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# Waste Medic

Trusted Medical Waste Transportation, Treatment & Disposal

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://wastemedic.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [What We Can Do about Pharmaceutical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/10/what-we-can-do-about-pharmaceutical-waste/) - Pharmaceutical waste leads to both economic and environmental challenges. The good news is the problems aren't aren’t difficult to solve.
- [OSHA Compliance in the Workplace](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/10/osha-compliance-in-the-workplace/) - OSHA compliance is a critical organizational element and its management tracks most closely with quality assurance components.
- [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/) - The rising demand for chemotherapy containers reflects the increasing prevalence of cancer and the growing need for safe and effective treatment options.
- [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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [The Link Between Infection Prevention and Proper Waste Segregation](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/07/the-link-between-infection-prevention-and-proper-waste-segregation/) - Proper medical waste segregation is vital for infection prevention. Learn how correct handling and disposal practices reduce exposure risks and support compliance.
- [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/) - Conducting an end-of-year medical waste audit helps healthcare facilities strengthen compliance, reduce costs, and improve safety. Learn why annual waste reviews matter.
- [A Closer Look at Sharps Safety This December](https://wastemedic.com/2025/11/30/a-closer-look-at-sharps-safety-this-december/) - December is International Sharps Injury Prevention Awareness Month. Learn why this busy season increases sharps-related risks and how proper disposal and compliance practices help protect healthcare workers.
- [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/) - As the year comes to a close, Waste Medic reflects on key developments in medical waste disposal and highlights how healthcare facilities can prepare for a safer, more compliant 2026.
- [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/) - Winter brings higher patient volumes and increased medical waste. Learn how healthcare facilities can reduce risks, strengthen compliance, and maintain safe waste management workflows with support from Waste Medic.
- [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/) - Start 2026 with a clear, compliant medical waste strategy. Learn how healthcare facilities can simplify compliance and strengthen safety with Waste Medic.
- [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/) - January is the ideal time for healthcare facilities to conduct a medical waste audit. Learn how early reviews help simplify compliance, reduce risk, and strengthen safety with support from Waste Medic.
- [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/) - Proper medical waste segregation is critical for safety and compliance. Learn how a January refresher helps healthcare facilities reduce risk, control costs, and maintain consistent waste handling practices.
- [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/) - Sharps injuries remain a serious risk in healthcare settings. Learn practical steps facilities can take to prevent needlestick injuries and how Waste Medic supports safer sharps management year round.
- [Medical Waste Storage Mistakes That Increase Compliance Risk](https://wastemedic.com/2026/02/08/medical-waste-storage-mistakes-that-increase-compliance-risk/) - Improper medical waste storage creates safety and compliance risks. Learn the most common storage mistakes healthcare facilities make and how to prevent them with support from Waste Medic.
- [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/) - Medical waste compliance inspections can reveal risks that facilities overlook. Learn what healthcare inspectors typically review and how Waste Medic helps organizations stay prepared.
- [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.
- [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 cleaning isn’t just about surfaces. Learn how to evaluate your medical waste program for compliance, safety, and efficiency this season.
- [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/) - Improper medical waste segregation can drive up costs and create compliance risks. Learn how better waste practices can improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary spend.
- [How Summer Heat Impacts Medical Waste Storage and Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2026/05/08/how-summer-heat-impacts-medical-waste-storage-and-compliance/) - Learn how summer heat impacts medical waste storage, compliance, and safety for healthcare facilities. Discover best practices for biohazard, sharps, and pharmaceutical waste management during warmer months.
- [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/) - Discover why pharmaceutical waste disposal is becoming a major compliance and environmental concern for senior living and long-term care facilities. Learn best practices for safer 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/) - Discover how improper medical waste segregation can increase disposal costs and compliance risks. Learn why accurate waste classification is essential for healthcare facilities.
- [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/) - Discover why employee training is one of the most important factors in medical waste compliance. Learn how healthcare facilities can reduce risk through better education and waste management practices.
- [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/) - Medical waste compliance goes beyond disposal. Learn why documentation is often the weakest link in waste programs and how Waste Medic helps close the gap.
- [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/) - Disasters can disrupt medical waste management. Learn what most facilities overlook in their emergency plans and how Waste Medic helps keep compliance on track.
- [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/) - 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.
- [The Scary Truth About Improper Medical Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2025/10/10/the-scary-truth-about-improper-medical-waste-disposal/) - Improper medical waste disposal poses serious risks to health, safety, and compliance. Learn the real dangers and how Waste Medic helps facilities avoid them.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - Medical waste audits protect healthcare facilities from risk and fines. Learn why now is the best time to prepare and how Waste Medic helps keep your program compliant.
- [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/) - Improper medical waste disposal can lead to serious health risks, environmental damage, and legal consequences. Learn how to stay compliant and protect your patients, staff, and community.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - Throwing medical waste in the trash isn't just unsafe—it’s illegal. Learn the risks, regulations, and how to stay compliant with proper disposal practices.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - Spring is the perfect time for healthcare facilities to reassess compliance. Ensure proper refrigeration monitoring and medical waste disposal with smart solutions.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [We're Hiring: Account Executive (Greater Nashville Area)](https://wastemedic.com/2025/03/26/were-hiring-account-executive-greater-nashville-area/) - 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!
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [National Safety Month: A Commitment to Safer Healthcare Environments](https://wastemedic.com/2025/05/26/national-safety-month-a-commitment-to-safer-healthcare-environments/) - June is National Safety Month. Discover how Waste Medic supports safer environments for patients, staff, and the planet by prioritizing proper medical waste management.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [Prioritize Compliance in 2025: Medical Waste Management Best Practices](https://wastemedic.com/2024/11/23/prioritize-compliance-in-2025-medical-waste-management-best-practices/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [Sharps Safety Matters: Protecting Healthcare Workers This December](https://wastemedic.com/2024/12/19/sharps-safety-matters-protecting-healthcare-workers-this-december/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [Proper Segregation Techniques: A Refresher for Healthcare Facilities](https://wastemedic.com/2025/01/24/proper-segregation-techniques-a-refresher-for-healthcare-facilities/) - 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.
- [Ensuring Compliance & Safety: Temperature Monitoring for Medical & Food Storage](https://wastemedic.com/2025/01/31/ensuring-compliance-safety-temperature-monitoring-for-medical-food-storage/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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!
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [7 cancer leaders on their goals for 2024](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/21/7-cancer-leaders-on-their-goals-for-2024/) - 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
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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).
- [5 HIPAA & HITECH breaches that cost businesses millions](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/01/5-hipaa-hitech-breaches-cost-businesses-millions/) - This post, 5 HIPAA & HITECH breaches that cost businesses millions, first appeared on http://gazette.com/. May 30, 2017 Updated: May 30, 2017 at 1:45 pm You've probably read and heard a lot about just how costly HIPAA and HITECH violations can be. Think a monster fine couldn’t happen to your business, or that these huge fines aren’t
- [Hospitals Fail at HIPAA Compliance RE Medical Records Requests](https://wastemedic.com/2018/10/15/hospitals-fail-at-hipaa-compliance-re-medical-records-requests/) - This post, Hospitals Fail at HIPAA Compliance Re Medical Records Requests, first appeared on https://healthitsecurity.com. 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
- [Safety first: Protecting health care workers and patients](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/02/safety-first-protecting-health-care-workers-and-patients/) - This post, Safety first: Protecting health care workers and patients, first appeared on https://www.devex.com. 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
- [What hospitals can learn from research labs](https://wastemedic.com/2020/12/04/what-hospitals-can-learn-from-research-labs/) - 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
- [We Could All Learn a Lot From ‘HIPAA 101’](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/03/we-could-all-learn-a-lot-from-hipaa-101/) - This post, We Could All Learn a Lot From ‘HIPAA 101’, first appeared on https://www.workforce.com. by 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
- [Nobody Predicted This](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/01/nobody-predicted-this/) - 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
- [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/) - This post, LabCorp’s Network Security Breach May Have Exposed PHI of Millions, first appeared on https://healthitsecurity.com/. 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
- [Needlestick hazards and bloodborne pathogen standards accompany vaccine rollout](https://wastemedic.com/2021/02/27/needlestick-hazards-and-bloodborne-pathogen-standards-accompany-vaccine-rollout/) - The ramping up of vaccination for COVID-19 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
- [8 Workplace Violence Prevention Strategies for Nurses](https://wastemedic.com/2019/07/21/8-workplace-violence-prevention-strategies-for-nurses/) - 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
- [Why Proper Disposal Of Sharps Is Really Important](https://wastemedic.com/2022/06/20/why-proper-disposal-of-sharps-is-really-important/) - When it comes to biomedical wastes, sharps are the most difficult medical waste when it comes to proper disposal.
