Healthcare Waste Research Articles

Healthcare Waste Management in Nigeria: A Review

Healthcare waste management has become an important aspect of medical care delivery globally. This is simply because of its hazardous and infectious components that have greater potential for adverse health and environmental impacts. As such, certain guidelines and procedures have been developed by international aid agencies and conventions to guide national governments and local administrations in formulating policies and practices for effective healthcare waste management. In this work, we reviewed the existing literature to appraise the status of healthcare waste management practices in Nigeria. This included generation, segregation, collection, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal. The current work further reviewed the other essential elements of healthcare waste management, such as policy landscapes, training, awareness, and waste characterization, and discusses challenges and opportunities for effective healthcare waste management in Nigeria. Among the challenges are poor funding, inadequate training, ineffective legislature, and absence of data. However, there are available low-cost technologies that are suitable for the treatment of waste in a developing country like Nigeria. This technology variant offers an opportunity for a circular economy as it can simultaneously achieve energy production, waste management, and other socioeconomic advantages.

A Study to assess the effectiveness of Structure Teaching Programme on knowledge regarding Biomedical Waste Management among nursing students of selected nursing college Rudrapur, Uttarakhand

Introduction: Hospitals are the centre of cure and also the important centre of infectious waste generation and the infectious health care waste is hazardous with the potential risk to spread infection and release high level of unintentionally produced organic pollution. The Goal of the bio medical waste management to manage all the waste in proper way, for that health care personnel and nursing students must to have good knowledge and practice regarding collection, handling, as well as safe disposal of waste. In India, until early 1990s healthcare waste management was a neglected issue after that in 1998 implementation of rule of biomedical waste management and handling. In India, The waste generation rate ranges between 0.5 and 2.0kg/bed/day. In which only about 10-25% of biomedical waste is hazardous and remaining 75-95% is non hazardous and the hazardous part of waste includes chemical, Glassware and microbiological items. This is highly toxic, infectious and can cause a serious threatening condition if not managed in a scientific manner. A major issue related to current bio-medical waste management in many hospitals is that the implementation of Bio waste regulation is unsatisfactory as some hospitals are disposing of waste in a improper and in a inadequate manner. Thus will cause environmental pollution unpleasant smell, growth and multiplication of vectors like insects, rodents, and warms which may lead to the transmission of diseases like cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and AIDS through injuries from infected syringes and needles Methodology: quantitative research approach was used in study pre experimental; one group pre-test post-test design was selected. The data were collected from 30 student of nursing, who were selected using non probability purposive sampling technique from selected nursing college, Rudrapur, U.S. Nagar. the tool used for the study was structured knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding Biomedical waste management. Result: The finding of study revealed that the mean post-test knowledge score (15.5) was significantly greater than the pre-test knowledge score (11.1) of experimental group of students. [t=6.98, p<0.00001]. The result showed that there was significant association between knowledge of student regarding bio-medical waste management and socio demographic variables as the chi square value.

Salvageable waste associated with intravitreal injections: A local medical waste management approach.

Healthcare waste management is a globally challenging issue with an increased prevalence of disposable, single-use materials in developed countries and a rapidly ageing population continuing to drive an increase in the use of medical resources. One manifestation of this within ophthalmology is the increasing number of intravitreal injections given for conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema. A prospective controlled cohort study was performed over 5 weeks in 2021 during which two sites were selected to compare different approaches to sorting the waste generated by intravitreal injections. At Site A all waste associated with these injections was placed in standard hospital waste bins. Site B was the intervention arm where a real-time sorting of waste occurred. The number of injections given and waste amounts were recorded. 116 and 286 injections were given at Sites A and B, respectively over the study period. Site A generated an average of 470.7g of waste per injection compared with 175.1g at our intervention site. This represents a 62.8% reduction (p < 0.001). At Site B, where waste was sorted, a total of 50.1kg of medical waste was generated from these injections during the study period of which 33.8kg (67.5%) was salvageable. This is the first quantification of the medical waste associated with intravitreal injections, a burgeoning treatment for macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy among other conditions. This study demonstrates a significant reduction in the amount of medical waste produced using an easily implementable real-world methodology.

