Hospital Waste Management: Protecting Health & Environment PDF

Hospital Waste Management: Protecting Health and Environment This presentation explores the critical process of managing healthcare waste, its impact on public health and the environment, and best practices for safe handling and disposal. by Heba Rashed Understanding Hospital Waste 1 Definit...

Hospital Waste Management: Protecting Health and Environment This presentation explores the critical process of managing healthcare waste, its impact on public health and the environment, and best practices for safe handling and disposal. by Heba Rashed Understanding Hospital Waste 1 Definition 2 Scope Waste produced during Encompasses waste from healthcare activities, human and animal including diagnosis, healthcare and related treatment, and research. research. Risks of Improper Handling Medical Personnel Doctors, nurses, and auxiliaries face direct exposure risks. Waste Handlers Porters and waste transporters are at risk during handling. Community Improper disposal can lead to widespread community health issues. Environmental Impact Water Pollution Contamination of water sources from improperly disposed medical waste. Air Pollution Release of harmful substances into the atmosphere during waste treatment. Food Chain Impact Potential contamination of food sources through environmental pollution.  Types of Medical Waste Non-Hazardous/General Waste Hazardous Waste Terminology for Infectious Medical Waste Infectious waste Biohazardous waste Potentially infectious waste Regulated medical waste  General Waste Definition Waste posing no risk to human health. Examples Office paper, wrappers, kitchen waste, general sweepings. Pathological Waste 1 Human Tissue 2 Body Fluids Includes body parts and organs Blood, other bodily fluids from surgeries or autopsies. from medical procedures.  Sharps Waste Needles Used for injections and blood draws. Scalpels Surgical blades for incisions. Other Sharps Includes lancets and other sharp medical instruments. Infectious Waste Definition Waste that may transmit bacterial, viral, or parasitic diseases. Examples Laboratory cultures, contaminated swabs, used bandages. Chemical Waste 1 Laboratory Reagents Chemicals used in medical testing and research. 2 Disinfectants Solutions used for cleaning and sterilization in healthcare settings. Pharmaceutical Waste 1 Expired Drugs 2 Outdated Chemicals Medications past their use-by date Pharmaceutical chemicals no longer require proper disposal. in use or expired. Radioactive Waste Sources Handling Unused liquids from Requires specialized radiotherapy or laboratory disposal methods due to research. radiation hazards. Viral Diseases from Medical Waste 1 HIV Transmitted through infected needles and body fluids. 2 Hepatitis B and C Spread through contaminated blood and sharps. 3 Dengue Potential transmission through improper waste management. Waste Sorting Point of Origin Separate waste by type at the generation point. Color Coding Use designated color-coded bags for different waste types. Knowledgeable Staff Sorting should be done by those familiar with waste origins.  Color Coding System Use colored plastic bags to help distinguish between general and medical waste containers; 1. Red bags are used for infectious and pathologic waste. 2. Yellow bags are used for radioactive waste that is to be dealt with by atomic energy institutions. 3. Black bags are for general waste that is to be disposed with the normal general waste and is to be transferred by the municipals. Use colored plastic bags to help distinguish between general and medical waste containers; 1. Red bags are used for infectious and pathologic waste. 2. Yellow bags are used for radioactive waste that is to be dealt with by atomic energy institutions. 3. Black bags are for general waste that is to be disposed with the normal Handling Medical Waste Minimal Contact Staff Protection Proper Equipment Handle waste as little as Ensure handlers are vaccinated Use heavy utility gloves and eye possible to reduce exposure against HBV and tetanus. protection during cleaning. risks. Sharps Container Guidelines 1 Placement Position containers conveniently to minimize carrying distance. 2 Characteristics Use puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and closable containers. Containers should be discarded when they are three quarters full or at least once per day; sealed, lifted by the top. - Should not: Compressed (to avoid rupture), Clasped to body Hands should not be placed under. Never put hands into a container that holds medical waste. Do not empty medical waste into open carts. Waste Transport Within Facility 1 2 3 Collection Temporary Storage Central Storage Gather waste from immediate Move to unit's temporary Transport to long-term central generating areas. storage area. collection area. There should be separate corridor and lift in hospital to carry and transport waste. General waste are deposited at municipal dumps. Waste for autoclaving and incineration are dumped at separate site for external trasport (should have separate coloured plastic bag for these waste) Transportation should be done in sealed container/sanitation supervisor should ensure for leakage. Interim Storage Guidelines 1 Time Limit 2 Responsibility Store waste in generation Paramedic/sanitation area for no more than 4-6 staff must check for hours. proper segregation. Waste Treatment Technologies Incineration High-temperature burning of medical waste. Chemical Disinfection Using chemicals to neutralize infectious agents. Microwave Irradiation Using microwaves to disinfect waste. Final Disposal Methods Solid Waste Liquid Waste Use sanitary landfills to prevent contamination and Pour down designated sinks or drains, or bury in a pit. public contact. Liquid Waste Disposal Procedure Disposal Pour liquid waste down designated sinks or toilets. Rinsing Thoroughly rinse the disposal area to remove residual waste. Decontamination Clean containers with 0.5% chlorine solution for 10 minutes. Key Takeaways 1 Proper Segregation 2 Staff Training Crucial first step in Essential for maintaining effective medical waste safety and compliance in management. waste handling.