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VOL. XIV NO. 4
www.healthcareenvironmentalsolutions.com
WINTER 2018/19
New EPA Pharmaceutical Waste Rule Impacts Healthcare Providers By Sandy Woodthorpe
S
igned by the EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler on December 11, 2018, the EPA’s final rule addresses and clarifies compliance with the agency’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste regulations for certain pharmaceuticals generated at healthcare facilities and managed at reverse distributors. According to EPA, this final rule establishes cost-saving, streamlined standards for handling hazardous waste pharmaceuticals to better fit the operations of the healthcare sector while maintaining protection of human health and the environment. EPA asserts that this final rule will make our drinking and surface water safer and healthier by reducing the amount of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals entering our waterways by 1,644 to 2,300 tons (on an annual basis), by prohibiting all facilities, subject to the rule, from sewering such waste. EPA further states that this action will help address the issue highlighted by a growing body of publicly available studies documenting the presence of pharmaceuticals in drinking and surface waters,
as well as their negative impacts to aquatic and riparian ecosystems. The EPA rule also adds another layer of control to prevent prescription drugs from reaching the black market, which it claims is a contributing factor to the U.S. opioid crisis. In addition, under this final rule, FDAapproved, over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies (i.e., nicotine patches, gums and lozenges) will no longer be considered hazardous waste when discarded, which it claims will result in significant cost savings and burden reduction in the management of these types of nicotine wastes.
The new requirements apply to prescription pharmaceuticals only. The rule does not apply to potentially reusable and reclaimable over-thecounter drugs and dietary supplements, dental amalgam or sharps. The final rule reaffirms EPA’s existing policy that non-prescription pharmaceuticals and other unsold retail items that have a reasonable expectation of being legitimately used/reused or reclaimed are not solid waste. It also provides regulatory certainty that the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) applies when healthcare facilities send unused, unsaleable prescription hazardous waste pharmaceuticals to reverse distributors to receive manufacturer credit. Simultaneously, the rule incorporates flexibilities to accommodate current reverse distribution business practices to facilitate its implementation. The waste classification and requirements spelled out in the EPA’s final rule also impose new evaluation, documentation, record-keeping and training requirements on the following: hospitals and outpatient facilities; nursing care and long-term care facilities; medical, dental and veterinary, ambulatory and chiropractic clinics and offices; pharmacies and drug stores; supermarkets, grocery stores and warehouse club retailers, as well as drug wholesalers and reverse distributors.
Continued on page 3
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Individual user experiences may vary based on conditions and time. Product testing is conducted in a controlled lab and those parameters and results may vary from user to user. Any claims made are not to be interpreted as a warrantee or a guarantee of performance.
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3002 Belingham Drive Atlanta, GA 30345 844-473-4744
Healthcare Environmental Solutions news
New EPA Pharmaceutical Waste Rule Impacts Healthcare Providers Continued from page 1
Key requirements ••
Healthcare providers must develop training, documentation and compliance systems for pharmaceutical waste.
••
Each healthcare provider that handles phar maceuticals must register with the U.S. EPA. They must also separate listed or characteristically hazardous (toxic, flammable, reactive or corrosive) pharmaceuticals from unlisted, nonhazardous pharmaceuticals.
••
••
Once a determination for disposal is made, the pharmaceuticals are considered solid waste and must be disposed within a year of the determination. Flushing hazardous waste medication down the toilet is banned.
How do these final regulations differ from the current hazardous waste generator regulations?
U
nder previous requirements, any facility that generates hazardous waste pharmaceuticals was subject to the RCRA hazardous waste generator regulations. These regulations vary depending on the total amount and type of hazardous waste generated at the site in a calendar month. Many healthcare facilities are considered large quantity generators (LQGs) because they generate more than 1 kilogram (kg) of acute hazardous waste per month. Under the final management standards, generators of hazardous pharmaceutical wastes will manage their hazardous waste pharmaceuticals under subpart P of part 266 in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), instead of the standard RCRA generator regulations found in part 262.
Which pharmaceuticals are considered hazardous waste?
represent the total number of brand name pharmaceuticals that may actually be listed hazardous wastes. For example, the following chemotherapy drugs, CTX, Cytotoxins, Neosar and Procytox, are all designated as a U058 hazardous waste for cyclophosamide. In addition, waste pharmaceuticals may also be hazardous because they exhibit one or more of the four characteristics of hazardous waste: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity. For example, solutions containing more than 24 percent alcohol exhibit the ignitability characteristic. Pharmaceuticals exhibiting the corrosivity characteristic are generally limited to compounding chemicals, including strong acids, such as glacial acetic acid, and strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide. Depending on the concentration in different pharmaceutical preparations, pharmaceuticals may also exhibit the toxicity characteristic because of the use of arsenic (D004), barium (D005), cadmium (D006), chloroform (D022), chromium (D007), lindane (D013), m-cresol (D024), mercury (D009), selenium (D010), and silver (D011).
What is the definition of healthcare facility under the final rule?
A
••
A
s thousands of over-the-counter and prescription drugs are currently approved for sale in the United States, EPA says it is difficult to provide a precise number of pharmaceuticals that are considered hazardous waste. However, as with any other waste, a solid waste is considered hazardous waste if it meets a listing or exhibits a characteristic described in title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 261. There are approximately 30 commercial chemical products listed on the P and U hazardous waste lists that have pharmaceutical uses. As the P and U lists are based on chemical designations, this number does not completely
A healthcare facility will not have to comply with the satellite accumulation area regulations, which are a poor fit for healthcare facilities;
••
A healthcare facility will not need to specify hazardous waste codes on manifests;
••
A healthcare facility will be able to accumulate hazardous waste pharmaceuticals on site without a RCRA permit for 365 days, an increase of 275 days over the current generator regulations; and
••
A healthcare facility will have basic training requirements.
••
Additionally, the final standards are tailored to how reverse distributors operate and will replace the standard generator regulations for the accumulation and management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals at reverse distributors.
Continued on page 5
healthcare
Environmental solutionsnews Covering Infection prevention, medical waste management & sustainable practices
ccording to EPA, a healthcare facility is defined as any person that is lawfully authorized to: ••
••
p rov i d e p r e v e n t at i v e, d i ag n o s t i c , therapeutic, rehabilitative, maintenance or palliative care, and counseling, service, assessment or procedure with respect to the physical or mental condition, or functional status, of a human or animal or that affects the structure or function of the human or animal body; or distribute, sell, or dispense pharmaceuticals, including over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, homeopathic drugs, or prescription pharmaceuticals.
