In California, medical waste disposal for acupuncturists is governed by the California Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA). Here are the key points for acupuncturists regarding disposal schedules:
Sharps Waste
- Must be disposed of in approved sharps containers.
- Sharps containers must be properly sealed and labeled when ¾ full or as indicated on the container.
- Disposal should occur through a licensed medical waste transporter, mail-back service, or an approved drop-off site.
Biohazardous Waste
Biohazardous waste (e.g., items contaminated with blood or bodily fluids) must be:
- Stored in red biohazard bags or containers.
- Stored for no longer than 7 days at room temperature if it accumulates 20 pounds or more.If accumulating less than 20 pounds, it can be stored for up to 30 days.
Other Requirements
Written Management Plan: Acupuncturists must maintain a written medical waste management plan, describing how waste is stored, handled, and disposed of.
Documentation: Keep disposal records (e.g., manifests or tracking documents) for three years.
Waste Transport: You must use a registered medical waste hauler, or, if generating less than 20 pounds of medical waste per month, you may transport it yourself to an approved disposal facility under certain conditions.
