Medical Waste Management Practices Research Articles

Correlation between knowledge and medical waste management practices of puskesmas officers in Medan City

Health care industry has contributed to the increasing amount of medical waste. It is very important for health care providers to have the necessary knowledge to practice medical waste management. The study aims to determine the correlation between knowledge and solid medical waste management practices by city health center (puskesmas) officers in Medan City in 2021. This study was an analytical observational study and was collected using questionnaires to 41 puskesmas officers in Medan City, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The independent variable was knowledge of puskesmas officer in solid medical waste management and the dependent variable was practice of puskesmas officer in solid medical waste management. The result is there are puskesmas officers who have less knowledge and less practice as many as 2 respondents (4,9%), puskesmas officers who have less knowledge and good practice as many as 6 respondents (14,6%), puskesmas officers who have good knowledge and good practice as many as 1 respondent (2,4%), and puskesmas officers who have good knowledge and good practice as many as 32 respondents (78%). The results of the statistical test obtained a p-value of 0.032, so there is correlation between the level of knowledge and solid medical waste management practices at puskesmas in Medan City in 2021. To improve knowledge and practice of medical waste management, it is recommended for puskesmas officers to attend training and implement the standard operating procedures and for the government, it is recommended for carrying out training, providing adequate temporary disposal sites, and supervising medical waste management.

Correlation between knowledge and medical waste management practices of puskesmas officers in Medan City

Correlation between knowledge and medical waste management practices of puskesmas officers in Medan City

Impact of COVID-19 on medical waste management and disposal practices in Nigeria

Impact of COVID-19 on medical waste management and disposal practices in Nigeria

Environmental risks of disposable face masks during the pandemic of COVID-19: Challenges and management

Since the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020, face mask (FM) has been recognized as an effective measure to reduce the infection, increasing its consumption across the world. However, the large amount of at-home FM usage changed traditional medical waste management practices, lack of improper management. Currently, few studies estimate FM consumption at a global scale, not to say a comprehensive investigation on the environmental risks of FM from a life cycle perspective. Therefore, global FM consumption and its associated environmental risks are clarified in the present study. Our result shows that 449.5 billion FMs were consumed from January 2020 to March 2021, with an average of 59.4 FMs per person worldwide. This review also provides a basis to understand the environmental risk of randomly disposed of FM and highlights the urgent requirement for the attention of FMs waste management to prevent pollution in the near future.

Institutional Factors Associated Medical Waste Management Practices among Selected Private Healthcare Facilities in Kampala Uganda

Institutional Factors Associated Medical Waste Management Practices among Selected Private Healthcare Facilities in Kampala Uganda

Institutional Factors Associated Medical Waste Management Practices among Selected Private Healthcare Facilities in Kampala Uganda

Institutional Factors Associated Medical Waste Management Practices among Selected Private Healthcare Facilities in Kampala Uganda

Institutional Factors Associated Medical Waste Management Practices among Selected Private Healthcare Facilities in Kampala Uganda

Institutional Factors Associated Medical Waste Management Practices among Selected Private Healthcare Facilities in Kampala Uganda

Associated factors of medical waste management practices in developing countries: a review

The heterogeneous composition of medical waste (MW) has continuously posed challenges with its management, with efforts concentrating primarily on treatment and disposal solutions. This has left a legacy of issues, especially in developing nations. The aim of this study was to examine the associated factors of medical waste management (MWM) practices in healthcare facilities in developing nations. Through a literature review of existing studies on (MW) definitions, and factors associated with its management, from regulation and policy formulation to disposal, the study identified factors such as poor regulatory frameworks, poor training, poor financing, poor infrastructure and low technological advancement, and influence of social factors, e.g., cultural norms as key issues. This paper has viewed the challenges of MWM in developing countries to be more of a management issue than a technological issue and has identified routine management approaches within an integrated sustainable MWM framework to drive improvements in MWM programmes.

