TriHaz Solutions Blog

The COVID-19 global pandemic continues to have a deep impact on the operation of medical facilities across the country. In Alabama, the spread of the virus has changed how health-related practices conduct business, with many of them shutting down. Some are just now beginning to re-open, most with limited hours. While they are providing much needed services to the community, the re-openings have added to the demand for personal protective equipment, or PPE, for all staff members.

Most companies and medical facilities have voluminous amounts of stored paper and electronic files. That’s due in large part to industry-specific laws and regulations that require files and records be retained for a certain number of years before they can be shredded or otherwise disposed of.

Businesses close for many reasons: an owner decides to retire, sell, or relocate. Sometimes a medical practitioner joins another group or relocates their facility. Today, many of these decisions are being driven by the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has brought.

It’s fair to say that everyone wants a safe, healthy environment. No question. And savvy businesses follow best practices for sustainability and environmental health, especially when it comes to proper waste management. 

A well-designed document retention and destruction policy has three primary benefits for all businesses, including those in the medical field: efficiency, safety, and peace of mind. It also keeps your organization compliant with state and federal standards.

Whether it’s pill bottles, syringes, or medicine tablets, pharmaceutical waste at nursing homes can consist of sensitive or hazardous material. You need the right systems in place to segregate and manage it properly for the sake of safety and compliance. Read on to learn the consequences of improper pharma waste disposal at nursing homes and best practices for managing that waste.

There are plenty of waste items under Alabama’s medical waste umbrella that are obviously infectious waste:

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on how businesses and industries operate. While most medical facilities are deemed essential service providers, many employees may have transitioned to working from home or are working adjusted hours.

Here at TriHaz Solutions we’ve been closely monitoring the effect COVID-19 is having on our customers and the waste industry in general. We’re following guidance from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and continually updating our recommendations as more is learned about the virus. Alabama’s public health website is also a great source for state-specific information on how the COVID-19 pandemic is being handled, as is OSHA’s page devoted to the virus.

If you’re at a small business, you may not have given your paper shredder a lot of thought. Maybe you brought equipment from your home or purchased a cheap option at an office supply store. However, if you don’t dispose of your confidential information with the proper equipment and systems, you put your customers and employees at great risk for identity theft. In 2018, identity theft affected over 60 million Americans. It’s easy for a criminal to access sensitive data through ‘dumpster diving’ and piecing together torn-up documents. Investing in a professional shredding system and professional shredding services will protect sensitive information.