MedSharps Completes Environmental Facility Review Practiced by Fortune 500 Companies

On October 5th, 2022, MedSharps was formally recognized by CHWMEG for successfully completing its Facility Review Program (FRP).

CHWMEG is a trade association of manufacturing and industrial organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies that have created initiatives to reduce, recycle or reuse the waste associated with their operations. These initiatives are part of a global effort to minimize negative impacts on our environment.

MedSharps now joins Fortune 500 companies in CHWMEG’s member organization, which includes tech giants Apple, Google, and energy sector companies like Chevron, Exxon/Mobil, and General Electric.

MedSharps President Rob Marshall said, “We’re honored to be recognized along with some very distinguished companies. Receiving this award is just confirmation that we’re aligned with other forward-thinking environmentally conscious organizations.”

To gain recognition from CHWMEG, a business must pass a Facility Review Program (FRP) which looks at an organization’s methods of treatment, disposal, storage, and recycling of manufactured wastes. The Facility Review Program consisted of an inspection of the headquarter’s facility and a thorough review of MedSharps’ policies and procedures.

Marshall also commented, “It’s an exciting accomplishment for the company. It validates our practices of high standards and reinforces our commitment to our customers and the environment.”

Running a facility that exceeds industry environmental standards is just one facet of MedSharps’ overall commitment. Some other highlights to take note of are:

HIPAA, EPA, and OSHA Compliant

MedSharps’ disposal, treatment, storage, and recycling procedures are compliant with all federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. Regulations can change or be modified on short notice but MedSharps stays informed and keeps clients up to date on any modified rules. MedSharps is also fully certified by several federal agencies including the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE).

Insurance that Exceeds Industry Standards

While most medical waste disposal companies are insured for up to $1,000,000, MedSharps exceeds industry standard with general liability coverage of $2,000,000.

Comprehensive Removal, Treatment and Disposal

MedSharps is full service when it comes to medical waste. They provide biohazard containers to collect used single-use and reusable sharps, remove the medical waste from facilities on a scheduled basis, treat the medical waste with an autoclave or other methods and properly dispose of the waste per OSHA, EPA, and HIPPA guidelines. MedSharps can also customize services to companies that have different needs.

Mailback Program

For at home sharps users, MedSharps offers a mailback program. Customers can purchase a sharps container and return them when full using free shipping.

Paper Destruction and E-Waste

MedSharps also offers paper shredding and e-waste destruction services. We are certified by the National Association of Information Destruction (NAID) and will provide secure on-site services for any sized job.

Customer Service

MedSharps offers on-demand customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If a customer needs help, at any time or day of the week, someone at MedSharps will be available to assist. 

Family Owned and Operated

MedSharps is a family owned and operated business that values loyalty and customer relationships above profit margins.

Competitive Pricing

A full range of outstanding services are presented to every prospective customer in the form of competitive pricing free of hidden fees, surcharges or long term contracts. MedSharps believes in total transparency when quoting a job as this is the best way to assure customers receive a fair price and excellent customer service.

“Getting an award for your efforts is always a good thing, and we’ll display this plaque from CHWMEG proudly,” Marshall said, “But nothing is more important or makes us more proud than helping our customers and giving them the assurance that we do things the right way.”

 

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Medical Waste Removal: It’s Not Just for Hospitals

Sharps containers and colored medical disposal bags are a common sight at hospitals, medical clinics, and doctor’s offices; but there are many other types of businesses that generate medical waste. Regardless of the type or quantity created by businesses, they all require a medical waste management plan.

 

OSHA’s blood-borne pathogen standard protects “employees who work in occupations where they are at risk of exposure to blood or potentially infectious materials.” This means that any industry where needles are used or where medical waste is created falls under this standard, and regulations must be followed to maintain compliance. 

 

Regardless of the regulations, laws, and potential fines from OSHA, HIPAA, the FDA, or the EPA; improper handling of medical waste can compromise the safety of staff, patients, customers, and the general public. It can also lead to serious issues like environmental pollution. 

