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Yang T, Du Y, Sun M, Meng J, Li Y. Risk Management for Whole-Process Safe Disposal of Medical Waste: Progress and Challenges. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2024; 17:1503-1522. [PMID: 38859877 PMCID: PMC11164087 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s464268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the global outbreaks of SARS, influenza A (H1N1), COVID-19, and other major infectious diseases have exposed the insufficient capacity for emergency disposal of medical waste in numerous countries and regions. Particularly during epidemics of major infectious diseases, medical waste exhibits new characteristics such as accelerated growth rate, heightened risk level, and more stringent disposal requirements. Consequently, there is an urgent need for advanced theoretical approaches that can perceive, predict, evaluate, and control risks associated with safe disposal throughout the entire process in a timely, accurate, efficient, and comprehensive manner. This article provides a systematic review of relevant research on collection, storage, transportation, and disposal of medical waste throughout its entirety to illustrate the current state of safe disposal practices. Building upon this foundation and leveraging emerging information technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), we deeply contemplate future research directions with an aim to minimize risks across all stages of medical waste disposal while offering valuable references and decision support to further advance safe disposal practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yang
- School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China
- Intelligent Interconnected Systems Laboratory of Anhui Province (Hefei University of Technology), Hefei, Anhui, 230009, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanan Du
- School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingzhen Sun
- School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Meng
- School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiyi Li
- School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China
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Lemieux P, Touati A, Sawyer J, Aslett D, Serre S, Pourdeyhimi B, Grondin P, McArthur T, Abdel-Hady A, Monge M. Use of semi-permeable bag materials to facilitate on-site treatment of biological agent-contaminated waste. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 178:292-300. [PMID: 38422682 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Clean up following the wide-area release of a persistent biological agent has the potential to generate significant waste. Waste containing residual levels of biological contaminants may require off-site shipment under the U.S. Department of Transportation's (US DOT) solid waste regulations for Category A infectious agents, which has packaging and size limitations that do not accommodate large quantities. Treating the waste on-site to inactivate the bio-contaminants could alleviate the need for Category A shipping and open the possibility for categorizing the waste as conventional solid waste with similar shipping requirements as municipal garbage. To collect and package waste for on-site treatment, a semi-permeable nonwoven-based fabric was developed. The fabric was designed to contain residual bio-contaminants while providing sufficient permeability for penetration by a gaseous decontamination agent. The nonwoven fabric was tested in two bench-scale experiments. First, decontamination efficacy and gas permeability were evaluated by placing test coupons inoculated with spores of a Bacillus anthracis surrogate inside the nonwoven material. After chlorine dioxide fumigation, the coupons were analyzed for spore viability and results showed a ≥6 Log reduction on all test materials except glass. Second, filters cut from the nonwoven material were tested in parallel with commercially available cellulose acetate filters having a known pore size (0.45 μm) and results demonstrate that the two materials have similar permeability characteristics. Overall, results suggest that the nonwoven material could be used to package waste at the point of generation and then moved to a nearby staging area where it could be fumigated to inactivate bio-contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Lemieux
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States.
