Issuu

ER 0 1 IS S’ 5 SU G E UID

Attention Readers ! Are you looking for Products, Equipment or Services for your business or healthcare facility?

If so, please check out these leading companies advertised in this issue:

Infectious & Non-Infectious Waste Containers & Linen Carts Bomac Carts – pg 19 Rehrig Healthcare Systems – pg 2 Snyder Industries – pg 17 TQ Industries – pg 5 Infectious Waste Sterilizing Systems Clean Waste Systems – pg 20 Gient Heating Industry Co – pg 16 The Mark-Costello Co – pg 15 Red Bag Solutions – pg 5 STI Biosafe – pg 6 Liquid Disposal Systems Bemis Health Care – pg 19 Shredders Shred-Tech – pg 17 Vecoplan LLC – pg 18

Be Prepared for Rodents This Winter What happens when rodents make themselves at home inside healthcare facilities? By Zia Siddiqi, Ph.D., B.C.E., Director of Quality Systems, Orkin, LLC

ews travels fast. The news may come in the form of patient and guest complaints and negative online reviews. And if media picks up the story, your reputation could be lost to a wildfire. A hospital for veterans in Florida came under fire earlier this year for a rodent infestation. The story made national headlines, drawing enough attention that state political figures eventually weighed in. A hospital in Mississippi similarly dealt with rats and mice in its kitchen. In 2014, a hospital in Washington, D.C., faced an infestation of rodents so bad that it was ordered to pay emotional distress damages to a former employee, according to a story in The Huffington Post. Rodents pose a threat to healthcare facilities year round, but their activity picks up when the temperatures cool off. Much like us, they need food, water and shelter to survive. And like us, warm shelter becomes particularly important during the cold months. These pests have adapted to live alongside people and exploit their resources. In fact, some mice that take shelter inside due to weather will never leave and will permanently become indoor mice – in Chicago, where Orkin performed more rodent treatments in 2014 than in any other city, many mice have never seen the outside. Aside from the hits to your reputation and bottom line these pests can take, rodents also pose several health threats. Rats and mice can carry hundreds of pathogens and transmit deadly diseases like lymphocytic

choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Ticks, mites and fleas can feed on infected rodents and then can transmit diseases like pox, plague and typhus indirectly to humans, putting patients, guests and your staff at risk. While rodents are dangerous pests that must be taken seriously, there are solutions that can help prevent these serious problems rodents pose. Proactive facility maintenance, sanitation, rigorous inspections and exclusion practices can help keep rats and mice out of your facility, whether you manage a hospital, nursing home or doctor’s office. Work with a pest management professional to implement a custom Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for your facility, and follow these guidelines to shut rodents out in the cold this winter.

Know What Rodents Are Looking For – And Take It Away

odents are more like us than we may realize. Just like humans, rats and mice need food, water and safe shelter to survive, and they want a warm place to spend the cold months. To rodents, healthcare facilities look like a five-star hotel, the perfect place to spend the winter. The plethora of food sources, numerous potential entry points and hiding places in your facility can all be perfect amenities for rodents, which can in turn lead to an infestation. To help keep rodents from getting inside your facility, the first step is to remove incentives for them to

Continued on page 3

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HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

WINTER 2015

Healthcare Environmental Solutions news

healthcare

Environmental solutionsnews Covering Infection prevention, medical waste management & sustainable practices

PUBLICATION STAFF Publisher / Editor Rick Downing Contributing Editors / Writers P.J. Heller Zia Siddiqi Sandy Woodthorpe Production & Layout Barb Fontanelle Christine Pavelka Advertising Sales Rick Downing Subscription / Circulation Donna Downing Editorial, Circulation & Advertising Office 6075 Hopkins Road Mentor, OH 44060 Ph: 440-257-6453 Fax: 440-257-6459 Email: downassoc2@oh.rr.com For subscription information, please call 440-257-6453. Healthcare Environmental Solutions news (ISSN #1557‑6388) is published quarterly by Downing & Associates. Reproductions or transmission of Healthcare Environmental Solutions news, in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Annual subscription rate U.S. is $19.95. Outside of the U.S. add $10.00 ($29.95). Contact our main office, or mail-in the subscription form with payment. ©

Be Prepared for Rodents This Winter Continued from page 1

want to get inside in the first place. • Keep kitchens and dining areas clean and free of any food debris – even a few crumbs can make a nice meal for rodents. • Keep your shipping and receiving doors closed as often as possible, and use a UV black light to inspect incoming shipments for evidence of a rodent infestation. Make sure storage rooms are clean and clear of clutter, and throw away or recycle cardboard boxes immediately – these make for great hiding spots. • Remind your staff to keep food stored in the break room refrigerator in tightly closed plastic containers and to clean out lockers regularly. Keep break rooms and locker rooms clean and free of clutter. • Clean drains and equipment with an organic cleaner to eliminate the residue that pests can feed on. Monitor for spills and leaks, especially in restrooms, and clean and repair them immediately.

Take the Fight to Rodents Outside

odents can burrow and live up to 100 yards away from your structure, and they don’t need much of an opening to get inside. Rats can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter, and mice can squeeze through holes the size of a dime. This creates exclusion to deny pests entry, one of the tenets of IPM, a top priority. • Seal cracks and crevices – Regularly inspect the exterior of your facility for any cracks that may develop. Pay close attention to openings that can form around utility penetration points. Seal any holes in exterior walls with water-resistant sealant and steel or metal mesh. • Close the perimeter – Keep trash handling areas free of clutter, and clean up any uncovered garbage or standing water outside. Also, ask your waste management company to clean and switch your dumpsters regularly. Ask them to monitor for leakage underneath the dumpster that should be cleared as well. • Keep landscaping clean – Keep trees trimmed and plants at least 12 inches from your building, and rake up leaves quickly so that rodents cannot use them for cover. As an extra step, consider installing a 2-foot wide gravel strip around the perimeter of the building. • Take a look at your roof – HVAC units are a common culprit for providing pests with water, so be sure that facility maintenance staff conducts regular inspections of these areas, eliminating any potential penetration points. Inspect locations where water often accumulates, including on top of, behind WINTER 2015

•

and underneath the units, as well as other hard-to-reach places. Work with your pest management provider to place tamper-resistant bait stations around the exterior of the facility. Rodents will feed on the non-toxic bait, which helps indicate activity. Baiting can begin with a non-toxic bait and then be switched to a toxic one if deemed necessary by your pest management provider. Be sure to maintain an up-to-date map and activity report for the bait stations so you can determine the source of rodent pressure and target future treatments accordingly.

Vigilantly Monitor Pest Activity – And Know What to Look For

ou may not see a rodent walking down the middle of a hallway during the day, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t present. Fortunately, they leave calling cards wherever they travel. Knowing the signs of rodent activity can help you stop an infestation before it starts. • Droppings – Mouse droppings are pointed and about the size of a grain of rice, and rat droppings are about the size and shape of a raisin. • Gnaw marks – Rodents will gnaw on wires – this can cause electrical fires – as well as sealant, wood and other hard materials. Rodents can enlarge an opening such as a conduit or pipe penetration by gnawing around the edges, so closely inspect any areas in the building that appear to be chewed or gnawed. • Rub markings – Rodents don’t like to travel in the open, so they will brush up against walls, wiring or pipes as they travel along a path, leaving greasy markings behind. Train your employees – some pest management providers will train employees at no extra cost – to look for these signs of rodent activity, and make sure to contact your pest management professional immediately if signs of rodent activity are reported. You can assign housekeepers and other staff to look for pests and keep a logbook of sightings and treatments. Ta l k w i t h yo u r p e s t m a n ag e m e n t professional about these steps and other tactics you can put in place to keep your facility safe against rodents and other overwintering pests. Dr. Zia Siddiqi is Director of Quality Systems for Orkin. A board certified entomologist with more than 35 years in the industry, Dr. Siddiqi is an acknowledged leader in the field of pest management. For more information, e-mail zsiddiqi@orkin.com or visit www. orkincommercial.com.

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

Healthcare Environmental Solutions news

Stericycle’s $2.3 Billion Acquisition of Shred-it Raises Some Concerns By P.J. Heller

he acquisition of document destruction business Shred-it International for $2.3 billion by waste management firm Stericycle may prove to be a win-win for both major companies, but is raising concerns among some smaller players in the shredding industry. For Stericycle, which provide disposal services for medical and biohazardous waste for hospitals, laboratories, physician practices, dental clinics, long-term care facilities and other businesses in more than a dozen countries, the acquisition is expected to give them entrée to document destruction services for those clients. Shred-it, meantime, with some 400,000 customers in 15 countries, could expand its shredding services to Stericycle’s healthcare clients. “By combining Shred-it with our business-to-business compliance solutions, we are providing the marketplace with a broader portfolio of services,” said Charlie Alutto, president and chief executive officer of Stericycle. “Stericycle has a lot of experience selecting and integrating acquisitions, and we believe that Shred-it represents one of the most attractive opportunities for our business that we have ever seen.” “The acquisition by Stericycle will allow continued innovation and expanded service offerings to a broader range of customers across the globe.” added Dave Samuel, chairman of Shred-it. The acquisition of Shred-it from Birch Hill Equity Partners, Cintas Corp., and other equity holders, was initially announced in mid-July and was completed in October. The effects of the acquisition are being closely monitored by some in the document destruction industry. “There are small independent service providers that are nervous about that linkage [between Stericycle and Shred-it],” noted Robert Johnson, chief executive officer at the National Association for Information Destruction. “They are very much paying attention to whether or not they will see this impact their current healthcare clients.” One of those small independent service providers is Shred Pro Services, which was launched in 2008 and provides on-site document destruction services and records management to clients through the greater Houston, Texas, area. “I worry about the impact the acquisition will have on smaller companies like Shred Pro Services,” admits Darleena Lanier, an owner and vice president of the Houston-based business. “The Stericycle-Shred-it merger is an acquisition that has me concerned.” One possible issue is that Stericycle could offer a “package deal” for medical waste disposal and document destruction, undercutting independent document shredding service providers. “In exchange for the higher cost of medical destruction, they now have the ability to offer free or reduced-priced document destruction as part of their services,” Lanier said. “With current competitive pricing in our area, just to make one truck payment, a small shredding company may have to service up to 90 clients who currently have one container serviced on a monthly basis. Throw in multiple trucks, costs for fuel, payroll, utilities, truck maintenance, etc., it takes a massive amount of scheduled services 4

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

WINTER 2015

to cover basic bills.” Johnson said that the Shred-it acquisition made sense for Stericycle, which was already subcontracting out document destruction services for some of its medical waste clients. The Canadian-based Shred-it will now be a wholly-owned subsidiary or Stericycle, which is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill. “It would be no secret to anyone that Stericycle already has a large market share of the medical waste hauling industry, so they’ve got a large number of healthcare companies,” Johnson noted. “And certainly we would expect them to leverage that footprint that they have in medical waste hauling to expand their organization services into other healthcare organizations where they’re not already involved.” Document destruction services would be a key offering. “Anyone can understand that would be the logical assumption,” Johnson said. “That will be where they concentrate. That will be their initial goal. They do have a large foothold in the medical world already. They’re obviously going to concentrate on that and one of their major pushes would be to leverage those contacts and that business platform to be able to expand their shredding business.” Johnson, however, said that approach still could face some challenges. “It’s a sound strategy. But it isn’t as simple as it might sound,” he said. “Often while that sometimes seems it would be very logical and simple, it often is more difficult.” The reason: “Very often it’s not the same decision maker within the organization and they have a different set of priorities. Those different decision makers have a different set of priorities,” he explained. “As far as how effective that strategy will be, we all just have to wait and see,” he added. Johnson noted that prior to the acquisition, shredding companies already faced stiff competition from Shred-it. “Shred-it was already a formidable competitor in every marketplace,” he said. “It isn’t like Shred-it wasn’t a good competitor before. They were already very aggressive and a very good operator. That part won’t change and I don’t think anyone is overly stressed necessarily about any change in that area. If there has been any concern, it’s really been about what‘s going to be the effect on the healthcare client. With the very logical and very evident strategy that Stericycle will have, will it actually work and will they see any erosion there.” Lanier said Shred Pro Services has won some and lost some in competing against Shred-it and other large shredding companies. “We have gained new clients who felt they were ‘lost in the shuffle’ with Shred-it being a larger company,” she said. “But we have also lost clients with larger companies who wanted one vendor company to handle offices nationwide instead of using local smaller shredding companies. We have also lost large medical accounts because Shred-it can offer lower rates that a smaller company simply cannot compete with.” Smaller companies such as Shred Pro Services have held on to

Continued on next page

News Briefs Continued from previous page their customers because they offer more quality of service and personal attention, she noted. “We like to take pride in trying to the best of our abilities to accommodate normal and ‘unusual’ circumstances for secure document destruction and records management for our clients,” Lanier said. “We take that extra step to help our clients customize their services to be exactly what they need whether it is a residential client or a large corporate company.” Even so, she expressed concern about competition from the StericycleShred-it acquisition. “I am worried that corporate companies’ main offices will be focused on the bottom line and will move to Stericycle if indeed package deals are provided,” she said. “We hope that those customers who may experience a decrease in the quality of their service during the transition of the acquisition are able to switch to a smaller document shredding service who will appreciate their business and offer a better quality and personal service in the long run.” Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.com. (Author: Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine)

Drug-resistant E. coli Infection Rate Doubles

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urham, NC – Researchers say the rate of antibiotic-resistant E. Coli infections at 26 community hospitals in Southeastern U.S. doubled between 2009 and 2014, a FierceHeathcare.com article reports. A study conducted by Duke’s School of Medicine investigators, points to the high use of antibiotics as a contributing factor in the rising rates of E. coli infections (5.28 to 10.5 per 100,000 patients). The findings are important because more than half of U.S. patients receive their healthcare from community hospitals, according to a Duke University announcement. The study data were gathered through the Duke Infection Control Network (DICON), which helps community hospitals and surgery centers across the U.S. prevent infections using education and evidence-based strategies. “Overall, the majority of E. coli infections occurred after health care exposure, which makes all hospitals, big and small, important areas of focus to reduce transmission,” said lead author Joshua Thaden, M.D., a fellow in Duke’s Division of Infectious Diseases in an announcement. Patient screening during the hospital admission process has been found to provide early detection of infection-causing bacteria. Dr. Thaden says, “It’s important to consider that a patient’s skin may be colonized with drug-resistant bacteria, but because they do not display symptoms, providers may not test them or use extensive contact precautions during care. I think we may be close to a point where it becomes worth the cost and effort to actively screen patients for resistant E. coli.” During the same five-year period, the rate of infection among patients with limited exposure to healthcare facilities more than tripled. The median age of those receiving treatment for E. coli infections was 72 years. “We have always considered antibiotic-resistant organisms a problem at large hospitals,” said Deverick Anderson, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Duke University School of Medicine and senior author of the study. “This study goes a long way in demonstrating that the problems with antibiotic-resistant organisms occur in all health care settings, not just large ones. This is also one of the first papers to show these infections are increasing outside of the health care system in the community.” The Duke study findings, which are published online in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, come amid fears of a looming global crisis of antibiotic-resistant superbugs brought on by overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Reining in antibiotic use, according to the co-author of the report, “The State of the World’s Antibiotics, 2015,” is the most important solution. Other tactics include improving hospital infection control and implementing antibiotic stewardship programs and, in certain areas of the world, improving water, sanitation and immunization to reduce the need for antibiotics.

