Indian Journal of Community Medicine Vol. 31, No. 2, April - June, 2006

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Study of Awareness Status about Hospital Waste Managementamong Personnel and Quantification

Y. Saraf, M. Shinde, S.C. Tiwari

Introduction

The Bio-Medical Waste means any solid, liquid wastematerial, generated during the process of diagnosis, treatment& immunization of human being or animal. These wastematerial could cause serious hazards to health & environmentin case of indiscriminate management. All the hospitalpersonnel are at a risk to get many fatal infections like HIV,HBV, HCV & injuries by these infectious materials.To avoidthese hazards, discriminate waste management systemshould be implemented in hospital infrastructure.

Methodology

The study was the part of ongoing project, jointly organizedby Department Of Community Medicine, Gandhi MedicalCollege, Hamidia Hospital & Central Pollution Control Board.The study was mainly conducted in Hamidia Hospitalwhich was 900 beds and about 1000 personnel.

A scientifically prescribed Performa was used for data contain.The First step was to conduct Cross-sectional survey toassess knowledge of the personnel (working staff includingdoctors, nurses , ward boys & sweepers). The second stepwas to conduct observational survey to quantify the wastegenerated per day per shift in the hospital. Generated wastewas properly segregated & collected in 4 color bags (Red,Blue, Yellow & Black) then transported to the place whereweighing machine was situated. After weighing, the wastewas transported to the ultimate disposal site.

Sampling-Simple random sampling was done. A total of 120persons comprising doctors, nurses, ward boys & sweepersof various departments (30 from each categorys wereinterviewed. Junior / Temporary staff, trainees and contractworkers were not included in the study.

Results

Table-I showed that all respondents having good knowledgeabout types of material generated in hospital. Although levelof knowledge was more among doctors & nurses ascompared to the ward boys & Sweepers.

Almost all the respondents (100%) among Doctors & Nurseswere aware that improper management of Waste causes

Deptt. of Community Medicine, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal.E-mail : yashmadansaraf@yahoomail.comReceived : 28.8.2000

Table I : Level of knowledge about type of Waste material in percent.

Types if waste Doctors Nurses Ward Sweepers TotalMaterial BoysStationar; Papers 100 100 60.6 60.6 83.3Sharp Instruments 100 100 66.6 66.6 83.3ie Needles, bladesCotton 100 100, 66.6 6 6.6 83.3Infected waste 100 100 60 40 75Radio active waste 13.3 0 0 0 0

Table II : Level of knowledge about Health Hazards caused by hospitalwaste in percent.

Health Hazards Doctors Nurses Ward Sweepers TotalMaterial Boys

Environmental 100 100 40 33.3 68.6

Pollution

Infections 100 100 60 46.6 76.6

Injuries 100 100 60^ 60 80

Diseases transmitted 10083.3 46.6 46.6 70

by recycling

Awareness Status about Hospital Waste Management

above health hazards while 40-60% of ward boys & sweeperswere aware about this fact.

Respondents felt that Incineration was the best method (81%)of solid waste disposal. Soakage pit construction as the mostpractical & effective method for liquid waste disposal wassuggested by all respondents. All respondents felt that closedcontains should be used for collecting waste.

Discussion

Awareness study about hospital waste management showeddoctors & nurses had good knowledge of waste managementas compared to workers probably due to the training got bythem jointly organized by Medical College & CPCB. Thequantity of Waste generated in hospital was 2 to 6kg/day/shift, That amount is inadequate as for as the capacity, patientturnover & facilities available in the teaching institute hospital.The reason might be due to faulty practicing of Wastecollection, segregation, transportation & disposal of wasteby personnel. Therefore all the waste generated in hospitalwas not quantified & most of the waste material wasindiscriminately thrown in hospital, surroundings.