 

Here are a few examples of businesses that might need a medical waste management plan

  • Dental Offices/Oral Surgeons – In many cases, dentists and oral surgeons use the same tools and equipment you’d find in a clinic or hospital. Sharps, blood-contaminated waste and other bio-hazardous materials require the correct containers and a waste management plan to ensure proper disposal.
  • Spas/Beauty Salons/Estheticians – These types of facilities often use needles for injectable beauty products. Any gauze or tissue that comes into contact with blood needs to be treated as medical waste. These facilities are held to the same OSHA standards as hospitals or medical clinics.
  • Pharmacies – Many pharmacies offer seasonal flu shots or other vaccines to their customers. The used syringes need to be disposed of properly in a sharps container to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
  • Veterinary Practices – Even though the patients aren’t human, veterinarians still use syringes to administer shots, and certain surgical procedures will create biohazardous medical waste.
  • Tattoo Studios – The needle a tattoo artist uses should be considered a sharp because it can be contaminated with blood and could present a hazard if not properly disposed of. An industry-standard sharps container should be part of their waste management plan. This includes any needles used for body piercings.
  • Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine – Acupuncture needles are not reusable in any situation. They are considered medical sharps and must be discarded after use. Alternative medicine practitioners also fall under OSHA guidelines when it comes to medical waste management.
  • Morgues/Funeral Homes – Any medical waste produced from autopsies or preparing a body for burial is also held to OSHA standards when it comes to medical waste disposal.
  • Law Enforcement/First Responders – When responding to any incident, there is always the danger of needles or other hazardous sharps being present. Used needles can still transmit viruses like hepatitis and HIV. A proper disposal method is vital to keeping the first responders and officers safe from harm.

If your business falls into one of these categories, MedSharps can create a medical waste management plan tailored to your needs and budget. We also keep you up to date on all the regulations to keep your business in compliance.

 

Get a free quick quote now or visit our website to learn more about our medical waste management services.

 

Grey’s Anatomy OSHA Violations You Didn’t Know About

3 Times Grey’s Anatomy Got It Wrong

 

For years, viewers loved to watch the drama play out at Seattle Grace Hospital. As fun as it is to follow the daily trials and tribulations of the doctors and nurses on Grey’s, was it very realistic?

1. SHARPS BIN

Look how happy Meredith is. It’s great that there’s a sharps container in the exam room and it’s definitely out of the reach of small children; however, there are a couple of serious issues with this placement. The container is directly over the rubber glove dispenser and that could pose a problem if the container leaks. It’s also slightly too high for workers to properly place contaminated sharps safely inside. OSHA has specific guidelines on container placement, and MedSharps can help you find a convenient and compliant spot for your sharps containers.

2. BIOHAZARDOUS WASTE 

Brain surgery is a breeze on the TV show. What’s harder for the doctors? Ordering dinner or where to put all the blood-soaked bandages and gauze. Blood-borne pathogens are a serious issue, so it’s important to have a clearly-labeled red biohazard bag in any room where waste could be created.

 

 

 

3. WASTE REMOVAL

Meredith looks shocked here. Maybe she just found out her latest love is her cousin, or maybe she’s shocked that the waste bins are full and haven’t been disposed of yet. Overflowing medical waste bags and bins that sit around in the office put everyone at risk. Even a new intern will tell you infectious disease is serious business. Seattle Grace should update their medical waste management plan and hire a service that will haul away those bags on a regular basis and dispose of them properly.

 

In the real world, MedSharps takes medical waste management seriously. Our medical waste and sharps bins exceed industry standards and we will keep you HIPAA and OSHA compliant, ensuring the safety of your staff and patients. Let us customize a plan just for you.

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Make the Right First Impression with New Patients

Keep your patients coming back with a waste disposal management
plan from MedSharps

Whether you work at a hospital, medical clinic or doctor’s office, patients want to know
that they’ll be safe when they come in for an appointment.

According to the CDC, in 2020, 83% of American adults went to the doctor or some
other type of healthcare professional. The percentage of children making those visits
was even higher at 94%. This puts the total number of visits to hospitals, medical
clinics or doctor’s offices, including COVID-related visits, at 860.4 million. That’s a lot of
people potentially coming through your doors.

