Aims: The present study assesses the knowledge of Biomedical waste
(BMW) categories, colour coding, transport, storage, and disposal of Biomedical
waste among healthcare workers.
Background: Hospital waste (Biomedical waste) is dangerous due to
its hazardous and infectious nature in comparison to other kinds of waste.
Almost 75-90% of the waste produced by hospitals, nursing homes, etc. is
non-risk in nature as it is generated from administrative and general
housekeeping.
Materials and methods: This
cross-sectional study was conducted over the duration of 1 month, in the
Multi-speciality Hospital, Pune, India. A predesigned questionnaire with
closed-ended questions was used to conduct this study on HCWs. Data related to
awareness and knowledge about various aspects of biomedical waste management
were collected.
Results: Out of 100 HCWs, 40 doctors knew all BMW categories. 45
doctors and 40 nursing staff (a total of 85 HCWs) correctly answered questions
on colour coding. Only 30 doctors and 21 nursing staff knew about BMW
transport. 25 doctors and 18 nurses answered correctly about BMW storage and
disposal. In our study, 60% of healthcare workers including doctors and nursing
staff were aware of BMW categories. 85% of healthcare workers had knowledge
about colour coding of biomedical waste.
Conclusion: Vigorous and repeated training and evaluation are
needed to bridge the knowledge gaps among HCWs. Hands-on sessions on various
aspects of BMW management under supervision need to be organised separately
involving each category of HCWs as well as for the frontline staff
(Pharmacists, billing, reception) in every healthcare organization to improve
compliance amongst all stakeholders.
Author
(s) Details
Ketaki
N. Pathak
Department of Microbiology, Symbiosis International (Deemed)
University (SIU), Symbiosis Medical College for Women (SMCW), Lavale, Pune,
Maharashtra, India.
Niranjan
P. Pathak
Department of General Medicine, PCMC’s PGI & YCM Hospital,
Pimpri, Pune, India.
AnjaliV.Kulkarni
Department of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Shree Siddheshwar
College of Physiotherapy, Solapur, Maharashtra, India.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mmrnp/v7/2041
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