Safe Management, Storage & Disposal

Veterinarians, just like other healthcare organizations, generate medical waste that must be collected, stored and disposed of safely. Medical waste from veterinarians is regulated by local, state and federal laws and these mandates must be followed to ensure your practice is in compliance, as well as to protect staff, visitors and the environment. Here’s a quick guide for managing medical waste:

Proper Classification is Key

Classification and segregation of all medical waste from your veterinarian practice is a key step in the process. There are several types of waste that are typical in veterinarian care and these include:

Sharps Waste

Federal and state laws require that all items that fall into the sharps waste category be segregated properly and stored in approved sharps containers until pick-up from a licensed medical waste disposal provider. Sharps include any items that can pierce, prick or cut the skin including hypodermic needles, razors, blades, IV ports, disposable scalpels, etc.

Biohazardous Waste

Biohazardous waste items are waste materials that must be segregated and stored in red biohazard bags or containers. These include all types of laboratory waste, specimens and cultures, infectious pathogens, bedding, gauze, bandages and any materials that have been soiled with urine, feces, bodily fluids or any other infectious materials.

Hazardous Waste

In addition to sharps and biohazardous waste, Veterinarian offices can generate hazardous waste which must also be properly stored and disposed of to avoid risk of illness or injury to staff, visitors and the environment. These include the following:

• Certain pharmaceuticals
• Cleaning fluids & disinfectants
• Chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetone, alcohol & others

All veterinarians must follow OSHA and other regulations to ensure they are properly storing and disposing of medical waste. Failure to comply with these laws can result in violations and fines as well as endanger humans and animals. Follow the guidelines above for segregation and partner with a licensed and reputable medical waste disposal provider to protect your practice from any non compliance or safety issues that can result from improper disposal.

All Points Medical Waste is a family-owned and operated company located in Stuart, Florida. We provide full service medical waste disposal for your veterinary practice. To learn more and get a quick quote, complete the form on this page or give us a call.