- [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/) - 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
- [Optimizing Medical Waste Compliance Training with Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/2024/03/26/optimizing-medical-waste-compliance-training-with-waste-medic/) - 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
- [Scheduling & Preparing Medical Waste for Pickup & Transportation](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/26/scheduling-preparing-medical-waste-for-pickup-transportation/) - Being exposed to dangerous medical waste due to improper disposal can cause a wide variety of illnesses and injuries particularly when loose sharps are present.
- [The Basics of Color-Coding Your Medical Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2022/04/25/the-basics-of-color-coding-your-medical-waste-disposal/) - Color coding represents the basic principle that medical waste doesn’t all go to the same place. Different kinds of waste require unique handling methods.
- [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/) - 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.
- [Mastering Medical Waste Segregation: A Comprehensive Guide](https://wastemedic.com/2024/05/25/mastering-medical-waste-segregation-a-comprehensive-guide/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [5 questions hospital CEOs want answered — and why](https://wastemedic.com/2022/10/10/5-questions-hospital-ceos-want-answered-and-why/) - Hospital and health system CEOs have a lot of issues dominating their thoughts, including questions about workforce challenges in today's economic environment.
- [Bain: 25% of Clinicians Want Out of Healthcare](https://wastemedic.com/2022/10/14/bain-25-of-clinicians-want-out-of-healthcare/) - One quarter of U.S. healthcare physicians, practice providers and nurses are considering switching careers and one third are considering switching employers.
- [Optimize your Medical Waste Disposal Stream in 2023](https://wastemedic.com/2022/10/30/optimize-your-medical-waste-disposal-stream-in-2023/) - Our personalized approach to medical waste disposal and compliance needs enables us to provide our clients with exceptional service at very competitive rates.
- [EPA Issues Hazardous Medical Waste Disposal Guide](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/03/epa-issues-hazardous-medical-waste-disposal-guide/) - The new EPA guide includes steps medical institutions can take to update their hazardous medical waste disposal plans.
- [U.S. Hospitals Not Prepared To Deal With Ebola](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/16/u-s-hospitals-not-prepared-to-deal-with-ebola/) - Hospitals are not fully prepared to handle waste from Ebola and other deadly viruses on-site, according to the Healthcare Coalition for Emergency Preparedness.
- [Addressing Safe Needle Disposal on Campus](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/16/addressing-safe-needle-disposal-on-campus/) - Needle disposal boxes in bathrooms on college campuses provide a safe receptacle where students who take injectable medications can discard their used needles.
- ['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/) - The VP of supply chain at Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai Health System is intent on guiding and leveraging other leaders' understanding of supply chain ops.
- [Healthcare Leaders Share Thoughts on How Hospitals Can Invest in Workplace Safety](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/23/healthcare-leaders-workplace-safety/) - When it comes to workplace safety, hospitals, and health systems must be proactive, not reactive.
- [Providers Warned about Preparing for New HIPAA Regs](https://wastemedic.com/2022/11/23/providers-warned-about-preparing-for-new-hipaa-regs/) - Long-term care providers who have had their attention diverted by pandemic and other urgent matters need to start preparing for new HIPAA requirements.
- [Michael Dowling: 6 Ground Rules for Hospital Cost Cutting](https://wastemedic.com/2022/12/06/michael-dowling-6-ground-rules-for-hospital-cost-cutting/) - A difficult year for hospital and health system finances brought with it renewed attention to expenditures... but where should you start?
- [Biodegradable Medical Gowns May Add to Greenhouse Gas](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/04/biodegradable-medical-gowns-may-add-to-greenhouse-gas/) - The use of disposable plasticized medical gowns – both conventional and biodegradable – has surged since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- [Answered: Who Regulates Medical Waste?](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/13/answered-who-regulates-medical-waste/) - Medical waste is regulated by state environmental and health departments. EPA has not had authority, since the MWTA of 1988 expired in 1991.
- [Medical Waste Disposal – The Definitive Guide](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/14/medical-waste-disposal-the-definitive-guide/) - Medical waste and its proper disposal remain a major concern for America. Let's discuss the primary reasons.
- [Sharps Safety Guidelines from Infection Control Today](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/14/sharps-safety-guidelines-from-infection-control-today/) - Medical waste and its proper disposal remain a major concern for America. Let's discuss the primary reasons.
- [An Introduction to Bioplastics in Medical Applications](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/21/an-introduction-to-bioplastics-in-medical-applications/) - A dynamic shift in the plastics sector is the significant growth in commercial acceptance, investments, manufacturing, and development of bioplastics.
- [Addressing 3 Pandemic-Induced Integrity Challenges Related to Telehealth](https://wastemedic.com/2023/01/30/addressing-3-pandemic-induced-integrity-challenges-related-to-telehealth/) - Accelerated by the pandemic, health plans are grappling with compounding operational challenges including uncontrolled telehealth expansion andlabor shortages.
- [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/) - Chief Medical Officers know burnout, shortages, respiratory infections, and efficiency challenges, have created the not-so-perfect storm in hospitals.
- [What are Top Challenges of Regulated Medical Waste Management?](https://wastemedic.com/2023/02/04/what-are-top-challenges-of-regulated-medical-waste-management/) - Regulated medical waste management is critical because it helps to ensure that potentially infectious or hazardous materials are disposed of safely.
- [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/) - The frequency of medical waste pickup at assisted living facilities varies depending on the volume of waste and the regulations of local or state government.
- [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/) - Most people are aware of the need to properly dispose of needles and syringes, but there are a number of biohazardous waste items that are often overlooked.
- [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/) - P-list hazardous waste is considered acutely hazardous waste and must be managed carefully and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- [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/) - National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is to provide a safe and convenient way for people to dispose of their prescription drugs, especially opioids.
- [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/) - Like many other industries, the medical device industry has been undergoing changes recently in order to become more sustainable.
- [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/) - The medical devices industry continues to be a hotbed of innovation, with activity driven by increased need for homecare, preventative treatments, and more.
- [3 ESG Investment Models That Support The Bottom Line](https://wastemedic.com/2023/03/09/3-esg-investment-models-that-support-the-bottom-line/) - During uncertain economic times, it can be difficult to prioritize ESG initiatives when there is the urge to tighten budgets.
- [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/) - It is important to properly understand what medical or biohazardous waste should be disposed of in red trash bags.
- [6 Things To Know About Medical Waste: Regulations & Risks](https://wastemedic.com/2023/04/11/6-things-to-know-about-medical-waste-regulations-risks/) - Medical waste is a critically important, but often overlooked issue that impacts not just businesses and medical professionals, but society as a whole.
- [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/) - Awareness of the health sector’s environmental impact is low, especially when it comes to the proper disposal of medical waste.
- [Tampa General Embraces 'Fail Fast' Culture](https://wastemedic.com/2023/04/11/tampa-general-embraces-fail-fast-culture/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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.
- [NC Nurses Rally Over Patient Safety, Unsafe Working Conditions](https://wastemedic.com/2023/04/11/nc-nurses-rally-over-patient-safety-unsafe-working-conditions/) - Registered nurses at Mission Hospital in Asheville are holding a rally to highlight their patient safety concerns and other unsafe working conditions.
- [May is National Nurses Month](https://wastemedic.com/2023/04/27/may-is-national-nurses-month/) - During National Nurses Month and throughout the year, let us take a moment to recognize and appreciate the important work of nurses.
- [How Data Transparency in Hospitals Propels Safety Initiatives](https://wastemedic.com/2023/05/05/how-data-transparency-in-hospitals-propels-safety-initiatives/) - Once a hospital knows its grade, especially if they receive an "A" rating, they want to make sure their community is well aware of their commitment to safety.
- [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/) - The new system will allow outpatient pharmacies and other dispensers to order the mail-back envelopes for opioids disposal.
