Biomedical waste management

biomedical waste management- Vigneshwar S.

1. HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT – 02


Done by
Vigneshwar S.
113017214051
BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

2. BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
The proper management and disposal of waste generated from biological
and medical sources and activities, such as the diagnosis, prevention, or
treatment of diseases. Medical facilities generate waste hazardous
chemicals and radioactive materials.
It follows the following steps:
(a) Segregation
(b) Disinfection
(c) Storage
(d) Transport
(e) Final disposal.
Segregation
Segregation of the waste is very important for the following reasons:
• General waste does not become infectious
• Segregation reduces chances of infection
• Treatment cost comes down
• Noninfectious waste can be recycled.
Segregation is carried out at the site of waste generation, e.g., wards,
operation theatres, ICUs, stores, pharmacy, autopsy room, etc.
For an easy identification of different types of waste, a specific color code
is followed:
(a) Yellow: Yellow plastic bags are used for segregating human anatomical
waste; dissected parts; tissue removed at surgery; aborted fetus;
laboratory cultures/specimen; items contaminated with blood or body
fluids, i.e., dressing material, cotton, bandages, etc.; animal tissue and
carcasses (used in experimental laboratory).
Method of disposal: Incineration/deep burial.

3. (b) Red: Red plastic bags or disinfected containers are used for
segregating laboratory waste; culture plates; items contaminated with
blood; non sharp disposable items like gloves, catheter tubings,
intravenous sets, etc.
Method of disposal: Catheter tubing’s, etc. are shredded to prevent reuse.
After shredding, they are disinfected by autoclaving, microwaving, or using
chemicals. Finally they are sent for incineration.
(c) Blue or white translucent plastic bags: Puncture-proof container-like
empty cans or thick cardboard boxes to store sharp items like needles,
syringes, scalpel blades, broken glass items, etc.
Method of disposal: After shredding these items, autoclaving,
microwaving, or chemical treatment is carried out. The waste is then sent
for deep burial or incineration.
(d) Black: Black plastic bags are used to segregate discarded medicines;
cytotoxic drugs; chemicals which have been used for disinfection;
insecticides; incinerated ash.
Method of disposal: Disposal in secured landfills.

4. (e) Liquid: This waste is disinfected and discarded in drains.
(f) Radioactive waste: This waste is hazardous. It is stored in lead
containers in the basement of hospital buildings for a 3- to 6-week period
for the radioactivity to disappear. After this period, it is discharged into the
drains.
DISINFECTION
To render infectious tissues free from pathogenic organisms, disinfection
is carried out before transporting and disposing them.
Methods of disinfection
• Thermal: Dry/wet autoclaving
• Chemical: Formaldehyde; sodium hypochlorite; ethylene oxide; bleaching
powder
• Irradiation and exposure to ultraviolet rays
• Use of microwave: A small microwave is used for small quantities of
laboratory waste. Larger units are required for large quantities of waste.
Grinding, steam spraying, microwave irradiation are used.
STORAGE
Until adequate quantity accumulates, the waste needs to be stored at the
site where it is generated. It is necessary to have security at this place to
prevent unauthorized persons and rag pickers handling the waste material.
If the hospital has its own disposal site (incinerator), the waste can be sent
there by proper garbage trolleys.
Treatment of waste
Treatment of waste is the process which modifies the waste in some way
before it is taken for final resting place, namely, disinfection; bailing and
size reduction; and shredding to make the recyclable item unusable
breaking the tip of syringe, needles, etc.

5. TRANSPORT
The transportation of the garbage can be within the hospital (internal) and
from the hospital to the final disposal site (external).
Internal transport
From different areas of the hospital, segregated waste bags are sent to the
dumping place of the hospital. Trolleys/carts used for transporting the
garbage should not be used for any other purpose. Persons carrying
garbage should wear disposable plastic gloves. Spillage must be avoided.
External transport
From the hospital site, the waste must be carried to an appropriate place:
• Incineration
• Landfill
• Vermiculture, etc.
Note that vehicles carrying hospital waste should not carry general
municipal garbage.
FINAL DISPOSAL
Final disposal of waste depends on its category. Noninfectious waste like
papers can be recycled. Biodegradable waste can be used for landfill or
vermiculture or can be just buried. Infectious solid waste is incinerated.
Infectious liquid waste is disinfected and flushed out in the drains.
INCINERATION
Refuse can be disposed of hygienically by burning or incineration. It is the
method of choice where suitable land is not available. Incineration is not a
proper method in India as the refuse contains a fair proportion of fine ash
which makes the burning difficult. A preliminary separation of dust or ash
is needed. All this involves heavy outlay and expenditure, besides
manipulative difficulties in the incinerator. Burning has a limited
application in refuse disposal in India.

6. CATEGORIES OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE
• Chemical treatment is done with 1% hypochlorite solution or equivalent
chemical
• Mutilation/shredding must be done to prevent reuse
• No chemical treatment should be done before incineration
• Chlorinated plastics shall not be incinerated.

Importance of biomedical waste management
Biomedical waste management is of great importance to reduce the serious
health implications.
Its purpose is to spread knowledge among the personnel involved in health
care services to prevent transmission of the diseases in the society and to
protect public health and environment.


THANK YOU