for Medical Waste

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WINTER 2015

Bio-Box Models • Built to Customers Requirements

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

News Briefs

Consumer Reports HAI Survey Results

survey conducted by Consumer Reports tracked occurrences of HAI at 3000 hospitals across the U.S., focusing on MRSA and C. diff because the two infections “can be a red flag that a hospital isn’t following best practices in preventing infections and prescribing antibiotics. That could not only allow C. diff and MRSA to spread, but also turn the hospital into a breeding ground for other resistant infections that are even more difficult to treat.” Smaller community hospitals were rated higher than larger urban teaching hospitals. The researchers said this may be due to better reporting systems and the fact that patients undergo more complex procedures at the larger institutions.

Organizations that were highest rated HAI Prevention by Consumer Reports (listed in order of patient volume): • •

Northwest Texas Healthcare System (475 beds), Amarillo, Texas Jupiter Medical Center (283 beds), Jupiter, Florida

• • • • • • •

White County Medical Center (438 beds), Searcy, Arizona Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center (171 Beds), Las Vegas, Nevada Biloxi Regional Medical Center (198 Beds), Biloxi, Mississippi Johnston Memorial Hospital (179 Beds), Abingdon, Virginia Lima Memorial Health System (248 Beds), Lima, Ohio Western Arizona Regional Medical Center (90 Beds), Bullhead City, Arizona South Baldwin Regional Medical Center (112 Beds), Foley, Alabama

Organizations that were lowest-rated in HAI prevention by Consumer Reports (listed alphabetically): • •

Brooklyn Hospital Center (464 Beds), Brooklyn, New York Decatur Memorial Hospital (188 Beds), Decatur, Illinois

• • • • • • • • • •

Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services (329 Beds), New Albany, Indiana Fremont-Rideout Health Group (233 Beds), Marysville, California Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers (288 Beds), Evergreen Park, Illinois Mercy St. Anne Hospital (96 Beds), Toledo, Ohio Riverview Medical Center (476 Beds), Red Bank, New Jersey Rockdale Medical Center (146 Beds), Conyers, Georgia St. Petersburg General Hospital (219 Beds), Saint Petersburg, Florida The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (72 Beds), Torrington, Connecticut UF Health Jacksonville (620 Beds), Jacksonville, Florida Venice Regional Bayfront Health (312 Beds), Venice, Florida

Consumer Reports Survey: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health/ hospital-acquired-infections/index.htm.

Target your products, equipment and services to more than 5,000 healthcare facilities and medical waste contractors throughout the U.S. ... Advertise in HES! contact Rick or Donna Downing at 440-257-6453 or downassoc2@oh.rr.com

rmckee@stibiosafe.com

www.stibiosafe.com

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

WINTER 2015

2015

Buyers’ Guide DIRECTORY

CATEGORY LISTINGS Air & Surface Cleaning/ Disinfection Systems 1 Priority Env. Svcs., Inc Abatement Technologies Advanced Vapor Technologies, LLC AmeriVap Systems, Inc Biomist, Inc Bioquell Inc Cleanint Daylight Medical Hygiena Infection Prevention Technologies, LLC sBioMed LLC Steriliz TRU-D LLC TSK Products UltraViolet Devices Inc UVAIRx Inc Vaportek Inc Xenex Healthcare Services

Alternative Energy Systems NewWay Global Energy PEAT International Inc SunWize Technologies Inc ZeroWaste Energy Systems

Automated Equipment & Container Cleaning Systems Aaqua Tools ARE Industries Hubscrub Company McClure Industries, Inc

Balers & Compactors Allegheny Shredders American Baler Co Compaction Technologies Harris IPS Balers Mfg J.V. Manufacturing, Inc Marathon Equipment Company San-I-Pak Inc The Mark-Costello Company

Containers (Pharmaceutical, Medical Waste & Sharps) BD Medical Covidien Daniels Sharpsmart Jake, Connor & Crew Inc McClure Industries, Inc PCM Medical Waste Recycling Post Medical Inc San-I-Pak Inc Scott Distribution LLC / Scott Containers Snyder Industries Inc Solutions Inc

Containers / Carts (Recycling & Document Storage) Big Dog Shred Bins Bomac Carts Jake, Connor & Crew Inc Jedstock Inc McClure Industries, Inc Schaefer Systems International, Inc Scott Distribution LLC / Scott Containers Solutions Inc Tecni-Quip Carts Toter Inc

Food Waste Containers & Compostable Bags BioBag Ecosafe Zero Waste Jake, Connor & Crew Inc Natur-Tec®

Hazardous Gas Collection Systems Class 1 Inc

Containers / Carts (Linens)

Hazardous Waste Disposal & Infection Compliance Services

Bomac Carts McClure Industries, Inc PCM Medical Waste Recycling Tecni-Quip Carts

Assured Waste Solutions Clean Harbors Curtis Bay Medical Waste Svcs. Golder Associates Inc WINTER 2015

ICP Medical JT Environmental Consulting Kessler Consulting Inc Medasend Biomedical Inc MedAssure One Sustainabile Method Recycling LLC Pharma-Cycle Inc Prime Compliance Quest Recycling Services, LLC San-I-Pak Inc Sharps MD Sioux Services LLC Solid Waste Solutions Corp SRI Surgical Stericycle Visionary Solutions LLC

Healthcare Facility Management Services HHA Services Sodexo

Janitorial Supplies & Services Century Products LLC Geerpres Inc Jani-King International, Inc UniFirst Corporation Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC TL Services, Inc

Laboratory Solvent Recycling Systems B/R Instrument Corp

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

2015 Liquid Waste Disposal Systems (Biohazardous) Ansell Sandel Med. Solutions Bemis Health Care Dornoch Medical Systems, Inc Stryker

Medical Waste Device Recycling Implant Recycling Stryker

Medical Waste Treatment Systems (Autoclaves, etc) The Bell Process BioMedical Technology Solutions Bondtech Corporation Clean Waste Systems ECODAS Gient Heating Industry Co Honua Technologies The Mark-Costello Company OnSite Sterilization, LLC OZONATOR Industries Red Bag Solutions ReGen LLC San-I-Pak Inc SteriMed Medical Waste STI Biosafe

hes Buyers’ Guide CATEGORY LISTINGS

Motorized Carts, Tugs & Lifting Systems Bayne Premium Lift Systems PHS West Inc Red Devil Equipment Co

Odor Control West Sanitation Services Inc Zorbx

Recycling Services Battery Solutions BCS Call2Recycle Heritage Environmental Services Metal Conversion Technologies, LLC Sustainable Solutions

Sanitizing Products, Hand Cleaners & Dispensing Systems Betco BioMed Protect, LLC Clorox Professional Products CS Medical, LLC Fitzsimmons Corp Dial Corp, A Henkel Company Ecolab Inc Elyptol, Inc Evolon/Freudenberg Co. Germ Pro Products GOJO Industries Inc Kimberly-Clark Professional

