In the event of an outbreak of Ebola or other pandemics, the increase in volume of highly contagious bio-medical waste could present some challenges for hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Today the majority of healthcare facilities use haulers to transport and treat regulated medical waste off-site. There is no assurance, however, that this method is 100 percent safe for potential pandemic situations nor would this practice be perceived positively when communities realize that trucks are transporting such material near their homes, schools, or businesses.
In order to mitigate this potential risk, many healthcare providers are actively pursuing a failsafe on-site technology that can immediately sterilize and destroy all dangerous pathogens and viruses such as Ebola, TB, Polio and others while avoiding further risk to the general public.
"The traditional methods of hauling and disposing of medical waste off-site might present some major risks for hospitals and the general public," says Don Millard, CEO of Atlanta-based Red Bag Solutions, a provider of on-site bio-hazardous waste disposal equipment and services, "Red Bag Solutions' on-site Steam Sterilization and Maceration (SSM) system is designed to process all biological and medical waste on-site, including any material infected by Ebola, or any other bacterial or viral medical waste. The process renders waste unrecognizable and ensures that it is completely sterilized."
"We are very cognizant of the risks posed by Ebola or other highly infectious pathogens and the challenges of disposing of medical waste contaminated by them," says Danny Moore, director of estates and facilities at Bermuda Hospital Board, Bermuda. "As an island, we are far more vulnerable to a pandemic situation; however, by using Red Bag Solution's Steam Sterilization and Maceration process, we believe our institution is better prepared for a crisis of this sort."
Source: Red Bag Solutions
Streamlined IFU Access Boosts Infection Control and Staff Efficiency
June 17th 2025A hospital-wide quality improvement project has transformed how staff access critical manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs), improving infection prevention compliance and saving time through a standardized, user-friendly digital system supported by unit-based training and interdepartmental collaboration.
Spring Into Safety: How Seasonal Deep Cleaning Strengthens Hospital Infection Control
June 13th 2025Rooted in ancient rituals of renewal, spring-cleaning has evolved from cultural tradition to a vital infection prevention strategy in modern hospitals—one that blends seasonal deep cleaning with advanced disinfection to reduce pathogens, improve air quality, and protect patients.
AHE Exchange Summit 2025 Brings EVS and Infection Prevention Experts Together in Columbus, Ohio
June 9th 2025The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is set to host its largest event of the year—Exchange Summit 2025—from June 8 to 11 in Columbus, Ohio. With over 600 environmental services (EVS) professionals expected to attend, this year’s conference focuses heavily on infection prevention, interdepartmental collaboration, and education that empowers frontline health care support leaders to improve patient safety and operational efficiency.
Far UV-C Light Shows Promise for Decontaminating Medical Equipment in Clinical Settings
June 4th 2025Manual cleaning gaps on shared hospital equipment can undermine infection control efforts. New research shows far UV-C light can serve as a safe, automated backup to reduce contamination in real-world clinical settings.