In an era of unprecedented healthcare advancements, a concerning byproduct has emerged – a staggering amount of medical waste. From big city hospitals to rural clinics, facilities across the globe are grappling with the complexities of managing this ever-growing stream of potentially hazardous materials.

The numbers are staggering. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 85% of the total amount of waste generated by healthcare activities is considered non-hazardous. However, the remaining 15% is classified as hazardous material that may be infectious, toxic, or radioactive. Improper handling and disposal of this medical waste can have severe consequences for both human health and the environment.

Take the example of needle-stick injuries, which pose a significant risk of transmitting life-threatening diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. In the United States alone, it is estimated that over 800,000 needle-stick injuries occur annually among healthcare workers. Alarmingly, many of these incidents could have been prevented with proper sharps disposal practices.

Beyond the immediate health risks, the environmental impact of medical waste mismanagement is equally concerning. Improperly disposed of pharmaceuticals can contaminate water supplies, while infectious waste can contribute to the spread of disease. In developing nations, where waste management infrastructure is often lacking, the consequences can be particularly severe.

A Comprehensive Solution

In the face of this mounting crisis, MedSharps has emerged as a pioneering force in the medical waste management industry. Our company offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to address every aspect of the waste disposal process, from initial segregation and collection to final treatment and disposal.

One of our core strengths lies in our deep understanding of the complex regulatory landscape surrounding medical waste. Our team of experts meticulously adheres to all local, state, and federal guidelines, ensuring that our clients remain fully compliant while minimizing their liability risks.

Safety: Our Top Priority

At MedSharps, safety is more than just a buzzword – it’s a fundamental pillar of our operations. We employ strict protocols and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that all hazardous materials are handled with the utmost care and precision.

Take our sharps disposal services, for example. We provide healthcare facilities with puncture-resistant containers specifically designed for the safe collection and transportation of used needles, syringes, and other sharps. These containers are clearly labeled and equipped with secure locking mechanisms to prevent accidental exposure or tampering.

Tailored Solutions for Every Facility

We understand that every healthcare facility is unique, with its own set of challenges and requirements. That’s why MedSharps offers tailored solutions that can be customized to meet the specific needs of each client.

For instance, a large metropolitan hospital may require a comprehensive waste management program that encompasses everything from regulated medical waste to pharmaceutical waste and pathological waste. Our scalable services can accommodate these diverse needs, ensuring that every waste stream is handled appropriately and efficiently.

On the other hand, a smaller outpatient clinic may only require occasional sharps disposal services. In such cases, we offer flexible scheduling and pickup options to ensure that their waste management needs are met without unnecessary overhead.

Embracing Sustainability

At MedSharps, we recognize that environmental responsibility is immensely important. That’s why we’ve made sustainability a core tenet of our operations.

Our state-of-the-art treatment facilities employ cutting-edge technologies to render medical waste non-infectious and safe for disposal. Additionally, we prioritize recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives whenever possible, minimizing the overall environmental impact of our operations.

Setting the Standard for Excellence

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the challenges of medical waste management will only become more complex. However, MedSharps remains committed to staying ahead of the curve, setting the standard for excellence in this vital industry.

Through our unwavering dedication to safety, compliance, and sustainability, we strive to be more than just a service provider – we aim to be a trusted partner to healthcare facilities across the globe. By alleviating the burden of medical waste disposal, we empower our clients to focus on what truly matters: delivering exceptional patient care and advancing the frontiers of modern medicine.

In a normal year, 16 billion injections are administered around the world. That makes up for a lot of medical waste. Unfortunately, not all of the used syringes and needles end up in proper medical waste disposal facilities.
Imagine the increase in medical waste following over a year of COVID testing and vaccines. If you know how to dispose of medical waste, but find yourself overwhelmed following the roll-out of the COVID vaccine, you’re not alone.
Vaccinations and medical waste are nothing new to medical facilities, but this past year we’ve all faced many ups and downs. Many non-urgent procedures did not happen or were postponed but now things are ramping up again and millions of people are getting the vaccine.
Stick with us and we’ll lead you through information on the dramatic increase in medical waste due to COVID-19 and what is being done to take care of it properly.

