CAP TODAY Pathology/Laboratory Medicine/Laboratory Management
March 31, 2020—Northwell Health, in New York, is minimizing the risk of spreading COVID-19 by adopting Technopath Clinical Diagnostics’ on-site medical waste treatment technology for COVID-19–infected medical waste.
The Envetec 200 system simultaneously shreds and disinfects infectious medical waste using a patented destruction and disinfection process that kills the SARS-CoV-2 virus along with all bacteria, spores, and other pathogens that pose a danger to human health. The system shreds biohazardous medical waste, while exposing it to a safe disinfectant solution that neutralizes the waste, and converts it to domestic-grade waste that can then be recycled or used as waste-to-energy material. Treatment cycles are 20 minutes, and the original volume of waste inserted into the unit is reduced by up to 80 percent. The Envetec 200 is nonthermal, runs at ambient temperature, and produces no odors or fumes.
“This new technology allows us to remove the unknown risk exposure when disposing of medical waste while avoiding the need for the costly and carbon-inefficient transportation and disposal by third-party handlers,” Michael Dowling, Northwell president and CEO, said in a joint press release. “It’s a positive light during a unique time.”