Transcript Medical Waste

Ahmed alassf
Muwayed Al-
Abstract
Introduction
Identifying Risk Factors in the Hospital
(waste ,environment ,technology , people, system)
Focus on medical waste & different type
How we dispose these waste
Abstract
Our goal in this research are to focus on very important issue in
medical field .
A lot of people does not realize the sensitivity and important of
this issue. But the big problem is that some of the people who
works in the medical field (staff) do not consider the
dangerous of carelessness in this issue.
Finally, we hope to be part of the persons who contributed to
awareness of the importance for this subject.
Scope & definition
What is healthcare safety? Q Is it a matter of checking the
resistivity of the electrical wiring system? Or is it focusing on
infection control? Or is it ensuring proper water and air
quality within the hospital environment?
So what does safety mean? Or in other words, when can we say
that a certain hospitals is safe?.Let us say that a hospital is
safe so, long as it complies with all of the internationally
recognized safety standards.
Identifying Risk Factors in the Hospital
There is unlimited number of risk factors .
we try to categorize these factors in five main sources
of risk that exist in hospital, waste, environment,
technology, people and system.
Let us also keep in mind that these sources of risk are
not necessarily mutually exclusive, i.e., they may
interact to cause compound risk
A. Waste
Waste is a general term which refers to material which is
produced as-a byproduct or remainder of a certain process
not all waste is harmful For instance, biodegradable waste is
harmless so long as it is disposed of in a sanitary way.
NO
Hazardous Waste
Descreiption
Where?
1
Infectious waste
Contain pathogens
Common infected items are lab cultures, swabs, dinnerware,
…etc
Labs, isolation
wards,
operating
rooms ...etc.
2
Pathological waste
Human tissue or fluids such as blood or urine.
OR, pathology
labs ...etc.
3
Pharmaceutical waste
Drugs which expired or not Consume fully, Drug containers
Pharmacies,
patient wards.
ICU.OR, ...etc.
4
Radio-pharmaceutical
waste
Radioactive substance
(inject in blood &out with urine)
Nuclear
medicineDept
5
Chemical waste
Medical gases, used or expired lab Reagents, film developer
OR's, Labs,
dark rooms
6
Heavy metal waste
Lead-acid batteries, mercury from broken thermometers
Portablequip
ICU,OR
7
Skin penetrating hard
objects waste
Sharps, needles, broken glass
Anywhere in
hospital
B. Environment
refer to the ambient conditions in certain space.
temperature, pressure, humidity, air quality, building design and
material, electrical supply and water supply.
NO
Environmental Factor
Precaution & Hazardous Effect
1
Ambient Climate
2
Air quality
3
Water quality
4
Electrical Supply
stability in varying loads, ability to absorb excess charges ,
its ability to fail safely
5
Building Design
It has direct effects on infection control, fire control, and personal
safety such as emergency exits and hazardous area access limitation
6
Other
OR temperature must be in the lower twenties (? C)
OR pressure must be positive
OR humidity must be set at such a value
bacteria and dust, should be minimized
By using HEPA filters , (UV) ultraviolet radiation lamps at OR entrances
Difference between Drinking water quality & water used in
hemodialysis
we must concern the purity of water (particulates, ionic level)
Audio noise, vibration, and electromagnetic waves.
C. Technology
Technology is responsible for producing healthcare hazards
through undesirable byproducts or secondary effects which occur
simultaneously with the use of technology itself.
Technology
Inherent Hazard
Electrical Supply
Electric shock
Medical gases
Tank explosion - fire
Electro surgery device
Burning and scarring of surrounding tissues
Gamma Camera
Ionizing radiation
Ventilation system
Infection spread'
D. People
The Institute of Medicine (IQM) has recently published a report which
shocked both healthcare policymakers and citizens. the report stated
that at Least (44.000) Americans die annually from medical error ,
(70% ) which are preventable . great percentage of these medical
errors are purely human errors.
So , become obvious that without highly qualified people, it is
impossible to maintain a safe environment.
E. System
The system is the collection of Policies, procedures and practices in
the workplace. The system also includes P3 factors dictated by
governmental and accredited organizations.
it is essential for any given healthcare facility, regardless of its size and
location, to have a safety committee.
Safety committee policies
* The safety committee sets standards on what constitutes a hazardous effect .
* Hazards are ranked and classified according to health risk level .
* The committee must approve sites to host hazardous equipment prior to
installation .
* Training of users and technicians on new equipment must include safe
operation , emergency actions and essential ppm .
* All health care employees must immediately report any signs of hazardous
conditions to designated committee members .
Procedures
* Election of committee members .
* Meeting calendar for the committee .
* Voting on disputed issues .
* Documentation Of findings.
* Survey procedures ( suddenly visits, …)
* Warning signs and labels: size, color, disposal methods,…etc.
Risk factor
QA
QC
Waste
# Use biodegradable or environmentally friendly
reagents.
# Dispose of waste safely
and efficiently
Environment
# Design the building according
to safety standards.
