient safety. 6. **Set a baseline** Assess your current safety culture and protocols in order to measure the effectiveness of future quality improvements. 7. **Drill down** Find improvement opportunities and successful solutions by surveying frontline staff in every department and unit of the facility. 8. **Create change** Develop unit- and department-specific quality improvement initiatives to improve the safety culture across the facility. 9. **Strengthen safety systems** Training based on evidence-based frameworks enhances the performance of teams in the high-stress, high-risk OR environment. 10. **Be proactive** Review existing systems and protocols for safety-related vulnerabilities and prioritize them for process improvement. 11. **Review and respond** Conduct drills every 18 to 24 months to assess the facility’s safety culture and to sustain process improvements. The Joint Commission says healthcare leaders who are truly committed to protecting patients ensure elements of a safety-conscious work environment are visible on a daily basis and allocate facility resources to supporting safety-related protocols. They also promote a just culture, which encourages and even rewards the reporting of errors and near misses, and drill down to the root causes of breaches in safe patient care in order to make improvements based on the lessons learned. --- This post, [A Strong Culture of Safety Begins With Leadership](http://www.outpatientsurgery.net/surgical-facility-administration/patient-safety/a-strong-culture-of-safety-begins-with-leadership--03-02-17), first appeared on [www.outpatientsurgery.net](http://www.outpatientsurgery.net/surgical-facility-administration/patient-safety/a-strong-culture-of-safety-begins-with-leadership--03-02-17). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/87d49d9d52cade7dbf017851b41534bfebaf8a2edc8c930703e933e661144491?s=300&d=mm&r=g) [See Full Bio](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ](https://wastemedic.com/author/wastemedicadmin/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,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) ](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC/) [ ![social network icon](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTYiIGhlaWdodD0iMTYiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxNiAxNiIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj4KPHBhdGggZD0iTTEyLjIxNzUgMS4yNjkyOUgxNC40NjY1TDkuNTUzMSA2Ljg4NDk1TDE1LjMzMzMgMTQuNTI2NkgxMC44MDc1TDcuMjYyNjUgOS44OTE5OEwzLjIwNjU5IDE0LjUyNjZIMC45NTYyNDdMNi4yMTE1OCA4LjUyMDAyTDAuNjY2NjI2IDEuMjY5MjlINS4zMDczN0w4LjUxMTU2IDUuNTA1NTFMMTIuMjE3NSAxLjI2OTI5Wk0xMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVIMTIuNjc0NEw0LjYzMDIyIDIuNTQ0NzFIMy4yOTI5M0wxMS40MjgyIDEzLjE4MDVaIiBmaWxsPSIjNDM0OTYwIi8+Cjwvc3ZnPgo=) ](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC) **Categories:** Safety & Compliance --- ## Pages ### [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Waste Medic provides compliant, reliable medical waste disposal for clinics, dental offices, long-term care facilities, and more across the Southeastern United States. We specialize in biohazardous waste, sharps, pharmaceutical waste, and trace chemotherapy disposal—offering personalized service without long-term contracts. **Content:** - # Trusted Medical Waste Disposal At Waste Medic, we manage every aspect of regulated medical waste disposal—safely, compliantly, and without locking you into long-term contracts—so your team can stay focused on what matters most: delivering patient care, advancing research, or running your facility with confidence. As a locally based partner, we’re proud to support healthcare professionals with dependable service and personalized support you can trust. [Play](#) [Pause](#) [Unmute](#) [Mute](#) Scroll to Content ## Regulated Waste Disposal Service You Can Count On At Waste Medic, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We work closely with your team to design a waste management plan tailored to your facility—and we’re ready to adjust when your needs change. Whether it’s an unscheduled pickup or a shift in volume, you can count on timely, reliable service from a team that knows your operation. Proudly serving the Southeastern United States, we build real relationships with every client. You’ll know your driver by name, and we’ll know your workflow—delivering consistent, attentive service that keeps your team safe and compliant. [ More about us ](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) ## Specialized Medical Waste Services Our comprehensive range of medical waste disposal services is designed to meet the specific needs of your healthcare facility, ensuring compliance, safety, and efficiency every step of the way. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/) ### [ Biohazardous Waste ](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/) Healthcare regulations around biohazardous waste are strict—and for good reason. Waste Medic ensures your facility remains compliant with all laws while protecting your staff, patients, and the environment. With us, there are no hidden costs—just dependable service when you need it. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) ### [ Medical Sharps Waste ](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) Safety and simplicity are essential for sharps waste. At Waste Medic, we offer safe, responsible, and cost-effective disposal solutions tailored to your facility’s specific needs. Our reliable service allows you to focus on delivering exceptional care to your patients. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-waste/) ### [ Pharmaceutical Waste ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-waste/) Handling pharmaceutical waste can feel overwhelming, but Waste Medic makes it manageable. We collaborate with your team to ensure proper segregation and compliant disposal, giving you peace of mind that your facility is operating efficiently and safely. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy/) ### [ Trace Chemotherapy Waste ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy/) As one of the most hazardous types of medical waste, trace chemotherapy waste requires specialized disposal. Waste Medic provides tailored transportation and disposal solutions that guarantee compliance and protect the safety of your facility. ## News & education within the industry [ ![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-345x192.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [ ![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-345x192.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare… [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [ ![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-345x192.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [ ![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-345x192.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [ ![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-345x192.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [ ![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-345x192.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [ READ MORE ](https://wastemedic.com/news/) ## Let’s Talk About Your Waste Management Needs Looking for dependable medical waste management backed by personalized service? Contact Waste Medic today for a no-obligation quote and discover how we help healthcare facilities stay safe, compliant, and confidently supported—without the pressure of long-term contracts. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Headquartered in Nashville --- ### [About Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Learn how Waste Medic became a trusted medical waste disposal company by delivering reliable, compliant, and personalized service to healthcare facilities of all sizes. **Content:** - # Trusted Healthcare Partners Waste Medic provides reliable, compliant medical waste management services across the Southeastern United States. Our growth is rooted in relationships, and our mission is simple: deliver safe, straightforward, responsive service that healthcare providers can count on. Scroll to Content ## WHO WE ARE At Waste Medic, we understand the demands placed on today’s healthcare facilities—tight budgets, regulatory pressure, and the need to protect both staff and patients every single day. That’s why we’ve built our company around a simple promise: to provide dependable medical waste services backed by responsive support and total transparency. From small clinics to large healthcare systems, we partner with providers to ensure their waste is handled safely, securely, and in full compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions or long-term contracts. Instead, we offer customized programs that match your workflow and your priorities—with pricing that’s fair, clear, and consistent. Waste Medic was founded on the belief that medical waste disposal should be one less thing for healthcare providers to worry about. And that belief still guides everything we do today. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## OUR SERVICE AREA Waste Medic proudly serves healthcare facilities across the Southeastern United States with dependable, regulation-ready waste disposal services. From major hospitals to local clinics, our team delivers responsive support and consistent service tailored to your needs. Explore the map to see where we’re making a difference near you. ## What We Stand For Our approach is built on more than just compliance—we’re here to make medical waste management easier, safer, and more dependable for healthcare teams across the Southeast. We don’t just serve clients; we build long-term partnerships based on trust, accountability, and consistent support. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/) ### [ Reliable Pick-Ups ](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/) We operate our own fleet to ensure consistent pickup schedules you can depend on—because in healthcare, timing matters. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) ### [ Local Service You Can Count On ](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) As a regional provider headquartered in Nashville, we’re close by when you need us. Our team understands the communities we serve and responds quickly to support your facility. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) ### [ Regulatory Confidence ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) Our team is trained to meet the latest EPA, OSHA, DOT, and DEA guidelines—giving you peace of mind that every container is handled correctly. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) ### [ No Hidden Fees or Contracts ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) We keep pricing transparent and straightforward. No surprise charges. No long-term commitments. Just the service you need—when you need it. ## News & education within the industry [ ![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-345x192.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [ ![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-345x192.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare… [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [ ![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-345x192.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [ ![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-345x192.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [ ![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-345x192.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [ ![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-345x192.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [ READ MORE ](https://wastemedic.com/news/) ## Expert Advisory & Cost Management Services Is your current provider locking you into a long-term contract or hitting you with unexpected fees? Waste Medic offers independent consulting services to help you evaluate your existing waste management setup and uncover opportunities to reduce unnecessary expenses. Our experts will assess your organizational needs and compliance gaps, identify realistic cost-saving strategies, and assist with negotiating or terminating restrictive contracts. We work with you to create a sustainable, compliant waste management plan tailored to your operations. Our mission is to protect both your team and your budget—without ever compromising on service or safety. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Headquartered in Nashville --- ### [Sustainability](https://wastemedic.com/sustainability/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Discover Waste Medic’s commitment to sustainable medical waste disposal through reusable containers, responsible incineration, and efficient routing—all designed to support healthcare and the environment. **Content:** - # Sustainability for Healthcare At Waste Medic, sustainability isn’t a buzzword—it’s a commitment. From responsible disposal methods to reducing landfill waste and supporting cleaner communities, we help healthcare facilities meet their environmental goals without compromising compliance or service. Scroll to Content ## A Smarter, Cleaner Approach to Medical Waste The healthcare industry plays a vital role in public health—but it also generates a significant volume of regulated waste. At Waste Medic, we believe it’s our responsibility to support both safety and sustainability through smarter practices and better technology. Our services are designed to help facilities reduce their environmental impact without adding complexity or risk. By focusing on compliant disposal, responsible routing, and container reuse where appropriate, we help lower waste volumes while maintaining the highest safety standards. Whether you’re working toward sustainability benchmarks or simply want to do better for your community, Waste Medic is the partner that helps you get there—safely, responsibly, and transparently. [ Contact Us ](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) ## Sustainability in Action Here’s how our everyday practices contribute to a healthier environment: [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/) ### [ Reusable Container Programs ](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/) We offer reusable sharps and chemo containers that reduce single-use plastic waste and lower your environmental footprint—without increasing your risk. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) ### [ Responsible Waste Incineration ](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) Our waste is directed to licensed incineration facilities that meet strict environmental and emissions standards, minimizing landfill use and ensuring proper treatment of hazardous materials. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) ### [ Efficient Route Planning ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) With our owned fleet and optimized routing, we reduce unnecessary fuel usage and emissions while maintaining timely service across the Southeast. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) ### [ Regulatory Support ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) Our compliance training and consulting services help facilities correctly segregate waste, which minimizes contamination, avoids overclassification, and lowers total waste volume. ## News & education within the industry [ ![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-345x192.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [ ![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-345x192.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare… [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [ ![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-345x192.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [ ![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-345x192.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [ ![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-345x192.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [ ![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-345x192.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [ READ MORE ](https://wastemedic.com/news/) ## Partnering for a Greener Future in Healthcare Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s an expectation. Healthcare organizations across the country are adopting ESG goals, evaluating vendor sustainability practices, and looking for partners that align with their values. Waste Medic is proud to play a part in helping our clients reduce environmental impact while maintaining safety and compliance. From container selection to routing, disposal, and staff education, sustainability is built into how we operate—because responsible waste management is good for business and better for everyone. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Headquartered in Nashville --- ### [Temperature Monitoring](https://wastemedic.com/consultation-training/temperature-monitoring/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Explore how Waste Medic helps your facility maintain safe, compliant cold storage through temperature monitoring tools, training, and support. **Content:** - # Temperature Monitoring From vaccine storage to refrigerated waste containment, temperature monitoring is critical to compliance and patient protection. Waste Medic helps healthcare facilities track and maintain required temperatures with tools and training that support safer operations. Scroll to Content ## Precision Matters in Cold Storage Compliance Improper storage temperatures can compromise everything from medication potency to safe handling of regulated waste. Inconsistent or unverified temperature logs can also trigger penalties during inspections or audits. That’s why it’s essential to have a reliable monitoring strategy in place. Our team helps ensure your refrigeration units and storage areas are properly monitored, whether you’re tracking vaccine temperatures or maintaining cold storage for certain types of medical waste. Through training and tools, we support your efforts to protect your patients, your staff, and your compliance record. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Meet Standards & Reduce Risk Temperature monitoring is more than checking a display—it’s about having reliable systems, clear documentation, and trained staff who know what to do if something goes wrong. Waste Medic gives your facility the support it needs to meet compliance expectations with confidence. ### Implementation We guide your team in setting up clear temperature monitoring protocols that align with CDC, OSHA, and FDA requirements. ### Training & Documentation From daily logs to excursion response plans, we help ensure your staff is trained and your documentation is ready for review. ### System Recommendations Whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading equipment, we offer guidance on selecting and integrating the right monitoring tools. ### Ongoing Review & Support We assist with interpreting logs, identifying potential risks, and updating procedures as regulations evolve or needs change. ## News & education within the industry [ ![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-345x192.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [ ![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-345x192.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare… [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [ ![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-345x192.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [ ![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-345x192.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [ ![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-345x192.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [ ![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-345x192.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [ READ MORE ](https://wastemedic.com/news/) ## BUILT INTO YOUR COMPLIANCE PLAN Temperature monitoring is a vital piece of your facility’s overall safety and compliance strategy. Whether you’re just getting started or refining an existing plan, Waste Medic can help you incorporate temperature control into your training and daily operations—with documentation that stands up to scrutiny. [ Contact Waste Medic ](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) ## Headquartered in Nashville --- ### [Medical Sharps Waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Protect staff and patients with Waste Medic’s compliant sharps disposal services, including safe collection, transport, and environmentally responsible treatment. **Content:** - # Safe Sharps Disposal for Every Facility From clinics to long-term care facilities, Waste Medic provides secure sharps waste solutions that protect your staff and your patients. Our services ensure proper handling, pickup, and disposal of used needles, syringes, and sharps—without locking you into a long-term contract. Scroll to Content ## Protection from the Risks of Sharps Injuries Sharps disposal is one of the most critical components of medical waste management. Needlestick injuries and sharps-related incidents expose staff and waste handlers to serious bloodborne pathogens, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Without proper disposal protocols, even a single misplaced needle can pose a major risk. At Waste Medic, we work with your team to ensure that used sharps are collected, secured, and transported in full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. We provide durable, puncture-resistant containers in a range of sizes—and we manage the safe removal and disposal of filled containers through dependable pickups you can count on. Whether you’re a small clinic or a large hospital system, our goal is to minimize risk, support compliance, and provide the responsive service that builds lasting trust. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Sharps We Safely Manage Sharps include any item that can pierce the skin and may have been exposed to blood or bodily fluids. Waste Medic provides compliant collection and disposal for all common medical and laboratory sharps. ### Needles & Syringes Used in everyday patient care, these are some of the most common sharps and must be collected in puncture-resistant containers for safe disposal. ### Pipettes & Capillary Tubes Often used in labs, these fragile items can break easily and pose a serious risk of puncture and exposure. ### Dental Instruments & Wires Orthodontic wires, root canal files, and other dental sharps require careful handling and disposal to ensure safety and compliance. ### Scalpels & Lancets Single-use sharps from surgical or blood collection procedures are treated as high-risk items and disposed of according to strict regulations. ## News & education within the industry [ ![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-345x192.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [ ![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-345x192.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare… [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [ ![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-345x192.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [ ![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-345x192.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [ ![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-345x192.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [ ![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-345x192.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [ READ MORE ](https://wastemedic.com/news/) ## Trusted by Healthcare Providers Across the Southeast From dental offices to surgical centers, Waste Medic helps facilities across the Southeastern United States manage sharps waste safely and efficiently. With thousands of healthcare clients in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee, we understand the unique needs of healthcare providers in our region. Our team is committed to clear communication, timely pickups, and proactive support—so you can focus on patient care while we handle compliance behind the scenes. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Headquartered in Nashville --- ### [Pharmaceutical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Waste Medic simplifies pharmaceutical waste disposal with compliant, secure solutions to help healthcare providers manage expired or unused medications safely. **Content:** - # Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal From expired medications to partially used doses, Waste Medic helps healthcare facilities manage pharmaceutical waste with confidence. Our team ensures proper segregation, containment, and disposal—without the burden of long-term contracts or confusing service terms. Scroll to Content ## Simplifying a Complex Waste Stream As a healthcare organization, navigating pharmaceutical waste regulations can be a challenge. From controlled substances to hazardous materials, every medication must be evaluated, segregated, and disposed of correctly—or risk costly fines and compliance issues. At Waste Medic, we take the headache out of the process. Our experts analyze your pharmaceutical waste stream, ensure proper classification, and design a disposal program that meets the needs of your facility. Whether you’re a small clinic or a large system, we help you manage pharmaceutical waste in a compliant, efficient, and cost-effective way. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Types of Pharmaceutical Waste We Handle Waste Medic provides end-to-end support for the compliant collection, transportation, and disposal of a wide range of pharmaceutical waste materials, ensuring your facility meets all applicable federal, state, and local regulations while maintaining a safe environment for staff and patients. ### Expired Medications We handle the secure disposal of outdated prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs no longer safe for patient use. ### Partially Used or Leftover Doses From medication vials and IV bags to unit-dose syringes, we help prevent improper disposal and diversion risks. ### Transportation & Collection Safe, compliant transportation and collection of pharmaceutical waste is critical to protecting people, property, and the environment. ### Contaminated Items & Spill Cleanup Materials Gloves, packaging, and other materials exposed to pharmaceuticals are handled according to facility protocols and disposal best practices. ## News & education within the industry [ ![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-345x192.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [ ![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-345x192.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare… [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [ ![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-345x192.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [ ![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-345x192.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [ ![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-345x192.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [ ![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-345x192.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [ READ MORE ](https://wastemedic.com/news/) ## [REFRIGERATION THAT SUPPORTS COMPLIANCE & SAFETY](https://wastemedic.com/2025/01/31/ensuring-compliance-safety-temperature-monitoring-for-medical-food-storage/) Temperature-sensitive items like vaccines, medications, and certain specimens require precise cold storage to remain safe and effective. Waste Medic’s medical refrigeration services help healthcare facilities maintain regulatory compliance by providing reliable equipment and temperature monitoring solutions. Whether for pharmaceuticals or refrigerated waste, our services are designed to minimize risk, support patient safety, and protect your reputation with consistent, documented temperature control. [ Learn More ](https://wastemedic.com/2025/01/31/ensuring-compliance-safety-temperature-monitoring-for-medical-food-storage/) ## Headquartered in Nashville --- ### [Trace Chemotherapy](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Waste Medic provides specialized trace chemotherapy waste disposal services to ensure safe, compliant handling of materials contaminated by cytotoxic agents. **Content:** - # Trace Chemotherapy Waste Waste Medic provides compliant, efficient disposal solutions for trace chemotherapy waste—supporting safety, proper segregation, and environmental responsibility without long-term contracts or hidden costs. Scroll to Content ## Supporting Compliant Chemo Waste Management Chemotherapy treatments generate some of the most hazardous waste in healthcare. Even trace amounts of cytotoxic drugs can pose serious risks to staff and the environment, which is why proper disposal is not just best practice—it’s required by law. Trace chemotherapy waste includes items that have come into contact with chemotherapy agents but are not fully saturated or bulk contaminated. This includes IV tubing, infusion bags, vials, syringes, and PPE used during preparation or administration. Because these items may still carry residual hazardous material, they must be handled and disposed of according to EPA, DOT, and state-specific regulations. Waste Medic provides a clear, compliant path forward. We offer customized waste segregation solutions, including color-coded containers and correctly labeled collectors, to help your staff properly isolate trace chemo waste from other streams. Our goal is to make chemotherapy waste management as straightforward and risk-free as possible—so your team can focus on patient care. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Solutions That Fit Your Facility Every facility is different—and so are your chemotherapy waste disposal needs. Waste Medic offers customized solutions to help you stay compliant, organized, and efficient at every stage of the waste management process. ### Specialized Containers We provide single-use and reusable chemotherapy containers in a variety of sizes to accommodate both high- and low-volume facilities. Our containers meet DOT and EPA standards and are designed for safe, leak-resistant storage. ### Color-Coded Segregation To prevent cross-contamination and ensure proper disposal, we supply clearly labeled containers with yellow lids specifically for trace chemotherapy waste. This visual distinction supports easy compliance in busy environments. ### Scheduled, Compliant Pickups Our team handles timely collection and transportation of trace chemotherapy waste to certified incineration facilities. With Waste Medic, you never have to worry about missed pickups or regulatory gaps. ### Training & Support We work alongside your staff to train, educate, and guide them through best practices for chemotherapy waste segregation and disposal. Our experts are available to answer questions and help ensure full regulatory compliance. ## News & education within the industry [ ![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-345x192.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [ ![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-345x192.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare… [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [ ![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-345x192.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [ ![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-345x192.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [ ![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-345x192.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [ ![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-345x192.