- [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/) - Hospital units that consistently follow standard safety precautions experience nearly 40% fewer needlesticks and other sharps injuries than other units.
- [Pill Bottle Recycling Program Targets Pharmaceutical Plastic Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/28/pill-bottle-recycling-program-targets-pharmaceutical-plastic-waste/) - A new pill bottle recycling program aims to eliminate waste generated by the pharmaceutical industry by offering a solution for disposing of empty pill bottles.
- [OSHA Wants Input on Protecting Health Care Workplace Violence](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/28/osha-wants-input-on-protecting-health-care-workplace-violence/) - OSHA is requesting feedback as it considers developing a standard aimed at preventing workplace violence in the health care and social assistance industries.
- [Why Is OSHA Still Pushing Emergency COVID Standards?](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/28/why-is-osha-still-pushing-emergency-covid-standards/) - The COVID public health emergency ended in May, yet OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard for healthcare facilities continues.
- [Examining the Impact of Medical Waste Management Policies](https://wastemedic.com/2023/06/29/examining-the-impact-of-medical-waste-management-policies/) - Given the tremendous environmental repercussions associated with mishandling medical waste, it is imperative to address this issue head-on.
- [Preventing Needlestick & Sharps Injuries in the Healthcare Industry](https://wastemedic.com/2023/07/29/preventing-needlestick-sharps-injuries-in-the-healthcare-industry/) - 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.
- [HPRC Releases Medical Waste Recycling Case Study](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/01/hprc-releases-medical-waste-recycling-case-study/) - 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,
- [Examining the Impact of Medical Waste Management Policies](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/02/examining-the-impact-of-medical-waste-management-policies-2/) - 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
- [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/) - Health care organizations and medical professionals have shown a strong interest in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. Integrating sustainability into all aspects of a hospital’s mission takes focused commitment across the organization, as Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) leaders can attest. Two years ago, MGH launched its Center for the Environment and Health. The center integrates
- [Nurses Experience Needlestick Injuries With Evenity Syringe Needle](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/02/nurses-experience-needlestick-injuries-with-evenity-syringe-needle/) - 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
- [Importance of Safe Working Conditions for Healthcare Workers](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/02/importance-of-safe-working-conditions-for-healthcare-workers/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [What to Do If You Experience a Sharps Injury](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/21/what-to-do-if-you-experience-a-sharps-injury/) - 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
- [Health Systems Revamp C-Suite Roles](https://wastemedic.com/2023/08/21/health-systems-revamp-c-suite-roles/) - Hospitals and health systems are shaking up their C-suite and leadership structures as they focus 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
- [Sharps Injuries: Are You Taking Your Risk Seriously?](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/06/sharps-injuries-are-you-taking-your-risk-seriously/) - 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
- [Bloodborne Pathogens Training: Why It’s Important](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/06/bloodborne-pathogens-training-why-its-important/) - Each year, it is estimated 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,
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - At Waste Medic, 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
- [Kaiser Settles for $47 Million Over Dumping Medical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/26/kaiser-settles-for-47-million-over-dumping-medical-waste/) - 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
- [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/) - Liberty University School of 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
- [Extending Sharps Safety Beyond Hospitals](https://wastemedic.com/2023/09/26/extending-sharps-safety-beyond-hospitals/) - 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
- [Rite Aid Agreement Calls for Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Program](https://wastemedic.com/2023/10/10/rite-aid-agreement-calls-for-bloodborne-pathogen-safety-program/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [Becton Dickinson, Casella Complete Pilot Recycling Used Medical Devices](https://wastemedic.com/2023/10/26/becton-dickinson-casella-complete-pilot-recycling-used-medical-devices/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - By understanding what goes into red trash bags and what doesn't, we contribute to a safer, cleaner world for everyone.
- [Sounding the Alarm About Disposable Plastic in Health Care](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/03/sounding-the-alarm-about-disposable-plastic-in-health-care/) - 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
- [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/) - It’s common for people with severe food allergies to carry an EpiPen. This is a pen-like device prefilled with a drug called epinephrine 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
- [Anticipating 2024: Healthcare Executives' Budget & Strategy Plans](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/03/anticipating-2024-healthcare-executives-budget-strategy-plans/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [Medical Waste Management Is Critical To Patient Care](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/07/medical-waste-management-is-critical-to-patient-care/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [The environmental impact of the healthcare industry](https://wastemedic.com/2023/12/21/the-environmental-impact-of-the-healthcare-industry/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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,
- [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/) - 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,
- [Get a Quote for Regulated Medical Waste Disposal Services](https://wastemedic.com/2024/01/17/get-a-quote-for-regulated-medical-waste-disposal-services/) - From regulated medical waste disposal and sharps management to pharmaceutical waste compliance solutions, Waste Medic has you confidently covered.
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - Managing a medical facility comes with a responsibility that extends beyond patient care – the proper disposal of medical waste. At Waste Medic, we understand the critical importance of ensuring the safe and responsible removal of hazardous materials. Let's delve into why it's crucial to get rid of medical waste the right way. 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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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: State University of New York Upstate Medical University selected two "workplace violence coordinators" to address violence
- [Quest Diagnostics Settles Unlawful PHI Disposal Allegations For $5M](https://wastemedic.com/2024/02/27/quest-diagnostics-settles-unlawful-phi-disposal-allegations-for-5m/) - 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
- [Optimize Your Medical Waste Management with Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/2024/02/27/optimize-your-medical-waste-management-with-waste-medic/) - 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
- [Infectious Waste from Hospitals Flowed Illegally to Landfill](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/22/infectious-waste-from-sc-hospitals-flowed-illegally-to-landfills/) - Infectious waste must be treated before it is disposed of, the department said, noting that the medical refuse can be dangerous.
- [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/) - If your facility generates waste in the form of needles or other sharps, you likely have a need for sharps disposal in a central accumulation area (CAA).
- [Safely Dispose of Used Medical Sharps & Household Needles](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/22/safely-dispose-of-used-medical-sharps-household-needles/) - Every day, millions of people in the United States use medical sharps to manage health conditions from the comfort of their own homes or while on the go.
- [HIPAA Misconceptions, Interoperability, Information Blocking](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/22/hipaa-misconceptions-interoperability-information-blocking/) - The HIPAA Privacy Rule and the HIPAA Security Rule established safeguards and best practices for covered entities creating, using, or maintaining PHI.
- [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/) - Our personalized approach to medical waste disposal and compliance needs enables us to provide our clients with exceptional service at very competitive rates.
- [Back to Basics: Delivering Effective Safety Training](https://wastemedic.com/2022/06/20/back-to-basics-delivering-effective-safety-training/) - In OSHA’s Resource for Development and Delivery of Training to Workers, they provide guidance on how to develop and deliver effective safety training.
- [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/) - This information is intended for use by consumers to address sharps disposal of used needles and other sharps used at home, at work, and when traveling.
- [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/) - Founded in 2014, Waste Medic has quickly grown as a trusted provider of the treatment, disposal of medical waste transportation in Nashville, Tennessee.
- [How to Safely Tie Red Biohazard Bags in Your Facility](https://wastemedic.com/2022/07/17/how-to-safely-properly-tie-red-biohazard-bags/) - One simple (and often overlooked) step in your waste stream is how to properly tie red biohazard bags after they bag are sufficiently filled.
- [Medical Waste Disposal and Its Impact on the Environment](https://wastemedic.com/2022/07/22/medical-waste-disposal-and-its-impact-on-the-environment/) - As demand for PPE – including gloves, masks, and gowns – grew worldwide in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, medical waste disposal rates skyrocketed.
- [How You Should Dispose of Expired of Unused Medications](https://wastemedic.com/2022/07/22/how-you-should-dispose-of-expired-of-unused-medications/) - Flushing or throwing away unused medications can contaminate waterways, threatening people and wildlife. Here are some safer solutions.
- [Potential HIPAA Violation Resolved, OCR Settles PHI Case](https://wastemedic.com/2022/08/26/ocr-settles-improper-phi-disposal-case-resolves-potential-hipaa-violation/) - New England Dermatology agreed to pay $300,640 to resolve a potential HIPAA violation after it threw away containers labeled with PHI in an unsecured bin.
- [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/) - Medical waste is one of the most dangerous types of waste. It can contain contaminants and diseases, which is why it's so important to get rid of it correctly.