Palmero Health Care Parker Laboratories Proctor & Gamble Professional Disposables Intl Resurgent Health & Medical Safety-Med Products Spartan Chemical Co, Inc Sporicidin by Contec, Inc Surfacide UltraClenz Vital Vio Wexford Labs Xpedx

Shredding Equipment (Plant-Based & Office Shredders) Allegheny Shredders Cumberland Engrg. Corp MBM Corporation Harris Republic Machine Security Engineered Machinery Co Shred-Tech UNTHA America Vecoplan, LLC WEIMA America, Inc Whitaker Brothers

Tracking Devices & Software (Healthcare) Walsh Integrated

Spill Control Materials

Trade Associations American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) Assoc. for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) Copper Development Association Inc Practice Greenhealth

Uniforms & Work Clothing UniFirst Corporation

Waste Tracking & Routing Software (Medical Waste Collection & Transport) Clear Computing eRouteIt, LLC EZshred Software Imec Technologies Inc PC Scale Inc™ RouteOptix Mgmt Systs Inc

X-Ray Film Recovery/ Silver Reclamation AG Medical Systems Inc Arch Enterprises, Inc Commodity Resource & Environmental Inc Rochester Silver Works LLC United DMS of Tennessee LLC

SorbTech Mfg, Inc UltraTech International

Who’s Reading Healthcare Environmental Solutions? • 2391 Hospital Facility Executives • 689 Hospital Facility Engineers • 1658 Hospital Environmental Services Directors, Sustainability Coordinators and Infection Control Managers • 687 Infectious and Non-Infectious Waste Transporters and Disposal Companies If you would like to advertise your products or services to this market, please contact Rick or Donna Downing at 440-257-6453 or downassoc2@oh.rr.com. 8

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

WINTER 2015

2015 A

1 Priority Environmental Services, Inc

Fort Worth, TX (817) 595-0790 www.go1priority.com

Aaqua Tools

Rancho Cordova, CA (800) 777-2922 www.AaquaTools.com

Abatement Technologies Suwanee, GA (800) 634-9091 www.abatement.com

Advanced Vapor Technologies, LLC Everett, WA (800) 997-6584 www.advap.com

AG Medical Systems Inc Lake in the Hills, IL (800) 262-2344 www.amsstoreandshred.com

hes Buyers’ Guide COMPANY INDEX

American Baler Co

Bellevue, OH (800) 843-7512 www.americanbaler.com

American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) Chicago, IL (312) 422-3800 www.ashe.org

AmeriVap Systems, Inc Dawsonville, GA (800) 763-7687 www.amerivap.com

Ansell Sandel Medical Solutions

Bayne Premium Lift Systems

Greenville, SC (800) 535-2671 www.baynethinline.com

BioBag

Palm Harbor, FL (727) 789-1646 www.biobagusa.com

Big Dog Shred Bins

BCS

Canoga Park, CA (888) 286-7188 www.scrapdr.com

BD Medical

Franklin Lakes, NJ (201) 847-6800 www.bd.com

The Bell Process

www.thebellprocess.com

Chatsworth, CA (866) 764-3327 www.sandelmedical.com

Poway, CA (855) 792-4050 www.bigdogshredbins.com

BioMedical Technology Solutions, Inc

Englewood, CO (866) 525-2687 www.bmtscorp.com

Biomist, Inc

Wheeling, IL (847) 850-5530 www.biomistinc.com

Bioquell Inc

Horsham, PA (215) 682-0225 www.bioquell.com

Arch Enterprises, Inc Mexico, MO (800) 835-0478 www.archenterprises.com

ARE Industries

Wichita, KS (316) 943-5000 www.areindustries.com

Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) Chicago, IL (312) 422.3860 www.ahe.org

Allegheny Shredders

PO Box 80 Delmont, PA 15626 (800) 245-2497 Joe Barush solutions@alleghenyshredders.com www.alleghenyshredders.com Allegheny Security Grinders are your solution when the highest level of destruction is required. Utilizing our proprietary single-shaft rotary design coupled with screen sizes ranging from 3/8” to 4”, these powerful grinders provide secure dump and run destruction of conﬁdential documents, digital media, plastics, and various types of medical waste.

Assured Waste Solutions Gastonia, NC www.assuredwaste.com

B B/R Instrument Corp Easton, MD 21601 (410) 820-8800 www.brinstrument.com

Battery Solutions

Howell, MI (800) 852-8127 www.batteryrecycling.com

Bemis Health Care

300 Mill St Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085 (920) 467-4621 Margaret Hand hcg@bemismfg.com www.bemishealthcare.com “Control Today, Protect Tomorrow” with products that collect and dispose of infectious waste. These include our Quick-Drain Liquid Infectious Waste Management Systems; Quick-Fit Suction Liners and Hi-Flow™ and Hydrophobic Rigid Suction Canisters; and Sentinel by Bemis™ Sharps Disposal Containers. See ad on pg 19

Betco

Toledo, OH (888)GO-BETCO www.betco.com

WINTER 2015

Bomac Carts

201 Badger Parkway Darien, WI 53114 (262) 882-5000 Cindy Lapidakis sales@bomaccarts.com www.bomaccarts.com H e a v y - D u t y u t i l i t y ca r t s a re our specialty. From Recycling, Manufacturing, Shipping/Receiving, Commercial Laundry and Mailrooms, uses in many industries. See ad on pg 19

Bondtech Corporation

Somerset, KY (800) 414-4231 www.bondtech.net

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

2015

hes Buyers’ Guide COMPANY INDEX

Cleanint

Call2Recycle

Atlanta, GA (877) 723-1297 www.call2recycle.org

Century Products LLC

Daylight Medical

Georgetown, TX (888)715-0464 www.cleanint.com

Middleburgh Hts, OH (800) 459-8500 www.daylightmedical.com

Clorox Professional Products

Corp

Merlin, OR (888) 582-2700 www.dfcorp.us

Greensboro, NC (800) 927-0981 www.centuryproductsllc.com

Oakland, CA (800) 537-1415 www.cloroxprofessional.com

Class 1 Inc

Commodity Resource & Environmental Inc

Dial Corp, A Henkel Company

Compaction Technologies

Dornoch Medical Systems, Inc

Cambridge, ON Canada (800) 242-9723 www.class1inc.com

Clean Harbors

Norwell, MA (800) 282-0058 www.cleanharbors.com

Burbank, CA (818) 843-2811 www.creweb.com

Mendota Hts, MN (877) 860-6900 www.compactiontechnologies.com

Copper Development Association Inc New York, NY (212) 251-7200 www.copper.org

Clear Computing

Tinton Falls, NJ (888) 332-5327 www.clearcomputing.com

ECODAS

St Paul, MN (877) 927-9726 www.ecolab.com

CS Medical, LLC

Creedmoor, NC (877) 255-9472 www.csmedicalllc.com

Cumberland Engineering Corp New Berlin, WI (262) 641-8600 www.cumberland-plastics.com

Curtis Bay Medical Waste Services Baltimore, MD (855) 228-1715 www.curtisbayenergy.com

Daniels Sharpsmart

Chicago, IL (312) 546-8900 www.danielsinternational.com

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

Ecolab Inc

(508) 261-8000 www.covidien.com 200 Birch Ave S Maple Lake, MN 55358-0304 (877) 478-5195 Peter Jude peter@cleanwastesystems.com www.cleanwastesystems.com Clean Waste Systems is the designer, manufacturer, parts and service company for its patented, OMW1000 Ozone Medical Waste Processing System in the United States and foreign markets. Clean Waste Systems specializes in the design and development of ozone-based technologies using Humidizone™ for its sterilization and sanitation processes. See ad on pg 20

Riverside, MO (888) 466-6633 www.dornoch.com

59100 Roubaix France +33 3 20 70 98 65 www.ecodas.com

Covidien

Clean Waste Systems

Scottsdale, AZ (800) 253-DIAL www.dialprofessional.com

WINTER 2015

Ecosafe Zero Waste

Surrey, BC Canada (604) 560-5133 www.ecosafezerowaste.com

EZshred

PO Box 8 Chesterland, OH 44026 (877) 392-7123 tjulian@ezshred.com www.ezshred.com Built for shredding companies, EZshred is a simple to use software system to run your shredding business. From scheduling and routing to invoicing and reporting, EZshred gives you time to manage and grow your business. Ask about our cutting-edge handheld barcode scanning, GPS, recycling or medical waste solutions as well!

