Abstract
Background: Rapid growth in the number of hospitals globally is leading to increased hospital waste production
jeopardizing humans and environment. This survey was conducted to assess hospital waste disposal practice in a tertiary care hospital.
Material & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital of D.I.Khan,
from May 1, 2013 to December 7, 2013. A written consent of hospital administrator and 25 sanitary workers was obtained before hand. Twenty-five units were selected for study including five departments and 20 inpatient wards. Convenient sampling method was used. Study instrument was a checklist and interview from Medical Superintendent and all sanitary workers. Research variables were waste management plan, waste collection, waste segregation, checking reuse of disposal items, internal transport, protection of workers, infectious waste treatment, waste storage, on site disposal and offsite disposal. Data analysis plan was descriptive statistical.
Results: Waste management plan was absent. Waste segregation was practiced in 0% units. Reuse of disposal
items was checked in 30% of units. Two wheeled bin containers were available in 100% of units. Zero percent of units had separate colour-coded containers for risk and non-risk waste. Zero percent workers were provided with protective gear. Sixty percent had incomplete vaccination course against tetanus. Infectious waste treatment prior to disposal was practiced in 0% of units. No temporary central storage site protected from unauthorized scavengers was available for waste within hospital premises. Offsite disposal was done by municipal authorities on irregular basis.
Conclusion: Hospital waste disposal practice is poor and if not improved, may threaten human and environmental
health.
Samina Qadir, Mohammad Naeem Akhtar, Mehmood Ul Hassan, Iftikhar Ahmad, Hira Naeem, Obaid Ur Rehman. (2014) STUDY OF HOSPITAL WASTE DISPOSAL PRACTICE IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, Gomal Journal of Medical Sciences , Volume 12, Issue 2.
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