- [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/) - Health care 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?
- [Why is HIPAA Important?](https://wastemedic.com/2022/10/10/why-is-hipaa-important/) - HIPAA is a landmark piece of legislation, but why is HIPAA important and what are the benefits to the healthcare industry and patients?
- [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: March 8, 2017 This post, How One Community is Educating its Residents on Proper Disposal of Home Medical Waste, first appeared on www.waste360.com. 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
- [Hazardous Waste Disposal Day Scheduled for June 3 in Tuscaloosa](https://wastemedic.com/2017/05/23/hazardous-waste-disposal-day-scheduled-june-3-tuscaloosa/) - This post, Hazardous Waste Disposal Day scheduled for June 3, first appeared on http://www.tuscaloosanews.com. 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
- [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/) - This post, Updates and Tips for Pharmaceutical Waste Management (Don’t Waste Time!), first appeared on http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/. 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)
- [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/) - This post, 5 steps to get a handle on your practice's cyber vulnerability, first appeared on https://wire.ama-assn.org/. 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
- [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/) - This post, How to Ensure Your Healthcare Cloud Storage Stays HIPAA Compliant, first appeared on https://healthtechmagazine.net/. 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
- [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/) - This post, Target to pay $7.4 million to resolve allegations regarding waste disposal, first appeared on http://www.cbs8.com/. 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
- [Can law enforcement access patient information? Sometimes](https://wastemedic.com/2018/12/13/can-law-enforcement-access-patient-information-sometimes/) - This post, Can law enforcement access patient information? Sometimes, first appeared on https://www.masslive.com/. Hospital emergency departments treat a diverse population 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
- [New EPA Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste Rule Finalized](https://wastemedic.com/2019/04/02/new-epa-pharmaceutical-hazardous-waste-rule-finalized/) - This post, New EPA Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste Rule Finalized, first appeared on https://www.jdsupra.com. 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
- [The New EPA Regulation Changes Affect Optometry Practices](https://wastemedic.com/2019/09/02/the-new-epa-regulation-changes-affect-optometry-practices/) - 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. 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
- [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/) - 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 in Boston, an area that's been hit hard by the pandemic, urged executives to give them a safer environment with universal N95
- [Medical Waste Management: Risks of Improper Handling](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/02/medical-waste-management-risks-of-improper-handling/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [Medical Waste Disposal: Understanding our Diverse Solutions](https://wastemedic.com/2022/05/20/medical-waste-disposal-understanding-our-diverse-solutions/) - Waste Medic is a trusted provider of the transportation, treatment, and disposal of medical waste in accordance with modern state and federal regulations.
- [What You Should know About Monkeypox Safety & Patient Care](https://wastemedic.com/2022/08/08/what-you-should-know-about-monkeypox-safety-patient-care/) - With the U.S. now leading the world in monkeypox cases, providers should be aware of the symptoms and how to properly treat patient.
- [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/) - The Waste Medic team was excited and thankful to be back on the road and in person for the 2022 MHCA (Mississippi Health Care Association) annual conference.
- [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/) - Here, we’ll explain what HIPAA is, how it applies to non-medical businesses, and how your healthcare organization can avoid a HIPAA violation.
- [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/) - Home health providers have expressed concern that their patients may not have a clear understanding of the proper ways to dispose of 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/) - When a firm fails to dispose of computers and their hard drives in accordance with the law, the risk of data theft (and a HIPAA violation) is all too real.
- [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/) - After two years of dealing with COVID-19, hospitals and health care systems are creating new programs to improve safety for patients, 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
- [Your Responsibilities Under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule](https://wastemedic.com/2022/03/27/your-responsibilities-under-the-hipaa-breach-notification-rule/) - 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,
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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. 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
- [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/) - Amid a rise in healthcare worker injuries and illnesses, the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is urging 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
- [OSHA highlights healthcare worker safety on National Caregivers Day](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/27/osha-highlights-healthcare-worker-safety-on-national-caregivers-day/) - 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 industries combined suffered more injuries and illnesses than workers in any industry in the nation. Risk management in healthcare facilities As National
- [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/) - The first two parts of this series on HIPAA in 2022 examined regulatory updates related to interoperability and OpenNote, and 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
- [Four Ways Covered Entities Can Ensure HIPAA Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/27/four-ways-covered-entities-can-ensure-hipaa-compliance/) - 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
- [Back to basics... what is HIPAA?](https://wastemedic.com/2022/02/27/back-to-basics-what-is-hipaa/) - 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
- [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/) - 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 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
- [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/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - Entira Family Clinics, a family medicine practice based in Minnesota, sent data breach notification letters to impacted individuals via 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
- [Walmart Sued for Illegal Toxic Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2022/01/20/walmart-sued-for-illegal-toxic-waste-disposal/) - 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
- [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/) - Biochem Technical Services LLC (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
- [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/) - 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
- [Providers Want More Training, Resources on Managing Medical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2022/01/20/providers-want-more-training-resources-on-managing-medical-waste/) - 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 on healthcare workplace
- [Former NY Hospital Employee Charged with HIPAA Violation](https://wastemedic.com/2021/12/24/former-ny-hospital-employee-charged-with-hipaa-violation/) - New York-based Huntington Hospital began notifying 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
- [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/) - The Fifth Circuit Court shot down the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard back in November, 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
- [OSHA: What To Expect In 2022](https://wastemedic.com/2021/12/24/osha-what-to-expect-in-2022/) - 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
- [COVID-19: Research Unmasks the Environmental Impact of PPE](https://wastemedic.com/2021/12/24/covid-19-research-unmasks-the-environmental-impact-of-ppe/) - The COVID-19 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
- [California Sues Walmart for Alleged Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2021/12/24/california-sues-walmart-for-alleged-illegal-hazardous-waste-disposal/) - 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
- [The Environmental Cost of Getting Sick](https://wastemedic.com/2021/12/24/the-environmental-cost-of-getting-sick/) - 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 and properly dispose of cloth masks to avoid PPE pollution. We worry whether all those little plastic bottles of hand
- [Pharma & Climate Change: How Can Companies Make Meaningful Contributions?](https://wastemedic.com/2021/11/23/pharma-climate-change-how-can-companies-make-meaningful-contributions/) - 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
- [Mental Health Patients Using Telehealth Share Security, HIPAA Concerns](https://wastemedic.com/2021/11/23/mental-health-patients-using-telehealth-share-security-hipaa-concerns/) - 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
- [How to Keep Sharps Safety a Cut Above](https://wastemedic.com/2021/11/23/how-to-keep-sharps-safety-a-cut-above/) - 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,
- [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/) - 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 for violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA. They range from $100 to $50,000 per violation depending
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - Last year, nearly 70,000 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
- [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/) - 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
- [Healthcare Organizations Remain at Risk Despite Proper HIPAA Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2021/10/28/healthcare-organizations-remain-at-risk-despite-proper-hipaa-compliance/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [The 3 Most Common HIPAA Violations](https://wastemedic.com/2021/09/29/the-3-most-common-hipaa-violations/) - Keeping up with HIPAA regulations is crucial for every business. While common violations of HIPAA laws 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,
- [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/) - 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, according to a news release from the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In May 2020, a parent filed a
- [This is the new issue of WMW](https://wastemedic.com/2021/09/29/this-is-the-new-issue-of-wmw/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - Hundreds of hospitals have mandated that their employees provide proof of vaccination. Other hospitals have begun to request hospital visitors show evidence they've been inoculated. Here's why these do not violate HIPAA rules, according to an Aug. 4 Insider report. Seven things to know: 1. Some Americans have expressed concerns that being asked to provide
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [15 Years Later, Walgreens’ HIPAA Violation Case Raises Questions](https://wastemedic.com/2021/08/26/15-years-later-walgreens-hipaa-violation-case-raises-questions/) - 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
- [Healthcare Industry’s Compliance With OSHA ETS Now Required](https://wastemedic.com/2021/08/26/healthcare-industrys-compliance-with-osha-ets-now-required/) - 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
- [U.S. Healthcare Regulation: A Brief Overview of HIPAA](https://wastemedic.com/2021/07/29/u-s-healthcare-regulation-a-brief-overview-of-hipaa/) - 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
- [Everything You Should Know About the HIPAA Enforcement Rule](https://wastemedic.com/2021/07/29/everything-you-should-know-about-the-hipaa-enforcement-rule/) - With the regular and much needed update to critical standards such as HIPAA, 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 is the Health Information Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Enforcement rule, which has caused quite a stir
- [Green PPE is Gaining Traction Globally](https://wastemedic.com/2021/07/29/green-ppe-is-gaining-traction-globally/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [Famous Cases of HIPAA Violations](https://wastemedic.com/2021/06/27/famous-cases-of-hipaa-violations/) - 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
- [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/) - 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.” 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
- [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/) - 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 while conducting routine internet scanning for exposed cloud databases. Fowler said the database did not have any authentication
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - Asking someone about their COVID-19 vaccination 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 that being asked about their vaccination status is a HIPAA violation. But others have said that's not actually
- [Why Clinical Lab HIPAA Settlement Is Significant](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/30/why-clinical-lab-hipaa-settlement-is-significant/) - A federal $25,000 HIPAA 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
- [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/) - 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
- [‘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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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: Fauci: US won't mandate vaccine passports Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told Politico's "Dispatch" podcast that the
- [Why the COVID-19 Waste Management is Complicated](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/02/why-the-covid-19-waste-management-is-complicated/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [Navigating PPE Waste Disposal During a Pandemic](https://wastemedic.com/2021/05/02/navigating-ppe-waste-disposal-during-a-pandemic/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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 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
- [Ways to Dispose of Medications Safely and Legally](https://wastemedic.com/2021/03/31/ways-to-dispose-of-medications-safely-and-legally/) - 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
- [Combating Patient-Generated Violence with Safe Hospital Design](https://wastemedic.com/2021/03/31/combating-patient-generated-violence-with-safe-hospital-design/) - 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
- [5 Most Common HIPAA Violations Physicians Should Watch For](https://wastemedic.com/2021/03/31/5-most-common-hipaa-violations-physicians-should-watch-for/) - 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. HHS' Office for Civil Rights, which is responsible for enforcing HIPAA privacy rules, regularly tracks the compliance issues most often alleged in HIPAA complaints.
- [Ramping Up for COVID-19 Vaccine Waste](https://wastemedic.com/2021/03/31/ramping-up-for-covid-19-vaccine-waste/) - 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
- [Make the workplace safer for health care employees](https://wastemedic.com/2021/02/27/make-the-workplace-safer-for-health-care-employees/) - The deadly gunfire 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
- [Top challenges to HIPAA compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2021/02/27/top-challenges-to-hipaa-compliance/) - 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
- [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/) - An unintended consequence of COVID-19 safety procedures has been a surge in trash, from face masks to gloves 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
- [Unmasking the pandemic’s pollution problem](https://wastemedic.com/2021/02/27/unmasking-the-pandemics-pollution-problem/) - Tanveer Adyel began to notice the trash in March. This was early in the COVID-19 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
- [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/) - HHS' Office for Civil Rights will not impose 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,
- [PPE Waste Disposal a Growing Pandemic Challenge](https://wastemedic.com/2021/01/31/ppe-waste-disposal-a-growing-pandemic-challenge/) - 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
- [Safety and Health Procedures in Medical Waste Management](https://wastemedic.com/2021/01/31/safety-and-health-procedures-in-medical-waste-management/) - 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
- [HIPAA explained: definition, compliance, and violations](https://wastemedic.com/2021/01/31/hipaa-explained-definition-compliance-and-violations/) - 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
- [SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Waste Management](https://wastemedic.com/2021/01/14/sars-cov-2-mrna-vaccine-waste-management/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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 is OSHA's primary targeting program for non-construction establishments with 20 or more employees. The agency
- [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/) - The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) announced Dec. 2 that it has sent letters 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) on including waste and recycling industry personnel as a part of their states’ vaccine distribution plans, including specialty medical
- [Health Privacy, Security Priorities in Biden Administration](https://wastemedic.com/2020/12/28/health-privacy-security-priorities-in-biden-administration/) - 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
- [How does HIPAA affect medical devices?](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/24/how-does-hipaa-affect-medical-devices/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [17 HIPAA settlements in 2020](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/24/17-hipaa-settlements-in-2020/) - 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,
- [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/) - October 28, 2020 - The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights announced 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, as well as California for $935,000 in January
- [Handling COVID biomedical waste critical to prevent future epidemics](https://wastemedic.com/2020/11/02/handling-covid-biomedical-waste-critical-to-prevent-future-epidemics/) - 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
- [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/) - 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 to pay OCR $6.85 million to settle potential violations related to a HIPAA breach that affected more
- [OCR Imposes $6.85M Penalty Over Data Breach](https://wastemedic.com/2020/09/29/ocr-imposes-6-85m-penalty-over-data-breach/) - 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 to resolve potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Premera Blue Cross is a
- [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/) - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has awarded approximately $11.2 million in Susan Harwood federal safety and health training grants to 90 nonprofit organizations 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
- [OSHA cites Massachusetts dental practice for respiratory protection violations](https://wastemedic.com/2020/09/29/osha-cites-massachusetts-dental-practice-for-respiratory-protection-violations/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [How do you fix healthcare's medical waste problem?](https://wastemedic.com/2020/09/04/how-do-you-fix-healthcares-medical-waste-problem/) - 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
- [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/) - On Aug. 25, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule (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,
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [Have COVID Conditions Affected Trash?](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/28/have-covid-conditions-affected-trash/) - 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
- [The Most Common HIPAA Violations – Can You Avoid Them?](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/28/the-most-common-hipaa-violations-can-you-avoid-them/) - 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
- [Safe Disposal in the COVID-19 Era](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/28/safe-disposal-in-the-covid-19-era/) - 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.
- [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/) - 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
- [What Medical Privacy Laws Do And Don't Cover](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/05/what-medical-privacy-laws-do-and-dont-cover/) - 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
- [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/) - 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,
- [COVID-19 Fallout: Tons of Trash](https://wastemedic.com/2020/07/05/covid-19-fallout-tons-of-trash/) - 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
- [Building Resilience During COVID-19](https://wastemedic.com/2020/06/07/building-resilience-during-covid-19/) - 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,
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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.
- [5 Ways to Go Green During the Pandemic](https://wastemedic.com/2020/06/07/5-ways-to-go-green-during-the-pandemic/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [Will Covid-19 kill HIPAA? No, but…](https://wastemedic.com/2020/05/07/will-covid-19-kill-hipaa-no-but/) - Dr. Ratul Chatterjee, 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
- [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/) - Workplace safety inspectors are conducting nearly 200 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
- [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/) - 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
- [Understanding FDA Regulatory Terminology During COVID-19](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/27/understanding-fda-regulatory-terminology-during-covid-19/) - 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,
- [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/) - 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 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
- [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/) - Local hospitals are running through personal protective equipment 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
- [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/) - 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?
- [How to Properly Wash Your Hands](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/10/how-to-properly-wash-your-hands/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [How to Respond Effectively to Covid-19 Waste Generation](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/01/how-to-respond-effectively-to-covid-19-waste-generation/) - 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 +
- [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/) - 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
- [The first days on the front line](https://wastemedic.com/2020/04/01/the-first-days-on-the-front-line/) - 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
- [Healthcare Waste Institute's FAQs Regarding COVID-19](https://wastemedic.com/2020/03/13/healthcare-waste-institutes-faqs-regarding-covid-19/) - 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
- [Patient Lawsuits for HIPAA-Related Breaches](https://wastemedic.com/2020/03/05/patient-lawsuits-for-hipaa-related-breaches/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - In a recent blog post, 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 in the U.S., it is imperative that HIPAA covered entities and their business associates are aware of their privacy and security responsibilities in
- [LabCorp security lapse exposed thousands of medical documents](https://wastemedic.com/2020/02/02/labcorp-security-lapse-exposed-thousands-of-medical-documents/) - A security flaw in LabCorp’s 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 had been affected by a credit card data breach of a third-party payments processor. That breach also hit several other
- [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/) - 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
- [Accidental Needlesticks: The Silent Killer](https://wastemedic.com/2020/02/01/accidental-needlesticks-the-silent-killer-2/) - 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
- [A New Decade Of HIPAA – What Can We Expect?](https://wastemedic.com/2020/02/01/a-new-decade-of-hipaa-what-can-we-expect/) - 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.
