Study on safety and health issues associated with infectious wastes in a health care facility – a case study of a medical center in Taiwan

• Main Authors: De-Yu Lin, 林德育
• Other Authors: 謝賢書
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/22816889232683427058

碩士 === 長榮大學 === 職業安全與衛生學系碩士班 === 95 === Inappropriate classification, collection, storage, and transportation of infectious waste within hospital could be harmful to safety and health of hospital employees. Most of attentions on infectious wastes, in terms of regulatory control, were mostly focused on the final incineration plants. Little study has been conducted to investigate the potential risk of infectious waste posed to hospital employees in the collecting and handling processes within the health care facility. The study selected a reputable medical center which has a well-established medical waste management program. We looked into the management system by reviewing the written procedures of classification, collection, storage, cartage, and internal auditing processes. Besides, we observed every detailed steps of the infectious waste handling process and interviewed the related workers for a month. The improper handlings, including piercing, overfilling, and loosely-tied of collective bags as well as unsealed needle-stick box were found. The study revealed that the waste management program of the studied medical center is well implemented, but certain improper handlings existed. For example, 9.3% of incorrect classification of infectious waste was observed; piercing or damaged collection bags consisted of 3% of total infectious waste collection bags. Although the studied medical center has been ranked excellent for its hospital waste management program among the health care facilities in Taiwan, the results indicated that there are still some potential risks present in the handling processes within the hospital. It is reasonable to expect that improper handlings of infectious waste inside hospitals are common phenomena in Taiwan. The concern of occupational health and safety of hospital employees should be taken seriously by the high-level management.