Geerpres Inc

Muskegon, MI (231) 773-3211 www.geerpres.com

Professional

Atlanta, GA (866) 435-5647 www.gppro.com

Germ Pro Products

Tampa, FL (800) 966-5367 www.germproproducts.com

Elyptol, Inc Santa Monica, CA (424) 500-8099 www.elyptol.com

eRouteIt, LLC

Lincoln, NE (402) 202-2518 www.erouteit.com

Evolon/Freudenberg Company

Durham, NC (919) 479-7212 www.evolon.com

Gient Heating Industry Co

Chongqing, China 86-23-67383009 info@gient.cn www.gient.net Gient is China’s largest professional manufacturer of medical waste treatment system. We provide smart medical waste treatment solutions with latest technologies and lowest cost. See ad on pg 16

2015 G Continued

GOJO Industries Inc

hes Buyers’ Guide COMPANY INDEX

Infection Prevention Technologies, LLC

Akron, OH (800) 321-9647 www.gojo.com

Auburn Hills, MI (800) 359-9855 www.infectionpreventiontechnologies.com

Golder Associates Inc

IPS Balers Mfg

solutions@golder.com www.golder.com

JT Environmental Consulting

St Clair Shores, MI (800) HHA-1140 www.hhaservices.com

Honua Technologies Honolulu, HI (808) 523-3140 www.honuatech.com

Hubscrub Company Manchester, NH (603) 624-4243 www.hubscrub.com

Hygiena

Camarillo, Ca (888) HYGIENA www.hygiena.com

I Imec Technologies Inc Champaign, IL (217) 643-7488 www.imec.ie

Implant Recycling

Detroit, MI (877) 446-4544 www.implantrecycling.com

Jake, Connor & Crew Inc Kitchener, ON Canada (877) 565-JAKE (5253) www.jakeconnorandcrew.com

Jani-King International, Inc Addison, TX (800) JANIKING www.janiking.com

Jedstock Inc

Middlesex, NJ (732) 356-7888 www.jedstock.com

Kessler Consulting Inc Tampa, FL (813) 971-8333 www.kesconsult.com

Kimberly-Clark Professional

Roswell, GA (678) 352-6207 www.kcprofessional.com

L Environmental Solutions Lombard, IL (630) 693-0500 www.liquitech.com

Circle Pines, MN (763) 404-8700 www.natur-tec.com

NewWay Global Energy Johnson Creek, WI (920) 988-0686 www.newwayglobal.net

Springdale, AR (800) 678-7320 www.jv.com

Orlando, FL (888) 583-6826 www.jtenv.com

Rolling Meadows, IL (847) 454-0835 www.micro-scientic.com

Natur-Tec®

Heritage Environmental Services

HHA Services

Vernon, AL (800) 269-7237 www.nexgenbalers.com

www.ipsbalers.com

J.V. Manufacturing, Inc

(877) 436-8778 www.heritage-enviro.com

Marathon Equipment Company

Baxley, GA

Harris

Cordele, GA (800) 468-5657 www.harrisequip.com

The Mark-Costello Co

15351 Texaco Ave Paramount, CA 90723 (562) 630-7950 www.mark-costello.com Celebrating 57 years of specializing and providing solutions to the most complex situations that have made us the leader in the Waste Handling Equipment, On-Site Medical Waste Sterilization Equipment and Industrial Recycling Equipment in the marketplace. See ad on pg 15

One Sustainabile Method Recycling LLC Louisville, KY (502) 561-3404 www.osmllc.net

OnSite Sterilization, LLC Pottstown, PA (610) 495-8214 www.askonsite.com

MBM Corporation

North Charleston, SC (800) 223-2508 www.mbmcorp.com

McClure Industries, Inc Portland, OR (503) 777-2821 www.mcclureindustries.com

Medasend Biomedical Inc Garden Grove, CA (800) 200-3581 www.medasend.com

MedAssure

Farmingdale, NJ (732) 363-7444 www.medassureservices.com

Metal Conversion Technologies, LLC

Cartersville, GA (678) 721-0022 www.metalconversion.com

WINTER 2015

OZONATOR Industries PO Box 26030

(877) 662-7555 Peter Klaptchuk pklaptchuk@OzonatorIndustries.com www.ozonatorindustries.com OZONATOR is the most energye cient, cost- ective, odorless, environmentally friendly technology available in the bio-hazardous waste industry. With zero emissions, ease of operation, quick cycle time and low operating costs the OZONATOR is the complete solution to your biohazardous waste needs.

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

2015 P

Palmero Health Care Stratford, CT (800) 344-6424 www.palmerohealth.com

Parker Laboratories

F (973) 276-9500 www.parkerlabs.com

PC Scale Inc™

Oxford, PA (800) 962-9264 www.pcscaletower.com

PCM Medical Waste Recycling

Pinellas Park, FL (727) 547-6277 www.pcmmedicalwasterecycling.com

hes Buyers’ Guide COMPANY INDEX

Professional Disposables Intl (PDI) Orangeburg, NY (845) 365-1700 www.pdipdi.com

Post Medical Inc

Alpharetta, GA (866) 330-4845 www.postmedical.com

Practice Greenhealth

Reston, VA (888) 688-3332 www.practicegreenhealth.org

Prime Compliance

Wyoming, MI (616) 893-8243 www.thehipaaman.com

Proctor & Gamble Cincinnati, OH (513) 983-1100 www.pg.com

Winchester, VA (540) 667-8700 www.rubbermaidcommercial.com

Burlington, WI (866) 421-3400 www.safety-med.com

Quest Recycling Services, LLC Frisco, TX (877) 321-1811 www.questrecycling.com

4010 East 26th St Los Angeles, CA 90058 (800) 421-6244

Pharma-Cycle Inc

Hanover, MN (888) 639-5438 www.phswest.com

Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC

Safety-Med Products

Aston, PA (610) 497-1743 www.pyromet999.com

Northbrook, IL (847) 559-8567 www.peat.com

PHS West Inc

Cullman, AL (256) 796-7898 www.regenllc.net

PEAT International Inc

Newport, RI (617) 755-0883 www.pharma-cycle.com

ReGen LLC

Red Bag Solutions

3431 Benson Ave Ste 100 Baltimore, MD 21227 (877) 973-3224 Ward Miller wmiller@redbag.com www.redbag.com Red Bag Solutions (RBS) is a manufacturing and waste management services company that provides environmentally friendly, treatment of medical and bio-hazardous waste. RBS’s waste treatment and disposal technologies convert medical, clinical and infectious waste into sterilized, safe and unrecognizable material that can be recycled or placed in a municipal landﬁll. See ad on pg 5

