title: Environmental requirements related to patient care and the team working to ensure compliance.
abstract: Healthcare providers are often surprised that regulations promulgated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) apply to patient care settings. Many find it strange that processes meant to heal have the potential to harm human health and the environment, and are, therefore, regulated by federal and state environmental agencies. The importance of compliance is emphasized by the fact that both the EPA and individual state agencies have the authority to impose civil and criminal penalties if they discover violations. The Joint Commission considers compliance important enough to include it as an element of performance in the Environment of Care standard.
authors: US Army Public Health Command Region-West, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
authors: Diane
authors: D
authors: Roberts
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006077:Government Agencies; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000145:classification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008889:Military Personnel; D010348:Patient Care Team; D013219:State Government; D014481:United States; D059030:United States Department of Defense / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014484:United States Environmental Protection Agency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
chemical_list: D006256:Hazardous Waste; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal