U.S. nearing solution on Ebola waste issue

Experts warn that conflicting regulations could make it difficult for hospitals


The United States is approaching an answer to the question of how hospitals should dispose of medical waste from Ebola patients, according to an article on the Huffington Post website.

Experts warn that conflicting regulations could make it difficult for hospitals to handle the medical waste from Ebola patients.

Safely handling such waste presents a dual challenge for regulators, who want to both prevent the accidental spread of the deadly disease and avert any deliberate attempts to use it as a bioweapon, the article said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises hospitals to treat items infected with Ebola in leak-proof containers and discard them as they would other regulated medical waste.

But the Department of Transportation deems Ebola a Category A infectious agent, meaning it is capable of killing people and animals, and not regulated medical waste.

Waste management contractors say they cannot legally haul the material, which leaves hospitals without a way to dispose of the waste, the article said.

Read the article.

 

 



October 8, 2014


Topic Area: Maintenance and Operations


Recent Posts

Site Selection Mistakes: What Not To Do

Healthcare providers that treat site selection as a strategic decision, not a simple real estate deal, will be positioned for long-term success.


High-Performance EFCO Systems Shape MUSC's New Black River Medical Center

Case study: A sweeping curved-glass entrance, impact-resistant envelope and energy-efficient fenestration support a sustainable, resilient design for one of South Carolina’s newest rural hospitals.


Heritage Valley Health System to Officially Affiliate with Alleghany Health Network

With the affiliation now complete, Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley will be rebranded.


The Impact of Acoustics on Patient Privacy

As healthcare facilities evolve toward more open and flexible care environments, acoustic privacy has become essential.


Texas Behavioral Health Center in Dallas Opens with Ribon-Cutting Ceremony

The 456,265-square-foot facility offers a variety of therapeutic, recreational and social spaces that prepare patients for life outside the hospital.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.