3 Questions to Ask When Choosing an RMW Management Partner

When selecting a regulated medical waste (RMW) management partner – or evaluating your current provider – there are many factors to consider. Choosing the right partner is critical to your compliance with waste regulations, protecting staff and the environment, maintaining cost efficiency, and avoiding financial penalties.

Below are three essential questions to help you identify the best RMW management partner for your healthcare facility.

1. Does the RMW Management Partner Have Expertise with RMW waste regulations?
   Since there is no universal definition of RMW, federal, state, and local regulations may vary, making compliance complex. A knowledgeable partner should be well-versed in Department of Transportation (DOT), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and state level RMW regulations to provide guidance on applicable laws.
2. Does the RMW Management Partner Provide a Complete Solution?
   While several companies provide a pickup service, a fully integrated company that handles waste from collection to treatment and disposal may be able to provide a higher degree of safety and compliance. Full-service RMW management companies should be flexible enough to meet your healthcare facility’s changing needs, such as adding extra pickup days or handling different types of waste. Your provider should also offer DOT compliant containers for different medical waste streams and offer end-to-end waste-management solutions. Other key services to look for include:
   • Medical Waste Training: Training improves safety and compliance. Stericycle can be your strategic waste management partner in training, working with you to deliver up-to-date educational tools and resources. Stericycle’s Steri-Safe^® Compliance Training Solutions provide healthcare staff with an assortment of online courses covering OSHA and HIPAA compliance, medical waste disposal, and DOT hazardous materials training. The online tools also record when the training is completed, allowing organizations to track completion and compliance.
   • Manifests and Shipping Papers: Your RMW management partner should provide a manifest or shipping paper for all waste shipments. The first copy will be provided to you at pickup. The second copy, indicating receipt of the waste, would ideally be found on an online platform for ease of recordkeeping.
   • Disaster Planning and Emergency Preparedness: A reliable partner should have disaster recovery and contingency plans in place to prevent waste accumulation during emergencies. Working with a service provider, such as Stericycle, which has a nationwide footprint, an extensive truck fleet, responsive team members, and open customer communication, ensures healthcare organizations receive uninterrupted service, even during uncertain times.
3. Does the RMW Management Partner Share Their Experience and Expertise?
   A strong waste management partner helps your facility stay compliant and decrease employee risk. Look for a partner that provides:
   • Waste Segregation Training: It’s essential for organizations to provide regular training and education on how to segregate waste and the importance of doing so. Waste segregation can be challenging, but partnering with a knowledgeable waste management provider can help establish a waste segregation program that aligns with state and local regulations. 

Learn more about how Stericycle’s comprehensive solutions can help your healthcare facility manage medical waste effectively.