HEALTH-CARE WASTEMANAGEMENT

PRESENTED BY Gloria Agguh

OUTLINE Definition of healthcare waste;

Classify the types of healthcare waste; Discuss the risks and hazards of healthcare wastes Discuss the key steps in healthcare waste management Waste segregation; Healthcare waste transportation; Healthcare waste storage; Disposal /treatment methods of healthcare waste.

DEFINITION

WHO defines Health Care Waste(HCW) as the total waste stream froma healthcare or research facility thatincludes both potential risk waste andnon-risk waste materials.

It is also defined as any waste that isgenerated in the diagnosis, treatmentor immunization of human beings.

Waste category Description and examples

Infectious waste Waste suspected to contain pathogens:

Laboratory cultures; waste from isolation wards; tissues (swabs),materials, or equipment that have been in contact with infected patients; excreta

Pathological waste Human tissues or fluids:

Body parts; blood and other body fluids;

Sharps Sharp waste:

Needles; infusion sets; scalpels; knives; blades; broken glass.

Pharmaceutical waste Waste containing pharmaceuticals:

Pharmaceuticals that are expired or no longer needed; items contaminated by or containing pharmaceuticals (boxes, bottles)

CATEGORIES OF HCWs

CATEGORIES OF HCWsWaste Category Description and exampleWaste with high content of heavy metal

A sub – classification of chemical waste which are usually highly toxic

Batteries, broken thermometers blood pressure gauges etc

Pressurized containers Potentially harmful gas in containersGas cylinders

Radioactive waste Waste from ionizing radiationUnused liquids from radiotherapy or laboratory research.

CLASSIFICATION AND WASTE

• On the basis of their likelihood to cause major health hazards, health care waste are further classified into

• HIGH RISK WASTE Infection Wastes Chemical Wastes Pharmaceutical Wastes Radioactive Wastes

CLASSIFICATION OF WASTE

Pressurized containers

LOW RISK WASTE

General wastes from offices

HEALTH CARE WASTE MGMENT

CLASSIFICATION OF WASTE IN OGO-OLUWA HOSPITAL

• Highly infectious: comprise blood and blood product

• Infectious waste e.g. Urine, biological waste, pharmaceutical waste e.tc.

• Non infectious /General waste

RISK OF HCWs

HCW create a variety of health risks to:

The health care provider The Recipient or patient The community /Environment

Implications of healthcare waste: Health implication

To the health care provider and patients

Needle stick injuries (accidental or intentional as in re-cap, reuse or wrong technique)

Cuts from other sharps not properly disposed Exposure to radioactive material

CONTINUATION

Infections: Transmission of infections e.g hepatitis

A,B,C,HIV/AIDS Enteric infections transmitted by flies feeding

on waste e.g. cholera, dysentery, Skin infections resulting from direct contact

with waste.

CONTINUATION

Chronic diseases: Incineration operators are especially at risk of

chronic respiratory diseases, resulting from exposure to dust and hazardous compounds

Accidents: Wounds, most often infected, resulting from

contact with sharp items. Poisoning and chemical burns resulting from contact

with small amount of hazardous chemical waste mixed with general waste.

• Injury from improperly disposed sharps• Environmental pollution or degradation, e.g.

air, water• Exposure to radioactive waste• Toxic waste effects• Public nuisance (offensive smells, unsightly

derbris)

Implication of healthcare waste: Environmental implication

WHO IS AT RISK?

• All workers in the health care facilities • Patient • The general public • Service provider workers who are involved in

the collection and disposal of health care waste (Ward Aids)

Steps in HCW Management

• Plan: Have a HCW management planWaste minimization:

Avoid unnecessary waste e.g. use oral drugs instead of injection if possible

Segregation: Implement a system of separating sharps, infectious and general

wasteAccess: waste segregation materialsSafety: Make use of personal protective equipment.

CONTINUATION • Transportation: onsite and off site Treatment: this may be by incineration,(uses both heat and chemical reaction:

oxidation by atmospheric oxygen) microwave or chemicals (Alkali, Chlorine cpds like hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide)

Disposal: Appropriate release of treated waste into soil, water or air.Immunize: Against hepatitis B and also have post exposure care for HIV.Capacity building: train all levels of health care staff

WASTE SEGREGATION

• Separating different types of waste at the point of generation and keeping them isolated from each other

• It is the most important step in the entire process of HCW Management

WHO RECOMMENDED COLOUR CODING FOR HCW SEGREGATION

Types of waste Color of Container and Markings

Types of Container

Highly infections Waste Yellow, Marked “Highly infection” or Red

Strong, leak proof container or bag capable of bring autoclaved

Other infectious waste Yellow Plastic Bag or Containers

Sharps Yellow, Marked “SHARPS” Puncture Proof Containers

Chemical and Pharmaceutical waste

Brown Plastic Bag or Container

Radioactive waste Lead Box Labeled with the radioactive symbol

General Health Care Waste Black Plastic Bags

OGO-OLUWA HOSPITAL COLOUR CODING FOR SYSTEM

Types of waste Color of Container and Markings

Types of Container

Highly infections Waste Yellow, Marked “Highly infection” or Red

Strong, leak proof plastic container and bags

infectious waste Yellow Plastic Containers and bags

Non infectious Black Plastic Container and bags

Plastic Container

Plastic bags

Containers Use For Sharps In Ogo-Oluwa Hospital

HCW TREATMENT

• Treatment means any method technique or process for altering the biological, chemical, or physical characteristic of waste. This is to render it non infectious or reduce the hazards it present during further handling. It can be done by incineration, autoclaving e.t.c

HCW DISPOSAL

• Disposal of HCW means “to bury, deposit, discharge, dump, or the release of any HCW into air, land or water.

Importance of proper waste disposal

• Minimizes the spread of infection and reduces the risk of accidental injury to staff, patients visitors and community

• Reduces odors;• Improve the facility

internal safety and hygiene.

BEFORE HCWM

AFTER HCWM

Thanks for

audience

Gloria Agguh

Powered By:

OOHB ICT Department