Here Are Associated Risks of Improper Disposal
Medical or regulated waste needs to be handled correctly. Even if you’re partnered with a reputable waste disposal company, that doesn’t mean you can turn a blind eye to how your bio-waste is managed. The reality is that medical waste disposal is a serious business that needs to be done correctly, the first time. Yet, surprisingly, there tends to be a general lack of awareness and oversight when it comes to the removal of regulated medical waste (RMW). Consequently, medical professionals leave themselves and their staff open to a whole host of associated risks.
Of course, suppose you’re working with a medical waste removal professional. In that case, there’s a certain expectation that the company you hired will handle the entire disposal process from start to finish. Thus, if you feel as though your current bio-waste management team could be doing more, then it may just be time to start looking for other professionals in your area. That said, it can be difficult finding a new company to partner with, especially in such uncertain times like these. Therefore, to assist you in your search, go to https://www.medprodisposal.com/medical-waste-disposal/. Here, you’ll find knowledgeable and expert RMW removal professionals that can provide assistance through the entire disposal process.
Nevertheless, in the meantime, let’s go over the five associated risks that can occur if your organization improperly discards potentially hazardous medical waste.
Legal Ramifications
One of the most common risks that an organization can open to with inadequate medical waste removal is legal complications or ramifications. As you’re likely aware, bio-waste disposal is regulated both federally and at the state level. Consequently, you need to make sure you’re meeting all the necessary requirements and adhering to all applicable regulations. Many medical professionals overlook the truth that you can still be held legally responsible for the disposal of waste by the company you hire. Thus, it’s still your responsibility to make sure your medical waste removal management team is above-board. Remember, it’s your medical waste. Therefore, it’s up to you to ensure that everything runs smoothly and your removal methods are safe/compliant.
Financial Consequences
Besides the possible legal fees, damages, and payouts/restitution that may occur, your organization will also have to pay hefty fines if medical waste is being discarded improperly. In fact, the overall monetary consequences or results can be enormous, at best. As previously mentioned, even in the face of a good-faith agreement with your RMW removal company, an organization or business is responsible for improper disposal in the eyes of the law. Note that your medical malpractice insurance may not cover everything either. You must stay on top of your staff and bio-waste management team to ensure that your business doesn’t incur financial consequences that may just be the end of your organization.
Health Concerns
Obviously, health concerns, or rather, the possible harm to personnel and patients, should be reason enough to make sure your hazardous medical waste is being discarded per EPA and OSHA waste removal guidelines. The truth is there are life-threatening risks associated with poor disposal of healthcare waste. Moreover, inadequate training is another major issue that often arises. When personnel and staff aren’t up-to-date on the latest procedures and best practices, there’s definitely cause for concern. Think about it; your organization could potentially be exposing people to infectious agents, radioactive supplies, and other harmful or injury-causing materials. Thus, to ensure the overall safety and health of everyone that your business comes in contact with, you need to take medical waste removal practices and training seriously.
Putting the Community at Risk
Along those same lines, improper disposal can have disastrous effects environmentally. Having toxic chemicals leach into the groundwater, for instance, means you’re putting both people and wildlife at risk. Similarly, hazardous gases can negatively impact air quality and lead to serious health problems in the event of long exposure. At this point, this is no longer improper or careless behavior. You’re essentially engaging in the illegal dumping of biohazardous waste. Try not to be that company that doesn’t seem concerned that its surrounding communities don’t have clean and uncontaminated water. Improper disposal also puts marine life at risk and can lead to contaminated food supplies.
Damaged Reputation
Lastly, inadequate removal of biohazardous waste can wreak havoc on your professional reputation. If your organization’s improper disposal of medical waste causes the death of a patient or ruins some rare animal’s natural habitat, that’s not something that the public simply overlooks. Moreover, all the damage control in the world may not be able to save your company’s reputation, which could once again lead to the possible shutdown of your hospital or business. Even if your company is somehow able to survive such a PR nightmare, it may take years for people to trust your organization again. There really should be no reason whatsoever to cut corners when it comes to biomedical waste removal or disposal.
Final Thought
These are just a few associated risks that come with negligent medical waste removal or improper disposal. That said, these are serious consequences that can’t be ignored. Therefore, if you need to brush up on your OSHA training or reassess your current partnership with your medical waste disposal company, you should do so now. You should be able to trust that the bio-waste removal professionals you work with have everyone’s best interests in mind. At the end of the day, it’s your job to make sure that your organization and the disposal company you hired are handling all infectious or hazardous medical waste appropriately. Avoid all the risks mentioned above by working with a reputable company and doing your due diligence. Ultimately, if you need assistance setting up training or with medical waste disposal questions and concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to a knowledgeable MedPro Disposal team member in your area.