Assessment of healthcare waste management practices and associated factors in Addis Ababa City Administration Public Health Facilities.

Healthcare waste management is very important due to its hazardous nature that can cause risk to human health and the environment. In developing countries, healthcare waste has not received much attention and has been disposed of together with municipal waste. The aim of the study was to assess the healthcare waste management practices in Addis Ababa City Administration Public Health Facilities. An institutional-based cross-sectional design was used for the study at Addis Ababa city 15 Public health centres and 3 hospitals. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires distributed to 636 randomly selected healthcare waste handlers and managers. Observational check list also used. The data were entered into the EPI- INFO version TM 7 and exported to IBM SPSS 20 for analysis. Both descriptive and analytic statistics were employed. Among the respondents, 358 (90.86%) from health centres and 96.38% (133) from hospitals indicated that their facilities had separate containers for hazardous and non-hazardous waste however, 61 (15.48%) from health centres and 29 (21.01%) from hospitals indicated that healthcare waste containers were not clearly marked or labelled. The study found that the main forms of on-site treatment of healthcare waste for health centres and hospitals before disposal were burning. Manager respondents from the health centres 65 (92.86%), 64 (91.43%) and from hospitals 31 (91.18%), 30 (88.24%) indicated that healthcare waste handlers were used protective clothing when handling waste and were provided with protective clothing when handling healthcare waste respectively. In this study healthcare waste management among healthcare waste handlers and healthcare facility managers were not getting full attention. Collection of healthcare waste were not done regularly, containers were not clearly marked and were not located in appropriate areas where they might be needed. Support healthcare waste handlers by training help to improve their knowledge, attitude and practice.

Assessment of the Effectiveness of Healthcare Waste Management Practices in Major Town of Niger State, Nigeria

Purpose: The study was to examine the healthcare waste management practices in Niger State, Nigeria, with a view of promoting the quality of environment. The study has the following objectives: Determine the factors which influenced healthcare waste management practices in Niger State, assess the problems hindering the provision of adequate healthcare waste management practices, examine the physical planning implications on their sustainability, and examine the existing waste-management practices vis-a-vis of GHG emissions mitigation mechanism.&#x0D; Methodology: A questionnaires survey was carried out on the one hundred and fifty (150) respondents who were workers in the health facilities selected for the study for proper assessment of healthcare waste management of the hospitals. There was an interview of the various heads of departments of the hospitals’ administration to obtain accurate information on the management of the healthcare waste. &#x0D; Findings: The study found that the health facilities do not have records of the volume of waste which they generate. The medical wastes generated range from 0.116 to 0.561 kg/bed/day, but there is no standard gauge for measuring waste collected in Niger state. Thus, the average generation rate is approximately 0.181 kg/bed/day. What the study classified as general waste was found to be common among the health facilities in the study area. About 66.4% of the respondents ascertained this type of waste which constituted of paper, food and plastic.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Policies and monitoring mechanisms should be generated and coordinated at the federal and State levels and including Local Governments Areas (LGA) and Health facilities levels

Equity in water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management services in healthcare facilities in Tanzania

