Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a significant surge in medical waste prompting numerous healthcare practices to reassess and reconsider their existing associations with medical waste haulers. One such healthcare provider facing these challenges was Kissito Health, a distinguished Skilled Nursing and Specialty Care Clinic that operates across seven locations throughout the state of Virginia.

Under normal circumstances, medical practices often find themselves trapped in unfavorable agreements characterized by deceitful contracts, which frequently incorporate concealed charges, yearly increases, and a complete lack of authority over their own pickup schedule. These contracts not only create financial burdens but also limit the flexibility and autonomy that healthcare providers require to efficiently manage their practice.

Medical practices often find themselves trapped in unfavorable agreements characterized by deceitful contracts, which frequently incorporate concealed charges, yearly increases, and a complete lack of authority over their own pickup schedule.

Kissito Health, a leader in providing quality care to its patients, recognized the need to forge a more transparent medical waste service provider. They aimed to secure a reliable service that not only adhered to strict regulatory standards but also offered greater control over scheduling pickups, all while eliminating the burden of hidden fees and annual cost escalations.

The Challenge

Kissito Health’s medical waste management was handled at the local level, with each of their seven locations having individual hauling contracts. As the COVID-19 pandemic surged, the volume of medical waste increased exponentially, leaving them with little control over pickups and expenditure. This decentralized approach not only hindered their ability to effectively manage waste but also prevented corporate operators from gaining visibility into each location’s specific needs and overall spending. The only noticeable impact for management was the drastic rise in costs, while opportunities to lower expenses or enhance workflows remained unidentified.

OnSite performed a comprehensive analysis to identify strategies to enhance compliance, minimize waste hauling, and achieve cost reductions. All seven Kissito facilities provided the documentation, including compliance records, hauling contracts, waste manifests, and invoices. Utilizing WasteTech IQ, OnSite conducted a tailored review for Kissito. Here are the key findings from our analysis:

New Technology With an Immediate Impact

Following a thorough review, OnSite took proactive measures to optimize waste management practices across all seven Kissito locations. One significant implementation was the adoption of the TE-5000 technology, a cutting-edge solution designed to treat medical waste on-site. Comprehensive training on waste segregation was also provided to staff members at each location. This approach led to remarkable outcomes as Kissito facilities were able to significantly reduce their waste generation by efficiently utilizing the TE-5000 system and adhering to the newly implemented waste segregation standards. Within a span of just 90 days, there was a notable 45% reduction in both the frequency of pickups and the overall volume of waste produced.

Within a span of just 90 days, there was a notable 45% reduction in both the frequency of pickups and the overall volume of waste produced.

As a result of this transformation, Kissito’s management gained valuable insights into waste usage at each site. Armed with this site-specific data, they are now equipped to make informed, data-driven decisions to further optimize waste management practices and identify additional opportunities for improvement and cost savings. The implementation of weekly volume tracking allowed management to closely monitor waste output trends, facilitating the identification of patterns and areas where further enhancements could be made. With this newfound visibility into waste management metrics, Kissito’s management was empowered to proactively implement targeted strategies and initiatives to minimize waste generation, reduce costs, and drive operational efficiency.

Sustainable Results

Now, after a year, Kissito Health continues to experience success in their communities through the utilization of the TE-5000 system. By closely monitoring volume trends, Kissito has identified opportunities for further program optimization, resulting in remarkable achievements.

At the beginning of the program, Kissito dealt with an average of 981 boxes of medical waste monthly. However, through their dedicated efforts and the implementation of the TE-5000 system, they ended the year with a significantly reduced average of 223 boxes per month, marking an outstanding volume reduction of 77.5%. Alongside this impressive waste reduction, Kissito achieved substantial cost savings of 72.9%, underscoring their commitment to responsible waste management and resource optimization.