We Have Many Reasons To Be Grateful For Modern Medical Waste Regulations And Management.

Many laws control modern medical waste removal. So most take for granted just how long it take us to arrive at safe and effective medical waste management processes.

Medical waste removal became a hot issue sometime in the late 1980s. Beaches were with disposed syringes, medications, and other healthcare-related waste. Laws such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Medical Waste Tracking Act (MWTA) of 1988 further advanced the Solid Waste Disposal Act. With modern technologies as microwave units, incinerators and autoclaves and various chemical systems, we are healthier and better for it. The same goes for our environment.

We should be grateful for the laws and governing bodies to help deal with our medical waste. There are just a few reasons why.

Better Labeling Means Better Safety

Many states categorize waste into sub-categorizes. There are cultures and stocks, human blood, blood products, sharps, and animal waste. Containers are not only mandated by law while keeping types of medical waste separate and using properly marked. It helps you choose how and when, not to mention whom removes the waste for you.

Better Infection Control

These programs help facilities make infection control plans. It includes proper containers and signage, access to the right cleaning supplies, and the latest in personal protective equipment. With laws come infection control programs that help identify and reduce risks of infections in patients and healthcare workers.

Better Sharps Management

Sharp is actually the medical term for a sharp-pointed object that can cut or puncture the skin. It includes needles, syringes, auto-injectors, lancets, and connection needles. We have a stringent set of guidelines and laws on how to deal with sharps waste Under the FDA.

Sharps disposal guidelines state:

• We can dispose used sharps in a sharps container
• We can purchase sharps containers from supply companies
• Sharps containers must be puncture-proof, rigid and have lids that seal securely

We had to deal with the problem of what to do with the solid waste we generate. We should all be thankful for these advancements.  As technology, science, and public health has evolved, so, too has the knowledge of proper medical waste disposal and general Medical Waste Disposal needs, and for public health and safety reasons.