ObjectivesTo determine coverage and the reliability of water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and healthcare waste management (HCWM) services in healthcare facilities (HCFs) in Tanzania. Study designCross-sectional study design. MethodsData of 1066 HCFs in Tanzania from the 2014-15 Tanzania Service Provision Assessment (TSPA) survey were analyzed. The availability of WASH and HCWM services was examined across facility locations, types, and managing authorities. Descriptive statistics, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. ResultsHCFs with improved water sources, with functional improved latrines for patients, and using the incineration method to treat sharps waste before final disposal were 81.2%, 70.6%, and 41.3%, respectively. Among the HCFs with improved water sources and with functional improved latrines for patients, 50.9% and 50.6% respectively experienced water outages. Rural HCFs were less likely to have water sources on-site within 500 m (AOR 0.41; 95%CI 0.24–0.68), and soap, running water or alcohol-based hand rub (AOR 0.54; 95%CI 0.37–0.80). Rural HCFs were 0.25 times less likely to have functioning improved latrines for patients than urban HCFs (p < 0.001). Public HCFs were 0.5 times less likely to have an incineration method for sharps waste treatment than private HCFs (p < 0.001). ConclusionAccess inequity in WASH and HCWM was observed in HCFs in rural areas and those under public management. To attain equity and sustainability, investing in improving WASH and HCWM services for both new and renovations projects, must consider the circumstance status of the marginalized society.

Optimization of effluent treatment from healthcare waste incineration by electrocoagulation with iron electrodes

This study evaluated the efficiency of electrocoagulation in removing chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, and apparent color from the incineration effluent generated in a gas cleaning system (GCS). Modeling and optimization of the variables electric current (I), hydraulic retention time (HRT), and electrode distance (ED) were also performed in a batch reactor using iron electrodes. A 23 rotatable central composite design CCRD was used, with a total of 19 trials, with electric currents ranging from 1A and 5A, a retention time of the effluent in the reactor from 15 to 40 minutes, and electrode distance of 1 and 3 centimeters. An algorithm with the desirability function was created to optimize simultaneously the parameters studied. The treatment of GCS by electrocoagulation was satisfactory in removing turbidity, apparent color, and COD, with maximum removal efficiencies above 70% for all parameters, using HRT of 27.5 minutes, ED of 2 centimeters, and electric current of 1 A. The statistical analysis showed a good fit of the model, with a coefficient of determination of R2 &gt; 0.9. The optimum operating condition was observed at 1A electric current, 27 minutes HRT, and 2 centimeters of electrode distance, with removals of 82.07, 86.86, and 70.82% of COD, turbidity, and apparent color, respectively. The simulated trials showed that lower electrolysis times can be used without impairing the treatment efficiency. Therefore, electrocoagulation may be a potential tool in the treatment of GCS.&#x0D; Keywords: coagulation, electrolysis, gas scrubber, incineration.

How Should Regulations Help Health Care Organizations Manage Waste?

Health care waste is a global problem. While most health care waste is harmless, some of it is hazardous. The volume of hazardous waste generated worldwide is enormous, and its disposal can be environmentally damaging. This article discusses how such waste disposal is regulated and the problems that currently exist with waste disposal regulation. The article also offers possible national and international regulatory solutions.

How Should US Health Care Lead Global Change in Plastic Waste Disposal?

Disposal of health care waste is one of the biggest threats to global sustainable health care. Current practices of dumping domestic and international health care waste into the earth's terra firma and oceans also undermine global health equity by adversely affecting the health of vulnerable communities. While the United Kingdom works toward circular health care economy streams that produce minimal waste, the United States continues to amplify downstream environmental and health effects of health care organizational waste management decisions. This article suggests how to reframe social and ethical responsibility for health care waste production and management by assigning strict accountability to health care organizational leaders, incentivizing circular supply chain implementation and maintenance, and encouraging strong collaborations across medical, plastic, and waste industries.

How Health Care Organizations Can Be Stewardship Leaders

Mismanagement of hospital waste can release harmful, deleterious contaminants into soil, water, and air. Irresponsible or noncompliant handling of health care waste can have far-reaching environmental and public relations consequences. This article describes legal, safe, sustainable health care waste stream management as a challenge to health care leaders that can be met by implementing good stewardship practices.

Why climate activists should care about healthcare waste and overuse

Why climate activists should care about healthcare waste and overuse

Correspondence on “why climate activists should care about healthcare waste and overuse”

Correspondence on “why climate activists should care about healthcare waste and overuse”

What Would It Mean for Health Care Organizations to Justly Manage Their Waste?