Red Devil Equipment Co Plymouth, MN (800) 221-1083 www.reddevilequipment.com

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

WINTER 2015

www.rehrighealthcare.com Combined with a widely recognized commitment to customer service, Rehrig has become a leading supplier to many of the largest and most innovative companies in the world. Now, Rehrig is applying our expertise in secure reusable injection molded containers to help improve the collection of Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) and Sharps. Our new line of sustainable solutions products for both generators and disposal companies alike. See ad on pg 2

Republic Machine

Louisville, KY (502) 637-6778 www.republicmachine.com

Resurgent Health and Medical

Golden, CO (800) 932-7707 www.resurgenthealth.com

Rochester Silver Works LLC

Rochester, NY (585) 743-1415 www.rochestersilverworks.com

RouteOptix Management Systems Inc Kitchener, ON Canada (866) 926-7849 www.routeoptix.com

San-I-Pak, Inc

PO Box 1183 Tracy, CA 95378 (209) 836-2310 Arthur McCoy arthurmccoy@sanipak.com www.sanipak.com Since 1978, San-I-Pak, Inc. has been providing technological solutions for managing infectious & solid waste. San-I-Pak has proven to be a critical component of the patient care infrastructure, especially during times of crisis. Contact us at sanipak@ sanipak.com or (209) 836-2310 to ﬁnd out how we can help your hospital become more ﬁnancially and operationally independent.

sBioMed LLC

Orem, UT (801) 922-1111 www.sbiomed.com

Schaefer Systems International, Inc Charlotte, NC (704) 944-4500 www.ssi-schaefer.us

Scott Distribution LLC DBA Scott Containers Grapevine, TX (817) 756-6909 www.scottcontainers.com

2015

hes Buyers’ Guide COMPANY INDEX

S Continued

Stericycle

Surfacide

Westboro, MA (800) 225-9293 www.semshred.com

Steriliz

Sustainable Solutions

SteriMed Medical Waste Solutions Inc

Lake Forest, IL (847) 367-5910 www.stericycle.com

Security Engineered Machinery Co, Inc

Sharps MD

Tarpon Springs, FL (727) 940-5872 www.wastealliance.net

Shred-Tech

295 Pinebush Rd Cambridge, ON N1T 1B2 Canada (800) 465-3214 shred@shred-tech.com www.shred-tech.com Shred-Tech® is globally recognized for designing and manufacturing ﬁrstclass reduction systems and shredding machinery to cost- ectively meet your waste reduction and recycling needs. See ad on pg 17

Sioux Services LLC

Reading, PA (484) 638-1126 www.siouxservices.com

Attention

Advertisers ! Now is the time to schedule your 4-color logo/photo listing in next year’s Buyers’ Guide Issue.

For more information, contact Rick or Donna Downing at 440-257-6453 or downassoc2@oh.rr.com.

Snyder Industries Inc

6940 “0” St Lincoln, NE 68510 (888) 422-8683 info@snyderplasticsolutions.com www.medwastecontainers.com Snyder Medical Waste is a special division of Snyder Industries, Inc. and was established in 1957. Snyder’s extensive line of returnable containers is considered the industry standard for the collection and transportation of medical waste. See ad on pg 17

Rochester, NY (855) 882-2013 www.steriliz.us

Gainesville, GA (678) 414-0674 wwwconstantlygreen.net

Farmington Hills, MI (855) 783-7463 www.sterimedsystems.com

Steris Corporation Mentor, OH (440) 354-2600 www.steris.com

Sodexo

Tecni-Quip Carts

Gaithersburg, MD (800) 763-3946 www.sodexousa.com

Solid Waste Solutions Corp

Evanston, IL (847) 328-5622 www.solidwastesolutionscorp.com

Solutions Inc

Louisville, KY (877) 228-2901 www.medicalwastecontainers.com

SorbTech Mfg, Inc Plaistow, NH (570) 371-8464 www.sorb-tech.com

Spartan Chemical Company, Inc

Maumee, OH (800) 537-8990 www.spartanchemical.com

Sporicidin by Contec, Inc Spartanburg, SC (800) 762-3472 www.sporicidin.com

SRI Surgical

Tampa, FL (813) 891-9550 www.srisurgical.com

Naperville, IL (630) 861-9000 www.surfacide.com

STI Biosafe

5750 West 80th St Indianapolis, IN 46278 (317) 858-8099 www.stibiosafe.com STI Biosafe has over 15 years of experience in the commercial treatment of medical waste without burning. STI product o rings include units from 300 pounds per hour up engineered products for indoor and outdoor installations. See ad on pg 6

Stryker (269) 385-2600 www.stryker.com

SunWize Technologies Inc San Jose, CA (866) 476-9493 www.sunwize.com

WINTER 2015

960 Crossroads Blvd Seguin, TX 78155 (800) 826 1245 Jobeth Reilly tqcarts@tqind.com www.tqind.com TECNI-QUIP is a Cart Manufacturer, standard models and custom ca p a b i l i t i e s f o r t h e co l l e c t i o n o f : Waste, Biohazardous and Recycling. Models are available in Fiberglass, Stainless or Aluminum. Please visit our website www.tqind.com or call (800) 826-1245. See ad on pg 5

TL Services, Inc

Van Buren, AR (877) 474-7227 www.tlservices.com

Toter Inc

Statesville, NC (800) 424-0422 www.toter.com

TRU-D LLC

Memphis, TN (800) 774 5799 www.tru-d.com

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

2015 T Continued

TSK Products

Eatontown, NJ (732) 982-1090 www.tsk-products.com

hes Buyers’ Guide COMPANY INDEX

UVAIRx Inc

Centennial, CO (303) 327-5355 www.uvairx.com

Vaportek Inc

UltraClenz Jupiter, F

Sussex, WI (800) 237-6367 www.vaportek.com

www.ultraclenz.com

UniFirst Corporation Wilmington, MA (800) 455-7654

United DMS of Tennessee LLC Knoxville, TN (865) 637-2560 www.uniteddms.com

UNTHA America

Hampton, NH (603) 601-2304 www.untha-america.com

Knoxville, TX (865) 482-8670 www.vs-llc.com

Kirkwood, MO (800) 506-1146 www.wexfordlabs.com

Vital Vio

Whitaker Brothers

Troy, NY (518) 268-1101 www.vitalvio.com

Rockville, MD (800) 243-9226 www.whitakerbrothers.com

Montreal, Que Canada (514) 595-8500 www.walshintegrated.com

Jacksonville, FL (800) 764-9563 www.spillcontainment.com

Valencia, CA (661) 295-8140 www.uvdi.com

Wexford Labs

Walsh Integrated

UltraTech International

UltraViolet Devices, Inc

Visionary Solutions LLC

WEIMA America, Inc Vecoplan LLC

PO Box 7224 High Point, NC 27264 (336) 861-6070 Bob Gilmore info@vecoplanllc.com www.vecoplanllc.com Vecoplan e ngineers, m anufactu res, and provides parts and service on a range of s hredders a nd systems f or processing medical waste, destroying sc rap. A n integr al c omponent in turnkey waste sterilization systems, our machines are used to shred sharps, tex tiles, p lastics, and f or r ed b ag processing. AAA NAID compliant f or secure destruction of paper, ﬁlm, disks, and hard drives. See ad on pg 18

Fort Mill, SC (888) 440-7170 www.weimaamerica.com

West Industries

Baton Rouge, LA (225) 302-5570 www.westindustries.com

Attention Advertisers ! Now is the time to schedule your 4-color logo/photo listing in next year’s Buyers’ Guide Issue. For more information, contact Rick or Donna Downing at 440-257-6453 or downassoc2@oh.rr.com.