PUBLICATION STAFF Publisher / Editor Rick Downing Contributing Editors / Writers P.J. Heller • Sandy Woodthorpe Production & Layout Barb Fontanelle • Christine Mantush 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 Subscription information, call 440-257-6453.
Compared to the hazardous waste generator regulations, healthcare facilities operating under the new standards will have the following benefits: ••
A healthcare facility will not become a LQG, with all the associated requirements, when it generates more than 1 kg of acute hazardous waste pharmaceuticals in a month; WINTER 2018/19
Healthcare Environmental Solutions news (ISSN #1557‑6388) is published quarterly by Downing & Associates. Reproductions or transmission 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. ©
Copyright 2019 by Downing & Associates Printed on Post-Consumer Recycled Paper
HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
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Healthcare Environmental Solutions news
Congo Starts 2019 Still Battling Ebola By P.J. Heller
E
fforts to battle the second worst outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were being hampered at year’s end by a deterioration in the security situation, leading the head of the World Health Organization to warn that recent gains in fighting the deadly virus could be lost. “We have reached a critical point in the Ebola response,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general at WHO. “After an intensification of field activities, we were seeing hopeful signs in many areas, including a recent decrease in cases in Beni. “These gains could be lost if we suffer a period of prolonged insecurity, resulting in increased transmission. That would be a tragedy for the local population, who have already suffered too much,” he said. Raphael Mbuyi, acting country director for Oxfam, sounded an even more ominous tone in describing the situation, where pre-election violence forced the nonprofit, as well as WHO teams, to suspend their work in the Ebola ravaged areas of Beni and Butembo in eastern DRC. “This is an extremely worrying situation, as every time the Ebola response has been suspended before, we’ve seen a big spike in the number of new cases,” Mbuyi said. “This could mean Ebola spreading to even more people and potentially other countries in the region, putting many more lives at risk.” WHO reported that since the latest Ebola outbreak was declared on Aug. 1, more than 350 people have died out of nearly 600 people infected. Some 20 percent of the cases were reported in the last month. So far, more than 50,000 Congolese have been vaccinated with an experimental drug designed to protect them from the virus, according to the Ministry of Health. Ebola is a deadly disease spread through direct contact with body fluids of people infected with it. It is also spread by touching things that have been contaminated with these fluids. It first appeared in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the DRC. Officials worry that recent national elections, that took place on Dec. 30, will result in more people being infected due to traveling to polling places and coming into contact with others. There was also concern about people who had traveled during the holidays, not only within DRC but to Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan, which border Congo areas with Ebola outbreaks. “As the risk of national and regional spread is very high, it is important for neighboring provinces and countries to enhance surveillance and preparedness activities.” WHO said. “The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee has advised that failing
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to intensify these preparedness and surveillance activities would lead to worsening conditions and further spread.” The DRC elections, which have been delayed for years, have prompted dozens of local militia groups to step up their attacks, forcing health workers to suspend their work tracking cases and isolating people with Ebola. Protestors allegedly broke into an isolation center for Ebola patients in Beni, prompting two dozen of them to flee; 17 had already tested negative for Ebola and seven others had yet to be tested. The pre-election violence prompted Ebola experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be pulled out of the outbreak zones in northeastern Congo. They initially went to Kinshasa, the capital, about 1,000 miles away. Staff with the U.S. Agency for International Development were also there. On Dec. 14, the U.S. State Department ordered all non-emergency personnel and their families to leave the DRC, ahead of the elections, which had been scheduled for Dec. 23 but were pushed back one week due to the ongoing violence and a reported delay in deploying voting materials. “The U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the DRC is severely limited, particularly outside of Kinshasa,” the State Department said. “Elections are scheduled to take place on Dec. 23 and could trigger large-scale demonstrations which could further limit the services of consular staff even in Kinshasa.” Health officials, meantime, are hoping to resume their battle against the disease in the new year. There have, however, been varying statements about the road ahead. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suggested in November that public health experts needed to consider the possibility that the Ebola outbreak in DRC could not be brought under control and instead would become entrenched. WHO’s Ghebreyesus said that the priority was to end the outbreak. “We hope to return to full operations as soon as possible while remaining committed to ensuring the safety of all staff deployed. We cannot afford to take a step back at this critical point in the response,” he said. He said teams in Beni and Butembo were doing everything possible to continue responding despite the challenging security environment.
Healthcare Environmental Solutions news
New EPA Pharmaceutical Waste Rule Impacts Healthcare Providers Continued from page 3
Exemptions from the rule ••
The rule does not apply to pharmaceutical manufacturers.
••
Food and Drug Administration-approved nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and gum.
••
Medications collected during drug take-back programs and events.
••
Dual regulation of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals under EPA rules if they are also regulated by the DEA as controlled substances.
Reverse distribution impact
R
everse distributors that move unsold saleable inventory and unsaleable inventory in the pharmaceutical supply chain already comply with certain federal and state regulations. The rule does impose some new requirements, including: ••
Authorization for storing hazardous waste pharmaceuticals (limited to 180 days except when managing materials subject to recall or a litigation hold).
••
Authorization to complete the initial pharmaceutical sorting process (which must be completed within 30 days).
According to a recent report published by the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA), reverse distribution accounts for 3.5 percent to 4 percent of all pharmaceutical sales—more than 120 million product units— exceeding $13 billion in product value.
www.TQind.com cartgirltoo@gmail.com
Medical Waste Sterilization Systems
Is there confusion ahead?
A
ccording to a National Law Review article authored by attorneys for the Foley Lardner LLC law firm, “The changes will create significant regulatory uncertainty, and potential liability, for entities in the pharmaceutical distribution chain that suddenly find themselves evaluating compliance with the new rule.”
The Mark-Costello Company
60 Years
When will this final rule go into effect?
T
he rule takes effect six months after it is published in the Federal Register. The rule may be subject to petitions for reconsideration, or to challenge in the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Authorized states are required to adopt this final rule and to modify their RCRA programs in order to retain their authorized status because this rule is more stringent than current RCRA generator regulations. This rule will not become effective in states authorized for the RCRA program until states have adopted the rule, with one exception. The exception is the ban on flushing hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. This particular requirement is being finalized under the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA). Requirements promulgated under HSWA authority become effective in all states on the effective date of the federal regulation, which is six months after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register. The exemption from the P075 listing for FDA-approved over-thecounter nicotine replacement therapies is less stringent than current regulation. Authorized states are not required to adopt less stringent regulations. The exemption for over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies will not become effective in states authorized for the RCRA program until states have adopted the exemption.
