Management of healthcare waste from the Medical Emergency System (SEM): safety, efficiency and innovation in the health sector

The proper management of healthcare waste is an essential aspect to guarantee public health and safety in healthcare centres. The correct collection, transport and treatment of this waste is essential for the safety of healthcare professionals and also to protect the environment. In this context, TMA has been awarded the tender for the management of healthcare waste from the Medical Emergency System (SEM) of Catalonia, taking charge of the collection and treatment of healthcare waste generated in ambulances and mobile units and of general waste generated in the SEM offices and coordination centres. Read on to find out more about this project with which TMA is once again committed to managing healthcare waste with maximum safety and efficiency.

 

COMMITMENT TO THE INTEGRAL MANAGEMENT OF HEALTHCARE WASTE

 

As part of its commitment to efficiency and safety, the Sistema d’Emergències Mèdiques (SEM), the entity responsible for urgent and emergency healthcare in Catalonia, requires a leading company in waste management that is specialised in the collection, transport and treatment of both health and general waste. 

This service, which is key to the proper functioning of the entity, must comply with strict safety, health and environmental standards, with special attention to current regulations.

TMA meets these requirements and is the company awarded the contract for the collection, transport and treatment of health and general waste from the Sistema d’Emergències Mèdiques (SEM) of Catalonia.

TMA will manage Group I waste (paper, cardboard, plastic, etc.) and highly sensitive waste, such as Group II and III waste, confidential materials, and expired medicines, whose correct disposal is crucial to protect patient privacy and avoid health risks.

In the healthcare sector, correct waste management is essential to ensure safety, sustainability and regulatory compliance, and this project reaffirms our commitment to responsible environmental management and compliance with current regulations.

TMA’s approach to healthcare waste management is based on:

• • Reducing environmental impact, minimizing the carbon footprint.
  • Circular Economy, betting on the valorization and reuse of materials.
  • Protection of public health, complying with strict safety protocols.

 

At TMA, we guarantee that the waste generated in the SEM is treated safely and efficiently. With this project, we reaffirm once again our commitment to safety, efficiency and innovation in the healthcare sector.

 

Importance of responsible waste management in healthcare environments

 

With a capacity to handle more than 2,400,000 calls per year, the SEM manages a variety of waste generated by its activity: from healthcare waste produced in ambulances, general waste generated in its offices and coordination centres, confidential material and expired medicines.

All this waste must be managed with great precision to avoid its dispersion, contamination or mishandling.

This approach is essential to guarantee a safe environment for both healthcare professionals and patients, minimising the risks associated with the improper handling and disposal of this waste.

 

This project reinforces TMA’s leadership in healthcare waste management and allows us to continue contributing to a safer and more sustainable waste management model.

 

INTEGRAL MANAGEMENT OF HEALTHCARE WASTE FROM THE MEDICAL EMERGENCY SYSTEM (SEM)

 

Correct management of this waste is essential to avoid health risks and comply with current regulations, which implies an efficient and environmentally friendly collection, transport and treatment system.

 

Types of sanitary waste and their specialized management

TMA will be responsible for the collection, transport and treatment of this healthcare waste:

• • Healthcare waste from Groups I, II and III, from ambulances and operational units.
  • Healthcare waste from Group IV, exclusively expired medication from associated warehouses and ambulances. Expired medications represent a type of hazardous waste that must be managed in accordance with specific regulations. TMA is responsible for the correct classification, storage and final disposal of these medications in its specialized treatment plants.
  • Waste derived from the daily activity of the offices, coordination centre and ambulances of Barcelona City, such as paper, cardboard, plastic, batteries and accumulators. This waste is collected and treated, promoting recycling and the Circular Economy.
  • Confidential material and medical reports, which require certified shredding and secure destruction, since documents such as medical reports and patient records must be destroyed safely to guarantee the privacy of the information

 

At TMA we specialise in the efficient and safe management of healthcare waste and in the waste management services that we will carry out for the SEM we guarantee compliance with the highest environmental and safety standards:

• • Approved containers, designed for infectious and hazardous waste, ensuring their correct handling.
  • Specialised transport, with vehicles adapted and certified for the safe transfer of waste.
  • Responsible treatment, prioritising recovery and minimising environmental impact.
  • Total traceability, guaranteeing transparency at each stage of the process.

 

Management and treatment of confidential material and secure destruction of medical documents

 

A crucial aspect of healthcare waste management is the correct disposal of confidential documents. In the case of the EMS, a large amount of confidential paperwork is collected, such as medical reports and patient records.

These documents must be treated with the highest level of security to protect the privacy of patients and comply with data protection regulations.

That is why the destruction of these materials is carried out through a process that guarantees their complete elimination and prevents unauthorized access to the information.

