It can be quite a task if you deal with medical waste in the Indianapolis facility where you work. That’s why finding the right disposal service is foundational to your success. At Med Monkey, we’re your trusted locally-owned red bag waste service, and we have the low down on biomedical waste management. Keep reading to learn more about how to identify and navigate non-acceptable items.
Non-Acceptable Items and How to Recognize Them
Before diving into non-acceptable items, let’s familiarize ourselves with the term “regulated medical waste” (RMW). RMW includes items that have the potential to harbor infectious agents or pose a risk of injury due to the presence of sharps. Knowing what constitutes RMW will help you tell the difference between acceptable and non-acceptable items when discarding waste.
Now, let’s look at items that don’t belong in medical waste containers.
Not Regulated Medical Waste
First and foremost, anything that doesn’t fall under the definition of regulated medical waste shouldn’t be included with other biomedical waste.
Improperly Contained Sharps
If you don’t dispose of sharps properly in designated sharps containers, they can pose a significant hazard to staff.
Hazardous Materials
Any hazardous wastes, chemotherapy or radioactive waste, any item containing mercury or amalgam, flammable liquids, corrosive or caustic materials, and compressed gas cylinders or aerosol containers should be handled separately, as they require specific disposal methods.
Electronics and Batteries
Items containing batteries, like pacemakers and Bovie cauterizing pens, shouldn’t be mixed with medical waste. Electronic devices or batteries can be dangerous when not disposed of properly.
Human Remains
You can’t dispose of complete human remains as medical waste. They require special handling and arrangements in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
Consequences of Improper Waste Disposal
Neglecting to separate non-acceptable medical waste doesn’t just affect people’s safety; it can lead to several other negative impacts that affect our environment and can breach disposal regulations.
Risk to Health and Safety
Firstly, not handling medical waste disposal correctly can pose a potential threat to public health and safety. Sharps can cause injury or spread infection to medical waste disposal workers and can also lead to accidental exposure of pathogens to the public.
Environmental Implications
Many items, such as batteries, flammable liquids, and radioactive elements, can cause substantial environmental damage if not disposed of properly. They can lead to groundwater contamination, soil pollution, and air pollution if they end up in regular landfill sites.
Legal Repercussions
In addition to safety and environmental concerns, improper disposal of non-acceptable items could lead to legal action. Regulatory authorities have established stringent waste disposal norms. Any non-compliance can result in significant penalties, fines, and, in severe cases, suspension of medical licenses.
Find a Reliable Medical Waste Disposal Partner
Work with a trusted medical waste disposal provider to ensure you’re properly disposing of your medical waste. Med Monkey has served the Indianapolis area for 25 years and remains committed to safe and compliant waste disposal practices. We can help you keep your facility clean, secure, and compliant with medical waste disposal laws.
Do you need a medical waste disposal partner for your Indianapolis facility? Contact Med Monkey at (317) 855-9248 or request a free quote online today.