PORTLAND, Ore. — Adventist Medical Center (AMC) is harnessing new technology to safely dispose of more than 90 percent of its infectious medical waste onsite. Thanks to the recently installed Red Bag Solutions Technology, the infectious medical waste from red bio-hazardous bags and sharps containers is now pulverized and sterilized, leaving confetti-like material that is safe to recycle or dispose of.
AMC is the first facility in the Oregon market to incorporate this new technology. “Until now, the hospital had to ship our biohazard waste 100 miles away to facilities equipped to safely dispose of it,” says Myron Krause, director of materials management. “This new process prevents the costs and environmental impacts associated with shipping.”The ability to process sharps containers and their contents, allows plastic and other items such as needles to be recycled. AMC’s material is recycled through Republic Services, Inc.
It takes about 30 minutes for the Red Bag machine to process a load of material. While that process occurs, Red Bag machine operators ensure that shredding of all HIPAA documentation is occurring. “Performing both these functions onsite will enhance safety, security and make our waste processing more sustainable,” says Stephen Raffaele, Environmental Services manager.
The hospital is reducing the medical waste volume by 90 percent and 15 percent reduction in total weight. Unlike other approaches to handling medical waste, the Red Bag’s system generates no unpleasant odors, excessive noise or harmful emissions. Remote monitoring of the equipment 24/7 allows for maximum safety, equipment optimization and technical support.
About Adventist Medical Center
Adventist Medical Center, located in southeast Portland, is a nonprofit, 302-bed acute care facility, offering a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency services throughout the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area.
Adventist Medical Center is part of Adventist Health, a faith-based, not-for-profit integrated health care delivery system with nearly 20,000 employees serving communities in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist health values, Adventist Health provides compassionate care in 17 hospitals, more than 130 physician and rural health clinics, 14 home care agencies and four joint-venture retirement centers. We invite you to visit http://www.adventisthealthnw.com for more information.