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [ READ MORE ](https://wastemedic.com/news/) ## [Serving Oncology & Specialty Care Across the Southeast](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) Waste Medic proudly supports healthcare facilities in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Our team understands the regulatory landscape—and delivers trace chemotherapy waste services that protect your people, your facility, and your reputation. [ Contact Us ](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) ## Headquartered in Nashville --- ### [Biohazardous Waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Waste Medic provides reliable and compliant biohazardous waste disposal services to protect your staff, patients, and community from harmful exposure and contamination. **Content:** - # Biohazardous Waste Disposal At Waste Medic, we help healthcare organizations safely manage biohazardous waste with dependable service, regulatory expertise, and no long-term contracts. Our experienced team ensures compliant handling, timely pickups, and personalized support that protects your people and your peace of mind. Scroll to Content ## Expert Handling of Regulated Medical Waste Biohazardous waste isn’t just a regulatory challenge—it’s a serious responsibility. Whether it’s blood-soaked gauze, surgical specimens, or contaminated lab cultures, these materials must be handled with precision and care to prevent exposure, protect public health, and meet strict compliance standards. Waste Medic provides tailored, regulation-ready disposal services that support your facility’s safety protocols and operational needs. Our experts work alongside your team to assess risks, develop efficient collection strategies, and ensure every container is handled and treated according to state and federal regulations. We make it simple to stay compliant—while keeping your staff and patients safe. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Types of Biohazardous Waste We Manage Each category of biohazardous waste requires careful identification, containment, and disposal. Waste Medic ensures every waste stream is managed according to strict regulatory standards to help your facility stay safe and compliant. ### Cultures & Stocks These include specimen cultures, discarded vaccines, and materials used to handle infectious agents. Waste Medic ensures these high-risk materials are safely packaged, transported, and treated to prevent the spread of disease. ### Human Blood & Blood Products Any item soaked in or contaminated with human blood—such as gauze, tubing, or blood bags—must be disposed of properly. Our team provides containers and collection protocols that meet all OSHA and state requirements. ### Pathological Waste Tissues, organs, and body parts removed during surgery or autopsy must be handled with precision. Waste Medic manages the secure transport and disposal of these sensitive materials in full regulatory compliance. ### Contaminated Sharps Sharps that have come into contact with infectious material present a dual hazard. We provide puncture-resistant containers and ensure proper segregation and disposal of all contaminated sharps. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) ### [ Isolation Waste ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) Waste from patients with communicable diseases requires special handling to prevent transmission. Waste Medic follows CDC and state guidelines to collect and dispose of isolation waste safely and efficiently. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) ### [ Laboratory Waste ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) Items like gloves, gowns, pipettes, and absorbent pads used in diagnostic or research settings often contain infectious material. We help ensure these items are collected and disposed of according to your facility’s risk level and workflow. ## News & education within the industry [ ![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-345x192.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [ ![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-345x192.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare… [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [ ![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-345x192.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [ ![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-345x192.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [ ![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-345x192.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [ ![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-345x192.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [ READ MORE ](https://wastemedic.com/news/) ## Dependability That Goes Beyond the Usual Route Waste Medic doesn’t just promise reliable service—we deliver it. Because we operate our own fleet, we can respond quickly to scheduling changes or emergency needs. But we go a step further: we also have a network of vetted, trained haulers on standby. If your regular route is ever impacted by weather, demand spikes, or unexpected delays, we’ll deploy a certified hauler immediately to keep your facility running smoothly. No missed pickups. No compliance concerns. Just the peace of mind that your waste is always handled safely and on time. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Headquartered in Nashville --- ### [Quote Request](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Looking for reliable, affordable medical waste services? Request a medical waste disposal quote from Waste Medic and see how easy compliance can be. **Content:** Request A Quote from Waste MedicComplete the form below to request a no-obligation quote tailored to your facility’s needs. A member of our team will review your request and reach out promptly with transparent pricing—no long-term contracts, no hidden fees, just dependable service you can trust. Name \* First Last \* Last Business or Organization \* Website URL \* Email \* Phone \* What services are you intersted in? \* Biohazardous Waste DisposalSharps DisposalPharmaceutical DisposalTrace Chemotherapy DisposalRefrigeration MonitoringCompliance Consulting & Training What services are you intersted in? Are you currently under contract for biohazardous waste disposal services? \* Yes No Quickly summarize your service request. \* Submit If you are human, leave this field blank. --- ### [Contact Us](https://wastemedic.com/contact/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Get in touch with Waste Medic for responsive support, scheduling help, or a custom quote. We’re here to make medical waste compliance simple, safe, and stress-free. **Content:** - # Contact Waste Medic Whether you have a question, need support, or want to explore services, our team is here and ready to help. At Waste Medic, responsive, local service starts with a conversation. Scroll to Content ## Get in Touch with Our Team We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re looking to streamline your medical waste disposal, ensure compliance across your facility, or simply ask a question about our services, we’re here to support you. Our customer service team is available to assist with scheduling, service updates, or account questions. And if you’re a new facility exploring options, we’re happy to walk you through what partnering with Waste Medic looks like—no pressure, no obligations. ### Nashville Office 4800 Charlotte Pike Nashville, TN 37209 877.906.5558 Service 888.385.1782 Fax [info@wastemedic.com](info@wastemedic.com) ### Madison Office 125-A Watford Parkway Drive Canton, MS 39046 877.906.5558 Service 888.385.1782 Fax [info@wastemedic.com](info@wastemedic.com) ## Our Leadership Team ![](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mark-Evans_Waste-Medic_2025.jpg "Mark-Evans_Waste-Medic_2025 - Waste Medic - Waste Medic") ## Mark Evans, CEO **Nashville, Tennessee** 877.906.5558 m.evans@wastemedic.com [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfevans/)[](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC)[](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC)[](https://www.instagram.com/wastemedic/) ![](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/drew.jpg "drew - Waste Medic - Waste Medic") ## Drew Evans, COO **Nashville, Tennessee** 877.906.5558 d.evans@wastemedic.com [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-evans-85263027/)[](https://www.facebook.com/WasteMedicLLC)[](https://twitter.com/WasteMedicLLC)[](https://www.instagram.com/wastemedic/) ## Looking for Pricing? If you’re ready to see how Waste Medic can support your facility with compliant, cost-effective medical waste solutions, simply fill out a quote request. You’ll get a quick, no-obligation estimate based on your unique needs—without any long-term contracts or hidden fees. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## News & education within the industry [ ![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-345x192.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [ ![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-345x192.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare… [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [ ![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-345x192.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [ ![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-345x192.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [ ![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-345x192.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [ ![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-345x192.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [ READ MORE ](https://wastemedic.com/news/) ## Headquartered in Nashville --- ### [Driver Application](https://wastemedic.com/driver-application/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Join the Waste Medic team! We’re hiring dependable drivers for medical waste pickup routes. Apply online to start a rewarding and essential career today. **Content:** Driver Application Name \* First Last \* Last Email \* Home Phone Mobile Phone ### Home Address Please ensure that you provide a complete address. If you have lived at your current address for less than three years, you must provide details of all addresses you lived at during the last three years, so that we have your full address history for that period. Address \* Address Address Address City City State/Province State/Province Zip/Postal Zip/Postal Country AfghanistanAland IslandsAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCôte d'IvoireCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuracaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunionRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint BarthelemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Martin (French part)Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint Maarten (Dutch part)SlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabwe Country Previous Address \* Previous Address Previous Address Previous Address City City State/Province State/Province Zip/Postal Zip/Postal Country AfghanistanAland IslandsAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCôte d'IvoireCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuracaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunionRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint BarthelemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Martin (French part)Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint Maarten (Dutch part)SlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabwe Country ### License Information Section 383.21 FMCSR states "No person who operates a commercial