# Maintain building regularly.
Technology
# Purchase medical equipment which is approved by
internationally recognized bodies.
# Perform routine maintenance
and calibration( PPM) .
# Use technology within the context of safely.
People
# Hire highly qualified personnel.
# Train personnel regularly and
effectively.
System
# Set your objectives in accordance with safety.
Monitor adherence
documenting performance &
Correction
Medical Waste
refers to material which is produced as-a byproduct or
remainder of a certain process not all waste is harmful For
instance, biodegradable waste is harmless so long as it is
disposed of in a sanitary way.
How does hospital waste affect us?
Infectious waste can cause diseases like Hepatitis, AIDS, etc.
When waste containing plastics are burnt, Dioxin is produced,
which can cause Cancer, birth defects, hearing defects.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF WASTE
1. Biohazard Waste:
defined as materials of biological origin that are capable of
producing an infectious disease in humans and includes at a
minimum blood, body fluids.
*Biohazard Sharps Waste
consists of discarded items such as derived from human patient
diagnosis, care, or treatment .
These items include hypodermic needles, glass containers.
*Biohazard Non-Sharps Waste
Blood, blood products, and body fluids classified as infectious.
2.Chemical and Hazardous Waste
Is any chemical material for disposal and includes both
hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals.
like lead acid batteries and aerosol cans.
3. Radioactive Waste
Radioactive waste is any material with detectable radioactivity
above background levels.
4. Universal Waste
a. Batteries
b. Mercury containing lamps
c. Mercury containing items (thermostats, switches,
manometers, etc).
d. Electronic items (circuit boards, computer monitors)
5. General waste
General waste is anything which does not fit into other waste
categories.
Waste Streams
a. Facilities Management/Engineering
* fluorescent bulbs.
* Waste batteries.
* Lithium, Mercury and Silver.
* Used TV monitors.
b. Laboratory/Histology/Pathology
* Waste solvents from tissue processing (Example: Formalin).
* Waste tissue stains containing Mercury.
* Discarded or waste diagnostic test reagents.
c. Pharmacy
* Waste solvents (Examples: Acetone, Ethyl
Alcohol, Phenol).
* Outdated or discarded pharmaceuticals .
d. Radiology
* Discarded X-ray film .
* Radioactive isotopes being decayed on-site.
Solution for waste disposal
Incinerators: a solution or a threat?
Incineration is treatment method for medical waste for two
important reasons. First, incineration is best method of
eliminating any infectious organisms in medical waste.
Second, incineration has been economical for hospitals because
it substantially reduces the volume to be disposed of in
landfill.
Waste is burnt at very high temperatures, that produce
emissions full of acidic gases, heavy metals and toxic
organisms, so Incinerators affect on pollution.
Non-incineration Technologies
The technologies will be categorized based on the fundamental
processes used to decontaminate waste.
The three basic processes are:
1. Thermal processes.
2. Chemical processes.
3. Irradiative processes.
1-THERMAL PROCESSES
That use thermal energy to destroy pathogens in the waste.
This category is further subdivided into low-heat, medium-heat,
and high-heat thermal processes. This classification depends
on physical and chemical mechanisms of the waste.
AUTOCLAVES: consists of a metal chamber sealed by a charging
door and surrounded by a steam jacket. The removal of air
from the chamber is essential to ensure penetration of heat
into the waste.
Types of Waste Treated
cultures and stocks, sharps, materials contaminated with blood
and limited amounts of fluids.
Autoclaves advantages:
* Autoclaves are available in a wide range of sizes, capable of
treating from a few pounds to several tons per hour.
* Costs are relatively low compared with other technologies.
Disadvantages:
* If hazardous chemicals such as phenol, or mercury are in the
waste, these toxic contaminants are released into the air.
* If the technology does not include a way of drying the waste,
the resulting treated waste will be heavier because of
condensed steam.
2. CHEMICAL PROCESSES
Chemical processes employ disinfectants such as dissolved
chlorine dioxide, bleach, peracetic acid, or dry inorganic
chemicals.
Types of Waste Treated
Cultures and stocks, sharps, isolation and surgery wastes,
laboratory waste.
Chemical advantages:
* Well-automated and easy to use.
* No combustion byproducts are produced.
Disadvantages:
* Chemical hazards are a potential problem with chemical-based
systems.
* Noise levels can be very high.
3. IRRADIATIVE PROCESSES
Irradiation-based technologies involve electron beams or UV
irradiation. These technologies require shielding to prevent
occupational exposures.
Types of Waste Treated
Soft wastes (bandages, drapes, bedding, …etc.)
Irradiative advantages:
* The technology is well-automated and requires little operator
time.
* This technology is noiseless & low operating cost.
Disadvantages:
* Personnel must be protected from radiation exposure.
* Any large, hard metal object in the waste can damage any
shredder or grinder.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN SELECTING A TECHNOLOGY
* Capacity & Cost.
* Types of waste treated.
* Space requirements.
* Reduction of waste volume and mass.
* Noise and odor.
* Community and staff acceptance.