How MedSharps Is Prepared for the COVID-19 Medical Waste Surge

Hospital waste and other healthcare waste generated by such facilities equal roughly 2 million tons each year!

Hospital waste management is important for proper medical waste disposal in order to keep healthcare workers safe especially in today’s health crisis.

Medical waste management companies have to ensure the safety of the general public as well when performing the task of treating medical waste to where it is no longer infectious.

A side effect of the coronavirus pandemic you may not have thought about is an unprecedented amount of additional medical waste. Stick with us as we explore effective healthcare waste management solutions.

Medical Waste Preparedness and Solutions

Though the elimination of elective medical procedures has offset some of the rises in medical waste, the increase due to coronavirus is still a concern.

The increase we’re seeing comes from the use of additional personal protective equipment (PPE) and some non-traditional waste now being classified as regulated medical waste like food from COVID-19 positive patients.

Let’s look at how MedSharps has prepared for the surge.

Medical Waste Containers

In order for the contaminated waste to be properly disposed of, it needs to go into environmentally safe containers. MedSharp containers meet all OSHA requirements and guidelines for health and safety.

Carefully packaged waste protects everyone involved in the removal of medical waste.

We remove, wash, and sanitize our reusable sharps containers and return them to our clients safe and ready to use 100+ times.

Proper Staff Training and Protection

One of the most important factors in medical waste disposal is the protection of those in charge of handling the hospital and other medical waste.

MedSharps not only handles the disposal of waste, we evaluate and train our client’s staff to ensure that proper procedures are being followed. This is more important than ever.

Ensuring that our workers have the proper protective gear for the battle with coronavirus is also part of our operational perspective as well as keeping up with any changes to CDC recommendations regarding medical waste disposal.

Treatment of Medical Waste

We have a large-scale autoclave for waste disposal and treatment. An autoclave is a strong, heated container that uses high pressures and temperatures to sterilize all waste with steam.

This is the most effective way to deal with medical waste. It reduces the risk of exposure which is extremely important with the current coronavirus.

Medical Waste Services

Now that you’ve learned about the surge due to COVID-19, you want to be extra careful when disposing of medical waste. Do you know who can ensure that your medical waste management is in the right hands?

We at MedSharps ensure that our staff performs every service we offer in full compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Our safe and compliant service takes the liability off of you.

We have on-demand customer service. Our clients can check the progress of their waste disposal 24/7. Contact us for a quote today.

How to Properly Dispose of Household Medical Waste

Do we have anything to worry about when it comes to dumping medical supplies in the trash? Harvard researchers think so.

Pharmaceuticals and medical waste that gets into water sources impacts wildlife. It can cause injuries, sterility, and even spread disease.

Are you wondering what impact your used needles are having on the environment? Are you not sure how to dispose of medical waste the right way? Learn everything you need to know about proper medical waste disposal below.

Why You Should Never Throw Medical Waste in the Trash

Used needles are biohazards. When thrown away with other trash, they can stick other humans or animals. This prick can lead to injuries and even spread disease.

You should never throw used needles in the trash because they can poke through plastic trash bags. If they reach a landfill, then they could poke unsuspecting humans or animals.

3 Ways to Dump Medical Trash

So, it’s not a great idea to get rid of needles by putting them with your household trash. What are the best ways to dispose of sharps and other medical waste then?

The first thing you need to do is discipline yourself. Never leave sharps out in the open after using them. Instead, put them in a container the moment after you use it. This important step will prevent unexpected cuts and sticks.

Once your container is about three-quarters full, it’s time to dispose of it and get a new one. Never reuse needle disposal containers. Instead, learn the three different places to dump them below.

1. Mail-Back Programs

One way to get rid of sharps in a safe way is to use a mail-back program. Here’s how the MedSharps mail-back program works:

  • You order a sharps container
  • Fill the container with used sharps
  • Put the container in a pre-paid shipping box
  • UPS will collect the package

We’ll pick up your waste at a time that fits your schedule. We can come by as often as you need. Whether you need your trash collected every week or every month, we’ll do what’s convenient for you.

Upon collection, MedSharps takes care of everything else. We’ll dispose of the container’s contents at no extra cost to you.

2. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Areas

Call your local hazardous waste collection site. Sometimes, they’ll let you drop off your sharps containers.

3. Special Residential Pick-Up Services

This option isn’t available to everyone, but some communities offer pick-up services. There’s usually a significant fee because specialists need to collect the sharps.

Disposing of Medical Waste the Right Way

For many of us, medical waste is inevitable. The destruction of our habitat doesn’t have to be, though. We have the power now to make a change and start disposing of medical trash the right way.

Do you have more questions about our medical waste disposal services? Are you interested in getting started on a proper disposal plan? Reach out to us now on our online form to request a free quote or get more information about our services.

Bio-Hazard Waste Disposal: The Risks of Improper Handling

Bio-Hazard Waste Disposal: The Risks of Improper Handling

bio-hazard waste disposal,Proper medical waste collection and disposal is an important part of the business when running a health facility. Unfortunately, too many health care professionals are not as aware as they should be about the dangers and risks associated with medical waste. It is important that management and staff are all educated on the risks and how to mitigate them. This goes for hospitals, vet offices, dentist offices, and even places like tattoo parlors. Here is a quick guide to the risks of improper bio-hazard waste disposal. Continue reading “Bio-Hazard Waste Disposal: The Risks of Improper Handling”

Bio-hazardous Waste Disposal Mistakes That Medical Professionals Should Avoid

Bio-hazardous Waste Disposal Mistakes That Medical Professionals Should Avoid

bio-hazardous waste disposalA large amount of the waste that is produced in healthcare facilities in the United States can be dangerous. It might be infectious, toxic, or radioactive. Therefore, it is very important for these facilities to follow proper bio-hazardous waste disposal procedures to ensure the safety of everyone. It is a responsibility that no medical facility manager should take lightly. This means using a professional medical waste service or even a medical waste autoclave to keep dangerous substances from harming patients, staff, the environment, or the community at large. Failure to properly handle medical waste can also lead to legal consequences and reputation loss. Here are some bio-hazardous waste disposal mistakes that medical professionals should be avoiding. Continue reading “Bio-hazardous Waste Disposal Mistakes That Medical Professionals Should Avoid”

Medical Waste Collection: Understanding Waste Categories

Medical Waste Collection: Understanding Waste Categories

medical waste collectionThere is no doubt that any medical facility should have a good hospital waste management program. Mishandled medical waste can cause a variety of problems. It can be a hazard for staff and patients of a hospital or health facility. Medical waste can be a danger for the general public if it gets into the public water supply or the environment. And, it can be a danger for the facility itself if they are caught mishandling medical waste. This can ruin the reputation of the facility and business could suffer. Proper medical waste collection also means understanding the different kinds of waste and how they are handled. Here is a quick guide to help you. Continue reading “Medical Waste Collection: Understanding Waste Categories”