Healthcare waste management and practices: A case study in Kodagu District, Karnataka, India

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Science, School of Life Science, J.S.S. University, Shivarathreshwara Nagara, Mysore-570015, India

2 Kurdistan Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

Abstract

Inappropriate handling and disposal practices of healthcare waste (HCW) at healthcare centers are significantly increasing health and environmental hazards. This paper summarizes the existing situation of HCW handling and management practices at healthcare facilities in Kodagu district (India). This study was conducted for a period of six months using well-designed checklists along with field observations and personal interviews with healthcare workers. Various HCW management issues like quantitative generation, category-wise handling, source level segregation, existing treatment, and disposal methods were studied. Moreover, drawbacks and practices in segregation, collection, transportation, storage, and final disposal methods of HCW in healthcare centers were investigated. The present study showed that lack of knowledge, guilty attitude, negligence of healthcare workers, and poor infrastructure were the major reasons for failure in the HCW handling and management system in the district. In addition to HCW management and infrastructures, associated health and environmental impacts were also discussed. Based on the existing situation and HCW management practices, suggestions and recommendations were made that may ensure the potential HCW handling and management practices and environmental risks minimization.   

Keywords


1. Safe health-care waste management: Policy paper [Online]. [cited 2004]; Available from: URL: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/medicalwa ste/hcwmpolicy/en/hcwmpolicye.pdf
2. Rutala WA, Weber DJ. Disinfection, sterilization, and control of hospital waste. In: Mandell GL, Bennett GE, Dolin R, Editors. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Science Health Science Division; 2004. p. 3331-47.
3. Murthy PG, Leelaja BC, Hosmani SP. Bio-medical wastes disposal and management in some major hospitals of Mysore City, India. International NGO Journal 2011; 6: 71-8.
4. Pandit NB, Mehta HK, Kartha GP, Choudhary SK. Management of bio-medical waste: awareness and practices in a district of Gujarat. Indian J Public Health 2005; 49(4): 245-7.
5. Razdan P, Heema AS. Bio-medical waste management system. ASCNT 2009; 26-31.
6. World Health Organization. Management of waste from hospitals and other health care establishments. Euro Report sand Studies 1985; 97: 1-61.
7. Central pollution control board, Environmental standard and guidelines for management of hospital waste. New Delhi, India: Pollution Control Board; 1996.
8. Pasupathi P, Sindhu S, Ponnusha BS, Ambika A. Biomedical waste management for health care industry. Int J Biol Med Res 2011; 2(1): 472-86.
9. Horsted-Bindslev P. Amalgam toxicity--environmental and occupational hazards. J Dent 2004; 32(5): 359-65.
10. Bansal M, Mishra A, Gautam P, Changulani R, Srivastava D, Singh Gour N. biomedical waste management: awareness and practices in a district of Madhya Pradesh. National Journal of Community Medicine V 2011; 2(3): 452-6.
11. Mathur V, Dwivedi S, Hassan M, Misra R. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices about Biomedical Waste Management among Healthcare Personnel: A Cross-sectional Study. Indian J Community Med 2011; 36(2):143- 5.
12. Yadavannavar MC, Berad AS, Jagirdar PB. Biomedical Waste Management: A Study of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices in a Tertiary Health Care Institution in Bijapur. Indian J Community Med 2010; 35(1): 170-1.
13. Rao PH. Report: Hospital waste management--awareness and practices: a study of three states in India. Waste Manag Res 2008; 26(3): 297-303.
14. Aurora CV, Bulucea AV, Bulucea MC, Popescu AF. Assessment of Biomedical Waste Situation in Hospitals of Dolj District. International Journal of Biology and Biomedical Engineering 2008; 1(2): 19-28.
15. Obekpa Abah S, Ige Ohimain E. Healthcare waste management in Nigeria: A case study. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology 2011; 3(3): 99-110.
16. Abah SO, Ohimain EI. Assessment of dumpsite rehabilitation potential using the integrated risk based approach: a case study of Eneka, Nigeria. World Applied Sciences Journal 2010; 8(4): 436-42.
17. Ministry of environment and forests. [Online]. [cited 1998]; Available from: URL:
http://www.envfor.nic.in/legis/hsm/biomed.html
18. Singh IB, Sarma RK. Hospital waste disposal system & technology. J Acad Hosp Adm 1996; 8-9(2-1): 33-9.
19. World Health Organization. Managing Medical Wastes in Developing Countries. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 1994.
20. Lakbala P, Mahesh TM. Bio-medical waste management in Shiraz city of Iran. In J Inst Town Plann 2011; 56: 1-8.