Due to expanded regulations going into effect in many different industries, companies are forced to show that they are compliant and have ethics programs in place. These measures are not only to ensure that companies are within the lines of regulations, but also to demonstrate that their programs are working. The healthcare industry is at the forefront of this movement.
In This Article
Great Expectations
Federal Regulations in the USA
To ensure that companies are being compliant and taking necessary actions, the United States has given set regulations to oversee compliance. This blueprint for compliance is the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a framework for evaluating cooperation in determining non –compliance and how to charge violations. There are several resource available for insurers as they strive to assess their compliance programs and to show that they indeed working. Specifically for healthcare facilities, there are more steps that need to be taken for compliance. From
OSHA
to EPA, healthcare facilities are forced apply for regulations and guidelines.
Taking the Right Steps
Guidelines should often be revised and published, even at the most basic level. Also, a company should distribute the code of conduct directly to all employees and collect attestations that code has been read and understood. Employees should be able to include subject matter questions if there any questions regarding how to be compliant. Logging, investigating, and tracking incidents related to the code of conduct can also make sure your facility stays compliant all the time.
Common Questions
- Is medical waste disposal legally required?
- Yes. Any facility generating regulated medical waste must comply with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, applicable EPA/DOT rules, and their state's specific medical waste regulations, which vary by state.
- What happens to medical waste after pickup?
- Most regulated medical waste is autoclaved (steam-sterilized) to achieve at least a 6-log reduction in microorganisms. Waste that can't be autoclaved — pathological or chemotherapy waste — is typically incinerated under EPA air-quality controls. You receive documentation confirming compliant treatment.
- How do I dispose of expired medications, including controlled substances?
- Expired or unused pharmaceuticals — including DEA Schedule II-V controlled substances — must go through a permitted reverse distributor or medical waste vendor, not regular trash or a toilet. MedPro offers pharmaceutical waste disposal and mail-back containers built for DEA/EPA-compliant disposal of both controlled and non-controlled medications.
- Do I need special training for staff who handle medical waste?
- Yes. OSHA requires annual bloodborne pathogens training for any employee who handles regulated medical waste, covering identification, segregation, containerization, and emergency procedures under 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2). MedPro's compliance training portal covers this requirement online.
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