The inpatient experience is so important that a national survey was created by two
federal agencies, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

It was developed on the premise that a positive patient and family experience while in a
medical facility or doctor’s office will often result in better overall health outcomes for
the patient. Clear communication from health care providers helps patients and families
understand how to best manage their health and lower the likelihood of hospitalization.
The survey asks a variety of questions about interactions with doctors, nurses and
other medical staff to gauge how comfortable the patient felt about the process.
One of the questions focuses on the cleanliness of the rooms and the facility. This is
obviously a crucial factor that can have a positive or negative effect on the inpatient
experience.

Why is this so important? John Hopkins Medicine says, “Patients and families can use
HCAHPS survey results to objectively compare hospitals locally or nationally on
inpatient perspectives on delivery of care.”

Potential patients have more tools than ever to decide which clinic, hospital or
physician’s office they should go to and a negative review can determine whether they
come to your facility or not.

You may be thinking to yourself, “my facility is clean enough” but to fully earn and
maintain the trust of your patients, you need to make an extra commitment to doing
everything possible to keep them safe. This includes having a carefully prepared
medical waste management plan and thoughtful execution from your staff. Having this
plan in place will show your commitment to your patient’s safety and that you are
making their health and welfare a priority.

How does your facility stack up to the others in terms of cleanliness and medical waste
disposal? What can you do to make your facility as safe and clean as possible for your
patients?

Beyond routine cleanings, here are four things you should do:

  • All exam rooms, labs, or any space where medical services are rendered should
    have medical waste containers for all possible types of biohazardous or infectious
    materials. Sharps containers are used for needles syringes, lancets or scalpels while
    infectious waste containers are used for blood-soaked bandages, rubber gloves,
    cultures or any waste that could contain pathogens.
  • Put containers in the correct location. The Center for Disease Control says, The
    container should be placed in a visible location, within easy horizontal reach, and
    below eye level. The container should also be placed away from any obstructed
    areas, such as near doors, under sinks or near light switches.
  • Get the right container and label them clearly and appropriately. They must be
    puncture-proof and shatter-proof with a closure that minimizes exposure.
  • Partner with a waste disposal service that knows the rules of compliance and will
    remove medical waste on a timely basis.

When your patients walk into your facility, you want them to feel safe and it all starts
with having a clean facility where medical waste is disposed of properly. If you want to
make your patient’s health and safety a priority, contact MedSharps today to make
sure your medical waste management plan is making the grade.

MedSharps has locations in Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia to service all your
medical waste needs.

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How MedSharps Can Help You Avoid Big Fines and Penalties

In October 2021, Fortune 500 Company DuPont made headlines when the Justice Department, the EPA, and the state of Texas fined the chemical manufacturer $3.1 million for a laundry list of violations from their chemical manufacturing plant in Orange, Texas. These infractions included improper disposal of hazardous waste causing water and air pollution. More specifically, the violations included the improper use of chemicals, improper disposal of wastewater and improper disposal of waste without a permit.

For a global company like DuPont, a three-million-dollar fine can easily be paid and they can learn from their mistakes and move on with business as usual. But what about small to mid-sized businesses? A large fine can have a significant impact on the longevity and success of these businesses and can ultimately lead to closure.

Big fines and penalties from OSHA, the EPA, and other federal, state and local agencies can be avoided if you have a solid compliance plan. It all starts with knowing the rules and the situations that can lead to problems. When it comes to waste disposal, here are some common issues that can lead to violations, and, if not corrected, stiff fines and penalties.

Six Common Causes of Violations and Penalties

1. Inadequate employee training – According to OSHA, all employees with occupational exposure, whether they are full-time, part-time, or temporary workers must receive initial and annual training. This includes general training outlined in OSHA standards as well as site-specific training by a person who is knowledgeable in the subject matter. Regardless of your plans and processes for handling, storing, and disposing of medical waste, they are only as effective as your employee’s ability to execute them. Many violations can be avoided simply by offering educational training on a regular basis, so all employees know how to classify hazardous materials and dispose of them the right way. One very common violation is having incomplete or missing training records. In case of an inspection, always keep your training documentation current and ready for review.