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WINTER 2018/19
@markcostelloco @markcostelloco www.mark-costello.com www.mark-costello.com
HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
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2018/19
Buyers’ Guide DIRECTORY
CATEGORY LISTINGS Air & Surface Cleaning/ Disinfection Systems
Alternative Energy Systems
1 Priority Environmental Services, Inc Abatement Technologies Advanced Vapor Technologies, LLC AmeriVap Systems, Inc Biomist, Inc Bioquell Inc Cleanint ClorDiSys Daylight Medical Hygiena Infection Prevention Technologies, LLC sBioMed LLC Steriliz, LLC TRU-D LLC UltraViolet Devices Inc UVAIRx Inc Vaportek Inc Xenex Healthcare Services
NewWay Global Energy PEAT International Inc ZeroWaste Energy Systems
6
Automated Equipment & Container Cleaning Systems Aaqua Tools ARE Industries Better Engineering McClure Industries, Inc Neptune Wash Solutions
Automated Wheelchair Disinfection Systems Hubscrub Company
HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
Containers, Carts, Casters & Wheels (Linens) Bomac Carts McClure Industries, Inc PCM Medical Waste Recycling Tecni-Quip Carts
Containers/Carts (Recycling & Document Storage) Bomac Carts McClure Industries, Inc Rehrig Healthcare Systems Scott Distribution LLC / Scott Containers Solutions Inc Tecni-Quip Carts Toter Inc
Containers (Pharmaceutical, Medical Waste & Sharps) BD Medical Daniels Sharpsmart Envirotain, LLC McClure Industries, Inc PCM Medical Waste Recycling Post Medical Inc Rehrig Healthcare Systems San-I-Pak Inc Scott Distribution LLC / Scott Containers Sharpsology Snyder Industries Inc Solutions Inc
Food Waste Containers & Compostable Bags BioBag Ecosafe Zero Waste Natur-Tec®
WINTER 2018/19
2018/19 Hand Hygiene Compliance System DebMed USA LLC
Hazardous & Regulated Waste Disposal & Infection Compliance Services AMS Med Waste LLC Assured Waste Solutions Clean Harbors Curtis Bay Medical Waste Services Golder Associates Inc JT Environmental Consulting Kessler Consulting Inc Medasend Biomedical Inc MedAssure One Sustainabile Method Recycling LLC Pharma-Cycle Inc PharmWaste Technologies Inc Prime Compliance Quest Recycling Services, LLC San-I-Pak Inc Sharps MD SRI Surgical Stericycle Visionary Solutions LLC
Janitorial Supplies & Services Century Products LLC Geerpres Inc Jani-King International, Inc UniFirst Corporation Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
hes Buyers’ Guide
CATEGORY LISTINGS Odor Control
Liquid Waste Disposal Systems (Biohazardous)
Zorbx
Ansell Sandel Medical Solutions Bemis Health Care DiSorb Systems, Inc Dornoch Medical Systems, Inc Liquitech, Inc Stryker
Medical Waste Device Recycling Stryker
Medical Waste Treatment Systems (Autoclaves, etc) BioMedical Technology Solutions BN Green Technologies Bondtech Corporation Clean Waste Systems ECODAS Envirotek The Mark-Costello Co OnSite Sterilization, LLC Paragon Waste Solutions Red Bag Solutions San-I-Pak Inc Sterilis Medical Corporation SteriMed Medical Waste STI Biosafe Vertisa
Motorized Carts, Tugs & Lifting Systems
Regulatory Services & Training Compliance Publishing Corp Spurgin & Associates
Shredding Equipment (Plant-Based & Office Shredders) Shred-Tech Vecoplan, LLC
Solvent Recovery Systems B/R Instrument Corp
Sanitizing Products, Hand Cleaners & Dispensing Systems BioMed Protect, LLC Clorox Professional Products CS Medical, LLC Dial Corp, A Henkel Company Ecolab Inc Elyptol, Inc Germ Pro Products GOJO Industries Inc Kimberly-Clark Professional Micro-Scientific® Palmero Health Care Parker Laboratories Proctor & Gamble Resurgent Health & Medical Safety-Med Products Spartan Chemical Co, Inc Sporicidin by Contec, Inc Surfacide UltraClenz Vital Vio Wexford Labs
PHS West Inc Red Devil Equipment Co
WINTER 2018/19
Spill Control Materials SorbTech Mfg, Inc UltraTech International
Uniforms & Work Clothing UniFirst Corporation
Waste Tracking & Routing Software (Medical Waste Collection & Transport) Clear Computing EZshred Software Imec Technologies Inc PC Scale Inc™ RouteOptix Mgmt Systs Inc
X-Ray Film Recovery/ Silver Reclamation AMS Med Waste LLC Commodity Resource & Environmental Inc Pyromet Silver Refiners Rochester Silver Works LLC United DMS of Tennessee LLC
HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
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2018/19 A
hes Buyers’ Guide
COMPANY INDEX BioBag
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
AmeriVap Systems, Inc
Palm Harbor, FL (727) 789-1646 www.biobagusa.com
BioMedical Technology Solutions, Inc Englewood, CO (866) 525-2687 www.bmtscorp.com
Biomist, Inc
Wheeling, IL (847) 850-5530 www.biomistinc.com
Clean Waste Systems Bondtech Corporation
Bioquell Inc
Horsham, PA (215) 682-0225 www.bioquell.com
BN Green Technologies San Diego, CA (855) 294-2227 www.bngreentech.com
Dawsonville, GA (800) 763-7687 www.amerivap.com
AMS Med Waste LLC Lake in the Hills, IL (855) 633-9278 www.amsmedwaste.com
B/R Instrument Corp Easton, MD (410) 820-8800 www.brinstrument.com
Ansell Sandel Medical Solutions Chatsworth, CA (866) 764-3327 www.sandelmedical.com
ARE Industries
Wichita, KS (316) 943-5000 www.areindustries.com
Assured Waste Solutions Gastonia, NC (704) 865-7550 www.assuredwaste.com
B
1278 Highway 461 Somerset, KY 42503 (800) 414-4231 Elsa Brown elsabrown@bondtech.net www.bondtech.net BONDTECH is a full service company designing, engineering and manufacturing autoclave systems, with material handling, for technical industries such as infectious medical waste treatment, aerospace composites, glass lamination, rubber vulcanizing, wood treating, yarn setting and many other applications in industry and medical waste management.
Bomac Carts / Royal Basket Trucks
201 Badger Parkway Darien, WI 53114 (262) 882-5000 Melissa Dean sales@bomaccarts.com www.bomaccarts.com Heavy-Duty utility carts are our specialty. From Recycling, Manufacturing, Shipping/ Receiving, Commercial Laundry and Mailrooms, our offering meets a broad range of uses in many industries. See ad on pg 15
C
Century Products LLC
Greensboro, NC (800) 927-0981 www.centuryproductsllc.com
Clean Earth, Inc
Hatboro, PA (215) 734-1400 / 877-445-DIRT www.cleanearthinc.com
Clean Harbors
Norwell, MA (877) 500-6737 www.cleanharbors.com
Bemis Health Care
Sheboygan Falls, WI (920) 467-4621 www.bemishealthcare.com
Better Engineering
Baltimore, MD (800) 229-3380 www.betterengineering.com
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Cleanint
Georgetown, TX (888)715-0464 www.cleanint.com
Clear Computing
Tinton Falls, NJ (888) 332-5327 www.clearcomputing.com
ClorDiSys
Branchburg, NJ (908) 236-4100 www.clordisys.com
Clorox Professional Products Oakland, CA (800) 537-1415 www.cloroxprofessional.com
Commodity Resource & Environmental Inc
Burbank, CA (818) 843-2811 / (800) 943-2811 www.creweb.com
BD Medical
Franklin Lakes, NJ (201) 847-6800 www.bd.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, OMW-1000 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 16
Target your products, equipment and services to more than 5,000 healthcare facilities and medical waste transporters throughout the U.S. Advertise in HES! call Today 440-257-6453
HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
WINTER 2018/19
Compliance Publishing Corp Edina, MN (800) 242-9723 www.compliancepublishing.com
Copper Development Association Inc
New York, NY (212) 251-7200 www.copper.org
2018/19 C Continued CS Medical, LLC
Creedmoor, NC (877) 255-9472 www.csmedicalllc.com
Curtis Bay Medical Waste Services
hes Buyers’ Guide
COMPANY INDEX Envirotain, LLC
Hudson, OH (216) 255-5107 www.envirotain.com
Envirotek
Charlotte, NC (704) 351-7311 www.envirotekww.com
Baltimore, MD (855) 228-1715 www.curtisbayenergy.com
D
Daniels Sharpsmart
Chicago, IL (312) 546-8900 www.danielsinternational.com
Daylight Medical
Middleburgh Hts, OH (800) 459-8500 www.daylightmedical.com
DebMed USA LLC Charlotte, NC (866) 783-0422 www.debmed.com
Dial Corp, A Henkel Company
EZshred
PO Box 8 Chesterland, OH 44026 (877) 392-7123 tjulian@ezshred.com www.ezshred.com EZshred is a simple to learn, yet extremely powerful software system to run your medical waste and shredding business. From scheduling and routing using Google maps to invoicing and creating manifests, EZshred takes care of the details so you have time to manage and grow your business. Also ask about our Android and Apple smartphone apps, recycling, record storage solutions and cloud services!
G
DiSorb Systems, Inc
Muskegon, MI (231) 773-3211 www.geerpres.com
Dornoch Medical Systems, Inc Riverside, MO (888) 466-6633 www.dornoch.com
E
ECODAS
Seattle, WA (864) 381-8856 www.ecodas.com
Ecolab Inc
St Paul, MN (877) 927-9726 www.ecolab.com
Hubscrub Company Manchester, NH (603) 624-4243 www.hubscrub.com
Hygiena
Camarillo, Ca (888) HYGIENA www.hygiena.com
I
Scottsdale, AZ (800) 253-DIAL www.dialprofessional.com
Philadelphia, PA (866) 287-6672 www.disorb.com
M
H
Geerpres Inc
Germ Pro Products
Tampa, FL (800) 966-5367 www.germproproducts.com
Gient Heating Industry Co Chongqing, China (613) 794-6886 www.gient.net
GOJO Industries Inc Akron, OH (800) 321-9647 www.gojo.com
Golder Associates Inc solutions@golder.com www.golder.com
Imec Technologies Inc Champaign, IL (217) 643-7488 www.imec.ie
Infection Prevention Technologies, LLC
Auburn Hills, MI (800) 359-9855 www.infectionpreventiontechnologies.com
Elyptol, Inc
Santa Monica, CA (424) 500-8099 www.elyptol.com
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 5
J
Jani-King International, Inc Addison, TX (800) JANIKING www.janiking.com
JT Environmental Consulting Orlando, FL (888) 583-6826 www.jtenv.com
McClure Industries, Inc
K
Kessler Consulting Inc Tampa, FL (813) 971-8333 www.kesconsult.com
Kimberly-Clark Professional Roswell, GA (678) 352-6207 www.kcprofessional.com
9051 SE 55th Ave Portland, OR 97206 (503) 777-2821 Kim Nitsos kim@mcclureindustries.com www.mcclureindustries.com McClure Industries, Inc. manufactures over 80 models of Sanitrux laundry, linen and trash carts. Sanitrux are ASTM-E tested and certified Class II fire retardant and meet or exceed all NFPA fire codes. Sanitrux are specifically designed for the tough commercial environment. See ad on pg 12
L
Medasend Biomedical Inc
Lombard, IL (630) 693-0500 www.liquitech.com
MedAssure
Liquitech Inc Environmental Solutions
Ecosafe Zero Waste
Surrey, BC Canada (604) 560-5133 www.ecosafezerowaste.com
The Mark-Costello Co
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. WINTER 2018/19
Garden Grove, CA (800) 200-3581 www.medasend.com
Farmingdale, NJ (732) 363-7444 www.medassureservices.com
Micro-Scientic®
Rolling Meadows, IL (847) 454-0835 www.micro-scientic.com
HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
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2018/19
P
Palmero Health Care
COMPANY INDEX
hes Buyers’ Guide
Stratford, CT (800) 344-6424 www.palmerohealth.com
Orangeburg, NY (845) 365-1700 www.pdipdi.com
Parker Laboratories N
PEAT International Inc Northbrook, Aston, PA IL (847) 559-8567 (610) 497-1743 www.peat.com www.pyromet999.com Pharma-Cycle Inc
F Natur-Tec® Circle MN (973)Pines, 276-9500 (763) 404-8700 www.parkerlabs.com www.natur-tec.com
PC ScaleWash Inc™Solutions Neptune Orangeburg, Oxford, PA SC (866) 303-4437 (800) 962-9264 www.neptunewash.com www.pcscaletower.com NewWay Global Energy
PCM JohnsonMedical Creek, WI Waste (920) 988-0686 Recycling