Waste generated by health care includes harmful emissions and often disproportionately affects already vulnerable communities. Justly restructuring health care waste management involves better understanding key drivers of waste production, using sustainability as an ethical value to guide disposal decisions and practices, and reducing overall disposal quantity. Restructuring can be facilitated by making existing waste audit data transparent, incorporating waste accounting into social responsibility metrics used to evaluate health care organizational performance, and implementing policies that prioritize frontline workers' safety.

AMA Code of Medical Ethics’ Opinions Related to Health Care Waste

This article examines how the AMA Code of Medical Ethics addresses different kinds of waste generated by health care delivery streams. This summary considers AMA Code opinions about advocacy and access that can guide clinicians’ and health care organizations’ disposal and stewardship duties to patients and communities

A Future We Create

This drawing considers roles of health care waste in environmental stewardship and individuals' and communities' health outcomes.

Awareness of Biomedical Waste Management among Health Care Personnel in Bareilly International University, Bareilly, India

INTRODUCTION: Biomedical Waste is defined as any waste, which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunisation of human beings or animals or in research activities pertaining thereto or in the production or testing of biological products. Healthcare workers are one of the main contributors to the healthcare waste management process. AIM: The study aimed to assess the level of awareness and attitude regarding biomedical waste management policy and practices among health care workers at Bareilly International University, Bareilly, India. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire with closed-ended questions which was distributed to 150 medical, 154 dental and 100 Class IV employees at Bareilly International University, India. The responses in the questionnaire were used to assess their knowledge of biomedical waste disposal. The responses were evaluated, and each participant's percentage of correct and incorrect responses for each question was calculated. RESULTS: The results indicated that all healthcare professionals had a low degree of knowledge and awareness regarding the risks associated with biomedical waste formation, legal requirements, and management. Only 11 (7.14%) dental interns had excellent knowledge about biomedical waste generation and legislation while 5 (3.33%) medical interns had extremely poor knowledge about it. Only 4 (4%) Class IV employees had an excellent awareness of biomedical waste management practices. Only 34 (22.08%) dental interns had an excellent level of knowledge of needle-stick injuries among health care personnel. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that health care professionals have a low degree of knowledge and awareness regarding the risks of biomedical waste generation, laws, and management at Bareilly International University, India hence there is a requirement for regular monitoring and training at all levels of healthcare.

Microbial strategies for degradation of microplastics generated from COVID-19 healthcare waste

COVID-19 pandemic has led to the generation of massive plastic wastes, comprising of onetime useable gloves, masks, tissues, and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Recommendations for the employ of single-use disposable masks made up of various polymeric materials like polyethylene, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, and polypropylene, polystyrene, can have significant aftermath on environmental, human as well as animal health. Improper disposal and handling of healthcare wastes and lack of proper management practices are creating serious health hazards and an extra challenge for the local authorities designated for management of solid waste. Most of the COVID-19 medical wastes generated are now being treated by incineration which generates microplastic particles (MPs), dioxin, furans, and various toxic metals, such as cadmium and lead. Moreover, natural degradation and mechanical abrasion of these wastes can lead to the generation of MPs which cause a serious health risk to living beings. It is a major threat to aquatic lives and gets into foods subsequently jeopardizing global food safety. Moreover, the presence of plastic is also considered a threat owing to the increased carbon emission and poses a profound danger to the global food chain. Degradation of MPs by axenic and mixed culture microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, microalgae etc. can be considered an eco-sustainable technique for the mitigation of the microplastic menace. This review primarily deals with the increase in microplastic pollution due to increased use of PPE along with different disinfection methods using chemicals, steam, microwave, autoclave, and incineration which are presently being employed for the treatment of COVID-19 pandemic-related wastes. The biological treatment of the MPs by diverse groups of fungi and bacteria can be an alternative option for the mitigation of microplastic wastes generated from COVID-19 healthcare waste.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practices of health care waste management among nurses in Nyambene Level 4 hospital

