Biomedical Waste Segregation Research Articles

A Study on Bio-Medical waste Segregation Monitoring in a Tertiary Care Hospital at Telangana

The most appropriate way of identifying the categories of healthcare waste is by sorting the waste into colorcoded plastic bags or containers.2,3 Since early recovery of patients and health of clinical staff directly depends on a clean and hygienic environment, excellent hygiene practices in health care facilities are the prerequisite for good medical waste management 8 Objective: Aim of this study is to see effectiveness of segregation practiced in the hospital and establish a monitoring system to monitor deficiencies in segregation. Method: This cross sectional study conducted during the period of June to August 2012 in a tertiary care Hospital. Eighty Two (82) areas were identified as BMW generation area. As per the norms segregation was done in four different color coded containers. So, total segregation containers will be 82X4=328. Any mix up or wrong segregation will be noted in the register daily by the Infection Control Nurse. A Monthly report based on BMW Register was developed. Results: The index named as Bio-Medical Waste Segregation Deficiency index (BMWSD index). calculated as number of deficiencies found in a area/areas divided by the possible number of deficiencies can occur in that area/areas. Daily data then entered into the Monthly report and monthly BMWSD index was made. Though this is a continuous process, for this study three months data (June, July and August 2012) were taken for analysis. Discussion: In this Cross sectional study, it was found that there was a over all deterioration in segregation of BMW when compare to June, July and August reports. The areas with high BMWSD index or where segregation is poor will be reflected through this monitoring system. Conclusion: This BMWSD index can be used as an indicator of Infection control Practice. This report is to identify the deficiency areas in the entire hospital in BMW segregation, which can be used for analysis and planning for better BMW Management like, training of the staffs of particular units, modification in methods etc.

Evaluation of e-learning of undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown by an Objective Structured Practical Examination

Background: E-learning resources have a broad range of uses in medical education. Skills require the teaching of numerous domains, including cognitive and psychomotor domains in medical education. Feedback supports better competence in medical education, it has been shown that multimedia and e-learning tools have improved testing in both cognitive and psychomotor domains. Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the e-learning of undergraduate medical students with an Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE). Materials and Methods: A total of 96 of 150 medical students participated in a single group in e-learning, as this study was purely Internet based, so it may be that the remaining 54 students did not participate due to no Internet connectivity. By using OSPE, we have created two stations (video based), one was hand hygiene and the second was biomedical waste management. At the start of 30min, students were sensitized to lectures (one-way teaching) followed by a 30-min video of each station using the GoToMeeting app. In the end, the students were asked to correct steps of hand hygiene and segregation of biomedical waste, according to the color-coding system. Results: Of 96 students who took both the tests and gave their feedback on the questionnaire, 95.83% felt that they were given adequate time at each station, 68.75% responded that the teaching material provided in the e-learning resources were clear and easy to understand, 73.96% responded that the e-learning resources covered a wider range of knowledge than the traditional examination, 86.46% said that the e-learning resources were helpful in understanding basic hand hygiene concepts, 94.79% said that the e-learning resources were helpful in memorization and revision of hand hygiene practical skills, 61.46% opined that e-learning resources were easier to pass than traditional examination, 96.88% responded that the OSPE assessment of the e-learning process helped in scoring better than the traditional assessment methods and was less stressful, 81.25% said that OSPE helps in e-learning as well as evaluation in competency-based medical education (CBME), and 96.88% said that OSPE should be implemented in medical education as an assessment tool for both formative and summative evaluation. Conclusion: e-Learning advances can possibly substitute face-to-face address in medical education, especially during this pandemic. Such methodologies may not exclusively be vital for successfully handling the clinical training quandary during this present emergency; however, it will likewise serve to establish the framework for educating during future calamities and past.

Awareness of biomedical waste management among clinical teaching staff in a private medical college in rural area of Maharashtra

Background: Biomedical waste has become a serious health hazard in many countries, including India. The waste produced in the course of health care activities carries a higher potential for infection and injury than any other type of waste. The main aims and objectives of this study are to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among the clinical teaching staff of a private medical college regarding biomedical waste management.Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted among the clinical teaching staff of a private medical college regarding biomedical waste management. All the clinical teaching staff members enrolled on the roll muster were included. The data collection was done by interview technique using a pretested, structured questionnaire.Results: Awareness about the number of categories of segregation of biomedical waste was found in 99% of the respondents. However 94% participants among them knew correctly the colour code of segregation but parcentage details of these categories varied from 49% to 90%. Percentage of actual practice of biomedical waste management varied from 57% to 77%.Conclusions: The staff had exemplary knowledge of basic questions like number of categories of BMW segregation; however details of these categories were known to a somewhat fewer people. Awareness was much more in in clinicians who are having experience of less than 5 years. There is a need of organization of seminars to update their knowledge regarding biomedical waste management.

