Abstract
Safe biomedical waste management (BMWM) at RNTCP centres is critical for worker and patient safety. Though there are guidelines, wide gap between precept and practice of BMWM exists. Hence this cross sectional study was undertaken in randomly selected 8 DMCs/TUs of two districts of Bihar state in 2007 to evaluate the infrastructure, resource availability and to identify the constraints and difficulties in effective implementation of guidelines for safe BMWM practices at DMC/TUs. 16 Lab technicians and 60 patients on DOTS were interviewed. Main observations were that sharp-pits available in 50%DMCs/TUs; sputum sample not disposed as per guidelines in 50%DMCs/TUs and in 6 DMCs, foot-operated bins and running water supply not available. Plastic waste incinerated at 3 DMC/TUs. All lab-technicians trained in last 6 months but hand washing practices glaringly lacking. Only 25% patients were aware of safe disposal of sputum. Need for emphasis on worker safety among lab technicians and Proper Patient counseling regarding safe sputum disposal.
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