Associated factors of medical waste management practices in developing countries: a review

Associated factors of medical waste management practices in developing countries: a review

Medical waste management in healthcare institutions

Studies over the past decade have shown that medical waste generated has increased significantly and will continue to increase with the pandemic. To identify solutions to solve this global issue, the assignment focuses on defining the existing waste management practices followed in developing countries and highlights specific challenges faced. The purpose of this assignment is to identify ways where healthcare organizations can improve the overall medical waste management (MWM) process and create awareness among co-workers. The assignment is divided into three main components where critical analysis of primary research, policy for waste management and use of IT/IS tools were analyzed. Three articles analyzed in this assignment were published in high impact journals/international reports between 2014-2018. Findings from the primary research were obtained using a Likert-scale questionnaire from 156 healthcare institutions, the results indicated that MWM practices followed in healthcare institutions are impacted by three factors, awareness of staff, technological availability and attitudes of top-board management. The three factors had a p-value of 0.00 in the correlation analysis carried out indicating a highly significant relationship between them. Integrated sustainable waste management model following the GWMO (Global Waste Management Outlook) framework was identified to be most adaptable method. The advantage of this model is such that it can be remodeled based on the country’s requirement with the help of digital tools and country-level indicators. The use of IT/IS tools were critically analyzed in the last article with use of GIS integrated real-time waste management system being identified as the most feasible option, where using online tracking systems and smart bins the type of waste and quantities produced can be measured and provide real time updates to local authorities to ensure safe waste management practices are followed. Recommendations from the assignment identifies that countries needs to conduct a preliminary analysis of types of medical waste being generated in healthcare institutions to provide a better understanding of types of hazardous waste exposed to the environment. Additionally, frequent training workshops needs to be conducted to ensure the management and staff understand the importance of MWM.

Strategies for the improvement of home medical waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Home care services (HCS) are important to assist patients with difficulties in accessing conventional health services. Nevertheless, in times of COVID-19 pandemic, the traditionally offered service needs to be restructured to protect health professionals, patients and their families. In this context, this article aims to identify the impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic on home medical waste management (MWM), converting threats into opportunities, and weaknesses into management strengths. Three months before the pandemic (from October to December), a comprehensive survey was conducted on the practices of home care services and MWM with health professionals, caregivers and patients in Caruaru (Brazil). Quali-quantitative information was collected by structured and semi-structured interviews. For evaluation, the SWOT-TOWS analysis was applied to identify the threats and weaknesses of the practices of HCS and MWM, and to propose strategies to ensure the protection of public health and the environment. The results showed that the main weaknesses found were the lack of training of health professionals and the lack of guidance given by them to caregivers of patients, both related to MWM. Except for sharp waste, all other MWM practices have proved to be inadequate, posing threats, especially in a pandemic period. Four action strategies to improve HCS and MWM were identified: (i) providing MWM training to HCS personnel based on ISO standards; (ii) providing MWM information to caregivers and patients; (iii) planning actions to optimize the service during the pandemic; and (iv) sharing HCS management with municipal decision makers. Between December 2020 and January 2021, semi-structured interviews were performed only with health professionals, to verify the impacts and changes that have occurred in HCS in the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparing the results of the two surveys, improvements were achieved, including the incorporation during the pandemic of some strategies identified in the first phase of the research. Implications: Home care service plays a fundamental role in the quality of life of patients and in the sustainability of the public health system in Brazil. In the pandemic period, HCS was impacted with routine changes and the adoption of new personal protective equipment. Our results showed the need to promote strategies to improve HCS to preserve the health of professionals and patients attended, in the pandemic and post-pandemic period. The strategies identified in the study contributed to improvements in the provision of the service and in the management of medical waste that is still inadequate. Such issues are of interest to municipal health management, which has adopted some of the suggested strategies. The thousands of HCS distributed in Brazilian municipalities can also adopt the strategic actions resulting from this research.

Assessment of Medical Waste Management at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital-Ghana

Despite the public health and environmental consequences associated with medical waste, much attention has not been given to its management in health care centres in developing countries. This study assessed medical waste generation and management practices in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in Ghana. The study employed mixed methods. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from seventy four (74) hospital employees using structured questionnaire, interview and observation. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and t-test statistics at p<0.05. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis procedure. The study found that the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital generates an average daily medical waste of 35.12 kg (mean = 278.71, SD = 20.263; t = 36.39, p<0.05 and medical waste per patient per day was 0.1291 kg. Waste segregation was practiced using coloured bags (20.3%), metal dust bins (36.5%) and boxes (43.2%). The hospital has no written policy guidelines for handling medical waste. The poor management practices of medical waste generated in the Teaching Hospital is a situation-driven as it was not clearly backed by any well-designed policy framework. This raises many questions about the human health and environmental implications and level of attention the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) and Ministry of Health (MOH) give to medical waste management practices in the Hospital. There is the need for a sustainable medical waste management system at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital to avoid its negative impact on human health and the environment. Keywords: Medical Waste, Medical Waste Management, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Central Region, Ghana. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-10-02 Publication date: October 31 st 2021

Assessment of Medical Waste Management Practices: A Case Study in Gopalganj Sadar, Bangladesh

