Georgia Medical Waste Disposal Regulations

Defining Medical Waste

Medical waste, often referred to as biohazardous waste, encompasses materials generated during healthcare activities that may pose infection risks. This category includes items such as:

• Used needles and syringes
• Contaminated personal protective equipment
• Pathological waste (tissues, organs, and body parts)

Georgia Medical Waste Regulations

In Georgia, adhering to medical waste disposal regulations is crucial for protecting public health and preserving the environment. Healthcare facilities must rigorously follow state guidelines to ensure the safe handling, management, and disposal of medical waste.

Keeping abreast of regulatory changes, offering continuous education for staff, and partnering with reputable waste disposal firms like BioMedical Waste Solutions are key to maintaining compliance and achieving the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility.

Here are 7 essential steps to comply with Georgia medical waste regulations:

1. Register with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the primary authority overseeing medical waste management. Healthcare facilities must register with the DNR and comply with its detailed medical waste disposal guidelines.

2. Ensure Proper Segregation & Packaging

In Georgia, it’s mandatory to separate medical waste from other types of waste at the point of generation. State regulations require that medical waste be placed in containers that are sturdy, leak-proof, and puncture-resistant. These containers must display the international biohazard symbol and be labeled “Biohazardous Waste.”

3. Maintain Proper Storage

Facilities must securely store medical waste to restrict unauthorized access. The Georgia DNR specifies that storage areas must be clearly marked and maintained to prevent any contamination release. Storage periods should be minimized, and containers kept sealed.

Secure storage in Georgia means protecting medical waste from theft, vandalism, accidental contact, and weather. Effective management also includes preventing it from becoming a pest attractant or source of unpleasant odors.

4. Hire Authorized Transportation

For off-site transport, medical waste must be handled by authorized and registered transporters. These carriers are required to adhere to Georgia’s regulations for medical waste transport, including vehicle labeling and manifest protocols.

5. Adhere to Treatment & Disposal Regulations

Before final disposal, Georgia mandates that medical waste undergo treatment. Approved methods include incineration, autoclaving, or other state-approved techniques. Post-treatment, waste can be disposed of in sanitary landfills or designated facilities.

6. Keep Mandatory Records

Healthcare facilities must keep detailed records of medical waste management activities, including manifests, treatment verifications, and disposal confirmations. Georgia regulations require these records to be retained for at least three years.

7. Train Staff

Staff involved in medical waste management must receive thorough training in proper handling, packaging, and disposal methods. This training is crucial for the safety of healthcare workers and the wider community.

By following these guidelines, healthcare facilities in Georgia can ensure they meet state medical waste disposal regulations, safeguarding public health and contributing to environmental conservation.

Regulated “Medical Waste”

Biomedical waste is outlined in Georgia Administrative Code (Rule 391-3-4-.15) as:

“(a) Pathological waste, which means all recognizable human tissues and body parts except teeth which are removed during surgery, obstetrical procedures, autopsy, and laboratory procedures.

(b) Biological waste, which means blood and blood products, exudates secretions, suctionings, and other body fluids which contains free liquids and cannot be or are not directly discarded into a municipal sewer system.

(c) Cultures and stocks of infectious agents and associated biologicals including cultures from medical and pathological laboratories, cultures and stocks of infectious agents from research and industrial laboratories, wastes from the production of biologicals, discarded live and attenuated vaccines, and culture dishes and devices used to transfer, inoculate, and mix cultures.

(d) Contaminated animal carcasses, body parts, their bedding, and other wastes from such animals which are infected with or which have been exposed to infectious agents, capable of causing disease in man.

(e) Sharps, which means any discarded article that may cause punctures or cuts. Such waste includes, but is not limited to, items such as needles, IV tubing and syringes with needles attached, and scalpel blades.

(f) Chemotherapy waste, which means any disposable material which has come in contact with cytotoxic/antineoplastic agents (agents toxic to cells) and/or antineoplastic agents (agents that inhibit or prevent the growth and spread of tumors or malignant cells) during the preparation, handling, and administration of such agents. Such waste includes, but is not limited to, masks, gloves, gowns, empty IV tubing bags and vials, and other contaminated materials. The above waste must first be classified as empty which means such quantity that it is not subject to other federal or state waste management regulations prior to being handled as biomedical waste.

(g) Discarded medical equipment and parts, excluding expendable supplies and materials included in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this Rule, which have not been decontaminated, and that were in contact with infectious agents.”

Facilities Subject to Regulated Medical Waste

The Georgia Administrative Code (Rule 391-3-4-.15), outlines comprehensive regulations concerning the management of regulated medical waste in healthcare facilities, which include a variety of establishments such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and dental offices. These regulations ensure the safe handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of medical waste, thereby safeguarding public health and the environment.

Key aspects of these regulations include:

1. The code categorizes biomedical waste as any solid waste containing pathological waste, biological wastes, cultures, and stocks of infectious agents, chemotherapy waste, and discarded medical equipment and parts. It’s important to distinguish between regulated and non-regulated medical waste, with regulated medical waste often referred to as biomedical waste in Georgia.
2. Facilities must store medical waste in a manner that prevents access by patients or the general public, labels it correctly to avoid accidental disposal, and stores it in a cool, dry place to prevent degradation and avoid attracting pests. Sharps must be stored in compliant containers that prevent leakage and tearing.
3. Proper packaging is essential for the transportation of medical waste. Containers must be leak-proof, rigid, and labeled correctly. For example, chemotherapy and pathological waste must be labeled for incineration, while all biological wastes should bear the general biohazard symbol. Sharps containers must be puncture-resistant to ensure the safety of all handlers.
4. Both state and federal regulations must be adhered to. Facilities must be aware of their waste generator status, as this impacts the volume of waste they can store and the duration it can be stored before disposal. Non-compliance with these regulations can result in significant fines.
5. Medical waste management companies must have the appropriate permits and insurance to handle and transport medical waste. The waste generator retains responsibility for the waste until it is properly treated and disposed of, emphasizing the importance of working with reputable waste management companies.

Proper Disposal of Regulated Medical Waste

The risks of improper medical waste disposal are clear.

Georgia adheres to state and federal regulations for the disposal of regulated waste. This type of waste can include a variety of materials, such as biomedical waste, hazardous waste, and electronic waste.

BioMedical Waste Solutions is one of the very few private Georgia medical waste disposal companies that are registered and permitted by the state to handle, transport, store, destroy, and dispose of medical waste and provide Georgia medical waste disposal services.

Georgia Medical Waste Disposal Resources

Georgia Department of Public Health
https://dph.georgia.gov/
200 Piedmont Avenue, SE Atlanta, GA 30334 US
(404) 657-2700

Medical Association of Georgia
http://www.mag.org/
1849 The Exchange SE #200, Atlanta, GA 30339
(678) 303-9290

For additional information or inquiries regarding the management of medical waste, please reach out to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at via email at [email protected].

Please note that it is advisable to consult with your local city and your facility as they may have more stringent or specific medical waste disposal regulations beyond state and national guidelines.