Description

There may be dangers to healthcare workers, patients, communities, and the environment if biomedical waste is not properly managed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how biomedical waste is handled and handled in various Egyptian healthcare facilities. Using a waste managementspecific modified survey questionnaire, respondents were surveyed in ten primary healthcare settings and five hospitals. The World Health Organization (WHO) provided this questionnaire in order to evaluate the biomedical waste disposal processing systems. Due to the absence of written policies and procedures, researchers discovered that hospitals and primary healthcare settings treat biomedical waste inadequately. As a result, biomedical waste hazards may have a negative impact on healthcare workers, patients, the community, and the environment. In addition to establishing waste management training programs for all healthcare workers, the creation of waste management policies, plans, and protocols is strongly encouraged.

Healthcare Waste as a Reservoir for Pathogenic Microorganisms

In healthcare settings, infection control and hygiene programs include waste management as an essential component. Because they generate a lot of biomedical waste, these settings play a big role in community-acquired infections. The risk of injury and/or infection during handling and disposal distinguishes biomedical waste. Sharps (needles or scalpel blades), pathological wastes (anatomical body parts, microbiology cultures, and blood samples), and infectious wastes (items contaminated with body fluids and discharges like dressings, catheters, and I.V. lines) are among the wastes that are targeted for precautions during handling and disposal. Different squanders created in medical care settings incorporate radioactive squanders, mercury containing instruments and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastics. These are among the most harmful healthcare byproducts to the environment. It's important to think of healthcare waste as a reservoir for pathogenic microorganisms that can lead to contamination and infection. These microorganisms can pose a serious threat to human health and the environment if waste is not properly managed. They can be spread through direct contact, through the air, or through a variety of vectors. Problems like blood-borne pathogens are more likely to affect the groups most at risk when biomedical waste is handled improperly: healthcare workers, scavengers, and municipal workers. In many countries and cities, such as Iran, Croatia, and Karachi, hazardous and non-hazardous biomedical wastes are not properly separated, and there are no appropriate waste treatment facilities or methods. In addition, they have inadequate employee training and no personal protective equipment, as well as waste processing and treatment laws that are either not regulated or do not exist.

Handling and Treatment of Biomedical Waste in Various Healthcare Settings

The laws governing waste disposal in Egypt are drafted by the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Population in conjunction with one another. The waste generated in healthcare settings is considered hazardous under the regulations, and certain precautions must be taken during collection, handling, and disposal. This study aims to evaluate the handling and treatment of biomedical waste in various healthcare settings because there is currently no information that describes the actual practice of handling these kinds of waste products. The types of care and services provided, as well as the types of biomedical waste produced, varied from one healthcare facility to another and from department to department within the same facility. In conclusion, this study found that biomedical waste was poorly separated, collected, and transported. In addition to poor protective measures, there were no written policies or clear guidelines, and training programs were ineffective. Biomedical hazards pose a greater threat to staff, patients, and the community as a whole because of each of these factors.