At this time, waste may be a new concern that's generated and the management of waste is very important. The study was attended in one public hospital, seventeen private clinics and diagnostic centers, and two non-governmental organizations at Gopalganj Sadar in Bangladesh from October to December 2019 where no rigorous estimation of medical waste generation is supported by the scientific way. This study reviews the current situation of medical waste management and practices in several clinics and hospitals. Medical solid waste could be a special style of waste that carries a high potential for infection and injury. The main purpose of the study is to understand the current management system of treated waste and therefore the treatment solid waste disposal system. A convenience sampling technique, field visits, and interviews with health personnel and staff were followed to gather data. The information was gathered through questionnaires target various aspects like waste segregation and collection, storage and transport, awareness in addition. No waste management and resource segregation system was found, the absence of relevant healthcare practical training in dealing with this waste properly. The municipalities aggregate the waste and get rid of it finally.

Medical waste management during COVID-19 pandemic, a review study

Medical waste management problems are rising due to the crisis brought upon by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a worldwide pandemic. The security management of medical care worldwide increases their attention due to the high risk of COVID-19 medical waste. This paper gives a review of medical waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. Furthermore, an effort has been made to prepare a review of the characteristics, generation, collection, transportation, disposal, and treatment technologies of solid waste management worldwide. Detailed data on medical waste management practices, including collection, recovery, and disposal, have been presented. The poor medical waste management in Iraq before and during COVID-19 causes a huge environmental risk and can be a possible reappearing infection source. Hence, the study also points out some recommendations for handling COVID-19 pandemic medical waste properly to reduce possible secondary effects on health and the environment and manage any possible pandemics in the future.

Problematic aspects in the implementation of the legal mechanisms regarding the management of the waste resulted from the medical activity

Medical services in Moldova remain behind the minimum European standards, which exposes workers in the fi eld and hospitalized patients to the risk of transmitting nosocomial infections in medical institutions. In this respect, the hygiene conditions related to the management and destruction of waste from medical activity are not good enough: the health and environmental risks persist. Th e Moldovan health authorities, aware of this issue, have recently taken some real steps to standardize medical waste management procedures by publishing a 2018 Sanitary Regulation on Waste Management in order to strengthen waste legislation. However, the standardized practices of medical waste management, which are to be applied at the moment in various medical institutions in the country, remain only at the level of normative acts, without identifying the real mechanisms to implement them. Th e problem is not «what to do», but «how to do it».

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES RELATED TO BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AMONG STAFF OF A TERTIARY CARE GOVERNMENT TEACHING HOSPITAL IN LUCKNOW

Health care workers have an important role in managing the bio medical waste and periodic studies should be carried out in order to identify the gaps with respect to knowledge and practices of healthcare workers. This cross-sectional study was undertaken in a government tertiary care teaching hospital in Lucknow between June 2019 and June 2020. Sample size was calculated to be 407 and population proportion sampling was used. Data collection was done using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire translated to Hindi which was administered by the researcher to assess knowledge and attitudes. An observational checklist was used to assess the practices of bio medical waste management. Majority (72%) of the study participants had received training in biomedical waste management. Mean score of knowledge about Biomedical waste management rule was highest for doctors, followed by staff nurses and housekeeping staffs and paramedical staffs. Positive attitude was more among the paramedical staffs followed by doctors and housekeeping staffs. With respect to practice, highest mean score was observed for staff nurses followed by housekeeping staffs. Periodic trainings and appreciation will go a long way in reinforcing the good practices.

Medical waste management at the primary healthcare centres in a north western Nigerian State: Findings from a low-resource setting

ObjectivesThis study aims to examine medical waste management (MWM) practices and identify the challenges of optimal MWM at the primary healthcare (PHC) level in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Study designThis study was a cross-sectional survey of 265 primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) and health facilities (HFs) in Kebbi State. MethodsThe study tool used was a questionnaire adapted from the WHO rapid assessment tool on MWM and water sanitation. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 20 software. ResultsData generated from 257 HWs were used in this study. Amidst other findings, only 65 (25%) HFs had MWM guideline or policy document; out of these 65HFs, only 19 (7%) of them had problem with its implementation. Only 42 (16%) HFs had a compensation package or a health insurance policy to take care of their health workers in case of MWM-associated hazards while 22 (9%) HFs had specific budgetary allocation for MWM. Only 105 (41%) HFs had trained staffers on MWM. Sharps, blood/body fluids and domestic wastes were the top three (3) wastes generated among the surveyed HFs. Medical waste treatment was on-site in 124 (48%) HFs and burn-and-bury method was the adopted method of medical waste disposal in 198 (77%) HFs. However, the majority (76%) of the surveyed HWs expressed dissatisfaction about the waste treatment practices adopted in their HFs. ConclusionOur study revealed a poor level of MWM practices in Kebbi State, Nigeria. The state government and partners need to urgently address the identified operational and policy gaps in MWM in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Furthermore, our study revealed the negative implication of fragmented governance and leadership structure at the PHC level on policy, practice and administration of medical waste management in the Kebbi State, Northwestern Nigeria. Addressing the gaps found in this study would contribute to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in health and well-being, sustainable cities and communities and contribute to poverty eradication.

