PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA—Appropriately managing pharmaceutical waste, including properly disposing of unused drugs, is necessary for protecting healthcare workers and our fragile environment. Helping healthcare facilities address these issues, ECRI Institute and the International Association for Healthcare Safety and Security (IAHSS) present “Managing Pharmaceutical Waste in Your Hospital,” a live, interactive Web conference on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. EDT.  

This Web conference features expert environmental health and safety experts who will provide insight on how to:

• Explain the difference between an OSHA hazardous material and an EPA hazardous waste.
• List the six definitions of hazardous waste that apply to waste pharmaceuticals.
• Determine the pitfalls, potential liability, costs, and benefits of using reverse distributors as a waste management service.
• Describe the management process developed at several Veterans Affairs hospitals to segregate and manage hazardous waste pharmaceuticals.
• Implement one of the five management models for pharmaceutical waste management systems. 

Expert speakers for this event include:

• Luke A. Petosa, M.Sc., HEM, HEM-CC, Program Moderator, Director, Center for Education and Training and Center for Healthcare Environmental Management, ECRI Institute
• Charlotte A. Smith, R. Ph., M.S., HEM, President, PharmEcology Associates, LLC
• Tanya Maurice, JD, CHMM, Pollution Control Specialist Senior, Hazardous Waste Compliance & Enforcement, Minnesota Pollution Control Authority
• William Kulas, B.S., M.B.A., Environmental Protection Program Manager, Veterans Integrated Service Network, Department of Veterans Affairs 

To learn more or to register for this Web conference, visit www.ecri.org/webconference, or contact ECRI Institute by telephone at (610) 825-6000, ext. 5889; by E-mail at circulation2@ecri.org; by fax at (610) 834-0240; or by mail at 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462-1298, USA. 

ECRI Institute (formerly ECRI), a nonprofit organization, dedicates itself to bringing the discipline of applied scientific research to healthcare to uncover the best approaches to improving patient care. As pioneers in this science for 40 years, ECRI Institute marries experience and independence with the objectivity of evidence-based research. ECRI Institute is designated a Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization and an Evidence-based Practice Center by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. For more information, please visit www.ecri.org. 

IAHSS is the only organization solely dedicated to professionals involved in managing and directing security and safety programs in healthcare institutions. Its 1,600 members have joined together to develop educational and credentialing programs and create a body of knowledge that meets the needs of today‘s fast paced and ever-changing environment. For more information, please visit www.iahss.org. 

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For more information, contact:
Barbara D. Scheffler
+1 (610) 825-6000, ext. 5548
bscheffler@ecri.org