- [When Medical Waste Handling Goes Wrong](https://wastemedic.com/2020/02/01/when-medical-waste-handling-goes-wrong/) - 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).
- [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/) - Recently, the House of Representatives passed a bill, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Healthcare and Social Service Workers Act. 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
- [New Safe Medication Disposal Rules for Nursing Homes](https://wastemedic.com/2020/01/02/new-safe-medication-disposal-rules-for-nursing-homes/) - 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) 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
- [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/) - 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.
- [Must-have gadgets for today’s pediatrician in 2020](https://wastemedic.com/2020/01/02/must-have-gadgets-for-todays-pediatrician-in-2020/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [House Passes Healthcare Workplace Violence Bill](https://wastemedic.com/2019/12/04/house-passes-healthcare-workplace-violence-bill/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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 professions in
- [3 big HIPAA blind spots you need to address](https://wastemedic.com/2019/12/04/3-big-hipaa-blind-spots-you-need-to-address/) - 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
- [OSHA Enforcement And Compliance Increased In 2019](https://wastemedic.com/2019/12/04/osha-enforcement-and-compliance-increased-in-2019/) - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) 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
- [Beyond the operatory: Implementing officewide infection prevention](https://wastemedic.com/2019/11/11/beyond-the-operatory-implementing-officewide-infection-prevention/) - 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
- [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/) - 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 states that between 35% and 54% of
- [Opioid Toolkit for Employers Released by NSC](https://wastemedic.com/2019/10/22/opioid-toolkit-for-employers-released-by-nsc/) - 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
- [Can Diabetic Employees Discard Insulin Needles in the Trash?](https://wastemedic.com/2019/10/22/can-diabetic-employees-discard-insulin-needles-in-the-trash/) - They are sharps, after all, so isn’t an extra layer of safety in disposal necessary? As experts at 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
- [5 Unexpected Ways You’re Violating HIPAA Law](https://wastemedic.com/2019/10/22/5-unexpected-ways-youre-violating-hipaa-law/) - In today’s tech-dominated world, as more digital devices permeate the practice of medicine, they simultaneously create more opportunities for HIPAA law violations. 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
- [HIPAA Compliance Checklist](https://wastemedic.com/2019/10/06/hipaa-compliance-checklist/) - Any organization that has access to electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) must comply with HIPAA. 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
- [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/) - 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 said the settlement with Elite Dental
- [HIPAA: At what cost?](https://wastemedic.com/2019/10/06/hipaa-at-what-cost/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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 published by health manuscript archive company medRxiv. In the telephone survey portion of
- [Education key to safe sharps disposal practices](https://wastemedic.com/2019/09/02/education-key-to-safe-sharps-disposal-practices/) - 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,
- [The Impact of EPA Rule on Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals](https://wastemedic.com/2019/09/02/the-impact-of-epa-rule-on-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals/) - A new EPA rule 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 prohibit the disposal of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals down the drain and eliminates the dual regulation of RCRA hazardous waste pharmaceuticals that are also Drug
- [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/) - The threat of workplace violence is a growing risk to businesses of all sizes across the United States. According to the National Safety Council, 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [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/) - 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
- [Seven Pharmacy Regulations Health Execs Must Watch](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/29/seven-pharmacy-regulations-health-execs-must-watch/) - 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, says changes in drug pricing represents a particularly important issue
- [Three Key Recommendations to Improve HIPAA Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2019/06/03/three-key-recommendations-to-improve-hipaa-compliance/) - This post, Three Key Recommendations to Improve HIPAA Compliance, first appeared on https://thedoctorweighsin.com. 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
- [$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/) - This post, $10.5 Million in Worker Training Grants are Available Through OSHA, first appeared on https://www.ehstoday.com. 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
- [Is texting at work acceptable for nurses?](https://wastemedic.com/2019/05/01/is-texting-at-work-acceptable-for-nurses/) - This post, Is texting at work acceptable for nurses?, first appeared on https://www.nurse.com/. 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
- [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/) - This post, Hospitals, Healthcare, and Long-Term Care Facilities: New Requirements for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals, first appeared on https://www.lexology.com/. The new hazardous waste pharmaceuticals rule 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
- [Facing Escalating Workplace Violence, Hospital Employees Have Had Enough](https://wastemedic.com/2019/05/01/facing-escalating-workplace-violence-hospital-employees-have-had-enough/) - This post, Facing Escalating Workplace Violence, Hospital Employees Have Had Enough, first appeared on https://www.npr.org/. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, incidents of serious workplace violence are four times 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
- [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/) - This post, Association between the Nurse Work Environment & its Outcomes studied by Penn Nursing, first appeared on https://biopharmapress.com. 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
- [Designing a Better Ambulance](https://wastemedic.com/2019/04/02/designing-a-better-ambulance/) - This post, Designing a Better Ambulance, first appeared on https://www.emsworld.com. 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
- [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/) - This post, EPA Issues New Waste Rules for Hospitals, Medical Clinics and Pharmacies, first appeared on https://www.lexology.com. 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.
- [A Secure Healthcare Prescription](https://wastemedic.com/2019/03/13/a-secure-healthcare-prescription/) - This post, A Secure Healthcare Prescription, first appeared on https://securitytoday.com. 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
- [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/) - This post, Patients Who Receive Information About the Importance of Safe Disposal are Three Times More Likely to Dispose of Unused Prescription Opioid Medications, first appeared on https://www.businesswire.com. 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)--Purdue Pharma
- [Four ways to manage healthcare waste sustainably](https://wastemedic.com/2019/03/13/four-ways-to-manage-healthcare-waste-sustainably/) - This post, Four ways to manage healthcare waste sustainably, first appeared on https://www.eco-business.com. 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
- [Accidental Needlesticks: The Silent Killer](https://wastemedic.com/2019/03/13/accidental-needlesticks-the-silent-killer/) - This post, Accidental Needlesticks: The Silent Killer, first appeared on https://www.physiciansweekly.com. 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
- [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/) - This post, Physicians report most sharps injuries among health care workers, data shows, first appeared on https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com. Physicians have surpassed nurses as the occupational group with the highest percentage of reported sharps injuries, recent data from the International Safety Center shows. Researchers analyzed 2016 surveillance data from hospitals that voluntarily participate in ISC’s Exposure Prevention
- [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/) - This post, Why HIPAA matters: The toll of privacy breaches and compromised health data, first appeared on https://www.dentistryiq.com. Knowledge is power, and nowadays this is truer than ever. The move to a digital economy has facilitated the explosion of information consumption. Knowledge about customers, patients, and employees has enabled health-care organizations to personalize products and services
- [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/) - This post, Wyoming Seeks to Repeal Hospital Privacy Regulation for HIPAA Clarity, first appeared on https://healthitsecurity.com. Wyoming state senators recently proposed a bill that would clarify regulations around patient privacy in the state. Introduced on Tuesday, the legislation would repeal the state’s Hospital Records Act of 1991, which was designed to protect patient privacy rights
- [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/) - This post, Target to Pay $7.4 Million for Improperly Disposing Hazardous Waste in Calif. Landfills – Again, first appeared on https://obrag.org. 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
- [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/) - This post, 4 Ways to Improve Your Hospital Quality and Safety Rankings, first appeared on https://www.healthleadersmedia.com. Nearly two decades after the Institute of Medicine published its groundbreaking healthcare safety report "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
- [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/) - This post, Collaboration and innovation key to stemming risks for shift worker health and safety, first appeared on https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com. 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
- [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/) - This post, Drugs and syringes have become such a problem in Starbucks bathrooms that the company is installing needle-disposal boxes, first appeared on https://www.businessinsider.com. 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
- [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/) - This post, OCR Fines Providers for HIPAA Violations, Failure to Follow “Basic Security Requirements”, first appeared on https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/. 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
- [4 tips for managing medical waste at ASCs](https://wastemedic.com/2018/11/02/4-tips-for-managing-medical-waste-at-ascs/) - This post, 4 tips for managing medical waste at ASCs, first appeared on https://www.beckersasc.com/. 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. Here are four strategies for disposing of waste properly: Ensure staff
- [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/) - This post, HIPAA and data sharing: Rethinking both for the Digital Age, first appeared on https://www.healthcareitnews.com/. By 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.
