Assessment of waste management status in educational hospitals affiliated with Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

AbstractLack of proper hospital waste management creates favorable conditions for the growth of dangerous microorganisms that are directly and indirectly threatening to the environment and to public health. This study was conducted to investigate the waste management status of educational hospitals affiliated with Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. This research was done using a descriptive‐analytical method by visiting the hospitals (A, B, C, D, E, and F) and filling out a standardized waste management checklist and recording the data using SPSS software. The results showed that there were significant differences among the scores of the hospitals’ waste management practices (p‐value = .013). According to the results, in terms of waste management process, hospital B is at the most desirable level, the situation at hospital C is the least favorable of the six hospitals, and the other four hospitals require corrective actions to improve their current status. Furthermore, based on the results, there was a significant difference between hospital F's score and those of the other hospitals (p‐value = .002–.047). Overall corrective actions for improving waste management within the studied hospitals can be applied by formulating and implementing rules and standards, planning regular training for personnel, designating staff to carry out environmental health procedures, and developing the hospitals’ infection control committees or Health, Safety, and Environment departments.