Management & Safe Disposal

Clinical laboratories perform tests on specimens to help physicians diagnose and treat conditions, diseases and illnesses. These specimens are most commonly blood or tissue samples collected from the patient. Whether the laboratory is within the physician’s office, a hospital-based facility or an independent entity, all labs within the United States are subject to agency oversight by several federal agencies–including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Center for Medicaid Services (CMS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Because these medical laboratories generate medical waste, they are required to safely handle, manage, store and dispose of it. And must adhere to regulations for compliance. Here’s a guide to types of waste generated by clinical labs and best practices for safe disposal:

Types of Waste Generated by Clinical Laboratories

Regulated Medical Waste:

This category is also known as infectious waste and includes sharps, butterfly needles, capillary tubes, biopsy needles, lancets, scalpels, glass slides and other similar items.

Certain Types of Red Bag Waste:

This includes processing materials that have been contaminated with blood and other potentially infectious materials, specimen collection containers and others.

Tissue or Pathological Waste:

This type of waste is collected in red or yellow bags and includes tissue samples and specimens collected from biopsies or surgical procedures.

Safe Disposal for Clinical Labs is Crucial to Ensure Compliance

Just like all other medical facilities that generate medical waste, clinical laboratories must collect, store and dispose of waste properly to protect patients and staff and to ensure they are compliant with local, state and federal mandates. This includes:

• Using the proper waste containers to prevent spills, injuries and accidental exposure
• Managing the waste so collections bins do not become overfilled
• Training staff on a regular basis on waste safety practices and OSHA requirements
• Ensuring waste is picked up and disposed of by a reputable waste disposal partner

All Points Medical Waste is a family-owned and operated company located in Stuart, Florida. We serve clinical laboratories and other medical organizations throughout South Florida, from Okeechobee County all the way to Broward County. We provide full service medical waste disposal as well as online training for your staff. Give us a call today or fill out this form to get more information about how we can serve you.