motor vehicle shall at any time have more than one driver's license". I certify that I do not have more than one motor vehicle license, the information for which is listed below. State of Issue License Number Type Expiration Date ### Driving History Class of Equipment Straight Truck Tractor & Semi-Trailer Tractor & Two Trailers Has any license, permit or privilege ever been suspended or revoked? \* Yes No Have you ever been denied a license, permit or privilege to operate a motor vehicle? \* Yes No Briefly describe your commercial driving history. \* ### Accident Record Please provide complete details of all motor vehicle accidents during the last three years. Date Accident 1 Number of Injuries Accident 1 Number of Fatalities Accident 1 Chemical Spill NoYes Accident 1 Nature of Accident Accident 1 Date Accident 2 Number of Injuries Accident 2 Number of Fatalities Accident 2 Chemical Spill NoYes Accident 2 Nature of Accident Accident 2 ### Traffic Convictions Please provide complete details of all traffic convictions and forfeitures during the last three years. Do not include parking violations. Date Conviction 1 State Conviction 1 Violation & Penalty Conviction 1 Date Conviction 2 State Conviction 2 Violation & Penalty Conviction 2 ### Attach Resume Applicants that desire to drive in interstate commerce must provide a thorough employment history spanning the last three years. You must provide the following information for all previous employers: company name, complete physical and mailing addresses, phone number, position held, time in position and reason for leaving. Please provide a full employment history in your resume and attach to this form prior to submitting. Applicants who submit this form without proper employment history attached will not be considered. Attach Resume Drop a file here or click to upload Choose FileMaximum file size: 516MB Captcha Submit If you are human, leave this field blank. --- ### [Education Resources](https://wastemedic.com/education/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Explore expert insights on safe medical waste disposal, industry regulations, and environmental best practices. Learn how Waste Medic helps protect healthcare workers and communities. **Content:** [![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-300x200.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic - Waste Medic")](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/)Medical Waste ### [ 5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [ Read More » ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-300x97.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic - Waste Medic")](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/)Medical Waste ### [ The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare waste compliance. [ Read More » ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-300x169.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic - Waste Medic")](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/)Medical Waste ### [ The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [ Read More » ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-300x200.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic - Waste Medic")](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/)Medical Waste ### [ The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [ Read More » ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-300x168.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic - Waste Medic")](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/)Medical Waste ### [ How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [ Read More » ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-300x127.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic - Waste Medic")](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/)Medical Waste ### [ The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [ Read More » ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [![Spring Cleaning in Healthcare: What Your Medical Waste Program Might Be Missing](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_1764159019-300x168.webp "Spring Cleaning in Healthcare: What Your Medical Waste Program Might Be Missing - Waste Medic - Waste Medic")](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/spring-cleaning-in-healthcare-what-your-medical-waste-program-might-be-missing/)Medical Waste ### [ Spring Cleaning in Healthcare: What Your Medical Waste Program Might Be Missing ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/spring-cleaning-in-healthcare-what-your-medical-waste-program-might-be-missing/) Spring is the perfect time to take a closer look at your medical waste program. From sharps containers to staff training and storage conditions, small gaps can create big risks. [ Read More » ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/spring-cleaning-in-healthcare-what-your-medical-waste-program-might-be-missing/) [![Medical Waste Documentation: Why Recordkeeping Matters](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AdobeStock_1397600659-300x134.webp "Medical Waste Documentation: Why Recordkeeping Matters - Waste Medic - Waste Medic")](https://wastemedic.com/2026/03/12/medical-waste-documentation-why-recordkeeping-matters/)Safety & Compliance ### [ Medical Waste Documentation: Why Recordkeeping Matters ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/03/12/medical-waste-documentation-why-recordkeeping-matters/) Proper documentation plays a vital role in medical waste compliance. From manifests to training records, accurate recordkeeping helps healthcare facilities demonstrate accountability and maintain safe waste management practices. [ Read More » ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/03/12/medical-waste-documentation-why-recordkeeping-matters/) [![What Healthcare Inspectors Look for During Medical Waste Compliance Reviews](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AdobeStock_633523073-300x158.webp "What Healthcare Inspectors Look for During Medical Waste Compliance Reviews - Waste Medic - Waste Medic")](https://wastemedic.com/2026/03/12/what-healthcare-inspectors-look-for-during-medical-waste-compliance-reviews/)Medical Waste ### [ What Healthcare Inspectors Look for During Medical Waste Compliance Reviews ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/03/12/what-healthcare-inspectors-look-for-during-medical-waste-compliance-reviews/) Healthcare inspections often focus closely on medical waste handling and storage. Understanding what inspectors evaluate can help facilities strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and maintain safer environments for staff and patients. [ Read More » ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/03/12/what-healthcare-inspectors-look-for-during-medical-waste-compliance-reviews/) Load More --- ### [Compliance Consultation & Training](https://wastemedic.com/consultation-training/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Stay compliant and confident with Waste Medic’s medical waste consultation and compliance training programs—customized for your staff and facility needs. **Content:** - # Consultation & Training Waste Medic supports your facility with expert consulting, OSHA-compliant training, and a powerful online compliance portal—giving your team the tools to stay safe, audit-ready, and fully aligned with regulatory requirements, all in one place. Scroll to Content ## Compliance Support for Safer, Smarter Operations Staying compliant with OSHA and other regulatory requirements is critical—but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Waste Medic gives your facility the tools, training, and expert support needed to maintain a safe, audit-ready workplace. Our powerful [online compliance portal](https://www.compliancepublishing.com/login.php) offers 24/7 access from any device—whether you’re at a desk or on the go. Through this platform, your team can complete required OSHA training modules on topics such as Bloodborne Pathogens, HIPAA, DOT, HazCom, PPE, and more. These resources are designed to keep your staff informed, certified, and aligned with current safety standards. You’ll also have instant access to millions of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS), a built-in Safety Plan Builder for all four OSHA-required plans, and tools to conduct over 75 facility-specific safety audits. Managing injury tracking is simple with integrated OSHA Log 300 reporting, and a searchable library of 225,000+ federal regulations—updated monthly—ensures you always have the most current information at your fingertips. Additional tools like ICD-10 code lookup and an Infectious Control Center keep your team equipped to manage patient care and hazardous waste properly. Best of all, our portal gives you instant online access to your electronic medical waste manifests, making documentation and compliance reporting easy, accurate, and stress-free. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Custom Compliance Training for Your Staff If your practice were audited tomorrow, would you pass? Waste Medic offers OSHA-compliant training tailored to the needs of healthcare facilities that manage regulated medical waste. Our programs help ensure your entire team understands how to maintain a safe, compliant workplace—whether they’re new hires or long-time employees. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/) ### [ Bloodborne Pathogens ](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste-disposal/) Covers exposure risks, prevention protocols, and response procedures to keep your staff protected when handling infectious materials. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) ### [ HIPAA Privacy & Security ](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) Educates employees on the proper handling of protected health information (PHI) to maintain patient privacy and meet federal requirements. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) ### [ DOT Medical Waste Handling ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) Trains staff on Department of Transportation rules for packaging, labeling, and transporting regulated medical waste. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) ### [ Hazard Communication (HazCom) ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) Ensures employees can read chemical labels and safety data sheets (SDS), understand risks, and use PPE appropriately. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) ### [ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-disposal/) Covers the correct selection, use, and disposal of PPE to reduce exposure and prevent injury in clinical and waste-handling environments. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) ### [ Spill Response & Exposure Control ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy-disposal/) Prepares your staff to respond confidently and safely to spills or exposure incidents involving biohazardous or chemical waste. ## News & education within the industry [ ![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-345x192.