Rota clinic warned for improper waste disposal at dump

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has warned the Rota Health Center for improperly dumping its biohazard waste at the open dump on the island, according to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. board.
CHCC board vice chair Pete Dela Cruz, who is the Rota representative on the board, said this improper disposal of the clinic’s garbage has been going on for quite some time now.

“For a long period of time, the RHC has been disposing of these items at the public dump and when EPA found out, they were advised to stop this practice immediately as it is an environmental concern as well as hazardous should someone step on it. It could also lead to an expensive lawsuit for the corporation,” Dela Cruz said.

He said the clinic has been advising the corporation of the need to repair or replace its autoclave so it could properly dispose of syringes and other sharp implements but this has not been acted upon to date.

An autoclave is a device used to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high-pressure saturated steam.

At last week’s board meeting, interim CEO Esther Muña reported that the improper waste disposal at RHC was raised to the management’s attention the week before March 12. Muña said the corporation’s infection control unit has been directed to work with RHC to address this concern. In the meantime, all biohazard waste at RHC are being temporarily stored until a solution is identified.

Dela Cruz emphasized yesterday the need to take immediate corrective measures to ensure that RHC is equipped to properly dispose of its waste.

“Currently, RHC is storing syringes/sharp blades needing proper disposal at a secure place and it is piling,” he said, describing the problem as a serious matter that past and current managements have failed to act on.

“I understand that CHCC is taking this situation as urgent and that the RFP is now being processed for immediate purchase [of an autoclave],” said Dela Cruz.

X-ray machine

Dela Cruz also disclosed the “dilapidated” condition of the center’s x-ray machine.

He said that “I have been barking on this issue” since he began serving on the board, to no avail.

Muña assured Dela Cruz, however, that RHC’s need for an x-ray machine will be prioritized with the expected arrival of hospital equipment from the Guam Naval Hospital.

Muña even promised that if in case an x-ray machine is not among the equipment the military hospital will bring in, this will be included on the priority listing of equipment to be procured under the $1.7 million funds secured from CIP monies.