Assessment of hospital waste management in Tanta University

Abstract

Background Healthcare waste represents one of the most important environmental problems in the world because of the potential environmental hazards and public health risks, and its management is an integral part of infection control programs. Aim The aim of this study was to assess hospital waste management in Tanta University, Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. Study design This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Patients and methods This study was carried out in Tanta University Hospitals. Its target included eight hospitals and 14 outpatient clinics affiliated to Tanta University with a healthcare waste management team in them. Observational checklist was the tool used and was filled by the researcher. Results The study revealed that the application of administrative aspects was insufficient in 16.4% of departments. Concerning minimization and transport of waste, 96.7% of departments had insufficient level. Sufficient level was found among only 18 and 13.1% as regards sorting and collection of waste, respectively. Treatment and final disposal of waste was insufficient in 91.8% of departments. In all departments, personal protective equipment (PPEs) were insufficient while training was sufficient in more than one-fourth of the departments (26.2%). Conclusion The departments did not perform the sufficient level of health care waste management (HCWM), except in sorting and collection of waste (18 and 13.1% of the departments, respectively).