- [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/) - This post, Behind the Curtain of Sharps Injury Prevention and Device Reprocessing, first appeared on https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/. 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
- [Complying with the HIPAA Privacy Rule During Emergency Situations](https://wastemedic.com/2018/10/15/complying-with-the-hipaa-privacy-rule-during-emergency-situations/) - This post, Complying with the HIPAA Privacy Rule During Emergency Situations, first appeared on https://healthitsecurity.com/. 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.
- [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/) - This post, Making Hospitals a Safe Place to Work – Preparedness for Hospital Staff, first appeared on http://nursing.advanceweb.com/. 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,
- [Healthcare Facilities Discover Pain Relief For the Datacenter](https://wastemedic.com/2018/09/06/healthcare-facilities-discover-pain-relief-for-the-datacenter/) - This post, Healthcare Facilities Discover Pain Relief For the Datacenter, first appeared on https://www.infoworld.com. 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
- [Good Incident Response Plans Are a Must](https://wastemedic.com/2018/09/06/good-incident-response-plans-are-a-must/) - This post, Good Incident Response Plans Are a Must, first appeared on https://www.renalandurologynews.com/. 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
- [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/) - This post, Cloud for healthcare presses on but is slowed by HIPAA anxiety, first appeared on https://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/. 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
- [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/) - This post, Are your vendors HIPAA compliant? Find out before it’s too late, first appeared on https://www.dentistryiq.com/. 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
- [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/) - This post, Hospital Hit with $4.3 Million Fine for “Snail’s Pace” HIPAA Compliance, first appeared on https://www.jdsupra.com/. 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 the fourth largest HIPAA
- [2018 HIPAA Compliance: How to Keep Your ePHI Protected](https://wastemedic.com/2018/07/17/2018-hipaa-compliance-how-to-keep-your-ephi-protected/) - This post, 2018 HIPAA Compliance: How to Keep Your ePHI Protected, first appeared on https://healthtechmagazine.net/. 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, which promises to bring electronic health records into patients’ pockets and introduce the era of bring-your-own-data in
- [Proactive ways to prevent improper pharmaceutical disposal](https://wastemedic.com/2018/07/17/proactive-ways-to-prevent-improper-pharmaceutical-disposal/) - This post, Proactive ways to prevent improper pharmaceutical disposal, first appeared on https://www.mcknights.com/. 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
- [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/) - This post, 1.13M Records Exposed by 110 Healthcare Data Breaches in Q1 2018, first appeared on https://healthitsecurity.com. Around 1.13 million patient records were compromised in 110 healthcare data breaches in the first quarter of 2018, according to data released May 3 in the Protenus Breach Barometer. Healthcare insiders were most likely to snoop on family members—a
- [Did EMS Worker Commit HIPAA Violation With Facebook Post?](https://wastemedic.com/2018/06/05/did-ems-worker-commit-hipaa-violation-with-facebook-post/) - This post, Did EMS Worker Commit HIPAA Violation With Facebook Post?, first appeared on https://healthitsecurity.com. 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
- [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/) - This post, When medical devices get hacked, hospitals often don't know it, first appeared on http://www.healthcareitnews.com/. 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
- [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/) - This post, 7k patients file HIPAA violations in the past 5 years: 5 things to know, first appeared on https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/. There have been 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 by Health
- [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/) - This post, What Healthcare Providers Must Know About the HIPAA Security Rule, first appeared on https://healthitsecurity.com. 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
- [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/) - This post, Lawmakers seek OSHA standard on workplace violence prevention in health care, first appeared on http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/. Rep. Ro Khanna (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, introduced March 8, would direct OSHA to create a standard
- [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/) - This post, HHS announces $3.5 million HIPAA settlement with Fresenius resolving five breach reports, first appeared on https://www.natlawreview.com/. 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
- [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/) - This post, Stop the splashes, spills: How hospitals can ensure safe disposal of infectious fluid waste, first appeared on https://www.beckershospitalreview.com. 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
- [3 things you need to do after receiving an OSHA citation](https://wastemedic.com/2017/12/04/3-things-need-receiving-osha-citation/) - This post, 3 things you need to do after receiving an OSHA citation, first appeared on https://www.bizjournals.com/. 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,
- [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/) - This post, HHS releases limited HIPAA waiver during Hurricane Harvey: 5 things to know, first appeared on http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/. Written by Jessica Kim Cohen | August 30, 2017 HHS issued a limited waiver of HIPAA sanctions and penalties during Hurricane Harvey, which HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, declared a public health emergency in Texas Aug. 26 and
- [Where is your PHI Data Traveling Today?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/08/25/phi-data-traveling-today/) - This post, Where is your PHI Data Traveling Today?, first appeared on https://www.lexology.com/. Dickinson Wright | 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
- [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/) - This post, Recent Events Increase the Importance of HIPAA Risk Analyses and HIPAA Policies, first appeared on http://www.jdsupra.com/. 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,
- [Palmetto Health fined for mishandling hazardous waste](https://wastemedic.com/2017/08/17/palmetto-health-fined-mishandling-hazardous-waste/) - This post, Palmetto Health fined for mishandling hazardous waste, first appeared on http://www.thestate.com/. By Jeff Wilkinson jwilkinson@thestate.com 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
- [What is the HIPAA Complaint Process?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/08/15/hipaa-complaint-process/) - This post, What is the HIPAA Complaint Process?, first appeared on http://www.jdsupra.com/. 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
- [Three Essential Best Practices for HIPAA Compliance](https://wastemedic.com/2017/08/15/three-essential-best-practices-hipaa-compliance/) - This post, Three Essential Best Practices for HIPAA Compliance, first appeared on http://www.healthstream.com/. 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
- [Sharps Injuries - Providers face new reporting requirements](https://wastemedic.com/2017/07/27/sharps-injuries-providers-face-new-reporting-requirements/) - This post, Sharps Injuries - Providers face new reporting requirements, first appeared on http://www.repertoiremag.com/. 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
- [How to make sure your dental practice is EPA compliant](https://wastemedic.com/2017/07/26/dental-practices-epa/) - This post, How to make sure your dental practice is EPA compliant, first appeared on http://www.dentistryiq.com/. 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), state, and local regulations to ensure the proper handling and disposal of
- [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/) - This post, Couple Expecting Gifts From Amazon Receive Bag Of Medical Waste Instead, first appeared on http://dailycaller.com/. 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
- [5 HIPAA and HITECH violations your dental practice is making](https://wastemedic.com/2017/07/07/5-hipaa-hitech-violations-dental-practice-making/) - This post, 5 HIPAA/HITECH violations your dental practice is making, first appeared on http://gazette.com/. July 4, 2017 Pssst — I think we need to talk. Your dental practice — does it have a HIPAA/HITECH 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
- [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/) - This post, You are entitled to leave your EMR vendor — and take your data with you, first appeared on http://www.mcknights.com/. 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
- [Awrel releases enterprise version of HIPAA-compliant texting app](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/29/awrel-releases-enterprise-version-hipaa-compliant-texting-app/) - This post, Awrel releases enterprise version of HIPAA-compliant texting app, first appeared on http://www.dentistryiq.com/. June 28, 2017 By 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, recently released Awrel Enterprise, a new enterprise version
- [Keeping Telemedicine HIPAA Compliant](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/21/keeping-telemedicine-hipaa-compliant/) - This post, Keeping Telemedicine HIPAA Compliant, first appeared on http://hitconsultant.net/. by Our Thought Leaders | 06/20/2017 Editor’s Note: Brady Ranum is VP of Products and Strategy at Dizzion, 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
- [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/) - This post, Hazardous Waste Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Oncology, P.A. Enter into Consent Agreement, first appeared on http://www.lexology.com/. Mitchell Williams Selig Gates & Woodyard PLLC | 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
- [Tips to Ensure Healthcare Marketing Campaigns are HIPAA Compliant](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/15/tips-ensure-healthcare-marketing-campaigns-hipaa-compliant/) - This post, Tips to Ensure Healthcare Marketing Campaigns are HIPAA Compliant, first appeared on https://tech.co/. 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.
