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Click here for frequently asked questions about
your x ray films recycling process.
The Privacy Rule is a section of this law
designed to protect the privacy of certain health information. This
information (X-Ray & MRI films) is known as Protected Health Information (“PHI”):
information that relates to the health of an individual and identifies
the individual.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191 (HIPAA) was signed into law in August of
1996. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services and enforced by the U.S. Office of Civil Rights.
**X-RAYS & MRI FILMS
ARE CONSIDERED PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION** and must be
destroyed.
(HIPAA)
Who is affected?
HIPAA requires all health plans, HMO’s Medicare(
and Medicaid ), and health care providers –“Covered Entities”—to comply
with the rules and regulations.
SMALL COVERED ENTITIES examples are: Doctors,
Dentists, Chiropractors, Urgent Care Centers for example. Under HIPAA a
“Covered Entity”, a facility or health care provider must abide by and
protect patient “PHI”—Protected Health Information HIPAA also extends
certain responsibilities for maintaining the privacy and security of
What you need to know about disposing x
ray and MRI films:
X-Ray and MRI films that are maintained by
physicians are part of the patient’s records insuring quality health
care. Failure to keep written records could subject the physician to
penalties ranging from a mere reprimand to a combination of a two-year
suspension, followed by probation and a $5,000 fine. Section
456.057(14), Florida Statues.
Under the Statute of Limitations, a claim of
malpractice may be brought against a physician up to seven years after
“the date the incident giving rise to the incident occurred”. Section
95.11(4)(b), Florida Statutes. For this reason…
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PHYSICIANS RETAIN MEDICAL
RECORDS FOR AT LEAST SEVEN (7) YEARS. (Florida Medical Association)
DESTRUCTION OF OUTDATED X-Ray FILMS
Disposal of films must be done in a way that
preserves the confidentiality of the information. This can be
accomplished by proper recycling and destruction by
BW RECYCLING, INC. an international corporation
with over 30 years experience in metals recycling. Serving the medical
community directly without outsourcing.
A
“Certificate of
Destruction” is issued to confirm proper destruction of
protected health information has occurred. The certificate of
destruction provides the business entity (physician, lab, etc.)
documentation which is used for tax purposes.
The process of recycling outdated X-Ray films is a
process that is beneficial to the health care Provider and the
environment.
BW RECYCLING, INC. abides by the strict EPA
guidelines for X-Ray destruction and disposal.
We buy X-Ray and MRI films
for recycling purposes.
X-Ray films contain a hazardous material that is
toxic to the environment and human health if not disposed of
properly. Recycling X-Rays is a cost-effective and efficient
alternative.
X-Ray films are processed in a refinery to extract
silver.
The silver can be reused for things such as silver solder, jewelry, the
silver plating of utensils, electrical components and film remanufacturing.
Interesting
facts:
*Approximately one-fifth of the silver used each year worldwide ends up
in X-Ray films.
X-Ray recycling
for silver
The demand for
silver is
rising. Alaska continued as the country’s leading silver-producing. Silver refiners estimate a total output of 3,000 tons from domestic and
foreign ores and concentrates, and from OLD AND NEW SCRAP.
In 2007, approximately 1,600 tons of silver was
recovered from old and new scrap including X-ray films recycling.
WE PICK UP AND RECYCLE OUTDATED
X-RAY FILMS
* For your security B.W. Recycling abides by regulations set by HIPAA
and the EPA. All X-Ray films are considered confidential and are
handled, destroyed and recycled. We also buy outdated MRI films.
Electronic recycling -
Recycling links
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