Xenex Healthcare Services LLC San Antonio, TX (800) 553-0069 www.xenex.com

Xpedx

Loveland, OH (888) 973-3976 www.xpedx.com

ZeroWaste Energy Systems Kleinburg, ON Canada www.zwes.ca

Zorbx

Strongsville, OH (800) 201-5530 www.zorbx.com

Researchers Found Nature’s Own Filter Works Best to Remove Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater

esearchers at the China University of Geosciences and the University of Wisconsin have found that nature’s own remedy may be the best way to filter pharmaceutical residue from wastewater, reports a TCEToday article. Numerous studies have linked the presence of all manner of pharmaceuticals in streams and other waterways with damage to aquatic organisms and microbes. The problem is the drug residues easily pass through standard wastewater treatment systems. Now, a group of Chinese and American scientists believe they have a solution: palygorskite clay. Experimenting with

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

WINTER 2015

residue from a common over-the-counter antacid, ranitidine, the team found that this type of clay could absorb up to 80% of the drug present, depending on contaminant concentration. The palygorskite clay performed better than bentonite, a common ingredient of cat litter, and other grease- and oil-cleaning materials. Palygorskite does not absorb water, a big advantage in wastewater filtration. The team has also tested palygorskite for removing the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and tetracycline, and other cationic drugs with success. The next step for the team will be to test the clay’s absorption of further undesired chemicals from water.

News Briefs

Cheshire Medical Fined $200K for Improper Pharma Disposal

eene, NH – Cheshire Medical Center has agreed to pay a $200,000 fine for violations of the New Hampshire Hazardous Waste Management Act (NHDES), reports Reformer.com. The charges were filed following a May 2013 inspection by NHDES during which records were found showing the medical center had shipped certain pharmaceutical hazardous wastes to unauthorized facilities. According to Cheshire Medical, the practice had stopped as of January 2010. New Hampshire law requires hazardous waste to be handled and disposed in accordance with the state’s Hazardous Waste Rules. State and federal regulations list 30 pharmaceuticals as hazardous waste, along with certain other substances and materials that are considered hazardous waste, due to their characteristics. During its 2013 inspection, DES found that Cheshire Medical employees had failed to follow certain hazardous waste storage and training requirements. Cheshire Medical quickly corrected all the remaining violations that were identified by NHDES. The allegations against Cheshire Medical do not pertain to infectious waste, such as used needles.

Preventionists Say Preparation for Ebola Improved Over 2014

ashington, D.C., November 4, 2015 – Nine in 10 infection control leaders (92 percent) surveyed this September believe their facilities are better prepared to handle highly lethal infectious disease cases, according to a FierceHealthcare.com article. The survey, conducted online by Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), polled the organization’s 15,000 members to determine their ongoing needs a year after the first Ebola patient was admitted to a U.S. hospital. APIC asked 16 questions that were formulated to help discern whether preventionists believe their facilities are more prepared than a year ago to deal with a patient with a highly lethal infectious disease, such as the Ebola virus. Along with some improvements, certain deficiencies surfaced. Of the 981 preventionists working in acute care hospitals, half (53 percent) reported having less than one or just one full-time infection preventionist at their organization. Of these, 45 percent work in facilities with more than 100 beds. Following the Ebola crisis, 10 percent of respondents received additional personnel, and a third (37 percent) received support for staff training programs on infection control protocols. “We are encouraged to learn that our members feel their facilities are more prepared to handle patients with highly lethal infectious diseases, and to know that some infection prevention and control departments have obtained additional staff and resources,” said Susan Dolan, RN, MS, CIC, president-elect of APIC and hospital epidemiologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado. “But with the ongoing threat of emerging infectious diseases and antibiotic-resistant organisms, we remain concerned that many facilities are lagging behind in providing adequate support to protect patients and healthcare workers. We urge healthcare leaders to assess the needs of their infection prevention programs and dedicate the necessary staff, training, and technology resources to this critical area.” According to the survey, almost two-thirds of respondents (62 percent) are continuing to train staff how to manage patients infected with Ebola. But a quarter may not have enough personal protective equipment (PPE) to meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for care of Ebola patients. The CDC reports 722,000 patients contracted healthcare-associated infections in U.S. acute care hospitals in 2011.

www.mark-costello.com

WINTER 2015

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

News Briefs

Fierce Competition in the Sharps Disposal Market Leads to Lawsuit

hicago, IL – Competition between medical waste disposal systems companies has become so intense that one maker has alleged its reputation was damaged by a rival that used a sham study, according to a CookCountyRecord.com article report. In October, Daniels Sharpsmart Inc. filed a three-count suit in federal district court here against Becton, Dickinson and Company Inc. In the suit, Daniels alleges that Becton violated the federal Lanham Act and the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and engaged in unfair competition under Illinois common law. The two companies produce and sell container systems for the disposal of sharp medical waste, such as syringes, blood collection devices and intravenous needles. The difference is that Daniels sells reusable containers, while Becton sells the disposable type. In the suit, Daniels, which has enjoyed a high market share for its disposal systems, has alleged that Becton hired a researcher and then used study findings to link reusable containers, such as those Daniels makes, to increased rates of Clostridum difficile, or C.diff. The study employed a survey to poll 1900 hospitals about their use of sharps disposal systems. Based on 604 responses, the study findings concluded that reusable containers were linked to higher C.diff infection rates while disposable containers were credited as helping to prevent spread of the disease. Daniels said the study overlooked any number of factors that could determine infection rates, such as “user error.” The company first asked Becton to retract public statements related to the study findings that were made in advertising and published articles. When this did not result in a satisfactory response, Daniels filed suit. In addition to financial damages, Daniels has asked the judge to prohibit Becton from publicly connecting Daniels’ products with what it considers a deeply flawed “sham” study. According to the Centers for Disease Control, C.diff bacteria a “healthcareassociated infection” or HAI, is largely spread among patients in hospitals. As recently as 2011, the disease infected about half a million annually, and about 5-6 percent of those infected died within 30 days of the initial diagnosis, the CDC reported.

Stericycle’s Automated Price Increases Lead to $26.75 million Settlement

ake Forest, IL – State and local entities, including some school districts and police departments, will receive settlement payouts as a result of a suit brought by a former Stericycle employee, reports a ChicagoTribune.com article. The medical waste disposal conglomerate agreed to pay $26.75 million to settle the lawsuit, which was filed in 2008. The complaint alleged Stericyle’s rates did not reflect actual costs, such as fuel and energy surcharges. In addition, the suit says the company did not give governmental customers notice of the rate hikes, but rather, automatically hiked rates (18 percent every nine months), resulting in $50,000 billing increases for some customers. In the settlement payout, Illinois will receive $3 million, with $1.6 million of that to be distributed to more than 350 state and local entities. Stericycle has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Other states included in the settlement are California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia. The District of Columbia and the federal government will also receive proceeds from the settlement. In addition, Stericycle also agreed to pay $1.75 million in attorneys’ fees.