| | | | - Jonathan Sawyer
- Jacobs Technology Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Denise Aslett
- Jacobs Technology Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Shannon Serre
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Behnam Pourdeyhimi
- The Nonwovens Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Pierre Grondin
- The Nonwovens Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Timothy McArthur
- Science Systems and Applications, Inc., Lanham, MD, United States
| | - Ahmed Abdel-Hady
- Jacobs Technology Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Mariela Monge
- Consolidated Safety Services, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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3
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Nassour C, Nabhani-Gebara S, Barton SJ, Barker J. Anti-cancer drug waste disposal practices and wastewater management in hospitals: A Lebanese survey. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2024; 30:78-87. [PMID: 37006138 PMCID: PMC10804692 DOI: 10.1177/10781552231167875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To achieve continuous environmental sustainability and protect the population's health, healthcare waste (in liquid or solid form) needs appropriate management and suitable treatment strategies before its final disposal in the environment in order to reduce its adverse impacts. This study aims to identify disparities in the waste management of anti-cancer drugs and the wastewater generated in Lebanese hospitals. METHODS Three questionnaires were designed to evaluate the level of knowledge, awareness and experience of hospital personnel regardless of their job levels. Data was collected in December 2019 from three departments of each participating hospital: pharmacy, oncology and maintenance departments. A descriptive analysis was conducted to summarise the survey results. RESULTS The results revealed a lack of transparency and awareness of the participants, with a high frequency of 'prefer not to say' responses when asked about the disposal methods of anti-cancer drugs and with only 5.7% of the participants in the pharmacy department sharing their disposal procedures. The same perception was deduced regarding hospitals' wastewater treatment, where responses were often contradicting, preventing making assumptions about the fate of hospital wastewater. CONCLUSION The results of this survey support the need to establish a more comprehensive waste management programme in Lebanon that would be maintained through regular training and supervision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Nassour
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames, UK
| | - Shereen Nabhani-Gebara
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames, UK
| | - Stephen J Barton
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames, UK
| | - James Barker
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames, UK
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Le AB, Shkembi A, Tadee A, Sturgis AC, Gibbs SG, Neitzel RL. Characterization of perceived biohazard exposures, personal protective equipment, and training resources among a sample of formal U.S. solid waste workers: A pilot study. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2023; 20:129-135. [PMID: 36786831 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2023.2179060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, the majority of waste workers work with solid waste. In solid waste operations, collection, sorting, and disposal can lead to elevated biohazard exposures (e.g., bioaerosols, bloodborne and other pathogens, human and animal excreta). This cross-sectional pilot study aimed to characterize solid waste worker perception of biohazard exposures, as well as worker preparedness and available resources (e.g., access to personal protective equipment, level of training) to address potential biohazard exposures. Three sites were surveyed: (1) a family-owned, small-scale waste disposal facility, (2) a county-level, recycling-only facility, and (3) an industrial-sized, large-scale facility that contains a hauling and landfill division. Survey items characterized occupational biohazards, resources to mitigate and manage those biohazards, and worker perceptions of biohazard exposures. Descriptive statistics were generated. The majority of workers did not report regularly coming into contact with blood, feces, and bodily fluids (79%). As such, less than one-fifth were extremely concerned about potential illness from biological exposures (19%). Yet, most workers surveyed (71%) reported an accidental laceration/cut that would potentially expose workers to biohazards. This study highlights the need for additional research on knowledge of exposure pathways and perceptions of the severity of exposure among this occupational group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora B Le
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Abas Shkembi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Anupon Tadee
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Anna C Sturgis
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Shawn G Gibbs
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Richard L Neitzel
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Sánchez JH, Gouveia S, Cameselle C. Transport of High-Risk Infectious Substances: Packaging for the Transport of Category A Infectious Specimens in Spain. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12989. [PMID: 36293570 PMCID: PMC9603073 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192012989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Infectious specimens and materials with pathogens included in Category A of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) must be transported following Packing Instruction P620. A triple packaging system must include leakproof receptacles and impact-resistant packaging to preserve the integrity of the samples and prevent the release of their content in any event during transport. ADR Packing Instruction P620 indicates that the primary receptacle or secondary packaging must withstand, without leakage, an internal pressure not less than 95 kPa at temperatures ranging from -40 °C to +55 °C. This study analyzes various packaging systems available in the Spanish market for the transportation of infectious samples to determine if they comply with the overpressure test, the most difficult to meet according to Packing Instruction P620. Five packaging systems were selected in this study. None of the secondary packaging tested showed adequate characteristics to withstand the pressure leakproof test. In this case, a primary receptacle (containing the sample directly) capable of withstanding an internal pressure of 95 kPa without leakage must be used (for example: test tubes with screw caps). However, manufacturer or distributor specifications are not always clear or readily available in this regard. Health, laboratory, and carrier personnel should be aware of the ADR regulation and packaging characteristics for safe and secure handling and transportation of high-risk Category A infectious materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge H. Sánchez
- BiotecnIA Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- HISANTA S.L., 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Susana Gouveia
- BiotecnIA Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
- HISANTA S.L., 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Claudio Cameselle
- BiotecnIA Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
