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Santa Clara County DA accuses hospitals of illegally dumping medical waste (CBS San Francisco)
The Santa Clara District Attorney's Office on Thursday filed a civil enforcement action case against three county-run hospitals for improperly disposing hazardous medical waste including bodily fluids and drugs. In a press conference announcing the litigation, District Attorney Jeff Rosen said medical dumping violates state law.
"The county must stop illegally dumping hazardous waste and untreated medical waste. The county must stop illegally dumping dangerous drugs," Rosen said. "The county must stop illegally dumping human blood and human flesh." The hospitals are accused of mixing medical waste -- including human tissue and blood -- and narcotics like fentanyl with regular garbage. State law requires hospitals to incinerate or sterilize contaminated trash at high temperatures.
Authorities also said confidential patient information was included in the improperly disposed of materials.
The DA's office partnered with the Department of Toxic Substance Control to uncover three different locations where the materials were improperly dumped. The facilities are Valley Medical Center and O'Connor Medical Center in San Jose and St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy.
"The county must stop illegally dumping hazardous waste and untreated medical waste. The county must stop illegally dumping dangerous drugs," Rosen said. "The county must stop illegally dumping human blood and human flesh." The hospitals are accused of mixing medical waste -- including human tissue and blood -- and narcotics like fentanyl with regular garbage. State law requires hospitals to incinerate or sterilize contaminated trash at high temperatures.
Authorities also said confidential patient information was included in the improperly disposed of materials.
The DA's office partnered with the Department of Toxic Substance Control to uncover three different locations where the materials were improperly dumped. The facilities are Valley Medical Center and O'Connor Medical Center in San Jose and St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy.
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/public-safety-and-emergencies/health-and-safety-alerts/santa-clara-county-da-accuses-hospitals-of-illegally-dumping-medical-waste/ar-AA1vpZgM
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Personal note: I never was treated or stayed in any of the hospitals, but my parents and grandparents were in O'Connor. (Additionally, it's a Catholic hospital.) This story shocked the hell out of me when I saw it earlier this week. Apologies for posting it so late.
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