PharmWaste Technologies Inc Frisco, TXIA Urbandale, (877) 321-1811 (515) 276-5302 www.pwaste.com www.questrecycling.com
Post Medical Inc
Pottstown, PA Newport, RI (610) 495-8214 (617) 755-0883 www.askonsite.com
www.pharma-cycle.com
PHS P West Inc
Hanover, Palmero MN Health Care Stratford, CT (888) 639-5438 (800) 344-6424 www.phswest.com www.palmerohealth.com
Post Medical Inc Paragon Waste Solutions Golden, CO GA Alpharetta, (720) 390-3169 (866) 330-4845 www.paragonws.com www.postmedical.com
Parker Laboratories
(973) 276-9500 Practice Greenhealth
www.parkerlabs.com Reston, VA (888) 688-3332 PC Scale Inc™ www.practicegreenhealth.org Oxford, PA (800) 962-9264
www.pcscaletower.com Prime Compliance
Wyoming, MI PCM Medical Waste Recycling (616) 893-8243 Pinellas Park, FL www.thehipaaman.com (727) 547-6277 www.pcmmedicalwasterecycling.com
Proctor & Gamble PDI® Cincinnati, OH Orangeburg, NY (513) 983-1100 (800) 444-6725 www.pdihc.com www.pg.com
Winchester, VA (540) 667-8700 www.rubbermaidcommercial.com
S S Safety-Med Products Safety-Med Products Burlington, WI Burlington, WI (866)421-3400 421-3400 (866) www.safety-med.com www.safety-med.com
www.pharma-cycle.com Quest Recycling Services, LLC
One Sustainabile Method PEAT International Inc
OnSite Sterilization, Pharma-Cycle IncLLC
Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
Newport, RI Q (617) 755-0883
PHS West Inc R Hanover, MN
Recycling LLC Northbrook, IL Louisville, KY (847) 559-8567 (502) 561-3404 www.peat.com www.osmllc.net
Cullman, AL (256) 796-7898 www.regenllc.net
COMPANY INDEX
www.newwayglobal.net Pinellas Park, FL (727) 547-6277 www.pcmmedicalwasterecycling.com
O
ReGen LLC
Professional Disposables Intl (PDI)
(888) 639-5438 www.phswest.com
Alpharetta, GA (866) 330-4845 www.postmedical.com
Prime Compliance Wyoming, MI (616) 893-8243 www.thehipaaman.com
Proctor & Gamble
Red Bag Cincinnati, OHSolutions
(513) 983-1100 3431 Benson Ave Ste 100 www.pg.comMD 21227 Baltimore, (877) 973-3224 Pyromet Silver Refiners Ward Miller Aston, PA wmiller@redbag.com (610) 497-1743 www.redbag.com www.pyromet999.com Red Bag Solutions (RBS) is a manufacturing and waste management services company that provides environmentally friendly, Quest Recycling Services, LLC
Q
Frisco, TX (877) 321-1811 of treatment medical www.questrecycling.com
and bio-hazardous waste. RBS’s waste treatment and disposal technologies convert medical, clinical and infectious waste into sterilized, safe Red Bag Solutions material that and unrecognizable Baltimore, MD 21227 can be recycled or placed in a (877) 973-3224 municipal landfill. See ad on pg 5 www.redbag.com
R
Red Devil Co Co Red DevilEquipment Equipment Plymouth, MNMN Plymouth, (800) 221-1083 (800) 221-1083 www.reddevilequipment.com www.reddevilequipment.com
Rehrig Healthcare 4010 East 26th St Systems 3002 Belingham Dr Los Angeles, CA 90058 Atlanta, GA 30345 (800) 421-6244 (844) 4-Rehrig (473-4744)
cmeissen@rehrig.com www.rehrighealthcare.com www.rehrighealthcare.com Combined with a widely recognized Combined a widelyservice, recognized commitmentwith to customer Rehrig commitment to customer has become a leading supplier toservice, many of the largest most innovative Rehrig hasand become a leadingcompanies supplier in the world. Now, Rehrig is applying our to many of the largest and most expertise in secure reusable injection innovative companies in improve the world. molded containers to help the Now, Rehrig applying Medical our expertise collection of isRegulated Waste (RMW) and Sharps. injection Our newmolded line of in secure reusable products offers sustainable solutions for containers to help improve the both generators and disposal companies collection ofon Regulated Medical Waste alike. See ad pg 2
(RMW) and Sharps. Our new line of sustainable solutions products Resurgent Health for generators and disposal andboth Medical Golden, CO alike. See ad on pg 2 companies (800) 932-7707 www.resurgenthealth.com
Republic Machine
Louisville, RochesterKY Silver Works (502) LLC 637-6778 Rochester, NY www.republicmachine.com (585) 743-1415 www.rochestersilverworks.com
Resurgent Health and Medical RouteOptix Management Golden, SystemsCO Inc (800) 932-7707 Kitchener, ON Canada (866) 926-7849 www.resurgenthealth.com www.routeoptix.com
Rochester Silver Works Rubbermaid Commercial LLC Products LLC
Rochester, Winchester, VANY (585) 743-1415 (540) 667-8700 www.rubbermaidcommercial.com www.rochestersilverworks.com
RouteOptix Management Systems Inc Kitchener, ON Canada (866) 926-7849 www.routeoptix.com
San-I-Pak, IncInc San-I-Pak, PO Box 1183 PO Box 1183 Tracy, CA 95378 Tracy, CA 95378 (209) 836-2310 Arthur McCoy (209) 836-2310 arthurmccoy@sanipak.com Arthur McCoy www.sanipak.com arthurmccoy@sanipak.com Since 1978, San-I-Pak, Inc. has been www.sanipak.com providing technological solutions for managing infectious & solid waste. Since 1978, San-I-Pak, Inc. has San-Ibeen Pak has proven to be a critical component providing technological solutions of the patient care infrastructure, especially for managing infectious & solid during times of crisis. Contact us at waste. San-I-Pak has to be sanipak@sanipak.com or proven (209) 836-2310 to find out component how we can help your patient hospital a critical of the become more financially and operationally care infrastructure, especially during independent. See ad on pg 12 times of crisis. Contact us at sanipak@ sanipak.com sBioMed LLC or (209) 836-2310 to find out how we can help your Orem, UT (801) 922-1111 hospital become more financially and www.sbiomed.com operationally independent. Scott Distribution LLC sBioMed LLC DBA Scott Containers Orem, UTTX Grapevine, (817) (801)756-6909 922-1111 www.scottcontainers.com www.sbiomed.com Sharps MD Systems Schaefer Tarpon Springs, FL International, Inc (727) 940-5872 www.wastealliance.net Charlotte, NC
(704) 944-4500 Sharpsology www.ssi-schaefer.us
Largo, FL (540) 520-6341 Scott Distribution www.sharpsology.com
LLC DBA Scott Containers
Shred-Tech Grapevine, TX Cambridge, ON Canada (817) 756-6909 (800) 465-3214 www.scottcontainers.com www.shred-tech.com
We are always seeking editorial content from our readers. If you have an article idea, or a big announcement about your business or healthcare facility, email it to: downassoc2@oh.rr.com. 10
HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
WINTER 2018/19
2018/19 S Continued
hes Buyers’ Guide
COMPANY INDEX Sporicidin by Contec, Inc Spartanburg, SC (800) 762-3472 www.sporicidin.com
Spurgin & Associates
Irvine, CA (949) 677-0700 www.spurginassociates.com
SRI Surgical
Tampa, FL (813) 891-9550 www.srisurgical.com
Snyder Industries Inc
6940 O Street, Suite 100 Lincoln, NE 68510 (888) 422-8683 sales@snydernet.com www.medwastecontainers.com Snyder Medical Waste is a specialty 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 15
Stericycle
Lake Forest, IL (847) 367-5910 www.stericycle.com
Sterilis Medical Corporation
Boxborough, MA (508) 875-1070 www.sterilismedical.com
Steriliz, LLC Rochester, NY (855) 882-2013 www.steriliz.us
SteriMed Medical Waste Solutions Inc Farmington Hills, MI (855) 783-7463 www.sterimedsystems.com
Steris Corporation Solutions Inc
6213 Gheens Mill Rd Jeffersonville, IN 47130 (502) 228-2901 / (812) 288-8644 www.medicalwastecontainers.com Solutions, Inc. is a leading provider of medical waste containers and accessories, in both the domestic and international markets. We provide solutions for waste haulers, hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, funeral homes, laboratories, clinics, research facilities, etc., by supplying our customers unlimited medical waste handling solutions with our large variety of containers, including medical waste containers, and all-purpose containers. See ad on pg 14
SorbTech Mfg, Inc Plaistow, NH (570) 371-8464 www.sorb-tech.com
Spartan Chemical Company, Inc
Maumee, OH (800) 537-8990 www.spartanchemical.com
Mentor, OH (440) 354-2600 www.steris.com
STI Biosafe
Indianapolis, IN (317) 858-8099 www.stibiosafe.com
Stryker
(269) 385-2600 www.stryker.com
Surfacide
Naperville, IL (630) 861-9000 www.surfacide.com
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Toter Inc
Statesville, NC (800) 424-0422 www.toter.com
TRU-D LLC
Memphis, TN (800) 774 5799 www.tru-d.com
Tecni-Quip Carts
960 Crossroads Blvd Seguin, TX 78155 (800) 826-1245 Jobeth Reilly tqcarts@tqind.com www.tqind.com Tecni-Quip Carts is a manufacturer of durable carts engineered to withstand the stress of transporting waste, biohazardous waste and soiled linen in any situation. All models are extremely durable and will last for years. Custom fabrication for any situation and in ANY quantity is available. Choice of fabrication and Aluminum. Standard features include: Variety of sizes, bumpers, fire retardant properties, equipped with large superior casters and wheels for any type of surface. Friendly and knowledgeable customer service. See ad on pg 5
U
Vecoplan LLC
PO Box 7224 High Point, NC 27264 (336) 861-6070 Bob Gilmore info@vecoplanllc.com www.vecoplanllc.com Vecoplan engineers, manufactures, and provides parts and service on a range of shredders and systems for processing medical waste, destroying confidential records, and recycling scrap. An integral component in turnkey waste sterilization systems, our machines are used to shred sharps, textiles, plastics, and for red bag processing. AAA NAID compliant for secure destruction of paper, film, disks, and hard drives. See ad on pg 13
Vertisa
Orlando, FL (407) 852-8277 www.medicalwastetechnology.com
Visionary Solutions LLC
UltraClenz
Jupiter, F www.ultraclenz.com
Knoxville, TX (865) 482-8670 www.vs-llc.com
UltraTech International
Vital Vio
Jacksonville, FL (800) 764-9563 www.spillcontainment.com
UltraViolet Devices, Inc Valencia, CA (661) 295-8140 www.uvdi.com
Wilmington, MA (800) 455-7654 www.unifirst.com
United DMS of Tennessee LLC Knoxville, TN (865) 637-2560 www.uniteddms.com
UVAIRx Inc
Centennial, CO (303) 327-5355 www.uvairx.com
Kirkwood, MO (800) 506-1146 www.wexfordlabs.com
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Xenex Healthcare Services LLC San Antonio, TX (800) 553-0069 www.xenex.com
Z
ZeroWaste Energy Systems Kleinburg, ON Canada www.zwes.ca
V
Sussex, WI (800) 237-6367 www.vaportek.com WINTER 2018/19
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Wexford Labs
UniFirst Corporation
Vaportek Inc
Troy, NY (518) 268-1101 www.vitalvio.com
Zorbx
Strongsville, OH (800) 201-5530 www.zorbx.com
HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
11
News Briefs
Operational Sustainability
Infection Prevention •
Prevent handling and exposure to infectious waste.
•
Eliminate public exposure to infectious waste.
•
Eliminate aerosolized pathogens from long term storage.
•
“Total-kill” treatment efficacy.
•
Reduce carbon emission from RMW transport.
•
Reduce carbon emissions from MSW transport.
•
Reduce landfill consumption with 6:1 compaction.
•
Reduce RMW output from 15% to 1%.
•
First clean & green alternative to incineration.
•
Fortify emergency & pandemic readiness. •
Built in surge capacity & back up.
•
•
Environmental Sustainability
Multi-function sterilization cycles (re-usables, linen, waste).
• •
Free-up valuable real estate.
Reduce operating expenses by up to 70%. Investment delivers an aggressive return. •
•
Reduce MSW hauling costs. •
Reduce labor.