Transferring knowledge into practice: a multi-modal, multi-centre intervention for enhancing nurses' infection control competency in Bangladesh

Nurses are considered as the key to infection prevention as they play a major role in treatment as well as taking care of patients. To assess the role of a multi-modal intervention (MMI) in improving nurses' competency and adherence to standard infection control practices in Bangladesh. The study adopted a pretest-post-test intervention approach, in three different periods (from 2012 to 2017) in five hospitals (two public, two private, and one autonomous) in Bangladesh. Each study period was divided into three phases: pretest, MMI, and post-test. Data were collected on 642 nurses using direct observation method through a structured checklist. After implementing the MMI, overall hand hygiene compliance significantly increased before patient contact (from 1.3% to 50.2%; P<0.000) and after patient contact (from 2.8% to 59.6%; P<0.000). Remarkable improvements were also achieved in adherence to use of gloves (from 14.6% to 57.6%; P<0.000), maintaining sterility of equipment during aseptic techniques (from 34.9% to 86%; P<0.000), biomedical waste segregation (from 1.8% to 81.3%; P<0.000) and labelling of procedural sites (from 0% to 85.7%; P<0.000). Moreover, needlestick injury rate notably decreased (from 6.2% to 0.6%; P<0.000). MMI can play a vital role in improving nurses' compliance with the standard infection control practices. Such context-specific interventions, which are crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections and for decreasing occupational hazards, should be replicated in resource-poor countries for achieving universal health coverage by 2030.

Assessment of knowledge and practice of biomedical waste management among health care personnel in a rural tertiary care hospital of Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India

Background: Health care generates profuse amount of toxic biomedical wastes, which if not disposed appropriately turns out to be a potential health hazard. Biomedical waste management and handling rules thus are formulated, amended and universally implemented with health staffs playing a pivotal role in its success. This rural tertiary care hospital has wide catchment area, huge patient influx and face challenges unique to its remote settings. Objectives and Methods : The descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in North Bengal Medical College after obtaining ethical clearance among health care professionals of selected wards for one month to determine existing biomedical waste management practices and discern causes for any non-compliance to standard guidelines. Relevant tools and techniques were used and 53 participants pertaining to study criteria could be finally studied. Data was collected and analyzed accordingly. Results: Infrastructural support was inadequate. Knowledge and practice assessed under domains of biomedical waste segregation, use of designated equipment, waste storage before disposal, related trainings and workshops revealed discrepancies. Group D staffs had no training. Health care personnel unanimously agreed to importance of proper biomedical waste management but cited increased workload, inadequate administrative support and trainings as primary reasons for non-adherence. Conclusion: Biomedical waste management is grossly inadequate and gaps exist in knowledge and practice of concerned health care personnel. Addressing the discerned reasons is mandatory.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of paramedical workers and support staff in a private tertiary care hospital regarding biomedical waste management

Background: Appropriate knowledge regarding biomedical waste management and an attitude to practice what is known is required to achieve effective biomedical waste management. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the paramedical workers and the support staff regarding biomedical waste management. Materials and Methods: After the calculation of an appropriate sample size, 155 nursing staff, 39 technicians, and 47 ward support staff working at a private tertiary care hospital in North Karnataka were selected using stratified random sampling. They were interviewed using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire after taking oral informed consent. Results: Knowledge regarding correct segregation of biomedical waste was 89.7% among nursing staff, 83.0% among ward support staff, and 25.6% among technicians; whereas, it was correctly practiced by 87.1%, 57.4%, and 23.1% of nursing, ward support staffs, and technicians, respectively. Association of working status and months of service with both knowledge as well as the practice of segregation of biomedical waste was statistically significant. Conclusion: Better knowledge regarding the segregation of biomedical waste led to the better practice of the same. Hands on training to all the paramedical staffs at the time of entry to the job and also a periodical refresher course are a must.

A Study on Bio-Medical waste Segregation Monitoring in a tertiary Care Hospital at Andhra Pradesh.