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Le AB, Brown CK, Gibbs SG, Uhrig A, Green AD, Broch Brantsæter A, Herstein JJ, Vasa A, Shugart J, Wilson Egbe W, Lowe JJ. Best practices of highly infectious decedent management: Consensus recommendations from an international expert workshop. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2022; 19:129-138. [PMID: 35025726 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2022.2027427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With the increasing number of highly infectious disease incidents, outbreaks, and pandemics in our society (e.g., Ebola virus disease, Lassa fever, coronavirus diseases), the need for consensus and best practices on highly infectious decedent management is critical. In January 2020, a workshop of subject matter experts from across the world convened to discuss highly infectious live patient transport and highly infectious decedent management best practices. This commentary focuses on the highly infectious decedent management component of the workshop. The absence of guidance or disparate guidance on highly infectious decedent management can increase occupational safety and health risks for death care sector workers. To address this issue, the authorship presents these consensus recommendations on best practices in highly infectious decedent management, including discussion of what is considered a highly infectious decedent; scalability and storage for casualty events; integration of key stakeholders; infection control and facility considerations; transport; care and autopsy; psychological, ethical, and cultural considerations as well as multi-national care perspectives. These consensus recommendations are not intended to be exhaustive but rather to underscore this overlooked area and serve as a starting point for much-needed conversations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora B Le
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Christopher K Brown
- Division of Emergency Operations, Center for Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shawn G Gibbs
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M University School of Public Health, College Station, Texas
| | - Alexander Uhrig
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Arne Broch Brantsæter
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Department of Acute Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jocelyn J Herstein
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, Omaha, Nebraska
| | | | - Jill Shugart
- Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Wanda Wilson Egbe
- Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Washington, DC
| | - John J Lowe
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, Omaha, Nebraska
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Cornish NE, Anderson NL, Arambula DG, Arduino MJ, Bryan A, Burton NC, Chen B, Dickson BA, Giri JG, Griffith NK, Pentella MA, Salerno RM, Sandhu P, Snyder JW, Tormey CA, Wagar EA, Weirich EG, Campbell S. Clinical Laboratory Biosafety Gaps: Lessons Learned from Past Outbreaks Reveal a Path to a Safer Future. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e0012618. [PMID: 34105993 PMCID: PMC8262806 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00126-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Patient care and public health require timely, reliable laboratory testing. However, clinical laboratory professionals rarely know whether patient specimens contain infectious agents, making ensuring biosafety while performing testing procedures challenging. The importance of biosafety in clinical laboratories was highlighted during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, where concerns about biosafety resulted in delayed diagnoses and contributed to patient deaths. This review is a collaboration between subject matter experts from large and small laboratories and the federal government to evaluate the capability of clinical laboratories to manage biosafety risks and safely test patient specimens. We discuss the complexity of clinical laboratories, including anatomic pathology, and describe how applying current biosafety guidance may be difficult as these guidelines, largely based on practices in research laboratories, do not always correspond to the unique clinical laboratory environments and their specialized equipment and processes. We retrospectively describe the biosafety gaps and opportunities for improvement in the areas of risk assessment and management; automated and manual laboratory disciplines; specimen collection, processing, and storage; test utilization; equipment and instrumentation safety; disinfection practices; personal protective equipment; waste management; laboratory personnel training and competency assessment; accreditation processes; and ethical guidance. Also addressed are the unique biosafety challenges successfully handled by a Texas community hospital clinical laboratory that performed testing for patients with Ebola without a formal biocontainment unit. The gaps in knowledge and practices identified in previous and ongoing outbreaks demonstrate the need for collaborative, comprehensive solutions to improve clinical laboratory biosafety and to better combat future emerging infectious disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy E. Cornish
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nancy L. Anderson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Diego G. Arambula
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Matthew J. Arduino
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging & Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andrew Bryan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nancy C. Burton
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Bin Chen
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Beverly A. Dickson
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Judith G. Giri
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Global Health (CGH), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | | | - Reynolds M. Salerno
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Paramjit Sandhu
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - James W. Snyder
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Christopher A. Tormey
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Wagar
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth G. Weirich
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sheldon Campbell
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Goh KJ, Wong J, Tien JCC, Ng SY, Duu Wen S, Phua GC, Leong CKL. Preparing your intensive care unit for the COVID-19 pandemic: practical considerations and strategies. Crit Care 2020; 24:215. [PMID: 32393325 PMCID: PMC7213774 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-020-02916-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly evolved into a worldwide pandemic. Preparing intensive care units (ICU) is an integral part of any pandemic response. In this review, we discuss the key principles and strategies for ICU preparedness. We also describe our initial outbreak measures and share some of the challenges faced. To achieve sustainable ICU services, we propose the need to 1) prepare and implement rapid identification and isolation protocols, and a surge in ICU bed capacity; (2) provide a sustainable workforce with a focus on infection control; (3) ensure adequate supplies to equip ICUs and protect healthcare workers; and (4) maintain quality clinical management, as well as effective communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Junyang Goh
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore, 169608, Singapore.