• Reduce legal liability while enhancing regulatory compliance.
Financial Savings
TIMe To order • Sani-Trux is the only molded cart to pass rigorous independent laboratory testing for NFPA fire codes.
Sani-Trux
fax 503-775-2828 800-752-2821 McClure Industries, Inc.
Fortify emergency readiness built in
S
tamford Health’s new hospital located on the Bennett Medical Center Campus is one of only 86 projects in the world to be certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) healthcare system rating. According to a Stamford news release, the certification was won by dedication to sustainability principles, including state-of-the-art air flow, energy consumption and air quality systems. Energy efficient meters and an advanced building management system were installed. The building has been constructed using low-emitting materials, such as environmentally friendly carpets and non-toxic flooring material. Sustainably sourced materials and products from the region, such as certified wood, walls, ceiling, flooring and other components were used for the interiors, while a green roofing system was installed to capture excess heat from the building. Outdoors, green spaces were maximized, including gardens, courtyards and paths to promote healing and provide patient and family respite.
Cost stabilization for 20+ years..
sanipak@sanipak.com www.sanipak.com sanipak.com (209) 836-2310
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Stamford Health Receives Sustainability Certification Operational Sustainability for New 650,000-Square-Foot Hospital
• Made of durable fiberglass making the cart life at least twice that of a poly cart. • Easy to maneuver even in tight spaces. • Built with quality components to last years longer than other carts.
Call 800-752-2821or Fax 503-775-2828 or Email sanitrux@mcclureindustries.com for McClure Industries, Inc. and Sani-Trux
HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
New Nanocarrier-Delivered MicroRNA Treatment Could Work for Sepsis
A
study published in the September 23 issue of Inflammation suggests a novel approach that may significantly reduce the loss of life and greatly improve the treatment of sepsis. Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) found that sepsis outcomes in a preclinical model using mice improved significantly through use of a microRNA (miRNA). Almost 67 percent of treated mice were still alive at seven days vs. just 25 percent of untreated mice. miRNAs (noncoding RNAs) are important regulators of gene expression and cell function, which play a major role in endothelial homeostasis. MicroRNAs are known to protect against sepsis and are being assessed for therapeutic use in cancer and other diseases because they can prevent messenger RNA from creating proteins that can harm the body. The MUSC study was distinctive in that it used nanoparticles as a delivery system to carry the microRNAs to targeted areas. The study was led by Hongkuan Fan, PhD, senior author of the article and an assistant professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at MUSC studies vascular dysfunction in sepsis. Fan’s research team has identified certain microRNAs that have enabled them to modify the body’s immune system and prevent it from essentially going into overdrive, which leads to the condition and the life-threatening complications it causes. Previous research by Fan’s group has shown that a miRNA -- miR126 -- is protective against sepsis. miR-126 is a major component of the fluid-filled sacs produced by endothelial progenitor cells. These cells, which regenerate the lining of blood vessels, help protect against the vascular damage caused by sepsis, the scientists found. But they had to find a way to get the miR-126 to the right place without the body excreting it or destroying it as an invader. Nanoparticles served that purpose. Small enough to prevent elimination by the liver, the miR-126/ nanocarrier complex was successfully taken up by the target cells. The nanoparticle, which has antibacterial properties, improved survival even when not complexed with miR-126, although not to a significant degree. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), as well as other NIH funding. Financial and technical support were provided by Marine Polymer Sciences.
WINTER 2018/19
News Briefs
University Health CEO Resigns Amid Bacterial Outbreak
N
ewark, NJ — University Hospital President and CEO John Kastanis resigned in December amid a deadly bacterial outbreak at the hospital’s neonatal intensive-care unit, reports a ModernHealthcare.com article. Four premature babies in the hospital’s neonatal ICU have contracted the Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria since September, three of whom died, according to public health officials. No new cases of the infection occurred since October. The New Jersey Department of Health required University Health to employ a full-time infection prevention consultant in October. No new NICU infections have been confirmed since then, officials said. The Leapfrog Group gave University Hospital a “D” quality rating in November, up from its “F” rating issued in the Leapfrog’s spring report. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy assigned a care quality monitor in July. The hospital also had its bond rating downgraded four notches due to financial difficulties and attempted to reduce the number of pediatric beds without state approval, the governor said. More action is needed, said Baraka, who called for state and federal support to revamp the emergency room, improve the trauma center and build more outpatient clinics. In early December, the University Hospital Board of Directors appointed Judith M. Persichilli, R.N., B.S.N., M.A., to serve as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board has also launched a robust strategic planning process that will drive the future of the Hospital. Judy will focus her immediate efforts on the Hospital’s on-going patient safety and quality of care initiatives, as 2018 well as regulatory requirements, employee safety, and employee and community Healthcare Environmental Solutions - MWMA engagement, according to a news release.
Improved Methods Needed to Reduce Pediatric Bloodstream Infection Rates
S
tudy findings published in the journal, Clinical Infectious Diseases, offer insight into new ways of preventing microbial infections, particularly in neonates. A team of scientists from Children’s Minnesota Research Institute analyzed microbiology data from nearly 2 million individuals aged 19 and younger at 162 hospitals across the U.S. Using the Premier Healthcare Database, the team looked at blood culture results for the years between 2009 and 2016. Focusing on community acquired infections (CAI) and bloodstream infections (BSI), the researchers identified 1,809,751 inpatient encounters and quantified incidences of methicillinsensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Group A streptococcus Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Enterococcus species. BSIs were observed in 0.3 percent of patients. CAIs were reported most frequently (50 percent) and HAIs (7 percent). The rate for neonate BSIs was 43 percent. Infected patients aged 1 to 5 years were likely to have a complex chronic condition or central line. The study authors say that knowing which pathogens are causing BSIs will lead to informed tracking of resistance patterns, targeted antimicrobial therapy guidelines and infection prevention strategies. The data also helped identify regional differences for the bacteria that cause BSIs, such as the higher prevalence of E. coli that was seen in the New England and the South Atlantic regions.
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Vecoplan’s Universal Shredders Pull Double Duty! IT’S A MEDICAL WASTE SHREDDER...
• Vecoplan has years of med-waste experience developing systems used in hospitals world wide for red bag processing • Shreds sharps and other tough materials • Shreds to an unrecognizable consistency • Turnkey medical waste sterilization systems
...AND A SECURE DESTRUCTION SHREDDER...