 

Expired Medication Waste Management

In the healthcare sector, expired medicines waste must be managed in accordance with current regulations. In addition, it is important to raise awareness among employees about the importance of correct separation and handling of this waste to avoid environmental and health risks.

The management of expired medicines is also a key aspect of the services that TMA will perform for the EMS.

This includes the classification of expired or unused medicines and their storage in specific containers for safe disposal or recycling.

Expired medicines are classified as hazardous waste and must be treated in specialised facilities. The correct handling of this waste prevents toxic chemicals from reaching the environment or causing damage to public health.

In our medicine stabilisation and inertisation plants, we treat medicines until they are no longer hazardous, using specific treatments depending on the nature of the medicines and their composition.

Following our Zero Waste philosophy, and thanks to advanced sorting and classification technologies, we maximise recycling. We separate and recover valuable materials such as leaflets, cardboard boxes and plastic containers, reintroducing them to the market after their recovery process.

 

KEY STAGES OF HEALTHCARE WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE SEM (MEDICAL EMERGENCY SYSTEM)

 

TMA carries out the comprehensive management of health waste in the SEM, which covers everything from the installation of containers to the disposal or recycling of waste, ensuring efficient and responsible handling.

These are the key stages of health waste management that TMA will carry out for the SEM:

Installation and maintenance of approved containers

• • Suitable containers are provided for each type of waste, ensuring its correct segregation from the source.
  • Maintenance and cleaning of the containers is carried out, as well as the supply of bags for their proper disposal.

 

Waste classification and separation

• • Waste is identified according to its level of danger and specific treatments are assigned when necessary.

 

Periodic waste collection

• • Collection is carried out regularly to avoid overflowing of containers and prevent risks of contamination.
  • Our operators are trained to handle waste safely and efficiently.

 

Specialized and safe waste transport

• • Waste is transported in approved, authorized and equipped vehicles to ensure safe transport to treatment plants.
  • Waste is transported under strict safety and traceability protocols, with real-time monitoring.

 

Waste treatment with innovative technologies

• • Waste is processed in certified facilities, using specialized technologies such as autoclave treatment.
  • Best environmental practices are applied to minimize ecological impact and promote the recovery of reusable materials.

 

Document management and regulatory compliance

• • Waste traceability is guaranteed at all stages of the process.
  • Current regulations are strictly complied with.
  • Transparency and control are ensured throughout the process.

 

Thanks to our experience and specialization, at TMA we provide a service adapted to the needs of the SEM and other health organizations, guaranteeing safe, efficient and sustainable management of health waste.

 

Approved containers for efficient and safe management

We provide the necessary containers, adapted to each type of waste:

• • Delivery and installation of approved containers for Group I sanitary waste, 1100 litres.
    • Delivery and installation of plastic containers, 1100 litres.
    • Delivery and installation of cardboard containers, 1100 litres.
    • Delivery and installation of banal containers, 1100 litres.
  • Delivery and installation of approved containers for Group II sanitary waste, 1100 litres.
  • Delivery and installation of containers for Group III sanitary waste, 60 litres.
  • Delivery and installation of containers for Group IV sanitary waste (exclusively expired medication), 30 litres.
  • Delivery and installation of containers for batteries, 30 litres.
  • Delivery and installation of containers for confidential paper and medical reports in 120 litre containers and 40mm shredding enclosures.

 

Specialized healthcare waste collection services

The collection process is efficient, designed to ensure that containers are emptied in a timely manner once they are full, avoiding any health risks.

The regular planning and flexibility of our services ensure that SEM can focus on its mission of providing healthcare without worrying about the waste generated.

All our procedures comply with the strictest health and environmental safety regulations, to ensure that waste is handled appropriately from its source.

 

Waste transport: safety and regulatory compliance

The transport of healthcare waste is a key part of waste management, as it ensures that these materials are safely transported from collection points to our treatment plants.

At TMA, we have specialized and certified vehicles for the transport of hazardous waste and healthcare waste. These vehicles are equipped with safety systems to prevent any leakage or contamination during the journey.

Our commitment to safety and the environment extends throughout the entire process, ensuring that SEM waste transport complies with regulations and also minimises health and environmental risks.

 

Treatment of health waste

Once the waste arrives at our facilities, TMA subjects it to specialised treatment.

We have treatment plants that comply with all environmental and health regulations.

Health waste from Groups I, II and III is treated under strict protocols to eliminate any biological risk.

Group IV healthcare waste, such as expired medicines, is managed through specific processes to avoid any negative impact on public health or the environment.

The destruction of confidential materials, such as medical reports, is also carried out in a certified manner, ensuring that patient privacy is fully respected.

