Non-hazardous waste
HIPAA and Medical Waste: What’s the Rule?
Personal health information exists on specimen cups and IV bags. Are these covered as PHI under HIPAA? Protecting sensitive information is important, particularly in the healthcare industry. Medical records are full of data that would be an identity thief’s dream come true; names, addresses, social security numbers, health plan information, and so much more. The…
Read MoreIndiana 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…
Read MoreWhat Is a Spill Kit? Who Needs Them?
Spill kits are essential items to have easily on hand. Here’s why. Have you ever wondered what a spill kit is and what purpose it serves? Just as the name suggests, a spill kit is an all-in-one container that is designed to handle spills in a work environment. Not all spill kits are created equal;…
Read MoreIllinois 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).…
Read MoreDoes OSHA consider feminine hygiene products medical waste?
Does OSHA consider feminine hygiene products medical waste? The terms “biohazardous material,” “biohazardous waste,” “medical waste,” “regulated waste,” and “regulated medical waste” are used somewhat interchangeably, but they all have different definitions, and how they’re defined is usually based on what state you live in. One concern we’ve come across here at Red Bags is…
Read MoreIdaho 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…
Read MoreIs Medical Waste Pollution a Problem in the U.S.?
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…
Read MoreWhat 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…
Read MoreGeorgia 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…
Read MoreTop 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…
Read MoreFlorida 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…
Read MoreWhat’s Going in That Sharps Container?
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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