Home medical care waste collection by caregivers in Turkey

Abstract

Domestic medical waste is a constant concern and growing problem in home medical care. This study was carried out to determine the applications for collection of medical wastes that result from the home medical care performed by the caregivers/patients. This study was descriptive type. There were 3301 registered patients in home care services. A minimum sample size of 345 patients was reached by systematic sampling within homecare patient registration forms. The data were given as frequency distribution and averages. The person who provides care for 89.3% of the patients was the relative of the family. Although 31% caregivers have trained on home medical care waste collection, only 22.3% of caregivers collected and separated home medical care wastes. Totally 84.1% of the caregivers did not collect the home medical care wastes and threw into the domestic waste bin. The home medical care wastes thrown into the domestic waste have a great danger not only for caregivers but also for domestic waste collectors, the environment and even street animals. The home medical care waste should be collected by municipalities and health care institutions are responsible for collection all home medical care waste and they should be controlled.