| | - Jolin Wong
- Division of Anaesthesiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Shin Yi Ng
- Division of Anaesthesiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sewa Duu Wen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - Ghee Chee Phua
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - Carrie Kah-Lai Leong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
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Al-Khatib IA, Khalaf AS, Al-Sari MI, Anayah F. Medical waste management at three hospitals in Jenin district, Palestine. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 192:10. [PMID: 31807921 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7992-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Medical wastes are considered hazardous because they may possess infectious agents and can cause unsafe effects on the environment and human health. This study is to analyze and evaluate the current status of medical waste management at Jenin's district in light of medical waste control regulations recommended by the World Health Organization. The results demonstrated that the average hazardous healthcare waste generation rate ranges from 0.54 to 1.82 kg/bed/day with a weighted average of 0.78 kg/bed/day. There was no established waste segregation of healthcare waste types in all hospitals, and these wastes were finally disposed of in a centralized municipal sanitary landfill, namely Zahrat Al-Finjan. The results suggest that there is a need for activation and enforcement of medical waste laws. This can be achieved through cooperation among key actors: Ministry of Health, Environmental Quality Authority, Ministry of Local Government, and Non-Governmental Organizations working in related fields. Additional remediation measures proposed to tackle the problematic areas of medical waste management in Jenin's district hospitals are addressed. Some recommendations to minimize potential health and environmental risks of medical waste are also introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issam A Al-Khatib
- Institute of Environmental and Water Studies, Birzeit University, P.O. Box 14, Birzeit, Palestine.
| | - Abdul-Salam Khalaf
- Radiography Department, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Arab American University, P.O. Box 240, Jenin, Palestine
| | - Majed I Al-Sari
- Universal Institute of Applied and Health Research, Nablus, Palestine
- The Joint Service Council for Solid Waste Management for Hebron and Bethlehem Governorates, Hebron, Palestine
| | - Fathi Anayah
- College of Engineering and Technology, Palestine Technical University-Kadoorie, P.O. Box 7, Tulkarm, Palestine
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Maves RC, Jamros CM, Smith AG. Intensive Care Unit Preparedness During Pandemics and Other Biological Threats. Crit Care Clin 2019; 35:609-618. [PMID: 31445608 PMCID: PMC7134984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccc.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Maves
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Naval Medical Center, 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134, USA.