Our comprehensive waste management philosophy focuses on maximising the recovery of materials when possible and, when not possible, on disposing of waste in a safe and sustainable manner.

In addition, our plants are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that minimise environmental impact.

Our commitment is to ensure efficient operations that minimise health and environmental risks, contributing to the sustainability of the Medical Emergency System and complying with current regulations.

 

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND CERTIFICATIONS IN HEALTH WASTE MANAGEMENT

 

Current regulations and legal requirements

We strictly comply with current legislation on health and general waste management:

• • Decree 27/1999, on health waste management in Catalonia.
  • Decree 93/1999, which regulates waste management procedures.
  • Decree 152/2017, on waste classification and coding.

 

Quality and Environmental Certifications in waste management

In order to carry out this tender, TMA has a series of certifications that endorse our capacity and commitment to excellence in waste management:

• • ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System): Guarantees that our operations are carried out under a framework that promotes sustainability and minimizes environmental impact.
  • ISO 9001 (Quality Management System): Ensures that our operational processes meet the highest quality standards, guaranteeing efficiency and continuous improvement.
  • ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management): Demonstrates our commitment to the occupational safety of our employees and collaborators, especially in processes that involve the handling of hazardous waste.
  • Certification in Hazardous Waste Management.

 

These certifications position us as a reliable and capable company to carry out this project effectively, complying with all the legal and regulatory requirements that the tender demands.

 

EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTHCARE WASTE

 

Efficiency, safety and sustainability in the management of health waste at the SEM

At TMA, we are constantly evolving, implementing innovative solutions to optimize waste management. We believe in the importance of minimizing the environmental impact of waste through innovative processes and advanced technologies that guarantee its correct management.

Health waste management is an essential part of our commitment to public health and environmental protection.

The award of the SEM healthcare waste management contract reinforces our mission and motivates us to continue innovating to offer even more efficient and sustainable solutions.

This project reaffirms our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in waste management, ensuring that the SEM can operate efficiently and responsibly with the environment.

Through our experience, certifications and commitment to sustainability, TMA stands out as a strategic partner in the management of healthcare and general waste, ensuring that each step of the process, from collection to final disposal, is carried out safely, efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner.

This tender reinforces our position as a benchmark in waste management in the healthcare sector and reaffirms our commitment to public health and sustainability.

 

Zero Waste Philosophy and Circular Economy in Waste Management

One of the fundamental pillars of TMA is the Zero Waste philosophy. Our goal is to minimize the generation of waste and maximize its use through recycling and reuse processes.

We are committed to the Circular Economy, transforming waste into resources and promoting sustainable practices in all the sectors we work with.

In this sense, we apply measures that encourage the reduction of waste from its origin and in all our processes. 

In addition, we constantly work on the innovation of our processes to optimize the recovery of healthcare waste, reducing its ecological footprint.

This project reinforces our experience in the sector and allows us to continue applying innovative solutions in the Circular Economy applied to the healthcare field.

 

Environmental impact and benefits of efficient waste management

Efficient management of healthcare and general waste provides key benefits:

• • Reduction of the ecological footprint through correct waste segregation and treatment.
  • Promotion of recycling and the Circular Economy, taking advantage of reusable materials.
  • Guarantee of safety and health for SEM healthcare and administrative staff.

 

Thanks to optimized operations, we contribute to a more sustainable environment and to the preservation of the environment.

 

Innovation and excellence in the comprehensive management of healthcare waste

TMA assumes responsibility for the provision of the SEM healthcare waste collection, transport and treatment service.

We are committed to offering a high-quality service, guaranteeing regulatory compliance, safety and environmental sustainability.

With this award, we reaffirm our commitment to responsible waste management and to the continuous improvement of processes in the healthcare sector.

TMA is distinguished by its commitment to sustainability. In addition to ensuring regulatory compliance, we work to minimize the environmental impact of our operations through technological innovation.

We implement efficient solutions that reduce the carbon footprint, maximize the reuse of resources and promote environmentally responsible practices.

In terms of innovation, TMA invests in research and development of new technologies for waste treatment. This allows us to be at the forefront of waste management, providing more effective solutions with less impact on health and the environment.

The management of healthcare waste is an unquestionable responsibility for the protection of public health and the environment.

In the field of emergency healthcare provided by the SEM, the proper management of healthcare waste takes on crucial importance.

At TMA, with our extensive experience and commitment to quality and sustainability, with a specialized team, certified processes and an innovative approach, we guarantee the correct execution of waste management services and compliance with all applicable regulations.

 

We take care of our clients and we take care of the environment.
We are much more than comprehensive waste management.

Do you need efficient waste management or more information about the services we offer at TMA? Write to us at comercial@tma.es and we will be happy to provide you with a personalized proposal, fully adapted to your needs.

 

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