Vaccine Packaging 
The packaging that the vaccine arrives in at your facility goes into regular medical waste. Some manufacturers have specific rules, however. The box that holds the vial trays and related packaging materials from the Pfizer vaccine needs to be returned to Pfizer to help them with their commitment to reusable resources.
Healthcare providers and waste management companies need to follow these protocols to remain compliant and should check with the manufacturers for additional instructions.

Syringes and Empty Vials 
Used syringes go into a disposable or reusable sharps container and get disposed of as regulated medical waste. They are either picked up or need to be mailed to a medical waste facility.
The Department of Defense recommends that you put empty vials in sharps containers also to help “mitigate potential diversion and illicit intent.” At this point, treat them as regulated medical waste just like the syringes.

Full or Partial Vials 
If you have full vials that have been compromised and cannot be administered or residual doses (partial vials), they need to be managed as regulated medical waste or non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste.

Additional Medical Waste
Besides the needles and the vials, additional medical waste includes gauze, gloves, cotton balls, bandages, masks, and other personal protective equipment.
These items don’t belong in a sharps container and can usually be disposed of as regular trash. In cases where they contain potentially infectious materials, they go in regulated medical waste containers.

Vaccinations and Medical Waste 
With the increase in COVID vaccinations and medical waste, make sure that you’re staying in compliance and properly disposing of vaccine-related waste to keep your healthcare workers safe.
We at MedSharps can offer you a comprehensive solution for the removal, treatment, and disposal of medical waste and biohazard waste. At MedSharps, we have licensed and certified employees that are trained to provide safe, sanitary, and efficient medical waste removal and disposal.
We also offer HIPPA compliant paper document shredding and e-waste destruction services. Contact us today.

Hospitals produce about 2 pounds of hazardous waste per bed, per day. And this only represents about 15% of the overall waste produced per bed. To inhibit the spread of disease and minimize the risk of infection, safe medical waste management is vitally important for any medical facility.

Working with a medical waste company is an excellent way to make sure this happens appropriately. While it can seem easy to pick one of the big names in the business and be done with it, that may not always be the best choice. Check out these 5 reasons why you should work with a local company instead.

Save Time

Don’t get us wrong, large, out-of-state companies are efficient. They have to be to run a working waste disposal business. However, there are a few areas where they can’t compare.

For example, if you have an emergency with your waste you’ll first spend time on hold trying to get to the right person to handle your problem. Then, a lot of time may go by before they can mobilize and present a solution. A local company, while still having to run through the same logistics, won’t be constrained by distance and can offer a faster solution.

Save Money

While the cost isn’t necessarily your highest priority, it’s a big benefit to look for the cheapest medical waste disposal companies. These are often your local companies rather than working with a big, out-of-state one.

Transportation costs can push up the cost of waste disposal significantly. While a large company may be able to offer bulk discounts, the savings may be mitigated by how far they have to transfer the waste.

Support the Local Community

Working with any local business helps to grow the economy of your area, creates jobs, and strengthens your community. A smaller, local company will take greater pride in providing exceptional service to your medical facility.

You can also take pride in the fact that you work with a local company. Your community will see this as a way that you are trying to be responsible, both with the environment and with serving the community and keeping it clean and safe.

Compliance with Local Rules

State regulations surrounding the proper handling and disposal of medical waste vary. Local medical waste management companies are fully versed in your area’s rules so you can rest-assured that you are in compliance.

Convenience

Local medical waste pickup companies tend to be the most convenient. Being located closer makes the logistics easier for them. While an out-of-state company can have things down to a science, they are more vulnerable to traffic problems or other unforeseen circumstances.

A local company is less likely to run into logistics problems. Plus, if you need an extra pickup, it’s a simple phone call away.

Safe, Secure Medical Waste Management

Proper medical waste management has always been vitally important. Disposing of needles, blood, and other contaminated waste must be handled properly or your community can suffer.

Medical waste companies are held to a high standard and we seek to exceed it and provide the best service to our customers. Looking for a new company? Contact us today to learn about our highly efficient disposal programs.