Medical waste management at different hospitals of Anand and nearby areas

The increased number of hospitals with rising number of beds generate about 1.5 to 2 kg waste per day and per bed. This gives an insight about the volumes of waste generated from the government and private sector hospitals per day. Therefore, the hospital waste management is of utmost importance in the present public health scenario, where the occurrence and recurrence of the infectious diseases is a major public threat. The objective of this research was to find out how hospitals can benefit from improving medical waste management practices. In the questionnaire, survey questions were formulated for gathering data. The questionnaire was designed in such a way that it can provide general information about the hospital staff along with their knowledge about the medical waste and their concern regarding the waste disposal-training program. It was found that the importance was being laid on proper waste disposal only and much less focus was given on waste minimization and recycling of the waste. The study has found that the city can benefit both environmentally and economically by improving the medical waste management at different hospitals.

An Investigation Into Medical Waste Management Practices In Hospitals In Northern Peninsula Malaysia

The main aim of the study was toinvestigatethe medical waste management practices located in the north part hospitals in Malaysia. The northern part includes (Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak States). A questionnaire survey was mainly used for gathering information concerning different medical waste management aspects by identifying training services, segregation, and containers, storage, collection, transportation as well as ward attendants. Forty (40) hospitals (public and private) located in the above-mentioned stateswere targeted. The sample size of the whole study was 250 questionnaires; these questionnaires came from different hospitals where they located in the states of Penang, Kedah, Perlis, and Perak. As results, it was found from the analysis that although training programs were offered in the most places, there were not common centralized areas for training and even not applicable at all by 3.5% within the hospitals surveyed in Penang state accordingly to the administrative questionnaire. However, ongoing training programs either for old or new workers had been not identified. The responsibility for the waste to get segregated obviously not practiced by clear designated staff. Other numbers of problems that hospitals are facing in terms of medical waste managementinclude lack of sacks which are not totally subjected to tear, lack of provisional measures carried out to prohibit liquids running out from waste and not enough protective gear were used by workers. From the results of this study, it was clear that medical waste had not received sufficient attention according to WHO recommendation standard. Therefore, it was concluded that the majority of the examined areas had shown lack of practices in terms of segregation, collection, storage and transportation in dealing efficiently with medical waste management. In addition to that, all the interested parties (government, hospitals and workers at healthcare facilities) wrer recommended to implement a safe reliable medical waste management strategy, not only in legislation and policy formation but also particularly in its monitoring and enforcement, which can be achieved by the cooperation of Ministry of Health, Environmental Quality Authority, Ministry of Local Government, and Non-Governmental Organizations working in the same fields.

Medical waste management of village clinics in rural China

Medical waste is rising on policy agendas as a serious public health and environmental issue. The aim of this study was to assess current practices of medical waste management, which include waste generation, collection, storage, segregation, disposal, and use of protective equipment, in village clinics in rural China. Based on survey results from 236 randomly selected village clinics in 21 counties from three provinces of China, we used descriptive statistics to determine the medical waste management of village clinics in sample area. We found that the generation rate of medical waste in sampled village clinics was approximately 0.65 kg per day or 0.17 kg/patient per day on average. Given the large number of primary healthcare facilities and population in rural areas of China, the total quantity of medical waste generated in these facilities is noteworthy. However, we also found poor compliance levels with the national regulations regarding medical waste management practices. A large proportion of medical waste was still not packed in required containers, and almost all village clinics did not segregate correctly. Moreover, a significant portion of village clinics used improper disposal methods and lacked the necessary protective equipment. Medical staff in these facilities pointed out four main difficulties in complying with national regulations: a lack of funding, equipment, designated areas, and management personnel specifically delegated for medical waste management. These findings suggest that Chinese policymakers and health administrators should pay more attention to rural areas in addressing potentially hazardous medical waste management practices by investing financial support as well as developing specific guidelines tailored to resource-strained rural primary healthcare facilities.