 ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ©2010 MCM Environmental Technologies, Inc. info@mcmetech.com |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the SteriMed?
 |
Physical Dimensions
- Height - 50" (127cm)
- Width - 48" (122cm)
- Depth - 27" (70 cm)
Separator
- Height - 60" (151cm)
- Width - 24" (62cm)
- Depth - 50" (126cm)
Weight
- SteriMed® - 1,444 lb. (650kg)
- Separator - 265 lb. (120kg)
The SteriMed is an innovative technology for the on-site treatment of regulated medical waste.
The SteriMed is an environmentally friendly system that can process up to 18.5 gal. (70 liters) of conventional medical waste, including syringes, needles, blades, dialysis filters, bandages, plastic tubing, and even glass - in a 15 minute processing cycle.
The SteriMed is CE approved by the European Community, as well as by regulatory agencies of most States in the US. In addition, Ster-Cid®, the chemical solution used in the SteriMed, has been registered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency under FIFRA, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act.
2. How does it treat regulated medical waste?
The SteriMed simultaneously shreds, grinds, mixes and treats the waste in Ster-Cid® solution. After treatment, the material may be discarded as conventional solid waste in accordance with appropriate regulatory requirements.
3. How does it operate?
The SteriMed is safe and easy to operate, involving ½ day of training. Once the start button is activated, approximately 9 gal (35 liters) of water and 175 ml of Ster-Cid® are automatically released into the treatment chamber.The shredding, grinding and mixing of the waste is then initiated to expose all surfaces of the medical waste to the chemical solution during the 15 min. processing cycle. At the end of each cycle (approx. 15 minutes), a valve in the treatment chamber automatically opens, allowing the entire contents to be released into the Separator, which separates the solid from the liquid components. Once the processed waste is transferred to the Separator additional red bag waste can be loaded and new cycle begun. Three to three and a half cycles per hour can be processed operating at maximum efficiency.
4. Site preparation requirements?
Installation of a SteriMed system requires approximately 90 sq. ft. of floor space, a source of tap water ¾", pressure of 2.5 - 5.5 bar (38 PSI), water min. PH 7 to 8.5, a 3-phase electrical outlet (3ph, 60Hz, 460/230V, 20amp or 3ph, 50Hz, 400V, 16 amp) and a 4 inch outflow to the sewerage line.
5. How are the functions of the system monitored?
The SteriMed is equipped with an integrated monitoring system, including a PLC display, which indicates each of the system's functions to guide the operator through its operations. Access to the PLC program is secured, accessible by only MCM's technicians to prevent operators from overriding the treatment process.Relevant information concerning treatment parameters may be electronically forwarded, at the end of each treatment cycle, to a designated printer at any location within the facility. In addition, the system is capable, at the option of the facility, to have the treatment parameters for all cycles in day forwarded to MCM's maintenance center. In this way, MCM would monitor volume of medical waste treated, the consumption of Ster-Cid® and filter sacks and other relevant data for the facility.
6. What is involved in its preventative maintenance?
Preventive maintenance, both daily and weekly, is easy to perform and requires approximately 5-10 minutes. MCM personnel will train the facility's staff to perform these functions. MCM personnel are available to perform additional maintenance or repairs.
7. What warranty protection is provided by MCM?
The SteriMed system is placed with a 12-month warranty according to MCM's policy.
Extended Warranty Plans are available for an additional charge.
8. What is Ster-Cid®?
Ster-Cid® is MCM's proprietary chemical treatment used in the SteriMed system. Ster-Cid® is greater than 90% biodegradable and is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and FIFRA, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act.
The final concentration of Ster-Cid® during the processing cycle is less than 0.09% of the total volume of liquids.
9. Who has approved the SteriMed?
The Ster-Cid® is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as mandated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act. The MCM staff is always ready to assist customers with any regulatory issues if so required.
10. What are the comparative costs of the system?
Optimal utilization of SteriMed results in very competitive costs per pound for treated medical waste.
 |
11. What is the SteriMed-Junior®?
The SteriMed-Junior, similar in its basic capabilities to the larger SteriMed. It is a cost-effective medical waste treatment system available for smaller medical facilities. The SteriMed-Junior can process a large variety of medical waste; chemically treating up to 4 gal. (15 liters) of red bag waste, or 3-6 dialysis kits, or 1 sharps container (up to 2 gallons).
12. Where can it be used?
The SteriMed-Junior is well suited for the smaller generator of regulated medical waste:
- Dialysis Clinics
- Blood Banks
- Independent Clinical Laboratories
- Small Hospitals
- Outpatient Surgical Centers
- Large Medical Practices
- Nursing Homes
- Correction Facilities
- Veterinary Practices
- College and University Infirmaries
- Biotechnology Companies
13. How does it work?
The SteriMed simultaneously shreds, grinds, mixes and treats the waste in the Ster-Cid® solution. After treatment, the material may be discarded as conventional solid waste in accordance with appropriate regulatory requirements.
14. What is involved in its operation?
The operation of the SteriMed-Junior is relatively simple and can be easily managed by the current on-site services staff. To use the system you only have to: Open the lid. Place bagged waste. Close the lid; and Press the start button.
15. How does it treat medical waste?
Once engaged, the treatment chamber and discharge hopper are locked to prevent operator errors.One point eight gallons (7 liters) of water and 35 ml of Ster-Cid® enter the chamber prior to the operation of the shredder. The waste is simultaneously shredded and fully exposed to the disinfecting solution.At the end of the cycle, the treated waste is discharged into a filter sack in the discharge hopper, with liquids discharged into the sewer system and the unrecognizable solids retained in the filter sack. The latter need not be changed for upwards of 3 treatment cycles. A flashing light on the enunciator panel indicates the need to dispose of the filter sack and to replace it with a new sack in the discharge hopper.An on-board controller automatically regulates the entire cycle. In addition, the SteriMed-Junior is equipped with an enunciator panel which indicates the start and conclusion of treatment cycles, status of filter sacks, Ster-Cid® level, duration of treatment cycle and error messages.
16. What is needed for site preparation and installation?
The SteriMed Junior is equipped with wheels and can be easily rolled into position.
- A three phase 60 Hz, 208V, GFCI 20amp or three phase, 50Hz, 400V, GFCI 16amp.
- A standard 115V outlet for the printer should also be installed for the SteriMed-Junior.
- A one-half inch pipe and ball valve is required to connect the SteriMed-Junior to a source of water.
- A 2-inch (50 mm) pipe needs to be installed at floor level or up to 20 inches (50 cm) above floor level for the discharge of liquid waste into the sanitary sewerage system.
17. Periodic quality control testing?
Customers should consult their local, county or state regulators regarding the requirements for their periodic quality control testing of the SteriMed-Junior. MCM can provide customers with the following support:
- Quality control protocols.
- In addition, MCM has made arrangements with several environmental microbiological laboratories for MCM customers allowing them to forward, by overnight delivery the biological indicators used in the quality control tests and to have the results returned by e-mail or fax.