Healthcare waste management requires an organized, systematic channeling of waste, consistent with acceptable public health and environmental safeguards (Vanesh et al., 2019). The Ministry of Health estimates that 47% of hospital waste generated cannot be accounted for (Hugo &amp; Lima, 2021). This indicates improper segregation, thus putting health care workers, the population, and the general environment at risk. The broad objective was to assess nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practices in healthcare waste management at Nyambene Level 4 Hospital. The study adopted a cross-sectional design. The target population of this study was nurses working in Nyambene level 4 Hospital with a sample size of 61 nurses. The data collection tool was the questionnaire. The study findings showed that 93.4% (57) of the nurses had good knowledge of waste management, 52.46% (32) of the nurses had a positive attitude and majority (55.7% (34) of the nurses had average waste management practices. Generally, the nurses had good knowledge of waste management. Most nurses had a positive attitude towards prioritizing waste disposal, among other activities in the hospital, and the nurse's practice was generally average. The researchers recommended regular training and education for the nurses, awarding certificates and tokens to nurses who show proper waste management and the administration to carry out regular health care waste management inspections. For example, ensuring each department has three waste management bins. In addition, the researchers recommended introduction of an infection control program to prevent and stop transmission of infections due to improper waste management.

BIO-WASTE MANAGEMENT LEGISLATION REGULATIONS AND POLICIES: A CASE STUDY OF PAKISTAN

The twenty-first century's rapid urbanization, industrialization, modernization, and digitalization cause an increase in wastes including household, commercial, mining, radioactive, agriculture, healthcare, and electronic wastes, among others. The management of these wastes is evolving into a global problem. Waste management is the collection, transportation, separation, destruction, processing, recycling, management, supervision, and control of rubbish, sewage, and other waste products. The protection of people's health from negative effects and the preservation of the environment from negative effects are the main objectives of waste management. Around the world, a variety of modern techniques are being applied to manage these wastes. They include waste to energy, composting, bioremediation, incineration, immobilization, plasma combustion, ocean/sea disposal, and recycling of biological materials. The effectiveness of these waste management techniques increases the environment's appropriateness for supporting life. Additionally, it makes it possible for future generations to live in a secure and safe environment. Finding and putting into practice the best waste management plan is urgently needed for both global population health and environmental sustainability. The process for managing waste will improve greatly in both effectiveness and success. In various parts of the world, a variety of waste management techniques have been employed. The qualitative research methodology has been applied to the following article.

Intuitionistic fuzzy geometric aggregation operators in the framework of Aczel-Alsina triangular norms and their application to multiple attribute decision making

The aggregation of fuzzy information is a new area of “intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS)” theory that has piqued the attention of scholars in the past few years. This study aims to construct intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) aggregation operators as a result of Aczel-Alsina (AA) operations in order to shed light on decision-making issues. To begin with, some novel IFS operations are provided, such as AA sum, AA product, and AA scalar multiplication. Based on these new operations, a number of novel aggregation operators for IF information has been suggested. These operators include the IF AA weighted geometric operator, the IF AA ordered weighted geometric operator, and the IF AA hybrid geometric operator. Different properties of these operators are established. Concerns about IF “multi-attribute decision-making (MADM)” has led to the creation of a new strategy that depends on such operators. Two case studies are examined to demonstrate the applicability and efficacy of the developed method in real-world applications. The first case study focuses on the selection of the most influential worldwide supplier for one of the most critical components used in the assembly process of a manufacturing company. The second case study focuses on selecting the most effective method for health-care waste (HCW) disposal. The suggested aggregation operators have a single variable parameter that has an impact on the decision-making method. The sensitivity of the proposed aggregation operators to decision-making findings is investigated. A sensitivity analysis of the criteria weights is presented to ensure the permanence of the introduced framework. In addition, a detailed comparison of existing models is made to show how the new framework is better than them. Finally, the findings show that the new strategy is more effective and reliable than the existing models.