Kansas Medical Waste Requirements

A look at medical waste regulations in the state of Kansas. Kansas medical waste disposal regulations are governed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Medical waste is defined by the state as “solid waste materials which are potentially capable of causing disease or injury and which are generated in connection with human or…

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3 Ways to Save On Medical Waste Removal

Need to save on medical waste removal? Make sure you’re doing this… Part of managing medical waste is managing a budget, and while the services you’re paying for may seem clear-cut, there are some costly missteps that could lead to overpayment by way of fines. These surprise items are not something one can prepare for…

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Iowa Medical Waste Requirements

A look at medical waste regulations in the state of Iowa. Medical waste management in the state of Iowa is regulated under the state’s solid waste program, and infectious waste is considered “special waste.” Of course, special waste is rather broad in Iowa; this pertains to waste that cannot be put into a landfill, at…

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Indiana Medical Waste Requirements

A look at medical waste regulations in the state of Indiana. Indiana’s medical waste disposal regulations are managed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and regulated under both the Department of Health’s (DOH) infectious waste regulations and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM) solid waste regulations. Like all states, Indiana has stringent requirements…

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Illinois Medical Waste Requirements

A look at medical waste regulations in the state of Illinois. Illinois medical waste regulations are governed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by The Bureau of Land.  However, in Illinois medical waste is not referred to as medical waste, rather the state classifies medical waste as “Potentially Infectious Medical Waste” (PIMW).…

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Idaho Medical Waste Requirements

A look at medical waste regulations in the state of Idaho. Idaho medical waste management is governed by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Like many of the other states we have already covered, Idaho defines medical waste as “…a waste that is known or reasonably expected to contain pathogens. Pathogens are microorganisms (including…

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Is Medical Waste Pollution a Problem in the U.S.?

HIPAA's Privacy Rule

Is treatment of medical waste pollution a problem in the U.S.? The need for proper medical waste removal was realized when, in the 1980s, beaches were being littered with disposed syringes, medications, and other healthcare-related waste. While medical waste disposal is primarily regulated at the state level, federal laws have dictated the safety and efficacy…

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What Happens to Medical Waste Eventually?

Every day, a relatively large amount of potentially infectious and hazardous waste is generated in health care organizations like hospitals and other facilities around the world.  This bio-medical waste must be carefully treated and disposed of in order to avoid contamination and the spread of infectious pathogens. That is why many health facilities and hospitals…

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Georgia Medical Waste Requirements

A quick look at Georgia medical waste requirements. In the state of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources oversees medical waste disposal under its environmental protection division. Biomedical waste is its own category under the solid waste management plan, which outlines what is considered medical waste, storage specifications, and treatment plans. The state defines…

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Top 5 Medical Waste Violations: Is Your Facility Guilty?

Is your facility guilty of these common medical waste violations? Despite the abundance of information on proper medical waste disposal and the laws that back this up, there are still some common violations that people make with medical waste removal. Not only is this a compliance issue, it’s an environmental and health issue that can…

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Florida Medical Waste Requirements

A look at Florida medical waste regulations. Florida medical waste requirements are managed by the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Each agency governs different aspects of medical waste disposal.  The Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for biomedical waste incineration and final disposal, whereas The Department of Health has…

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What’s Going in That Sharps Container?

HIPAA's Privacy Rule

Sharps containers aren’t just for needles. What else goes in that sharps container? If you’ve ever had blood drawn or received a vaccination at a healthcare facility, then you’ve probably seen the practitioner drop the needle into a sharps container. These containers are crucial for infection prevention; they are rigid, puncture-proof, and have lids that…

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