COVID-19 Implications on
Healthcare Waste Management

Our Commitment to service continuity for US healthcare facilities

Daniels Health is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure we are in the best position to protect our staff and customers, and ensure continuity of services and operational excellence across our full spectrum of healthcare waste management. Working with the CDC, our compliance experts are keeping up to date with the latest policies and procedures surrounding coronavirus, and consistent with our scientific foundations, we are putting the full force of our infection control approach to work in combatting exposure risk. As the situation evolves, our teams are actively adapting contingency plans to accomodate the unique needs of our customers and the increasing complexities of healthcare services support. Collectively we take very seriously the responsibility to serve healthcare in its time of increased need.

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Daniels employs a multi-tiered disaster recovery plan that insures all aspects of our business:

FULL SERVICE

Daniels Health is maintaining a "business as usual" service threshold throughout the current situation. Across our national footprint we have an extensive network of local and centralized talent keeping the lights on and ensuring we maintain waste management service capability and customer support.

SERVICE CONTINUITY

Daniels' country-wide footprint is supported by national and global support teams focused on ensuring healthcare service continuity. We have agility of resources and service contingencies in place for increased fluctuations in waste volumes and service scheduling, and maintain a surplus of bins, staff and fleet capacity to accommodate the evolving changes that the Coronavirus pandemic brings.

WASTE PROCESSING

Daniels operates a network of processing plants and transfer stations across the USA. This network provides contingency options in the event a plant becomes inoperable ensuring continuity of service. These contingencies were successfully implemented in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy, and through the implementation of the Disaster Recovery Plan, Daniels was able to manage and maintain service to all customers in the affected areas.

CONTAINER STOCK + DISTRIBUTION

In addition to containers installed onsite at your facility (including spares held in onsite stores) Daniels holds buffer stock at processing plants around the country, and further quantities in our National Warehouse. This provides for increased waste volumes that arise from flu season each year as well as contingency planning for unforeseen events. All our clean facilities have processing capacity, logistical infrastructure and staff resources manage associated volume fluctuations.

MANUFACTURING + SUPPLY CHAIN

Manufacturing dependency is mitigated by Daniels owning their own set of tools required for the manufacture of sharps and other healthcare waste containers. Outsourcing supply to a number of local manufacturing facilities in Michigan further mitigates reliance on any single manufacturing arrangement.

DATA MANAGEMENT

Data and systems are monitored, supported and backed up frequently to a cloud storage system. All infrastructure runs on virtual platforms, meaning hardware failure should not affect our capability to operate. Daniels design/engineering work is maintained in a secure Daniels Engineering Data Management System, which is also backed up to the cloud and accessible remotely.

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Handling COVID-19 Waste. What you need to know

CLASSIFICATION

COVID-19 waste is to be handled and transported as routine UN 3291 RMW. No additional procedures, packaging or labelling is required.

CRADLE TO GRAVE

Generators are responsible for packaging waste for transport to treatment facilities. Please maintain due diligence when categorizing waste streams to ensure compliance in handling and treatment.

RED BAG SECUREMENT

Each bag must be hand tied by gathering and twisting the neck of the bag and using a tie or hand knot to secure the bag, and each container must be securely closed.

BIN CONTAINMENT

Closed bags must not be visible once secondary container (box or reusable tub) is closed. Ensure bins are tightly secured for transport.

COVID-19 Waste Disposal Resources

COVID-19 Correct Waste Segregation

A guide on how COVID-19 waste is classified and how to safely dispose of it. Incorrect COVID-19 waste segregation can impact safety and overall costs.

COVID-19 Waste Handling

Providing Daniels Customers with instruction on COVID-19 waste definitions and management for the safety of all downstream staff

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Daniels COVID-19 Waste Capabilities

Daniels' waste management service capabilities and infection-risk-reduction solutions remain unchanged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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How to dispose of COVID-19 waste

A one-page guide on how to properly dispose of and package COVID-19 waste compliantly and cost-effectively.

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Q&A around Covid-19

Trustworthy facts on what is Covid-19 and how it will impact how we handle, dispose and treat all contaminated wastes

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Daniels Service Protocols

Understanding Daniels' approach to COVID-19 waste handling for our drivers and frontline service staff

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Safe Handwashing

5 easy steps to wash your hands thoroughly and prevent the spread of infection

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What is Medical Waste

Clear definition of what wastes are classified as regulated medical waste and belong in a red bin

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Need a change? Get a resolution. Fast.

Download Daniels state-wide contact information

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

FAQ's

Will anything change with Daniels Service Technicians?

Daniels Service Technicians are maintaining their current level of service to customers along with increased personal hygiene practices. This includes adhering to each facility’s protocols and infection control procedures for patient isolation rooms as directed. Please ensure any changes to these protocols and procedures and clearly communicated to Daniels, and that any areas or patient rooms that should not be entered are identified to Service Technicians.

Will there be a supply chain risk for the provision of products?

Daniels Health provides a purchased service, and is not a product supplier effected by supply chain issues with respect to the provision of consumable products on an ongoing basis. Daniels Health has a significant investment in both products and infrastructure required to service the waste management needs of our customers. In addition to the containers physically installed (and excess containers stored at a hospital-facility level), we also hold a minimum buffer of additional spare containers at our processing plants around the country to support. This minimum buffer stock is designed to manage both the increased waste volumes that arise from flu season each year, as well as contingency planning for unforeseen events.

What steps are Daniels taking towards safety and infection control?

For the safety of our staff and healthcare workers handling medical waste, Daniels is following guidance from the CDC in relation to handling and processing of COVID-19 waste and implementing heightened personal hygiene and environmental cleaning at all Daniels sites. Daniels safety-designed containers are secured with tamper-proof locks to ensure waste is not accessed between the healthcare site and a Daniels processing facility where they are robotically unlocked, decontaminated and sanitized through a robotic washing process that achieves a 10-log microbial load reduction. Our facility based staff are instructed to adhere to any adjustments to infection control protocols and PPE requirements specific to the facility and location being serviced.

Will Daniels Health continue all services?

Yes, we are committed to ensuring 100% continuity of medical waste services, compliance and education, and customer support for our healthcare partners. We are fully aware of the industry's reliance on our services (more than ever before!) and the vital role we play in supporting patient care. Our teams are united and committed to delivering the highest levels of customer support across our full suite of services.

How do I dispose of COVID-19 waste?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised that medical waste generated in the treatment of COVID-19 patients and patients under investigation (PUIs) be managed in accordance with routine procedures. There are no additional packaging or transportation requirements from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for regulated medical waste or sharps.

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COVID-19 Implications on
Healthcare Waste Management

Handling COVID-19 Waste. What you need to know