2. Inappropriate medical waste containers and improper labeling – It’s no surprise that this ranks so high on the list of common violations. Having the right container for medical waste would seem like an easy thing to get right but, too often, this is the reason for penalties and fines. For example, used sharps (anything used for injecting or cutting) need to be kept in a sturdy, puncture-proof container that has been certified as tamper-proof and leak-proof. Containers that are damaged or have the potential to leak are violations of the OSHA standard. Containers should be labeled to segregate the waste by type to prevent contamination. An employee who puts a used needle into a red biohazard liner is committing a violation as the liners are for non-sharp infectious waste and blood products, not for sharps. Labelling hazardous waste bins and bags is also a critical process to ensure proper disposal. Depending on the size of the facility, the possibility of a violation goes up due to the amount of waste being handled. Common violations can include a missing date of accumulation label or using the wrong-colored bag.

3. Not knowing your waste generator status – Different rules apply depending on the generator status of your facility. For example, EPA guidelines state that a facility with an SQG (Small Quantity Generator) designation is allowed to keep quantities of medical waste under 6,000 kilograms on site for up to 180 days. However, a facility designated as an LQC (Large Quantity Generator) has no limitations in terms of amount of medical waste but can only keep it on site for 90 days. To further complicate matters, in Texas, you can be categorized with CESQ (Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity) status if you produce a small amount of waste and meet certain conditions. The EPA and TCEQ require all facilities who generate medical waste to track the quantities of waste to determine their generator status and follow the guidelines that apply. Not knowing your facility’s generator status can lead to mismanagement of hazardous waste which can lead to penalties and fines.

4. Illegal dumping of hazardous waste in dumpsters or drains – One very common violation, unfortunately, is the practice of employees placing trash in dumpsters onsite or even using drains to dispose of medical waste materials. Whether this practice is done on purpose or due to the employee not being educated on medical waste procedures, it is illegal and a violation that carries heavy fines and could potentially cause harm to the environment. Regardless of the facility’s waste generator status, management is responsible for properly training employees to follow the correct protocols when it comes to disposing of medical waste.

5. Improper waste segregation – This also seems like a no-brainer; keep your regular trash separate from medical waste. All facilities are required to identify the waste they are disposing of and follow the protocols for that type of waste. Some wastes are commonly overlooked, like cotton, gauze, or other blood-stained materials that can be thrown into the regular trash receptacles. Other violations occur when an employee isn’t aware that a material is considered hazardous. Regular training and research into local, state, and federal agencies is the only way to ensure that hazardous materials being disposed of correctly. For example, solvents or batteries should never be placed in medical waste containers. This is a common violation and could incur penalties, fines, and, in extreme cases, jail.

6. Failure to conduct regular inspections – Conducting regular inspections is the best method for determining if your facility is compliant and following protocols that meet the standards. These inspections should include evaluating waste containers for overall condition and proper labeling. They should determine if waste segregation and waste disposal protocols are being followed based on training guidelines. Failure to conduct and document regular inspections leaves your company at risk for big fines and penalties.

Getting an investigation query from a federal, state, or local agency can be a stressful and disruptive experience but incurring penalties can be even worse. Monetary fines put a financial burden on your business, but these violations can also point out that you are not prioritizing the safety or your patients and employees.
You can always do the research on your own to come up with your compliance plan. Agencies like OSHA and the EPA provide pages and pages of legal guidelines and regulations, but that can be a time-consuming and frustrating endeavor for smaller companies who might not have the personnel or the know-how to get it done. It’s a daunting task when you consider you have to account for EPA and OSHA regulations on the federal level and then incorporate any state or local guidance into your plan.

Managing the disposal of medical waste and staying compliant is no easy task. Maintaining your knowledge of ever-changing local, state, and federal regulations is a full-time job. With so many moving parts, it’s not hard for one minor detail to slip through the cracks and suddenly you have an inspector at your front door.

At MedSharps, we’re medical waste experts and we’ve done all the research for you. We take pride in staying up to date on all the latest regulatory changes so we know what you can and can’t do with your medical waste.

Visit MedSharps.com today for a free quote. Our educated team of waste experts will help you find the best and most efficient path to OSHA compliance and avoid big fines and penalties.