Abstract

Background: Biomedical waste (BMW) has recently emerged as an issue of major concern not only to hospitals and nursing homes, but also to the environmental and law enforcing agencies, media, and the general public. BMW forms approximately 1%–2% of the total municipal solid waste stream. Objectives: The aims of the study were the following: to get background information about the disposal of hospital waste; todeterminetheawarenessregardingwastemanagementpractices;todocumentthewastemanagementpractices;andto suggest the possible remedial measures, if required. SubjectsandMethods:Across-sectionalstudywasconductedinamedicalcollegehospitalinPatialadistrict.Asurveyof the personnel handling and monitoring the BMW was carried out using a scientifically prescribed questionnaire.
Results: More than90%ofthe nursesand laboratory technicianswerewell awareof the properdisposal ofthe sharpsand infectedwaste,butonly50%ofthesweeperscouldsatisfactorilyansweraboutthesame.Amongnurses,approximately90% were aware that improper management of BMW causes environmental pollution and injuries, whereas 60% of nurses and laboratory technicians could enlist the diseases transmitted by improper handling of BMW. Approximately 40–60% of ward boys and sweepers were aware of the effects of poor handling of BMW on environment and the injuries caused by it, but noneofthemcouldtellthediseasestransmittedbytheimproperrecyclingofhospitalwasteorbyimproperhandlingofBMW. Conclusion: The human element is found to be far more important than the technology. Almost any system of treatment and disposal of BMW that is operated by well-trained and well-motivated staff can provide greater protection to staff, patients, and the community than an expensive and sophisticated system that is managed by staff who do not understand the risk and the importance of their contribution.