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Orthopedic

With years of experience in the field, we understand the complexities of hazardous waste disposal. We are equipped to handle a wide range of hazardous materials, including chemicals, solvents, biomedical waste, and more. Our team consists of trained professionals who adhere to stringent safety protocols and industry best practices.

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Orthopedic Waste Removal

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  • Orthopedic

    Orthopedic Waste Disposal

    MET is a fully licensed, certified, and insured medical waste, treatment, and disposal company. We offer our waste disposal services across California, Nevada, and Arizona.

    Orthopedic medical waste is the waste generated from the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Medical waste disposal for orthopedic care is an important aspect of the healthcare industry. During an orthopedic procedure, there can be bodily fluids or blood in the environment and all waste involved must be handled as infectious waste. Orthopedic medical waste disposal is a complex and regulated process that requires proper training, equipment, and compliance. It’s critical that facilities have a waste management plan in place that accounts for the disposal of this potentially infectious waste. Contact MET for more information.

    1. Key Types of Medical Waste in Orthopedics
    • Sharps Waste: Needles, scalpels, surgical tools, and pins used in injections or surgeries.
    • Biohazardous Waste: Items contaminated with blood, bodily fluids, or tissues, such as gloves, gauze, and surgical drapes.
    • Human Tissue and Bone Fragments: Tissue samples, bone fragments, and joint replacement debris are often generated during orthopedic procedures.
    • Pharmaceutical Waste: Expired or unused medications, including anesthesia or pain management drugs.
    • Chemical Waste: Sterilant, disinfectants, and solutions used for cleaning instruments.
    • Pathological Waste: Any identifiable human remains removed during procedures.
    • Contaminated Orthopedic Implants: Used surgical implants like screws, rods, and artificial joints.

    2. Regulatory Framework
    Orthopedic medical waste disposal must adhere to federal, state, and local regulations in the United States. Key authorities include:

    Federal Regulations
    • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration):
    • Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires safe handling of sharps and biohazardous waste.
    • Employee safety and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

    EPA (Environmental Protection Agency):
    • Manages hazardous and chemical waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
    • Strict disposal requirements for pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

    DOT (Department of Transportation):
    • Governs transportation of regulated medical waste (RMW) to offsite treatment facilities.

    State Regulations
    States regulate medical waste disposal timelines, documentation, and treatment methods. Each state has its own standards for defining and handling medical waste. For example:
    • California: Requires waste segregation, labeling, and tracking.
    • Texas: Enforces a 30-day disposal timeframe for stored medical waste.
    Check your state's health department guidelines.

    3. Orthopedic Waste Management Best Practices

    Segregation:
    • Separate sharps, pathological, and biohazardous waste at the point of generation.
    • Label containers clearly with biohazard symbols and color codes (e.g., red for biohazard waste).
    Sharps Disposal:
    • Use puncture-resistant sharps containers.
    • Ensure all sharps are immediately placed into designated containers post-use.

    Tissue and Implant Handling:
    • Pathological waste, such as bone and tissue, often requires incineration.
    • Orthopedic implants must be disinfected and treated as medical waste.

    Pharmaceutical Waste:
    • Use DEA-compliant containers for controlled substances.
    • Follow RCRA guidelines for hazardous drugs.

    Record-Keeping:
    • Maintain detailed manifest records of waste disposal for compliance audits.

    Third-Party Waste Disposal Services:
    • Partner with certified medical waste disposal providers to ensure compliance and proper treatment.

    4. Penalties for Non-Compliance
    • Fines from OSHA, EPA, or state agencies.
    • Lawsuits for improper handling of waste leading to harm.
    • Loss of practice licenses.

Compliance Certified