Tennessee 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)

Tennessee Medical Waste Regulations

Tennessee’s medical waste disposal regulations play a crucial role in protecting public health and the environment. It is imperative for healthcare facilities across the state to adhere to these regulations to ensure the safe and effective management of medical waste.

To maintain compliance and uphold the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility, healthcare facilities must stay informed about regulatory changes, provide ongoing training for their staff, and partner with reputable waste disposal companies.

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

1. Compliance with TDEC Regulations

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) oversees medical waste management in the state. Healthcare facilities must comply with TDEC’s regulations, which include registering with the department and following its guidelines for medical waste disposal.

2. Ensure Proper Segregation & Packaging

Medical waste must be properly segregated from other types of waste at the point of generation. Tennessee’s regulations require that medical waste be placed in containers that are rigid, leak-proof, and puncture-resistant. These containers must also be labeled with the international biohazard symbol and clearly marked as “Medical Waste.”

3. Maintain Secure Storage

To prevent unauthorized access and environmental contamination, medical waste must be securely stored. Facilities are required to have designated storage areas that are clearly marked and maintained to prevent the release of contaminants, with waste not being stored for excessive periods.

4. Use Authorized Transportation

When transporting medical waste off-site, it is mandatory to use transporters who are authorized and comply with Tennessee’s regulations. This includes adhering to standards for vehicle labeling and the proper documentation of waste shipments.

5. Adhere to Treatment & Disposal Regulations

Before disposal, medical waste in Tennessee must undergo treatment using approved methods such as autoclaving, incineration, or chemical disinfection. This treated waste can then be disposed of in accordance with state regulations, ensuring it poses no risk to public health or the environment.

6. Maintain Accurate Records

Healthcare facilities must keep detailed records of their medical waste management practices, including documentation of waste generation, treatment, and disposal. These records must be retained for at least three years, as required by TDEC.

7. Train Staff

Staff involved in handling medical waste must receive appropriate training. This training should cover safe handling, packaging, storage, and disposal procedures to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and the community at large.

By following these steps, healthcare facilities in Tennessee can ensure compliance with state medical waste regulations, thereby safeguarding public health and protecting the environment from the risks associated with improper medical waste disposal.

Regulated “Medical Waste”

According to ​​The Tennessee Department Of Environment And Conservation (TDEC), “‘Medical waste’ means the following solid wastes:

(a) Wastes generated by hospitalized patients who are isolated to protect others from communicable diseases.

(b) Cultures and stocks of infectious agents, including specimen 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.

(c) Waste human blood and blood products such as serum, plasma, and other blood Components.

(d) Pathological wastes (i.e., tissues, organs, body parts, and body fluids) that are removed during surgery and autopsy.

(e) All discarded sharps (e.g., hypodermic needles, syringes, pasteur pipettes, broken glass, scalpel blades) used in patient care or which have come into contact with infectious agents during use in medical, research, or industrial laboratories.

(f) Contaminated carcasses, body parts, and bedding of animals that were intentionally exposed to pathogens in research, in the production of biologicals, or in the in vivo testing of pharmaceuticals.

(g) The following wastes from patients known to be infected with blood-borne disease

Hazardous Medical Wastes are those medical wastes which contain chemicals (such as Nicotine, Epinephrine, Nitroglycerine, Warfarin, chemotherapy drugs, etc) that the EPA has determined must be managed under the strict criteria established by federal regulations. More information about hazardous medical waste is available below including some examples of possible listed hazardous waste that healthcare facilities may generate.”

Facilities Subject to Regulated Medical Waste

For the medical wastes, facilities must comply with several guidelines by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC):

1. Waste Evaluation Application: Facilities generating RMW and intending to process or dispose of it must apply to the Commissioner for a waste evaluation. This involves submitting a form provided by the Department, following specific instructions.
2. Off-Site Processing or Disposal: Facilities that process or dispose of medical waste off-site must annually recertify the accuracy of their waste stream information. They must also adhere to the management conditions specified in their special waste approval to prevent adverse impacts on public health and the environment.
3. Special Waste Approval: Disposal of special medical waste in a permitted landfill or processing at a permitted facility requires special waste approval from the Division of Solid Waste Management (SWM). This involves locating a facility that will accept the waste and obtaining approval from the Division of SWM prior to disposal.
4. Medical Waste Management Requirements: Specific requirements for different types of waste are outlined. For example, sharps must be packaged securely in puncture-proof containers, and cultures and stocks of infectious agents must be rendered non-infectious before landfilling.
5. Compliance with Federal and State Regulations: Facilities must comply with both federal and state waste management regulations. This includes specific guidelines for different types of medical waste, such as biohazardous waste, pharmaceutical waste, sharps disposal, and more.

Overall, the management of regulated medical waste in Tennessee is comprehensive, emphasizing the protection of public health and the environment. It is important for healthcare facilities to be fully aware of these regulations and ensure compliance to avoid penalties and contribute to safe waste management practices.

Proper Disposal of Regulated Medical Waste

The risks of improper medical waste disposal are clear.

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

Tennessee Medical Waste Disposal Resources

Tennessee Department of Health
https://www.tn.gov/health.html
665 Mainstream Dr, Nashville, TN 37228
(615) 741-3011

Tennessee Medical Association
https://www.tnmed.org/
701 Bradford Ave, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 385-2100

For additional information or inquiries regarding the management of medical waste, please reach out to the Hazardous Medical Wastet Department of the TDEC at (615) 795-1188 or 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.