A Study on Bio-Medical waste Segregation Monitoring in a tertiary Care Hospital at Andhra Pradesh.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of biomedical waste management among health care personnel in selected primary health care centres in Lucknow

Background: Lack of adequate knowledge regarding bio-medical waste management leads to health risks as well as environment apprehension. Proper handling and disposal of bio-medical waste is therefore very important. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of bio-medical waste management among the health care personnel in selected primary health care centres in Lucknow. Methods: This was a Cross-Sectional study conducted among health care personnel working at the Primary Health Centres. A total of 89 health care personnel comprising of doctors, nurses, health workers, laboratory technicians, pharmacists and class IV workers were interviewed with a pre-designed and pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Results: About 35.0% of the staff nurses, 56.2% of paramedical staff and none of the class IV workers had complete knowledge about colour coding and segregation of bio medical waste. As compared to other health care personal, only 18.8% of class IV workers had heard about universal precautions, while 45.4% were concerned about needle stick injury. None of the class IV workers had ever received training for BMW management. Proportion of staff nurses, paramedical staff and class IV immunized for Hep B Vaccine was 50%, 21.8% and 9.1% respectively. Conclusions: The study revealed lack of knowledge and awareness about bio-medical waste management amongst primary healthcare workers which results in inadequate handling and management, thereby exposing them as well as the general public to health and environmental hazards.

Bio-Medical Waste Managment in a Tertiary Care Hospital: An Overview.

Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) management is of utmost importance as its improper management poses serious threat to health care workers, waste handlers, patients, care givers, community and finally the environment. Simultaneously, the health care providers should know the quantity of waste generated in their facility and try to reduce the waste generation in day-to-day work because lesser amount of BMW means a lesser burden on waste disposal work and cost saving. To have an overview of management of BMW in a tertiary care teaching hospital so that effective interventions and implementations can be carried out for better outcome. The observational study was carried out over a period of five months from January 2016 to May 2016 in Chhatrapati Shivaji Subharti Hospital, Meerut by the Infection Control Team (ICT). Assessment of knowledge was carried out by asking set of questions individually and practice regarding awareness of BMW Management among the Health Care Personnel (HCP) was carried out by direct observation in the workplace. Further, the total BMW generated from the present setup in kilogram per bed per day was calculated by dividing the mean waste generated per day by the number of occupied beds. Segregation of BMW was being done at the site of generation in almost all the areas of the hospital in color coded polythene bags as per the hospital protocol. The different types of waste being collected were infectious solid waste in red bag, soiled infectious waste in yellow bag and sharp waste in puncture proof container and blue bag. Though awareness (knowledge) about segregation of BMW was seen in 90% of the HCP, 30%-35% did not practice. Out of the total waste generated (57912 kg.), 8686.8 kg. (15%) was infectious waste. Average infectious waste generated was 0.341 Kg per bed per day. The transport, treatment and disposal of each collected waste were outsourced and carried out by 'Synergy' waste management Pvt. Ltd. The practice of BMW Management was lacking in 30-35% HCP which may lead to mixing of the 15% infectious waste with the remaining non-infectious. Therefore, training courses and awareness programs about BMW management will be carried out every month targeting smaller groups.

A study on assessment of knowledge on biomedical waste management among health care workers of Malabar Medical College Teaching Hospital, Calicut, Kerala, India

Background: Health care institutions and hospitals generate biomedical waste which can introduce various infections and injuries to the healthcare workers, patients and harm the surrounding environment. For proper management of biomedical waste Government of India has introduced the biomedical waste management and Handling rules in 1998, unfortunately health care workers awareness regarding biomedical waste segregation, handling and management is minimal hence, the study addresses the issues related to it. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the month of July 2016 among health care workers at Malabar Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Calicut, India. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit the various information like collection, segregation and disposal of biomedical waste. Results: 567 health care workers were interviewed.44.3% (251) opined correctly that biomedical waste should not be kept more than 48 hours at hospital settings. 61.6% (349) opined waste sharps should be disposed in white/blue puncture proof containers.89.6% (508) knew about HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are common infections transmitted due to improper biomedical waste management. 60.5% (345) and 61% (346) opined that human anatomical waste and pads, cottons, dressings should be disposed in yellow bags, respectively. 70.7% (401) were fully immunised against hepatitis B. 29.8% (169) had received training on biomedical waste management. Conclusions: Knowledge regarding biomedical waste disposal among nursing staff is satisfactory compared to other health care workers, adequate training among health care workers can improve the biomedical waste management and handling practices at hospital settings.

Biomedical waste management: study on the awareness and practice among healthcare workers in a tertiary teaching hospital.

Bio-medical waste has a higher potential of infection and injury to the healthcare worker, patient and the surrounding community. Awareness programmes on their proper handling and management to healthcare workers can prevent the spread of infectious diseases and epidemics. This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital to assess the impact of training, audits and education/implementations from 2009 to 2012 on awareness and practice of biomedical waste segregation. Our study reveals focused training, strict supervision, daily surveillance, audits inspections, involvement of hospital administrators and regular appraisals are essential to optimise the segregation of biomedical waste.

