Assessment of bio medical waste management practices of staff nurses according to newer guidelines in a teaching hospital of rural Vadodara, Gujarat

Abstract

Background: The healthcare services while providing curative, promotive or preventive services inevitably produce waste which may be hazardous to health of patients and hospital staff as well as to the environment. The bio medical waste (management and handling) rules were recently updated by Government of India notification 2016. The present study was carried out to observe and assess the BMW management Practices among staff nurses in a teaching hospital of Vadodara district.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out to assess BMW management practices in the hospital using BMW Checklist. Observation was the predominant method for data collection.Results: Segregation of BMW at the site of generation was found in 72.73%. Sharp and non-sharp infectious waste was correctly segregated in 72.73% and 100% of areas respectively. Bio medical Waste was found covered in bins, but overfilled in 81.82%. In 6 out of 11, BMW was kept beyond 48 hours. IV set, bottles, syringes, latex gloves, catheters etc. were cut by scissors before disinfection in 45.45%. Staff nurses were using gloves while handling syringe and needles in 10 out of 11 places.Conclusions: Staff nurses were knowledgeable about segregation of BMW, but storage and pretreatment of BMW before its final disposal needs to be improved. An orientation programme about newer guidelines may improve the current practice.