| | - Christina M Jamros
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Naval Medical Center, 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
| | - Alfred G Smith
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Naval Medical Center, 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
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11
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Dehghani MH, Ahrami HD, Nabizadeh R, Heidarinejad Z, Zarei A. Medical waste generation and management in medical clinics in South of Iran. MethodsX 2019; 6:727-733. [PMID: 31011544 PMCID: PMC6461567 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2019.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Medical wastes account for around 1–2% of urban wastes, which are very important in terms of health. In this regard, they are very important and can jeopardize human health. The aim of this study was to determine the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the wastes in medical clinics in the south of Iran and in order to present suitable management solutions. First, 14 medical clinics were chosen and 24 samples were taken from each clinic (two samples per month) with a total 336 samples. Considering the special properties and the risk potential, the wastes generated in medical clinics were categorized as infections and special waste groups. In terms of properties, they were classified as pseudo-household, infectious, sharp, pharmaceutical, and paper wastes. Once the samples were collected, they were weighed and the results were analyzed by SPSS. The results indicated that in terms of quantity, the waste generated in the first and second groups was 8550.377 and 8053.71 kg/year, respectively. Furthermore, most of the wastes generated in the first and second groups accounted for pseudo-household (80.7%) and infectious (72.77%) wastes, respectively. Due to presence of the specialty of pathology laboratory in the second group, the quantity of infectious waste has increased. Therefore, for proper management of medical wastes in the studied clinics, the clinics of the studied study should implement and apply the rules of waste management properly. Furthermore, training physicians and employees in clinics about reducing, recycling, and collecting wastes in a separate form in clinics should be done in priority. In this study, the classification of Basel convention and World Health Organization was considered as the basis of waste classification. The results indicated that in the first group of the studied clinics, the order of the waste quantity was as follows: pseudo-household > infectious > sharp > paper. Due to large amounts of hazardous infectious wastes in the second group of the studied medical clinics, it necessitates proper management of collection and disposal of these wastes. Results can be used to improve the management of waste generation practices in medical clinics with high risk and special wastes potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hadi Dehghani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Institute for Environmental Research, Center for Solid Waste Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Dashti Ahrami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Nabizadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Center for Air Quality Research, Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zoha Heidarinejad
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.,Food Health Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Ahmad Zarei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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12
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Le AB, Buehler SA, Maniscalco PM, Lane P, Rupp LE, Ernest E, Von Seggern D, West K, Herstein JJ, Jelden KC, Beam EL, Gibbs SG, Lowe JJ. Determining training and education needs pertaining to highly infectious disease preparedness and response: A gap analysis survey of US emergency medical services practitioners. Am J Infect Control 2018; 46:246-252. [PMID: 29499788 PMCID: PMC7132664 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Gap-analysis survey concerning HID preparedness among U.S. EMS was conducted. Knowledge deficits for exposure routes of notable select HIDs were identified. Results indicate practitioners could gain from updated HID training and education.
Background The Ebola virus disease outbreak highlighted the lack of consistent guidelines and training for workers outside of hospital settings. Specifically, emergency medical services (EMS) workers, who are frequently the first professionals to evaluate patients, often do not have advanced notice of patient diagnosis, and have limited time in their national curricula devoted to highly infectious disease (HID) identification and containment. All of these can place them at increased risk. To explore the depth of US EMS practitioners' HID training and education, a pilot gap analysis survey was distributed to determine where the aforementioned can be bolstered to increase occupational safety. Methods Electronic surveys were distributed to EMS organization members. The survey collected respondent willingness to encounter HID scenarios; current policies and procedures; and levels of knowledge, training, and available resources to address HIDs. Results A total of 2,165 surveys were initiated and collected. Eighty percent of frontline personnel were aware that their agency had an HID standard operating guideline. Almost 85% of respondents correctly marked routes of exposure for select HIDs. More than half of respondents indicated no maximum shift times in personal protective equipment. Discussion This research suggests EMS practitioners could benefit from enhanced industry-specific education, training, and planning on HID mitigation and management. Conclusion Strengthening EMS preparedness in response to suspected or confirmed HID cases may not only improve patient outcomes, but also worker and community safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora B Le
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN; Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN.
| | - Sean A Buehler
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN; Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
| | - Paul M Maniscalco
- International Association of Emergency Medical Services Chiefs, Washington, DC
| | - Pamela Lane
- National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, Clinton, MS
| | - Lloyd E Rupp
- Emergency Medical Services, Omaha Fire & Rescue, Omaha, NE
| | - Eric Ernest
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Debra Von Seggern
- Center for Continuing Education, EMS and Trauma Program, University of Nebraska Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Katherine West
- Infection Control/Emerging Concepts, Inc, Alexandria, VA
| | - Jocelyn J Herstein
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Katelyn C Jelden
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Elizabeth L Beam
- College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Shawn G Gibbs
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
| | - John J Lowe
- Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE; Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
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