Page 39 - Delaware Medical Journal - January/February 2019

MSDIS CORNER
to additional regulatory scrutiny in Delaware.
For example, the state requires medical facilities to store infectious waste in a manner that:
• Affords protection from vectors, rain, and wind
• Prevents the spread of infectious agents
• Does not provide a breeding place or
food source for insects or rodents
• Prevents the leakage of waste from the
storage bag or container
Health care facilities should consider developing a medical waste spill plan that describes procedures and disinfectant
to be used to clean up spills. Workers should be trained on proper handling, and exposure to the medical waste storage area should be limited, accessible only to authorized employees.
4. Using a transporter who fails to follow proper disposal requirements In Delaware, additional waste transporter regulations apply to transporters of infectious wastes.
There have been many cases where transporters do not follow proper disposal regulations. Improperly transporting medical waste to facilities that are not authorized to handle medical waste occurs frequently, and can expose health care facilities to potential liabilities.
Health care facilities that contract with medical waste transporters need to
have formal and current agreements
in place with medical waste disposal companies that have legitimate disposal solutions. The waste generated at a health care facility remains the generator’s
they are responsible for partnering
with responsible haulers. The facilities should also review records, such as the transporter’s permit and documentation of training provided to drivers.
5. Needle-stick injuries to employees
The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) estimate that approximately 385,000 health care professionals report needle-stick injuries each year.
These incidents pose a serious health risk to health care workers. Fatal diseases such as HIV and hepatitis can spread through improper handling of syringes and needles.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides a number of tips, including the following:
• Containers must be easy to use with very little training.
• Angle containers in a position that makes it easy to insert sharps and prevent spillage.
• Sharp containers should be placed far away from areas where patients or workers could bump into them.
• The containers must be routinely

What You Can Do
It costs the health care industry approximately $10 billion annually
to dispose of all its waste materials, according to federal regulators. U.S. hospitals alone generate nearly 7,000 tons of solid waste daily, an environmental footprint of pharmaceutical, chemical, and radioactive materials that can be extremely disastrous if introduced into the wrong environment.

and reputational damage, reputable health care risk advisors can work with practices, hospitals, and other health care facilities to acquire tailored pollution policies to cover the cost of spills and leak clean-up; business interruption risks; transactional risk policies for complex mergers and acquisitions of potentially contaminated properties; and environmental casualty policies to cover third-party bodily injury claims, among other risks.
A quality risk advisor will work with the practice in reviewing and improving insurance requirements to comply with state and federal medical waste handling and disposal regulations.
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS
■ MATT GEORGOV is the Owner and Founder of Choice MedWaste. From day-to-day operations to understanding new regulations for MedWaste’s customers, his goal is to become the local Delaware resource for health care waste. As an active member of the Healthcare Waste Institute, he has the experience and resources to find solutions for any health care facilities’ waste challenges.
■ SHARON RUTH is a Senior Client Advocate who wastes no time when it comes to advocating for her clients and prospects. She coordinates all lines of Property & Casualty coverage for MSDIS, specializing in Medical Malpractice. She will be happy to assist you with your insurance questions or concerns. Contact Sharon at 302- 397-0173 or sharon.ruth@usi.com.
Medical Society of Delaware Insurance Services (MSDIS) is a wholly owned insurance brokerage subsidiary of
the Medical Society of Delaware and powered by USI Insurance Services. MSDIS was formed by Delaware physicians for Delaware physicians.
We serve all insurance needs for your practices, your families, and your friends.
Del Med J | January/February 2019 | Vol. 91 | No. 1
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