Want to Reduce Red Bag Disposal Costs?

Where does this go? That's the question your staff needs to ponder each time they carry medical waste to red and clear bag bins. Making the right choice is more important than you might think. AORN says regulated medical waste consumes 20 percent of the average facility's environmental services budget, while up to 95 percent of a hospital???s regulated waste could actually be disposed of in clear bags, according to Environmental Research Associates of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Experts say the cost difference between hauling red and clear bag waste is as much as $.29 per pound.

Keep an eye on reality when assigning waste to red or clear bags. Work with all members of your staff — from housekeeping to OR nurses and techs — to implement a practical plan for change. Here are some simple tips that Janet Brown, partner program manager for Practice Greenhealth, says you should consider when purchasing and placing medical waste bins: