How does managing hazardous pharmaceutical waste relate to the Joint Commission accreditation process?
Most pharmacists focus on compliance with the Medication Management Standards required by the Joint Commission, whereas Safety Officers and environmental services managers focus on the Environment of Care Standards. They need to work closely together to make sure they consider pharmaceuticals in their response to the Environment of Care Standard 3.10. Under this standard, pharmaceuticals are potential hazardous materials under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard and potential hazardous waste under the EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Related Questions
- Are the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and other accrediting agencies considered health oversight agencies?
- What action items of EOC 3.10 need to be applied to hazardous pharmaceutical materials and hazardous pharmaceutical waste?
- How does the Hazardous Waste Combustion NESHAP relate to the RCRA combustion program and its requirements?