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [ ![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-345x192.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare… [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [ ![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-345x192.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [ ![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-345x192.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [ ![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-345x192.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [ ![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-345x192.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [ READ MORE ](https://wastemedic.com/news/) ## Expert Advisory & Cost Management Services Is your current provider locking you into a long-term contract or hitting you with unexpected fees? Waste Medic offers independent consulting services to help you evaluate your existing waste management setup and uncover opportunities to reduce unnecessary expenses. Our experts will assess your organizational needs and compliance gaps, identify realistic cost-saving strategies, and assist with negotiating or terminating restrictive contracts. We work with you to create a sustainable, compliant waste management plan tailored to your operations. Our mission is to protect both your team and your budget—without ever compromising on service or safety. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Headquartered in Nashville --- ### [Medical Waste Disposal Services](https://wastemedic.com/services/) **Published:** **Author:** **Excerpt:** Explore Waste Medic’s full range of compliant and cost-effective medical waste disposal services designed for healthcare, dental, veterinary, and long-term care facilities. **Content:** - # Medical Waste Disposal Services At Waste Medic, we offer more than just medical waste disposal—we partner with healthcare facilities to deliver regulation-ready solutions tailored to your needs. From biohazardous waste to sharps, pharmaceuticals, and trace chemotherapy, our experienced team ensures every pickup is handled safely, efficiently, and on time. Scroll to Content ## Medical Waste Disposal Service You Can Count On At Waste Medic, we provide fully compliant transportation, treatment, and disposal of regulated medical waste (RMW) across the Southeastern United States. Our services follow all federal, state, and local regulations—and we do it all at competitive, transparent pricing. We don’t believe in a “set it and forget it” approach. Our team of medical waste specialists evaluates your current program, identifies areas for improvement, and helps control your disposal costs—without compromising compliance or safety. With our own fleet and a commitment to reliable service, we ensure your pickups are always on time and within budget. Most importantly, our success is built on relationships. We take pride in being more than a vendor—we’re a partner you can count on. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Specialized medical waste SERVICES Our comprehensive range of medical waste disposal services is designed to meet the specific needs of your healthcare facility, ensuring compliance, safety, and efficiency every step of the way. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/) ### [ Biohazardous Waste ](https://wastemedic.com/services/biohazardous-waste/) Navigating the strict regulations around biohazardous waste can be challenging. Waste Medic provides end-to-end service for the collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of infectious waste—backed by industry expertise and no hidden fees. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) ### [ Medical Sharps Waste ](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) We know safety and simplicity are key. Our sharps disposal services are designed for efficiency and compliance, giving you peace of mind that waste is handled securely and responsibly—every time. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-waste/) ### [ Pharmaceutical Waste ](https://wastemedic.com/services/pharmaceutical-waste/) Sorting pharmaceutical waste correctly can be complex. Waste Medic helps you build a comprehensive program for proper segregation and disposal, ensuring full compliance with all applicable regulations. [ ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy/) ### [ Trace Chemotherapy Waste ](https://wastemedic.com/services/trace-chemotherapy/) Handling trace chemo waste demands precision and care. We work with oncology departments and healthcare providers to design protocols for safe segregation, secure containment, and compliant transport of hazardous materials. ## News & education within the industry [ ![5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_1844784831-345x192.webp "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") ### [5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/ "5 Questions Every Healthcare Facility Should Ask About Its Medical Waste Program") Medical waste management is about more than disposing of regulated waste. Asking the right questions can help healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a safer environment for staff and patients. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/07/05/5-questions-every-healthcare-facility-should-ask-about-its-medical-waste-program/) [ ![The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_1971801189-345x192.webp "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn't a Container - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") ### [The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/ "The Most Important Medical Waste Compliance Tool Isn’t a Container") Many healthcare organizations invest heavily in containers, signage, and disposal programs, yet compliance issues still occur. The reason is simple: successful medical waste management depends on people. Learn why staff training remains one of the most overlooked elements of healthcare… [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-most-important-medical-waste-compliance-tool-isnt-a-container/) [ ![The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AdobeStock_2021755590-345x192.webp "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money? - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") ### [The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/ "The Hidden Costs of Medical Waste Misclassification: Are Healthcare Facilities Throwing Away Money?") Many healthcare facilities focus on safely disposing of regulated medical waste, but few consider the financial and operational impact of misclassifying waste streams. Learn how proper waste segregation can improve compliance, reduce costs, and support more sustainable healthcare operations. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/06/09/the-hidden-costs-of-medical-waste-misclassification-are-healthcare-facilities-throwing-away-money/) [ ![The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_560695829-345x192.webp "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") ### [The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/ "The Growing Risk of Improper Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal in Senior Care Facilities") As medication usage continues to rise in long-term care and senior living environments, pharmaceutical waste disposal has become a growing compliance and environmental concern. Learn why proper disposal practices matter for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/the-growing-risk-of-improper-pharmaceutical-waste-disposal-in-senior-care-facilities/) [ ![How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AdobeStock_1003140377-345x192.webp "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") ### [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/ "How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance") Rising temperatures create more than discomfort during the summer months. For healthcare facilities, improper medical waste storage during extreme heat can increase compliance risks, odors, bacterial growth, and operational challenges. Learn what facilities should evaluate before summer temperatures peak. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) [ ![The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AdobeStock_529980532-345x192.webp "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line) - Waste Medic") ](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") ### [The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/ "The Hidden Cost of Improper Medical Waste Segregation (And How It Impacts Your Bottom Line)") Are you paying to treat regular trash as hazardous waste? Improper medical waste segregation can quietly increase costs and impact compliance across your facility. [Read More →](https://wastemedic.com/2026/04/10/the-hidden-cost-of-improper-medical-waste-segregation-and-how-it-impacts-your-bottom-line/) [ READ MORE ](https://wastemedic.com/news/) ## Let’s Talk About Your Waste Management Needs Looking for dependable medical waste management backed by personalized service? Contact Waste Medic today for a no-obligation quote and discover how we help healthcare facilities stay safe, compliant, and confidently supported—without the pressure of long-term contracts. [ Request a Quote ](https://wastemedic.com/request-a-no-obligation-quote/) ## Headquartered in Nashville --- ### [Privacy Policy](https://wastemedic.com/privacy-policy/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** **Last updated: July 07, 2023** This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You. We use Your Personal data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. # Interpretation and Definitions ## Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural. ## Definitions For the purposes of this Privacy Policy: - **Account** means a unique account created for You to access our Service or parts of our Service. - **Affiliate** means an entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with a party, where “control” means ownership of 50% or more of the shares, equity interest or other securities entitled to vote for election of directors or other managing authority. - **Company** (referred to as either “the Company”, “We”, “Us” or “Our” in this Agreement) refers to Waste Medic LLC, 4800 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209. - **Cookies** are small files that are placed on Your computer, mobile device or any other device by a website, containing the details of Your browsing history on that website among its many uses. - **Country** refers to: Tennessee, United States - **Device** means any device that can access the Service such as a computer, a cellphone or a digital tablet. - **Personal Data** is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. - **Service** refers to the Website. - **Service Provider** means any natural or legal person who processes the data on behalf of the Company. It refers to third-party companies or individuals employed by the Company to facilitate the Service, to provide the Service on behalf of the Company, to perform services related to the Service or to assist the Company in analyzing how the Service is used. - **Usage Data** refers to data collected automatically, either generated by the use of the Service or from the Service infrastructure itself (for example, the duration of a page visit). - **Website** refers to Waste Medic, accessible from - **You** means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable. # Collecting & Using Your Personal Data ## Types of Data Collected ### Personal Data While using Our Service, We may ask You to provide Us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify You. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to: - Email address - First name and last name - Phone number - Address, State, Province, ZIP/Postal code, City - Usage Data ### Usage Data Usage Data is collected automatically when using the Service. Usage Data may include information such as Your Device’s Internet Protocol address (e.g. IP address), browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that You visit, the time and date of Your visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. When You access the Service by or through a mobile device, We may collect certain information automatically, including, but not limited to, the type of mobile device You use, Your mobile device unique ID, the IP address of Your mobile device, Your mobile operating system, the type of mobile Internet browser You use, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. We may also collect information that Your browser sends whenever You visit our Service or when You access the Service by or through a mobile device. ### Tracking Technologies & Cookies We use Cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on Our Service and store certain information. Tracking technologies used are beacons, tags, and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyze Our Service. The technologies We use may include **Cookies or Browser Cookies.** A cookie is a small file placed on Your Device. You can instruct Your browser to refuse all Cookies or to indicate when a Cookie is being sent. However, if You do not accept Cookies, You may not be able to use some parts of our Service. Unless you have adjusted Your browser setting so that it will refuse Cookies, our Service may use Cookies. - **Web Beacons.** Certain sections of our Service and our emails may contain small electronic files known as web beacons (also referred to as clear gifs, pixel tags, and single-pixel gifs) that permit the Company, for example, to count users who have visited those pages or opened an email and for other related website statistics (for example, recording the popularity of a certain section and verifying system and server integrity). Cookies can be “Persistent” or “Session” Cookies. Persistent Cookies remain on Your personal computer or mobile device when You go offline, while Session Cookies are deleted as soon as You close Your web browser. You can learn more about cookies on [TermsFeed website](https://www.termsfeed.com/blog/cookies/#What_Are_Cookies) article. We use both Session and Persistent Cookies for the purposes set out below: - **Necessary/Essential Cookies** (Type: Session Cookies; Administered by: Us): These Cookies are essential to provide You with services available through the Website and to enable You to use some of its features. They help to authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use of user accounts. Without these Cookies, the services that You have asked for cannot be provided, and We only use these Cookies to provide You with those services. - **Cookies Policy/Notice Acceptance Cookies** (Type: Persistent Cookies; Administered by: Us): These Cookies identify if users have accepted the use of cookies on the Website. - **Functionality Cookies** (Type: Persistent Cookies; Administered by: Us): These Cookies allow us to remember choices You make when You use the Website, such as remembering your login details or language preference. The purpose of these Cookies is to provide You with a more personal experience and to avoid You having to re-enter your preferences every time You use the Website. - **Tracking and Performance Cookies** (Type: Persistent Cookies; Administered by: Third-Parties): These Cookies are used to track information about traffic to the Website and how users use the Website. The information gathered via these Cookies may directly or indirectly identify you as an individual visitor. This is because the information collected is typically linked to a pseudonymous identifier associated with the device you use to access the Website. We may also use these Cookies to test new pages, features or new functionality of the Website to see how our users react to them. For more information about the cookies we use and your choices regarding cookies, please visit our Cookies Policy or the Cookies section of our Privacy Policy. ## Use of Your Personal Data The Company may use Personal Data for the following purposes: - **To provide and maintain our Service**, including to monitor the usage of our Service. - **To manage Your Account:** to manage Your registration as a user of the Service. The Personal Data You provide can give You access to different functionalities of the Service that are available to You as a registered user. - **For the performance of a contract:** the development, compliance and undertaking of the purchase contract for the products, items or services You have purchased or of any other contract with Us through the Service. - **To contact You:** To contact You by email, telephone calls, SMS, or other equivalent forms of electronic communication, such as a mobile application’s push notifications regarding updates or informative communications related to the functionalities, products or contracted services, including the security updates, when necessary or reasonable for their implementation. - **To provide You** with news, special offers and general information about other goods, services and events which we offer that are similar to those that you have already purchased or enquired about unless You have opted not to receive such information. - **To manage Your requests:** To attend and manage Your requests to Us. - **For business transfers:** We may use Your information to evaluate or conduct a merger, divestiture, restructuring, reorganization, dissolution, or other sale or transfer of some or all of Our assets, whether as a going concern or as part of bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar proceeding, in which Personal Data held by Us about our Service users is among the assets transferred. - **For other purposes**: We may use Your information for other purposes, such as data analysis, identifying usage trends, determining the effectiveness of our promotional campaigns and to evaluate and improve our Service, products, services, marketing and your experience. We may share Your personal information in the following situations: - **With Service Providers:** We may share Your personal information with Service Providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service, to contact You. - **For business transfers:** We may share or transfer Your personal information in connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of Company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of Our business to another company. - **With Affiliates:** We may share Your information with Our affiliates, in which case we will require those affiliates to honor this Privacy Policy. Affiliates include Our parent company and any other subsidiaries, joint venture partners or other companies that We control or that are under common control with Us. - **With business partners:** We may share Your information with Our business partners to offer You certain products, services or promotions. - **With other users:** when You share personal information or otherwise interact in the public areas with other users, such information may be viewed by all users and may be publicly distributed outside. - **With Your consent**: We may disclose Your personal information for any other purpose with Your consent. ## Retention of Your Personal Data The Company will retain Your Personal Data only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. We will retain and use Your Personal Data to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations (for example, if we are required to retain your data to comply with applicable laws), resolve disputes, and enforce our legal agreements and policies. The Company will also retain Usage Data for internal analysis purposes. Usage Data is generally retained for a shorter period of time, except when this data is used to strengthen the security or to improve the functionality of Our Service, or We are legally obligated to retain this data for longer time periods. ## Transfer of Your Personal Data Your information, including Personal Data, is processed at the Company’s operating offices and in any other places where the parties involved in the processing are located. It means that this information may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of Your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ than those from Your jurisdiction. Your consent to this Privacy Policy followed by Your submission of such information represents Your agreement to that transfer. The Company will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that Your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer of Your Personal Data will take place to an organization or a country unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of Your data and other personal information. ## Delete Your Personal Data You have the right to delete or request that We assist in deleting the Personal Data that We have collected about You. Our Service may give You the ability to delete certain information about You from within the Service. You may update, amend, or delete Your information at any time by signing in to Your Account, if you have one, and visiting the account settings section that allows you to manage Your personal information. You may also contact Us to request access to, correct, or delete any personal information that You have provided to Us. Please note, however, that We may need to retain certain information when we have a legal obligation or lawful basis to do so. ## Disclosure of Your Personal Data ### Business Transactions If the Company is involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, Your Personal Data may be transferred. We will provide notice before Your Personal Data is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy. ### Law enforcement Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to disclose Your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency). ### Other legal requirements The Company may disclose Your Personal Data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: - Comply with a legal obligation - Protect and defend the rights or property of the Company - Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service - Protect the personal safety of Users of the Service or the public - Protect against legal liability ## Security of Your Personal Data The security of Your Personal Data is important to Us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While We strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect Your Personal Data, We cannot guarantee its absolute security. # Detailed Information on the Processing of Your Personal Data The Service Providers We use may have access to Your Personal Data. These third-party vendors collect, store, use, process and transfer information about Your activity on Our Service in accordance with their Privacy Policies. ## Analytics We may use third-party Service providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service. - **Google Analytics:** Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and monitor the use of our Service. This data is shared with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network. You can opt-out of having made your activity on the Service available to Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on prevents the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js and dc.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about visits activity. For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page: ## Email Marketing We may use Your Personal Data to contact You with newsletters, marketing or promotional materials and other information that may be of interest to You. You may opt-out of receiving any, or all, of these communications from Us by following the unsubscribe link or instructions provided in any email We send or by contacting Us. We may use Email Marketing Service Providers to manage and send emails to You. - **Mailchimp:** Mailchimp is an email marketing sending service provided by The Rocket Science Group LLC. For more information on the privacy practices of Mailchimp, please visit their Privacy policy: # Children’s Privacy Our Service does not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13. If You are a parent or guardian and You are aware that Your child has provided Us with Personal Data, please contact Us. If We become aware that We have collected Personal Data from anyone under the age of 13 without verification of parental consent, We take steps to remove that information from Our servers. If We need to rely on consent as a legal basis for processing Your information and Your country requires consent from a parent, We may require Your parent’s consent before We collect and use that information. # Links to Other Websites Our Service may contain links to other websites that are not operated by Us. If You click on a third party link, You will be directed to that third party’s site. We strongly advise You to review the Privacy Policy of every site You visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services. # Changes to this Privacy Policy We may update Our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify You of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. We will let You know via email and/or a prominent notice on Our Service, prior to the change becoming effective and update the “Last updated” date at the top of this Privacy Policy. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page. # Contact Us If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, You can contact us: - By email: info@wastemedic.com - By visiting this page on our website: --- ### [Resume Submission](https://wastemedic.com/resume-submission/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Account Executive Application### Account Executive Application We're excited you're interested in joining the Waste Medic team! Please complete the form below and upload your resume and cover letter to be considered for the Account Executive position in the Greater Nashville area. Name \* First Last \* Last Email \* Home Phone Mobile Phone Address \* Address Address Address City City State/Province AlabamaAlaskaArkansasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming State/Province Zip/Postal Zip/Postal Employment Desired \* Full-time Part-time Full- or Part- time Attach Cover Letter Drop a file here or click to upload Choose FileMaximum file size: 516MB Attach Resume Drop a file here or click to upload Choose FileMaximum file size: 516MB Submit If you are human, leave this field blank. --- ## Slideshow ### [Sustainability for Healthcare](https://wastemedic.com/slider/sustainability-for-healthcare/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** At Waste Medic, sustainability isn’t a buzzword—it’s a commitment. From responsible disposal methods to reducing landfill waste and supporting cleaner communities, we help healthcare facilities meet their environmental goals without compromising compliance or service. **Slideshow Category:** Sustainability --- ### [Temperature Monitoring](https://wastemedic.com/slider/temperature-monitoring/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** From vaccine storage to refrigerated waste containment, temperature monitoring is critical to compliance and patient protection. Waste Medic helps healthcare facilities track and maintain required temperatures with tools and training that support safer operations. **Slideshow Category:** Temperature Monitoring --- ### [Trusted Medical Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/slider/waste-medic/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** At Waste Medic, we manage every aspect of regulated medical waste disposal—safely, compliantly, and without locking you into long-term contracts—so your team can stay focused on what matters most: delivering patient care, advancing research, or running your facility with confidence. As a locally based partner, we’re proud to support healthcare professionals with dependable service and personalized support you can trust. **Slideshow Category:** Homepage --- ### [Contact Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/slider/contact-waste-medic/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Whether you have a question, need support, or want to explore services, our team is here and ready to help. At Waste Medic, responsive, local service starts with a conversation. **Slideshow Category:** Contact Us --- ### [Trusted Healthcare Partners](https://wastemedic.com/slider/trusted-healthcare-partners/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Waste Medic provides reliable, compliant medical waste management services across the Southeastern United States. Our growth is rooted in relationships, and our mission is simple: deliver safe, straightforward, responsive service that healthcare providers can count on. **Slideshow Category:** About Waste Medic --- ### [Consultation & Training](https://wastemedic.com/slider/consultation-training/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Waste Medic supports your facility with expert consulting, OSHA-compliant training, and a powerful online compliance portal—giving your team the tools to stay safe, audit-ready, and fully aligned with regulatory requirements, all in one place. **Slideshow Category:** Consultation & Training --- ### [Trace Chemotherapy Waste](https://wastemedic.com/slider/trace-chemotherapy-waste-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** Waste Medic provides compliant, efficient disposal solutions for trace chemotherapy waste—supporting safety, proper segregation, and environmental responsibility without long-term contracts or hidden costs. **Slideshow Category:** Trace Chemotherapy Waste --- ### [Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/slider/pharmaceutical-waste-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** From expired medications to partially used doses, Waste Medic helps healthcare facilities manage pharmaceutical waste with confidence. Our team ensures proper segregation, containment, and disposal—without the burden of long-term contracts or confusing service terms. **Slideshow Category:** Pharmaceutical Waste --- ### [Safe Sharps Disposal for Every Facility](https://wastemedic.com/slider/safe-sharps-disposal-for-every-facility/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** From clinics to long-term care facilities, Waste Medic provides secure sharps waste solutions that protect your staff and your patients. Our services ensure proper handling, pickup, and disposal of used needles, syringes, and sharps—without locking you into a long-term contract. **Slideshow Category:** Sharps Waste --- ### [Biohazardous Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/slider/biohazardous-waste-disposal/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** At Waste Medic, we help healthcare organizations safely manage biohazardous waste with dependable service, regulatory expertise, and no long-term contracts. Our experienced team ensures compliant handling, timely pickups, and personalized support that protects your people and your peace of mind. **Slideshow Category:** Biohazardous Waste --- ### [Medical Waste Disposal Services](https://wastemedic.com/slider/medical-waste-disposal-services/) **Published:** **Author:** **Content:** At Waste Medic, we offer more than just medical waste disposal—we partner with healthcare facilities to deliver regulation-ready solutions tailored to your needs. From biohazardous waste to sharps, pharmaceuticals, and trace chemotherapy, our experienced team ensures every pickup is handled safely, efficiently, and on time. **Slideshow Category:** Medical Waste Disposal Services --- ## Categories ### [Medical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/category/medical-waste/) --- ### [Safety & Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/category/safety-compliance/) --- ### [FAQs](https://wastemedic.com/category/faqs/) --- ### [News & Events](https://wastemedic.com/category/news-events/) --- ## Tags ### [Medical waste disposal](https://wastemedic.com/tag/medical-waste-disposal/) --- ### [healthcare waste management](https://wastemedic.com/tag/healthcare-waste-management/) --- ### [regulatory compliance](https://wastemedic.com/tag/regulatory-compliance/) --- ### [waste management solutions](https://wastemedic.com/tag/waste-management-solutions/) --- ### [biohazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/tag/biohazardous-waste/) --- ### [Waste 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