www.gient.net 16

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

WINTER 2015

info@gient.cn

News Briefs

Ebola Waste Disposal Requires Continuous Improvement

ontinuous risk assessment and procedure reviews are needed to ensure that waste from Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks is handled properly, an Infection Control Today article advises. In the footnoted article, authors, Jacie Volkman, MPH, CIC and Jim Brunner, CHSP, outline a number of factors to consider as hospital and public health officials devise plans for future Ebola outbreaks. Volkman and Brunner are affiliated with Mission Health System and Safe Patient Surveys, Inc. The sheer volume of EVD waste can be staggering, the authors warn. Emory University found that a patient with the virus can generate approximately 40 pounds of waste per day. Most hospitals are not set up to handle that amount, nor do most healthcare facilities have quarantine areas or pass-through, decontamination and autoclave chambers (such as those at the University of Nebraska) that are needed to contain the virus. Routine caregiving and housekeeping activities put practitioners in contact with contaminated items, such as needles, sharp instruments, bedding, tissues, liquid effluent and more. One study found that transmission of EVD to those who come into direct contact with EVD patients, or waste from EVD treatment, runs between 2.5 percent and 12 percent of all EVD cases. Volkman and Brunner urge hospital and public health officials to continually explore new technologies or processes and eye existing ones for areas of improvement. For example, questions remain about the practice of sending even appropriately treated solid waste to landfills and liquid waste through sanitary sewers. Meanwhile, landfill workers are concerned about the level and viability of remaining materials that may be left after autoclave or even incineration. Although characteristics and inactivation of the virus have been widely studied and are well understood, recommendations are lacking and municipal waste districts have differing requirements across the nation on a local level, the authors say. “While we have clear direction regarding cleaning and disinfection, as well as avoiding transmission of the disease during care, more guidance is needed regarding the waste that is produced during the care of an EVD patient,” they conclude. The original article, “Addressing Ebola Waste Disposal Challenges for U.S. Hospitals” was published on October 15, 2015 in Infection Control Today. http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles.aspx.

Segri-Med® Single Deposit Containers The Segri-Med® 10 and 17 Gallon Single Deposit Containers are versatile, “Point of Use”, reusable medical waste containers. These sharps containers offer high volume capacity for needles, lab waste, IV bags, and tubing keeping waste collection costs at a minimum. • FDA 510(k) clearance. • US DOT Marking for transportation of regulated medical waste. • OSHA Markings: Compliant with OSHA Exposure Control Plan (when supplied with decal).

Nest empty containers for return shipment and reuse.

Phone: 402-467-5221 • Fax: 402-465-1220 Email: info@snyderplasticsolutions.com

View our entire line of medical waste containers at:

www.medwastecontainers.com

ProMed Acquires Florida Medical Waste Transport Companies

t. Petersburg, FL – As part of an ambitious expansion strategy, medical waste disposal company, ProMed, has acquired BioTram Inc. and Bio-Man LLC of Naples, Florida, according to reports in PharmPro.com and BizJournals.com. ProMed Waste Solutions President Paul E. Reddish said in a statement, “The medical waste disposal market in Florida is thriving. Our recent acquisitions, along with our organic growth plan, position us well to continue to be a local leader in the industry and to further expand our customer base throughout the state.” At the beginning of 2015, the waste disposal company successfully closed a round of private equity financing to help strengthen its penetration in the Florida market. The exact total of the new investments was not disclosed. ProMed began its operations in the Orlando area. The company currently provides services to a wide array of medical waste generators, including hospitals, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, research labs and surgery centers, as well as offers services for the disposal of hazardous waste, pharmaceutical waste, e-waste and solid waste.

www.shred-tech.com

WINTER 2015

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news

News Briefs

Japanese Researchers Say 2014 Bird Flu Originated in Siberia

okyo, Japan – According to Japan’s Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry, last winter’s outbreak of avian flu at five chicken farms originated in Siberia, not South Korea, as first thought, reports a ChicagoTribune.com

article. The epidemic propelled Japanese authorities to call for the destruction of some 350,000 chickens at farms in four prefectures and implement strategies to prevent another such outbreak. The researchers say the H5N8 virus most likely was carried by migratory birds that spent the winter in Japan after breeding in Siberia the summer before. In fall of 2014, airports and ports inspectors were on high alert for the bird flu virus coming from South Korea via people and birds. But when the researchers compared tissue and droppings from wild birds in the affected prefectures with samples from fowl killed by the South Korea outbreak, they found no matches. They traced the virus strain to one that had been seen in South Korea in January 2014 and from there, they traced the virus to birds that migrate to Siberia for summer breeding. The hooded cranes that come to Japan from autumn to winter may have been vectors for the H5N8 virus. Japan, China and South Korea have agreed to immediately share the information on outbreaks of bird flu, conduct joint research to identify infection routes and exchange samples of the viruses with each other. In addition, the Japanese government has asked the Chinese and South Korean governments to have their citizens stop at animal quarantine counters at airports upon entering Japan if they have had contact with livestock in their countries. Airport personnel will disinfect the travelers’ shoes and clothing. According to the Centers for Disease Control website, avian influenza refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred. Certain types of Avian flu virus can kill 90-100% in chickens, often within 48 hours. Ducks can be infected without any signs of illness.

Hospital-Acquired Infection Control Gains More Attention

atient screening, staff training and procedural compliance, as well as use of technology are frontline weapons in a multi-disciplinary defense against antibiotic-resistance infections, according to a DarkDaily.com article. The approach may be the best way to prevent and control hospital-acquired infections (HAI), such as MRSA (methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Although healthcare facilities have been tackling the spread of such diseases from a number of angles for some time, the changes in reimbursement brought by the Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC) Reduction Program have increased the urgency. Since The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has drastically changed reimbursement rules for treatment of HAIs, facilities are being forced to absorb costs of HAI. Last year, CMS penalized 721 hospitals for having high rates of infections and other patient injuries. In its 2016 inpatient prospective payment system rule, CMS expanded the HAI program. Beginning in fiscal year 2019, populations covered by the Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI) and Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) measures will include medical and surgical ward locations, in addition to adult and pediatric ICUs. Kaiser Health News (KHN) reported that one out of every seven hospitals in the nation had their Medicare payments lowered by 1% during the fiscal year that ran from October 2014 through September 2015, accumulating penalties totaling an estimated $373 million.

Multi-Tasking! Vecoplan’s Universal Shredders Pull Double Duty! IT’S A MEDICAL WASTE SHREDDER... • • • • •

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News Briefs

Army Settles in Infection Control Whistleblower Case

ashington, DC – According to a WashingtonPost.com article, the U.S. Army has agreed to pay a monetary settlement to an infection control analyst who was subjected to reprisals after she reported dangerous health and safety conditions at Womack Army Medical Center. The Army also agreed to remove negative comments from her employment records. A press release issued by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel explains that Teresa Gilbert, the preventionist, had contacted the Joint Commission, a non-profit that accredits hospitals, just prior to its scheduled accreditation review of Womack. Gilbert discussed her concerns about infection control problems at the hospital, setting off a chain of events. In March 2014, the Commission found that the hospital was not following required medical protocols in several areas, including infection control. Before the Commission’s review team arrived, Ms. Gilbert’s supervisors told her she was not allowed to speak to the team and barred her from attending Womack’s Infection Control Section meetings. Gilbert was kept in the dark about the Commission’s findings and prevented from helping her coworkers correct the deficiencies that the Commission identified. In April 2014, as a result of her disclosures to the Joint Commission, the Army began an internal investigation. Gilbert’s concerns about unsterilized instruments, failures to disinfect medical devices, and supervisors who lacked the right training and education in infection control led to operations at the hospital being shut down for over a week, in addition to senior leadership being relieved of command, and disciplinary action taken against several managers. According to the special counsel’s investigation, Gilbert was subjected to retaliation from her bosses, who barred her from any participation in improving infection control at the hospital, slashed her hours and reprimanded her for being absent without leave after her manager removed hours from her schedule. Eventually she received a notice that she had been recommended for dismissal for accessing a patient’s medical information, a charge the special counsel said was unfounded. A spokeswoman for Army Surgeon General LTG Patricia Horoho confirmed the settlement but said there was “no finding or admission of wrongdoing by either Womack Army Medical Center or any personnel.”

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