Medical Waste Disposal

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Elaine Warner
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1 Medical Waste Disposal LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT PILOT PROGRAM FOR INSPECTIONS Medical Waste Regulatory Act The MWRA is a State of Michigan Public Health Code (Part 138) that regulates the generation, storage, treatment and disposal of medical waste in Michigan. It was enacted in 1990 in response to medical waste washing up on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Erie, as well as other bodies of water in Michigan. The Medical Waste Regulatory Program oversees medical waste producing facilities, and is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the MWRA. 1

It was enacted in 1990 in response to medical waste washing up on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Erie, as well as other bodies of water

2 What is Medical Waste Cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals, including laboratory waste, biological production wastes, discarded live and attenuated vaccines, culture dishes, and related devices Human and animal waste, including blood and blood products and body fluids, but not including urine or materials stained with blood or body fluids. Pathological waste, which includes human organs, tissues, body parts other than teeth, products of conception, and fluids removed by trauma or during surgery or autopsy or other medical procedure, and not fixed in formaldehyde. Sharps, which includes needles, syringes, scalpels, and intravenous tubing with needles attached. Contaminated wastes from animals that have been exposed to agents infectious Who Must Register? Who is required to register with the State of Michigan and a Medical Waste Producing Facility? If you meet the definition of a Producing Facility as indicated in the regulation, you are required to be registered in the State of Michigan. Do you have to register if you produce only a small amount of medical waste? Yes. There is currently no registration exemption in the MWRA based on the volume of medical waste generated by your facility. If you are not specifically exempted under the act (residentially-generated, home health care, or agricultural business), you are required to register and comply with the requirements of the act, regardless of the amount of medical waste you generate. 2

Pathological waste, which includes human organs, tissues, body parts other than teeth, products of conception, and fluids removed by trauma or during surgery or autopsy or other medical procedure,

3 What About School Districts? Are school districts required to register as medical waste producing facilities with the State of Michigan? School districts should be registered if they generate or store regulated medical waste as defined under the MWRA. Only one registration is required for the entire school district. All individual buildings at separate locations can be covered under the same certificate. What s New? MDEQ Memorandum December 22, 2014 Local Health Department Program for Inspections of Medical Waste Producing Facilities 3

Only one registration is required for the entire school district.

4 Memorandum Outline Notification of Inspections The MDEQ Medical Waste compliance and enforcement department is relatively small and a pilot program is taking place for local health departments to conduct compliance inspections/audits. The memorandum outlines items that will be reviewed: Is the registration consistent with activity at facility? Is there a Medical Waste Management Plan? Is the Medical Waste Properly Stored? Is there recordkeeping for proper medical waste training and shipment records? NOTE: Twenty-three (23) County Health Departments are participating, but the memorandum does not indicate which counties. Inspection Form MDEQ Memorandum December 22, 2014 Medical Waste Producing Facility Inspection Form Local Health Department Pilot Program 4

Is there a Medical Waste Management Plan? Is the Medical Waste Properly Stored? Is there recordkeeping for proper medical waste training and shipment records?

5 FAQs How long is the registration good for? Three (3) years. How much does it cost to register? Between $50-$150 depending on type of facility. Can I take my medical waste somewhere instead? Transportation of medical waste is not regulated under this act, but is regulated under the USDOT and specific training requirements are mandated. What are general disposal costs for school districts? Set-up, Supplies, Registration, Transportation, Manifest and Disposal Fees. Cost Breakout Discussion Supplies Sharps Containers, Red Bags Transportation & Disposal/Treatment Trucking Costs & Autoclave Recordkeeping Registration, Manifests and Medical Waste Program Pharmaceuticals Unused Medications 5

Transportation of medical waste is not regulated under this act, but is regulated under the USDOT and specific training requirements are mandated.

6 Pharmaceuticals Medications should be picked-up by student/parent at end of school year. Most pharmaceuticals can be treated as Universal Waste and properly disposed by a Hazardous Waste/Universal Waste handler. Controlled Substances (various types of medications) can only be disposed of by approved firms or by law enforcement agencies. Pharmaceuticals should NOT be placed into medical waste bags or in sharps containers. Andrew L. Shannon, Environmental Quality Analyst Medical Waste Regulatory Program Constitution Hall, Atrium North 525 West Allegan Street, P.O. Box Lansing, MI (517) or shannona1@michigan.gov Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Medical Waste Regulatory Program Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration (MIOSHA) Information on Bloodborne Pathogens Center for Disease Control (CDC) Information on Pathogens and Laboratory Safety U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Information on Pharmaceutical Waste and Environmental Effects U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Information on Transport of Medical Waste THANK YOU Scott Staber Arch Environmental Group, Inc Interchange Drive Farmington Hills, MI (248) (734) mobile 6

Controlled Substances (various types of medications) can only be disposed of by approved firms or by law enforcement agencies.

Revision 5. Calvin College Medical Waste Management Plan. Date: Health and Safety

Revision 5. Calvin College Medical Waste Management Plan. Date: Health and Safety Calvin College Medical Waste Management Plan Prepared by: Date: Environmental 6/10/1 Health and Safety Approved By: Date: Revision 1.0 Policy The following medical waste management plan has been established