ABSTRACT
La gestión de los residuos sanitarios requiere atención especial y todos los equipos sanitarios deben participar en la manipulación de los residuos. Se presta menos atención a la gestión de residuos sanitarios en países en vías de desarrollo y no hay evidencia sobre las prácticas de gestión de residuos sanitarios en algunas instituciones sanitarias. Este estudio se realizó para evaluar las prácticas de gestión de residuos sanitarios y los factores asociados en tres hospitales de Perú. Es un estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo y de corte transversal basado en tres establecimientos de salud. Los datos se recopilaron mediante cuestionarios y listas de verificación de observación. El (66,67%) de los trabajadores conocían sobre el manejo de los desechos biológicos. La mayoría conocía los riesgos asociados con el manejo de los mismos (95,91%). Los participantes tenían el conocimiento de que pueden evitarse las infecciones. Nueve de cada diez de los trabajadores realizaron por lo menos dos capacitaciones en la gestión del manejo de los desechos biológicos. El 95,91% conocía los códigos de colores correctos de los contenedores para diferentes flujos de desechos. En cuanto a las actitudes, 161 (94,15 %) indicó que la gestión de los desechos biológicos era importante y 162 (94,74%) estuvo de acuerdo en que era necesaria una implementación estricta para la gestión adecuada de los mismos en el establecimiento de salud. Elementos clave para mejorar las prácticas de gestión de residuos sanitarios en hospitales: promover prácticas que reduzcan el volumen de residuos generados y aseguren una adecuada segregación de residuos(AU)
Healthcare waste management requires special attention and every healthcare teams should be involved in handling of wastes. However, less attention is paid to health care waste management in developing countries and there is no evidence on health care waste management practices in some institutions providing health services. This study was conducted to assess healthcare waste management practices and associated factors in three hospitals in Peru. It is a descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional study based on three health establishments. Data were collected using questionnaire and observational checklists. The (66.67%) of the workers knew about the management of biological waste. The majority knew the risks associated with handling them (95.91%). Participants were aware that infections can be prevented. Nine out of ten of the workers completed at least two trainings in the management of biological waste. 95.91% knew the correct container color codes for different waste streams. Regarding attitudes, 161 (94.15%) indicated that the management of biological waste was important and 162 (94.74%) agreed that strict implementation was necessary for proper management of biological waste in the environment health facility. Key elements to improve healthcare waste management practices in hospitals: promote practices that reduce the volume of waste generated and ensure proper waste segregation(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adolescent , Adult , Occupational Risks , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Medical Waste Disposal , Waste Management/methods , Environmental Hazards , Peru , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Health Personnel , HospitalsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between oral health professionals' knowledge, attitude, and practice with regard to infectious waste management and to identify related factors influencing it. METHODS: The study comprised of 219 oral health professionals from select dental clinics and public health centers recruited between August 25, 2016 and September 5, 2016, who agreed to participate in the study with full understanding of the study objectives. A self-reported questionnaire was administered, which consisted of 22 items on knowledge of infectious waste management, 9 items on attitude, and 16 items on practice. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: The age, knowledge, and clinical attitude of oral health professionals significantly correlated with waste management practice. Specifically, infectious waste management practice improved with increasing age, a greater level of knowledge, and a more positive clinical attitude. Additionally, the standardized regression coefficient demonstrated that, of these three factors, clinical attitude more strongly correlated with effective waste management practice, followed by age and level of knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that oral health professionals had a low level of knowledge regarding infectious waste management, and a more positive clinical attitude resulted in better practices. Therefore, the development of detailed and active education guidelines and strategies are needed to enhance the attitude, knowledge, and practice of oral health professionals with regard to infectious waste management.
Subject(s)
Dental Clinics , Education , Oral Health , Public Health , Waste ManagementABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Sharps waste is a special kind of health care waste that needs to undergo certain processes before its final disposal. These processes are guided by international policies, national laws and memoranda, the implementation of which is under the jurisdiction of certain agencies. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to document the health care sector's adherence to proper waste management practices, especially for hazardous sharps waste. It specifically documented the adherence to government regulations of six tertiary hospitals in the Manila and Pasay City areas. The study was undertaken to identify if these six hospitals adhere to the guidelines set by the World Health Organization as adapted by the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The first specific objective is to document if these hospitals are complying with the documentary requirements of such regulations as required by law. The second specific objective is to document the presence of facilities and resources in the hospital that will ensure proper implementation of regulations regarding sharps waste disposal. METHODS: The study was conducted in six tertiary hospitals, three of which are government/public and three are private hospitals. An observation checklist was constructed to identify in a detailed manner if the said hospitals were adhering to the standards set by the government. This checklist was validated by photographs for documentation. Specific areas, people and equipment of interest were earmarked for observation. Nurses stations and the laboratory for example, were singled out due to the high volume of sharps waste produced and temporarily stored in these areas. Chart reviews were also done to check if permits and policies were in place to oversee proper hospital waste management. Results. The study showed that all six hospitals were not strictly adhering to all the prescribed requirements by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Health. CONCLUSION: Even with rules and policies in place, it has been documented that all of the study hospitals have not been adhering to documentary requirements. Furthermore, the facilities and resources needed for waste management in the hospital are not available. Recommendation: The responsible agencies should closely monitor the sharps waste management practices of hospitals to ensure safety and protect the health of health care workers, patients, their companions and visitors.