Kari our specimen containers (even empty ones) are put in red bag trash.
The empty containers are autoclaved and "ground up" by the disposal company.
The ones with specimens are of course incinerated.    We are not allowed to
put anything in the trash with the patients name, not even an unused label.
Hazel

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Kari Bradshaw [SMTP:kbradshaw@lcpath.com]
> Sent:	Thursday, November 21, 2002 2:59 PM
> To:	histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject:	specimen containers and HIPPA
> 
> Fellow Histonetters,
> I would like to know how people are disposing of their specimen
> containers.
> Our retained tissue is eventually sent for incineration. However, the
> specimen containers with the patients' names and other information are
> rinsed and thrown away in the trash.  During the grossing of small
> specimens
> that submitted in full, the containers are also tossed.  Trying to remove
> the labels is nearly impossible and time prohibitive. What is the correct
> approach under the HIPPA Privacy Rule? Would it be sufficient to send the
> labeled container to the incinerator also?  I have a very thick,
> comprehensive book on the implementation of HIPPA, but it's not of much
> use
> in regard to specimen containers and labels that contain patient
> information. Thanks in advance.
> Kari Bradshaw
>