Your healthcare facility simply can’t dispose of its medical waste, at least not safely. You don’t want to miss meeting compliance standards. Yep, there are rules concerning how you dispose of medical waste. You need a third-party vendor, and this means signing a contract.
However, before signing on the proverbial dotted line, does the contract cover all of your bases? There is some key information you don’t want to omit. Following a few essential tips for evaluating medical waste disposal companies can help ensure you’re getting a contract that meets your facility’s needs.
Do You Really Need a Medical Waste Disposal Contract?
Sure, you may look at the contract price and think there has to be a cheaper way. After all, getting rid of some trash shouldn’t come with a significant price tag. Healthcare facilities can always take what seems to be the cheaper route. They double-bag their medical waste before hauling it out to the curb.
A podiatry clinic in Missouri decided to take care of their medical waste by taking it out with the regular trash. The clinic ended up with 11 OSHA compliance violations and fines totaling $43,456. Even Sharps MD LLC ended up with a cease and desist letter from the Florida Department of Health.
The state agency discovered the facility is storing medical waste in a trailer. So, is a medical waste disposal company necessary? Chances are the answer is yes, unless your facility has the equipment like a thermal autoclave to properly dispose of medical waste.
What Should Your Medical Waste Disposal Contract Include?
Some things are pretty obvious, like the length of the contract. You always want to know when a contract starts and ends, regardless of the type of service.
Something else you always want to know is the total charges. After all, you’re not going to sign any type of contract without knowing the cost. The total charges, including any additional fees, should be clearly outlined.
If this information is missing, it’s probably best to find another medical waste disposal provider. So, what else do you want included in your medical waste disposal contract?
The Medical Waste Acceptance Policy
This section should contain a tad more information than the type of waste the agency picks up and disposes of. You want to know how the waste is collected, transported, and gotten rid of.
All medical waste has specific collection/storage requirements. Guess what? Trash bags usually aren’t an approved storage method. For example, sharps must be stored in an airtight, puncture-proof container. A trash bag or cardboard box doesn’t meet compliance standards. Double-check to ensure the disposal outfit is following all state and federal regulations.
What About Price Increases
Not all contracts address potential price increases, and this can end up being a bit of a problem. You’re paying one amount for months, and then suddenly it significantly increases. Typically, a contract locks you into a set price. This is usually something you want included in a contract.
However, the economy, as we know, has its ups and downs. When prices start fluctuating, it can impact your medical waste disposal contract. If the contract doesn’t lock in a price, you can end up with unpleasant surprise bills.
Complete List of Services Offered
Not all third-party vendors handle every type of medical waste. Some only deal with pharmaceutical waste like sharps and bandages. Others are equipped to handle other types of medical waste like arms and limbs, along with hazardous pathogens. Think about the type of waste being generated by your healthcare facility before signing on with a disposal service provider.
Your contract should clearly list all of the services provided. You never know when your healthcare clinic may generate a different type of medical waste. Knowing you’re covered ahead of time helps ensure your facility is ready to meet all of your patients’ healthcare needs.
Liability Is Key
Accidents can happen; it’s a part of life. If an accident happens with your facility’s medical waste, who’s liable for any damages? This is something you definitely want to be covered in the contract. Forgetting this bit of information can be an expensive mistake if an accident occurs. Generally, the disposal company is liable once the medical waste is in their possession.
Medical Waste Disposal Contracts Are Worth the Effort
Finding a good medical waste disposal service provider isn’t as easy as finding a great pizza place. Your options are probably limited. It’s not exactly a booming industry. Even with limited options, you can still negotiate a favorable contract. Just remember, anything left out can come back to haunt you as an unexpected expense.
