Our Biocontainment Care Unit is equipped with cutting-edge technology and specialized facilities to safely manage and treat patients with high-consequence pathogens. From patient rooms designed for maximum containment to dedicated laboratory spaces and waste management systems, our facilities are built to ensure both patient care and healthcare worker safety.
Waste Processing Services
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston provides medical waste processing services for the Galveston, League City, Clear Lake, and Angleton Danbury campuses, as well as off-site ambulatory clinics owned and operated by UTMB. UTMB is the owner of a Type V Medical Waste Incinerator and Autoclave Facility and employs contract municipal solid waste operators. All hospital, medical, and infectious (HMI) waste generated at UTMB is processed on-site.
UTMB is authorized by Municipal Solid Waste Permit No. 2232A from the State of Texas. Permitted medical waste processing includes the use of an incinerator and an autoclave with shredder to render waste non-infectious prior to final disposal at an approved municipal solid waste landfill. The incinerator system provided for this facility is designed to process mixed medical waste at a rate of 525 lb/hr. The autoclave used for sterilization of red bag waste can process at a rate of 1,200 lb/hr.
Medical waste facility totals from April 2021 to April 2022 for incinerated and autoclaved waste was 299,621 pounds and 397,380 pounds, respectively.
Join the Biocontainment Care Unit Team!
Are you a UTMB staff member with a passion for special pathogens and working in high-stakes environments? Join our elite Biocontainment Care Unit (BCU) team and help provide exceptional care for patients with high-consequence pathogens. Fill out the form below to explore opportunities within our unit and advance your career with the BCU.