North Carolina 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)

North Carolina Medical Waste Regulations

North Carolina’s medical waste disposal regulations are crucial for protecting public health and the environment. Healthcare facilities in North Carolina are required to rigorously follow these regulations to ensure the safe handling and disposal of medical waste.

To ensure compliance and maintain the highest standards of safety and environmental stewardship, healthcare providers must stay updated on current regulations, provide continuous training for staff, and work with reputable waste disposal companies.

Here are 7 essential steps to ensure you meet North Carolina medical waste regulations:

1. Understand and Comply with DEQ Regulations

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) oversees medical waste management within the state. Healthcare facilities must familiarize themselves with DEQ regulations, ensuring their waste disposal practices are in compliance.

2. Ensure Proper Segregation & Packaging

Medical waste must be segregated from other waste streams at the source. According to North Carolina regulations, medical waste should be placed in containers that are sturdy, leak-proof, and puncture-resistant. These containers must display the universal biohazard symbol and be clearly labeled as “Medical Waste” or “Biohazardous Waste.”

3. Secure Storage Practices

Medical waste must be stored in a manner that prevents unauthorized access. Facilities must ensure that storage areas are clearly labeled and maintained to avoid accidental release of contaminants. North Carolina regulations also specify that medical waste cannot be stored indefinitely; storage time limits help minimize risks.

4. Utilize Authorized Transportation

When transporting medical waste off-site, it’s mandatory to use authorized and registered transporters. These transporters must adhere to North Carolina’s regulations regarding medical waste transportation, which include specific requirements for vehicle labeling and the use of shipping documents.

5. Follow Approved Treatment & Disposal Methods

Before disposal, medical waste must be treated using approved methods such as autoclaving, incineration, or chemical disinfection. After treatment, the waste can be disposed of in a sanitary landfill or another DEQ-approved facility, ensuring it poses no threat to public health or the environment.

6. Keep Mandatory Records

Healthcare facilities are required to keep detailed records of medical waste management, including documentation of waste generation, treatment, and disposal. These records must be kept for a minimum of three years, ensuring traceability and accountability.

7. Provide Comprehensive Staff Training

Staff handling medical waste must receive thorough training on safe handling, packaging, storage, and disposal practices. This training ensures the safety of healthcare workers and the community at large, reducing the risk of exposure and contamination.

By following these steps, healthcare facilities in North Carolina can ensure they are in full compliance with state regulations, safeguarding public health and the environment from the risks associated with improper medical waste disposal.

Regulated “Medical Waste”

Medical waste is outlined in North Carolina Administrative Code (15A NCAC 13B .0101) as: “blood and body fluids in individual containers in volumes greater than 20 milliliters, microbiological waste, and pathological waste that have not been
treated pursuant to Rule .1204.”

If your facility only produces “sharps”, you can rest assured that’s the majority of medical waste for facilities (~80% of our Charlotte clients also only produce “sharps” as their medical waste.)

Facilities Subject to Regulated Medical Waste

The North Carolina Administrative Code (15A NCAC 13A Subchapter B) provides comprehensive guidelines regarding the facilities for regulated medical waste. These rules encompass various aspects, including the responsibilities and requirements for generators, transporters, and facilities that handle medical waste.

In general, these regulations specify the following:

a) Requirements for Generators: Entities that generate medical waste, such as healthcare facilities, labs, and others, are subject to specific rules. This includes how they handle, segregate, package, and label medical waste before it is transported for treatment or disposal.

b) Transportation and Transfer of Medical Waste: The code outlines standards for the safe and secure transportation of medical waste, including the requirements for vehicles and transfer stations.

c) Storage Operations: There are stipulations about how treated medical waste should be stored, including time frames and conditions to ensure safety and environmental compliance.

d) Treatment Facilities: Facilities that treat medical waste must adhere to specified treatment methods and operational standards. This includes ensuring that treated waste is rendered non-infectious before disposal.

These rules are designed to ensure that medical waste is managed in a way that protects public health and the environment, from its generation to its final disposal. For detailed and specific information, it is advisable to refer directly to the North Carolina Administrative Code or consult with regulatory experts in this field

Proper Disposal of Regulated Medical Waste

The risks of improper medical waste disposal are clear.

North Carolina 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 North Carolina medical waste disposal companies that are registered and permitted by the state to handle, transport, store, destroy, and dispose of medical waste and provide North Carolina medical waste disposal services.

North Carolina Medical Waste Disposal Resources

North Carolina Division of Public Health
https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/
5605 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 707-5000

North Carolina Medical Society
https://ncmedsoc.org/
222 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 833-3836

For additional information or inquiries regarding the management of medical waste, please reach out to the Waste Management Division of the DEQ at (919) 707-8200.

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.