Page 38 - Delaware Medical Journal - January/February 2019
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Important Steps to Protecting Your Practice from Medical Waste Handling Liabilities
Matt Georgov and Sharon Ruth
As health care practices and hospitals expand infrastructure investments to meet the needs of an aging population, the industry’s exposure to costly and recurrent environmental claims is also on the rise.
From legionella outbreaks to mold infestation to improper handling of medical waste, there is no shortage of environmental hazards that can cause death, bodily injury, or property damage, and create costly liability claims for health care providers. Increasingly, health care facilities are under regulatory scrutiny, and they are frequently taken to task over waste disposal practices.
Take Delaware, for example. The Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances has
set stringent rules on the proper disposal, storage, and transportation of so-called “red bags” used for regulated medical waste. Health care facilities that fail to and long-term reputational damage.
5 Medical Waste Management Issues That Can Create Significant Liabilities
1. Diversion of Controlled Substances, Pharmaceuticals,
and Needles
The public health consequences of drug growing problem of opioid abuse. In the health care setting, controlled substances such as opioids, anabolic steroids, depressants, hallucinogens, and stimulants are attractive targets for diversion by employees. Methods used by health care workers to divert controlled substances include theft of vials or syringes, under- dosing patients, and taking waste for personal use.
To minimize this exposure, health care facilities need proper procedures on handling, storage, and disposal of
controlled-substance pharmaceutical waste. For example, staff should be monitored when disposing
of controlled substances, and access to waste containers
should be limited to only a few staff members. Also, waste containers should be secured in a way that makes
contents.
2. Improper Segregation
of Waste Streams
Segregation of waste is vital not only to keep the hospital or medical practice environment clean, but to prevent impacts such as leaks that could pollute the ground, water, and even the air.
In Delaware, as in many other states, there are strict regulations regarding segregating medical waste with red bags. The state is also among more than two dozen required to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance requirements for medical waste disposal. Companies that do not to $7,000 for each non-compliant item.
Companies need to consult with risk experts to ensure they are fully compliant with all local and federally mandated regulations. Health care workers need to be properly trained on best practices, including labeling and handling. Also, a workplace OSHA audit is critical to ensure facilities are in compliance with federal requirements.
3. Improper storage of infectious waste in facilities
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 15% of waste generated by health care activities are hazardous materials that may be infectious, chemical, or radioactive.
Infectious wastes, which may cause human disease or pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated or stored, are subject
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Del Med J | January/February 2019 | Vol. 91 | No. 1
