Every day of the past year has brought new and unprecedented challenges to healthcare organizations and the patients they treat. Since day one of the Covid-19 public health emergency, medical waste management companies such as Stericycle have mobilized to support the healthcare community weather the crisis. Working behind the scenes, medical waste professionals ensure health facilities safely dispose of the exponentially increased volume of infectious waste.

The operational complexity to collect, transport and safely dispose of medical waste is now leading into a new set of challenges, as vaccines are being deployed.

At Stericycle, we draw on our experience over more than 30 years, being called upon by major hospitals, health agencies, governments, NGOs, and international bodies to support in managing complex global health challenges, such as Ebola, H1N1, SARS, and, most recently, Covid-19.

The industry has a clear mission this year: to keep up with the pandemic’s developments and with the efforts to keep it in its tracks. But, as last year’s learnings are now business as usual, we move into the new stage focused on the safety of our people, the communities, and the environment.

People are the business

Keeping medical waste personnel safe while handling infectious waste is key to disposing the waste generated during the pandemic. Consistent investments in protective equipment enable business continuity for operators and the sanitary systems.

Cultural centres as medical facilities

Many vaccination centres are located outside medical units and medical waste is being generated and managed in non-traditional environments like exhibition halls, cultural centres, stadiums, adding logistical complexity to the process.

Managing environmental impact

As of January 2021, a total of 8 billion vaccine doses had been pre-ordered globally* from the main vaccine manufacturers. This generates an impressive volume of medical waste, adding to each dose of vaccine one of saline, two syringes and needles, vial trials, gloves, surgical masks, and protective gowns.

We are at the start of the most significant vaccination campaign ever to take place and the medical waste industry operates in the background playing a key role in protecting the safety and health of all involved.

With over 30 years of experience, Stericycle is one of the leading companies in the field of hazardous waste management, offering complete medical waste management services. Find out more about the services of collection, treatment and final disposal of waste generated by public and private hospitals in Romania, here.

* Source: statista.com