Hospital Waste Management in its settings.pptx

This is all about hospital waste management and its importance currently

1. HOSPITAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

2. INTRODUCTION TO HOSPITAL WASTE MANAGEMENT Hospital waste management refers to the processes and systems used by healthcare institutions to manage the waste generated within healthcare settings. This waste can be hazardous or non-hazardous and requires specific handling, treatment, and disposal methods to ensure safety for both healthcare workers and the environment. Effective waste management is crucial for infection control, regulatory compliance, and environmental sustainability . 75-90% Non-hazardous or general wastes 10-15% Hazardous wastes

3. TYPES OF HOSPITAL WASTE Hospital waste is generally categorized into the following types: 1. Infectious Waste: Includes items contaminated with blood, bodily fluids, or infectious agents (e.g., surgical waste, contaminated bandages). 2. Hazardous Waste: Includes pharmaceutical drugs, chemicals, or radioactive materials that can pose risks to human health or the environment. 3. Non-Hazardous Waste: Includes general waste like paper, plastic, and food waste that do not pose significant health risks. 4. Sharps Waste: Includes needles, syringes, scalpels, and other sharp instruments used in medical procedures. 5. Pharmaceutical Waste: Expired, unused, or contaminated medications and medical supplies.

4. CLASSIFICATION OF HEALTH CARE WASTE: Waste generated from the healthcare facility is classified as: Bio Medical Waste General Waste -Wet waste -Dry waste - Construction and Demolition waste Other Wastes -Batteries -E-waste -Radio active wastes

5. CATEGORIES: YELLOW Human Anatomical waste Animal Anatomical waste Soiled wastes Discarded or expired medicines Chemical wastes Chemical liquid waste Discarded linens and mattresses contaminated with blood or body fluid Microbiology and biotechnology wastes RED Wastes generated from disposable items such as tubing, bottles, intravenous tubes and sets, catheters, urine bags, syringes without needles, fixed needle syringes with their needles cut, vaccutainers and gloves. WHITE Waste Sharps including metals Needles, syringes with fixed needles, needles from needle tip cutter or burner, scalpels, blades, or any other contaminated sharp object that may cause puncture and cuts. This includes both used, discarded and contaminated.

6. BLUE Broken or discarded and contaminated glass including medicine vials and ampoules except those contaminated with cytotoxic wastes.

7. IMPORTANCE OF PROPER WASTE MANAGEMENT Proper hospital waste management is essential for: Protecting healthcare workers and patients from potential infections or exposure to harmful substances. Preventing environmental contamination through proper disposal of hazardous waste. Ensuring compliance with local, national, and international regulations on waste disposal. Reducing the costs of healthcare operations by minimizing waste and improving resource efficiency. Promoting sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint of healthcare facilities.

8. SEGREGATION OF HOSPITAL WASTE Segregating hospital waste is the first and most crucial step in waste management. It involves: Identifying different types of waste and using color-coded bins or containers for disposal. Training staff to properly segregate waste at the point of generation, i.e., immediately after use. Ensuring the use of appropriate containers for sharps, chemicals, infectious materials, and non-hazardous waste. Effective segregation reduces the risk of cross-contamination and facilitates easier treatment and disposal.

9. TRANSPORTATION: 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 waste (should have separate colored plastic bag for these waste). Transportation should be done in sealed container, sanitation supervisor should ensure for leakage.

10. COLLECTION AND STORAGE OF WASTE Once waste is segregated, it must be properly collected and stored to minimize risks: Collection: Waste should be collected frequently, especially infectious and hazardous waste, to prevent spills or contamination. Storage: Waste should be stored in designated, secure, and labeled areas to prevent unauthorized access and environmental exposure. Ensure that waste storage areas are ventilated, with temperature control where necessary (for example, pharmaceutical or chemical waste).

11. TREATMENT OF HOSPITAL WASTE Different types of hospital waste require different treatment methods before disposal. Common treatment methods include: Autoclaving: Uses high-pressure steam to sterilize infectious waste, rendering it safe for disposal. Incineration: Burns hazardous and infectious waste at high temperatures to eliminate pathogens. Chemical Disinfection: Utilizes chemicals to disinfect infectious materials, making them safe to handle. Microwave Treatment: Uses microwave radiation to heat and sterilize waste materials. Each method should be selected based on the type of waste and available resources.

12. DISPOSAL OF HOSPITAL WASTE Disposal of hospital waste must be done in accordance with regulatory requirements to prevent harm to the environment and public health: Landfilling: Non-hazardous waste can be disposed of in controlled landfills. Incineration: Some types of hazardous waste, such as pharmaceuticals and sharps, can be incinerated. Recycling: Certain non-hazardous waste materials, such as paper and plastics, can be recycled if segregated properly. Deep burial: In some cases, especially with infectious waste, deep burial may be used as a last resort. Hospitals should always ensure that their disposal methods meet local and international waste management standards.

13. CHALLENGES IN HOSPITAL WASTE MANAGEMENT Effective hospital waste management faces several challenges: Lack of awareness and training among hospital staff. Insufficient infrastructure and resources for proper waste segregation, collection, and treatment. Inadequate monitoring and enforcement of waste management practices. Growing amounts of healthcare waste due to increased patient care and medical interventions. Addressing these challenges requires strong commitment, adequate resources, and ongoing staff education .

14. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS: By implementing effective strategies for sustainable hospital waste management is vital for public health and environmental protection. Continuous improvement, staff engagement , and innovative practices will pave the way for a greener future in healthcare waste management.