THE AWARENESS IN BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT OF NURSING STAFF AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF MANGALORE, SOUTH INDIA

Abstract Introduction:In country like India, where there is big and complex health care system, mixed economy, private and Government hospitals working together; while providing services generate waste. It is estimated that the quantity of waste generated from hospitals in our country ranges between 0.5 and 2.0 kg/bed/day and annually about 0.33 million tons of waste are generated in India Aim and objectives:To study the awareness of nursing staff about the biomedical waste segregation in a tertiary care center Material and methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among the nurses of Justice K.S.Hegde Hospital, Derlakatte. Total of 123 nurses who were present at the time were the study subjects. The pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire which was validated by face validation method was distributed. Results:The total of 96.66% of nurses knew the segregation of biomedical waste was the need of the hour. 90% of them felt they have adequate knowledge about segregation. 96% knew the color coding of sharps and human anatomical waste. But 99% knew the colour coding of blood, blood products and microbiological waste. 67% knew the colour coding of pharmacological waste and double glove disposal. Only 89.3% were confident that they followed the correct methods of segregation.

Evaluation of an education and training intervention to reduce health care waste in a tertiary hospital in Spain

In recent decades there has been a significant increase in waste generation. Training interventions in advanced health care waste management can improve the segregation of regulated medical waste and reduce volume and costs. We carried out a quasi-experimental intervention study with before and after training session analysis to compare waste segregation. Descriptive analysis of the segregated health care waste and an evaluation of the quality of segregation were done. A comparison of monthly average waste to assess the effectiveness of the educational intervention was performed. After the intervention, there was a significant reduction in the monthly average health care waste volume of 6.2%. Statistically significant differences in the infectious waste and genotoxic/pharmaceutical waste weight segregated before and after the intervention (P<.05) were found. Because of the health care waste weight reduction and the improvement of waste classification, a savings cost of €125,205 was achieved. The health care waste management training improves biomedical waste segregation at the hospital, reducing the health care waste volume and costs as an added value.

Segregation of biomedical waste in an South Indian tertiary care hospital.

Introduction:Hospital wastes pose significant public health hazard if not properly managed. Hence, it is necessary to develop and adopt optimal waste management systems in the hospitals.Material and method:Biomedical waste generated in Coimbatore Medical College Hospital was color coded (blue, yellow, and red) and the data was analyzed retrospectively on a daily basis for 3 years (January 2010-December 2012).Results:Effective segregation protocols significantly reduced biomedical waste generated from 2011 to 2012. While biomedical waste of red category was significantly higher (>50%), the category yellow was the least. Per unit (per bed per day) total biomedical waste generated was 68.5, 68.8, and 61.3 grams in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively.Discussion:Segregation of biomedical waste at the source of generation is the first and essential step in biomedical waste management. Continuous training, fixing the responsibility on the nursing persons, and constant supervision are the key criteria's in implementing biomedical waste segregation process, which can significantly reduce per unit biomedical waste generated.Conclusion:We highly recommend all hospitals to adopt our protocol and effectively implement them to reduce generation of biomedical waste.

Infection Control Practices in Dental Settings - A Review

In the era of HIV/ AIDS it is essential to follow the infection prevention protocols in all health care settings including dental settings. The present review article highlighted the various preventive protocols to be followed in dental settings. It includes right from the simple hand hygiene to biomedical waste segregation.

Report: Medical students for monitoring biomedical waste segregation practices — why and how? Experience from a medical college

The cornerstone for an effective biomedical waste (BMW) management is appropriate waste segregation. Improper waste segregation practices can have an adverse impact on public health and increase the cost of treatment. Deficiencies in waste segregation practices can be corrected by continuous monitoring and education. Manpower for monitoring waste segregation in a large teaching hospital is scanty. We utilized the undergraduate medical students as monitors and studied the impact on waste segregation practices. A prospective observational study was carried out from August 2004 to January 2005. For monitoring waste segregation, the different areas of the hospital were divided amongst the II M.B.B.S students. They were provided with an observation sheet wherein the status of waste segregation and overall hygiene was recorded on a scale of 1-5. The impact of this programme was then analysed over the study period. The results indicated that a statistically significant improvement in waste segregation practices occurred in all areas. Thus, a large hospital with a medical college can identify students or a similar group for monitoring waste segregation or other aspects of biomedical waste management. This will improve their understanding of good practice in BMW management in future.