• The same Vecoplan shredders are used for confidential data destruction. • Gain control of HIPAA compliance and costs by “in house” destruction of records, disks, drives and other media • Vecoplan shredders are AAA NAID compliant • Vecoplan shredders are currently being used in hundreds of secure destruction operations
Large Hopper Hydraulic Ram Auto-Feeds Material to the Cutting Rotor
Mind Reader Logic Controls Adjust Material Feed, Ram Direction and Feed Speeds
Low Speed, High Torque Single Cutting Rotor Consistently Sized, Unrecognizeable Particles
...ALL IN ONE!
Phone: (336) 447-3565
vecoplanllc.com www.vecoplanllc.com
5708 Uwharrie Road • Archdale, NC 27263
WINTER 2018/19
HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
13
News Briefs
MIT Engineers Repurpose Wasp Venom as an Antibiotic Drug
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ccording to study findings published in the journal, Nature Communications Biology, researchers at MIT have tested a wasp venom formula that can kill Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The venom of insects such as wasps and bees is full of compounds that can kill bacteria. Unfortunately, many of these compounds are also toxic for humans, making it impossible for use in the formulation of antibiotic drugs. As part of their immune defenses, many organisms, including humans, produce peptides that can kill bacteria. To help fight the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, many scientists have been trying to adapt these peptides as potential new drugs. In a mouse study, the researchers investigated the antimicrobial properties of a toxin normally found in a South American wasp and created variants of a peptide that is potent against bacteria yet nontoxic to human cells. To measure the peptides’ toxicity, the researchers exposed them to human embryonic kidney cells grown in a lab dish. They selected the most promising compounds to test in mice infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common source of respiratory and urinary tract infections, and found that several of the peptides could reduce the infection. One of them, given at a high dose, could eliminate it completely within four days. The researchers have begun creating additional variants that they hope will be able to clear infections at lower doses. The research was funded, in part, by the Ramon Areces Foundation and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
Visit us online at www.HealthcareEnvironmentalSolutions.com
Report Reveals High Plastic Waste at Indonesian and Philippine Hospitals
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dvocacy group HealthCare Without Harm Asia (HCWH) recently published a Waste and Brand Audit Report, which has revealed that between 49 percent and 72 percent of Philippine hospital waste comes from plastics, most of which are recyclable. The report assessed the volume of plastic waste in two Asian countries, the Philippines and Indonesia, from July to September 2018. An HCWH spokesperson noted that the audit report is the first of its kind in Asia, focusing on two countries that were top sources of marine waste. Some of the audited plastic products include: packaging, syringes, intravenous (IV) tubing and accessories, PET bottles and disposable food ware. The report also mentioned three manufacturers whose products were present both in the HCWH hospital audit and in a previous Break Free From Plastic audit: Nestle, Danone and Monde Nissin. In one hospital, the audit revealed that most of the waste was generated by the hemodialysis unit which used IV tubing, IV bottles, PET bottles, and the plastic water bottles. The cafeteria was another area of high plastic waste from single use drinks, bottles and disposable food ware. The report estimated 40 tonnes of waste each year would be eliminated if hospitals banned those items. Unlabeled plastic items per hospital reached up to 78 percent, demonstrating a big fail in the part of manufacturers to properly identify the type of plastic being produced for healthcare operations. Without proper labeling, proper usage and even disposal can be inaccurate, leading to open dumping or waste incineration, according to an HCWH news release. The audit project was funded by the Break Free from Plastic movement.
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www.a-solutionsinc.com Your World of Medical Waste Answers. www.a-solutionsinc.com 14
HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
WINTER 2018/19
News Briefs
Trailers of Untreated Biomedical Waste Discovered in Florida
P
lant City, FL — According to an ABC Action News report, Florida Department of Health has issued a Cease and Desist notice to Sharps MD, LLC. State law requires medical waste to be property disposed of within 30 days. In November, the Health Department fined the company $37,500 for storing untreated biomedical waste believed to be more than a year old in trailers parked on a trailer rental and storage lot in Tampa. In December state investigators found more biomedical waste stored in trailers in Plant City. Sharps, whose license to transport biomedical waste expired on September 30, 2018, is working with the state to remedy the situation, according to an attorney representing the business. The company’s website describes Sharps MD as a full-service biomedical waste management company located in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Sharps franchises serve Tampa Bay, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Bradenton and Naples areas. The company is owned by Waste Alliance, Inc., which is registered with the Federal Trade Commission as a franchisor currently approved in 39 states. In a separate matter, a Sharps MD principal who is a convicted felon, was arrested on illegal drug charges last summer.
Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease on the Rise
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Med-Tainer™ Single Deposit Containers The Med-Tainer™ 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: sales@snydernet.com View our entire line of medical waste containers at:
tlanta, GA — Better maintenance of water systems can prevent Legionnaires’ disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Outbreaks of the severe form of pneumonia have been on the rise with four occurring this year: one hospital (University Hospital in Madison, WI), a hotel (St. Louis Marriott West), a senior living center (McHenry Villa in Illinois) and a North Carolina gambling casino. All occurred in the months of November and December 2018. Legionnaires’ disease was first identified four decades ago when it made more than 200 people sick at the American Legion Convention in Philadelphia where harmful bacteria had passed through the hotel’s air conditioning system. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by strains of a bacteria called Legionella. The bacteria can live in fresh water sources but thrive in water that is warm and still or that hasn’t been properly disinfected. Outbreaks of the disease are commonly associated with large-scale water systems in hotels, hospitals, long-term care facilities and cruise ships, according to the CDC. Legionnaires’ disease occurs most often in a certain set of at-risk people and is relatively uncommon compared to other forms of infectious diseases. You get it by inhaling airborne droplets of water that are contaminated with Legionella. These droplets can come from hot tubs, showers, faucets, humidifiers, air conditioning units or other water features. The disease does not generally affect healthy people who are exposed to the bacteria, but individuals over age 50 and those whose immune systems or lungs are weakened, such as people with cancer or diabetes or someone who’s had an organ transplant, are vulnerable. Experts suspect that an aging population may be contributing to the increase in cases, which nearly doubled in the U.S. between 2012 and 2017. The total number of Legionnaires’ disease cases reported in the U.S. in 2017 was 7,458. About 1 million people seek hospital care for all forms of pneumonia each year. Most cases can be treated successfully with an antibiotic. Sometimes, though, the disease can lead to lung failure or other complications. Because of these potentially serious complications, many people who contract Legionnaires’ disease need to be treated in a hospital. WINTER 2018/19
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HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS news
15
www.cleanwastesystems.com