Dive summary:
- A random inspection found three hospitals sending infectious waste, anything that may contain blood or other fluids which can spread disease, to an Albuquerque landfill.
- The inspector found gauze, latex gloves and medical tubing, all of which need to be taken to a facility that specializes in medical waste.
- Two of the hospitals paid fines this year for previous violations, Presbyterian Hospital paid a $20,000 fine in July and UNMH paid $17,000 in August.
From the article:
A random inspection by state officials in August found that three Albuquerque hospitals had improperly sent infectious waste to a landfill, a state Environment Department official said Tuesday.
Inspectors found infectious waste from the University of New Mexico Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital and the Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center in trucks transported to Albuquerque’s Cerro Colorado landfill, said Jim Winchester, a spokesman for the state Environment Department. ...