- [Giving a Speech? Be Careful About Privacy Violations](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/05/giving-speech-careful-privacy-violations/) - This post, Giving a Speech? Be Careful About Privacy Violations, first appeared on http://www.govinfosecurity.com/. Marianne Kolbasuk McGee (HealthInfoSec) • June 2, 2017 A recent speech by a health insurance company executive is stirring up debate about whether a patient's privacy can be violated even if the patient's name is never revealed. An executive from health insurer
- [Health Care: Cybersecurity in an Insecure World](https://wastemedic.com/2017/06/05/health-care-cybersecurity-insecure-world/) - This post, Health Care: Cybersecurity in an Insecure World, first appeared on http://www.thelegalintelligencer.com/. 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
- [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/) - This post, HIPAA Spring Check-Up: Your Obligations to Safeguard Third-Party Patient Health Information in Medical Records Produced in Litigation, first appeared on http://www.natlawreview.com/. 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
- [How OSHA's HazCom Standard Protects Both Employers and Employees](https://wastemedic.com/2017/05/17/oshas-hazcom-standard-protects-employers-employees/) - This post, How OSHA's HazCom Standard Protects Both Employers and Employees, first appeared on http://www.digitaljournal.com/. New York, NY - May 15, 2017 - (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
- [Two HIPAA Mistakes Lead to Fines from OCR](https://wastemedic.com/2017/05/17/two-hipaa-mistakes-lead-fines-ocr/) - This post, Two HIPAA Mistakes Lead to Fines from OCR, first appeared on http://www.natlawreview.com/. Monday, May 1, 2017 It was a busy April for the Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) (see our prior post on a settlement from earlier in April). On April 20, OCR announced a Resolution Agreement with Center for Children’s Digestive Health, S.C. (“CCDH”) related to CCHD’s failure to enter into
- [Between RCRA and a Hard Place: Operating Under Conflicting Regulations](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/27/rcra-hard-place-operating-conflicting-regulations/) - This post, Between RCRA and a Hard Place: Operating Under Conflicting Regulations, first appeared on http://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com. 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
- [How healthcare organizations should prepare for a HIPAA audit](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/27/healthcare-organizations-prepare-hipaa-audit/) - This post, How healthcare organizations should prepare for a HIPAA audit, first appeared on www.healthdatamanagement.com. 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
- [Lack of BAA at Center of New HIPAA Settlement](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/24/lack-baa-center-new-hipaa-settlement/) - This post, Lack of BAA at Center of New HIPAA Settlement, first appeared on http://www.govinfosecurity.com. Marianne Kolbasuk McGee (HealthInfoSec) • April 24, 2017 Federal regulators have signed a $31,000 HIPAA 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
- [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/) - This post, Healthcare leaders crown employee cybersecurity awareness as primary threat concern, first appeared on http://www.healthcaredive.com. 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
- [Hazardous Waste Disposal Day Scheduled for Hattiesburg & Surrounding Areas](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/15/hazardous-waste-disposal-day-scheduled-hattiesburg-surrounding-areas/) - This post, Hazardous Waste Disposal Day Scheduled for Hattiesburg & Surrounding Areas, first appeared on http://www.wdam.com/. 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
- [Social Media Policy Instructions for Your Medical Practice](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/09/social-media-policy-instructions-medical-practice/) - This post, Social Media Policy Instructions for Your Medical Practice, first appeared on www.diagnosticimaging.com. By 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
- [Watch out for these HIPAA violations in online reviews](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/07/watch-hipaa-violations-online-reviews/) - This post, Watch out for these HIPAA violations in online reviews, first appeared on www.modernmedicine.com. When most physicians think of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (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
- [First Aid Preparedness](https://wastemedic.com/2017/04/03/first-aid-preparedness/) - This post, First Aid Preparedness, first appeared on www.ohsonline.com. 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
- [HazCom: Understanding ‘Hazard Not Otherwise Classified’](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/27/2163/) - This post, HazCom: Understanding ‘Hazard Not Otherwise Classified’, first appeared on www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com. Responding is Robert Ernst, editor – workplace safety, J. J. Keller & Associates Inc., 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
- [Hey Dentists: No Business Associate Agreement, No Problem](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/27/hey-dentists-no-business-associate-agreement-no-problem/) - This post, Hey Dentists: No Business Associate Agreement, No Problem, first appeared on www.jdsupra.com. 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
- [Why HR managers should review their HIPAA procedures](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/16/hr-managers-review-hipaa-procedures/) - This post, Why HR managers should review their HIPAA procedures, first appeared on www.benefitnews.com. 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.
- [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/) - This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. 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
- [EPA FAQ: When will this rulemaking go into effect?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-will-rulemaking-go-effect/) - This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. 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.
- [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/) - This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. 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
- [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/) - This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. 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
- [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/) - This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. 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
- [EPA FAQ: Which pharmaceuticals are considered hazardous waste?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-pharmaceuticals-considered-hazardous-waste/) - This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. 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
- [EPA FAQ: What is the definition of pharmaceutical under the proposed rule?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-definition-pharmaceutical-proposed-rule/) - This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. 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
- [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/) - This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. 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
- [EPA FAQ: Who is affected by this rulemaking?](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/10/epa-faq-affected-rulemaking/) - This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. 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,
- [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/) - This content, Frequent Questions about the Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Proposed Rule, first appeared on www.epa.gov. 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
- [A Strong Culture of Safety Begins With Leadership](https://wastemedic.com/2017/03/02/strong-culture-safety-begins-leadership/) - Published: March 2, 2017 This post, A Strong Culture of Safety Begins With Leadership, first appeared on www.outpatientsurgery.net. 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

## Pages

- [Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/) - Waste Medic provides safe, compliant transportation, treatment, and disposal of medical waste, ensuring your facility meets all current regulations with ease.
- [About Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/about-us/) - Waste Medic provides reliable, compliant medical waste disposal services—including biohazardous, sharps, pharmaceutical, and trace chemotherapy waste—across the Southeastern U.S., with transparent pricing and responsive, personalized support.
- [Sustainability](https://wastemedic.com/sustainability/) - See how Waste Medic integrates sustainability into every part of our medical waste services—from reusable containers to eco-conscious routing and compliance training.
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- [Medical Sharps Waste](https://wastemedic.com/services/sharps-disposal/) - Ensure safe sharps disposal with Waste Medic—offering secure, compliant pickup and treatment services tailored to your facility’s needs.
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- [Resume Submission](https://wastemedic.com/resume-submission/) - 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 *

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- [Sustainability for Healthcare](https://wastemedic.com/slider/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.
- [Temperature Monitoring](https://wastemedic.com/slider/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.
- [Trusted Medical Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/slider/waste-medic/) - 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
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- [Trusted Healthcare Partners](https://wastemedic.com/slider/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.
- [Consultation & Training](https://wastemedic.com/slider/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.
- [Trace Chemotherapy Waste](https://wastemedic.com/slider/trace-chemotherapy-waste-disposal/) - 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.
- [Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/slider/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.
- [Safe Sharps Disposal for Every Facility](https://wastemedic.com/slider/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.
- [Biohazardous Waste Disposal](https://wastemedic.com/slider/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.
- [Medical Waste Disposal Services](https://wastemedic.com/slider/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.

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- [healthcare employee training](https://wastemedic.com/tag/healthcare-employee-training/)
- [medical waste assessment](https://wastemedic.com/tag/medical-waste-assessment/)

## Slideshow Category

- [Homepage](https://wastemedic.com/slide-category/homepage/)
- [Medical Waste Disposal Services](https://wastemedic.com/slide-category/medical-waste-disposal-services/)
- [Biohazardous Waste](https://wastemedic.com/slide-category/biohazardous-waste/)
- [Sharps Waste](https://wastemedic.com/slide-category/sharps-waste/)
- [Pharmaceutical Waste](https://wastemedic.com/slide-category/pharmaceutical-waste/)
- [Trace Chemotherapy Waste](https://wastemedic.com/slide-category/trace-chemotherapy-waste/)
- [Consultation & Training](https://wastemedic.com/slide-category/consultation-training/)
- [About Waste Medic](https://wastemedic.com/slide-category/about-waste-medic/)
- [Contact Us](https://wastemedic.com/slide-category/contact-us/)
- [Temperature Monitoring](https://wastemedic.com/slide-category/temperature-monitoring/)
- [Sustainability](https://wastemedic.com/slide-category/sustainability/)