Proposed model for healthcare waste management

The objective of this manuscript is to propose a Healthcare Waste Management [HWM] model for the safe disposal of healthcare waste which should be comprehensive, environment friendly and in an integrated form. This descriptive analytical study was done and based upon the factors associated with the poor handling of healthcare waste at Shalamar Hospital Lahore from November, 2008 to December, 2010 in healthcare facilities [HCFs] situated in Punjab, Pakistan, a model has been proposed. Five stages for the management of the waste [a] Planning the outline, [b] Implementation of action plan, [c] Classifying job descriptions, [d] disposal method and [e] Skill Development have been evolved. This model can be applied in any healthcare facility situated in Pakistan

Outcome of 7-S, TQM technique for healthcare waste management

To assess the present waste management system of healthcare facilities [HCFs] attached with Shalamar Hospital, Lahore by applying the 7-S technique of Total Quality Management [TQM] and to find out the outcome after imparting training. Interventional quasi-experimental study. The Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, November, 2009 to November, 2010. Mckinsey's 7-S, technique of TQM was applied to assess the 220 HCFs from Lahore, Gujranwala and Sheikhupura districts for segregation, collection, transportation and disposal [SCTD] of hospital waste. Direct interview method was applied. Trainings were provided in each institution. After one year action period, the status of four areas of concern was compared before and after training. The parameters studied were segregation, collection, transportation and disposal systems in the 220 HCFs. Each of these were further elaborated by strategy, structure, system, staff, skill, style and stakeholder/shared value factors. Standard error of difference of proportion was applied to assess significance using 95% confidence level. There was marked improvement in all these areas ranging from 20% to 77% following a training program of 3 months. In case of disposal of the waste strategy, structure and system an increase of 60%, 65% and 75% was observed after training. The 7-S technique played a vital role in assessing the hospital waste management system. Training for the healthcare workers played a significant role in healthcare facilities

Early clinical symptoms associated with occupational lead toxicity

An epidemiological study of occupation hazard of exposure to lead was made in 184 workers in a Printing press, Benghazi, Libya. The subjects were divided into three group I [32] working close to source of fumes and/or dust, group II [108] working a little distance a way but breathing in the same hall atmoshere, group III [44] clerks in the neighbouring administrative building. They were compared with group IV [145] workers of a Pepsi-Cola factory, Their history and clinical symptomatology relating to gastrointestinal, muscoloskeletal and neurological systems were obtained. Blood lead [Pb B] levels were estimated from randomly selected workers of each group using atomic absorpion spectrophotometry. They mean Pb.B. levels of the exposed groups I and II were 26.16 and 25.60 micro g/dl respectively. Group III and IV showed 15.69 and 21.85 micro g/dl respectively, which are lower than the accepted toxic levels. There was preponderance of gastrointestinal symptoms in group I workers in comparison with other groups. The relative frequencies of muscoloskeletal and neurological symptoms are discussed. There appears to be no correlation between the blood lead level measured and the degree of morbidity observed in the cases studied. Taking early clinical symptoms as a guide of lead toxicity, possible preventive measures to minimize this hazard are suggested