To Assess Covid 19 Waste Management Among Healthcare Professionals in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Biomedical Waste is the waste produced during diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human or animal
research activities. The waste management framework consists of characterisation, quantification, separation,
storage, transfer and treatment methods. India has a strict rule on onsite segregation of biomedical waste
for storing, transporting and disposing as essential standards of good biomedical waste management. This
practice depends on the idea of 3R’s reduce, recycle and reuse. Effective biomedical waste management
helps to reduce the environmental problems and safeguards public and healthcare workers from getting
infected. Hence this present study aims to understand the knowledge, attitude and practice of biomedical
waste management during this pandemic among healthcare professionals
AIM: To Assess Covid 19 Waste Management Among Healthcare Professionals in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital
OBJECTIVES
1. To study the awareness levels of health care providers towards COVID-19 infection.
2. To study the knowledge of health care providers in handling and disposal of COVID-19 waste in
tertiary care teaching hospital.
3. To suggest recommendations and measures for improvement if any.
METHODOLOGY: Study Setting: The study was carried out in Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, a tertiary care teaching
hospital located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Study Design: This is an observational study. It is a cross sectional descriptive study done for a period of 3
months (August 2021 to October 2021)
Sources of Data: In total, 30 questions were included with 15 multiple choices and the remaining 15 were in
YES/NO format. A total of 30 questionnaires were designed and distributed. The questions were designed by
standard guidelines and protocols as per WHO guidelines at the time.

Statistical Analysis: All the results were entered into MS office spread excel sheet and analyzed in statistical
package by applying the formula for population proportional to each stratum and it came out to be 195
in total. The results are expressed in numbers, percentages, tables, charts etc. Descriptive statistics were
calculated through cross tabulation.

RESULTS: Out of 195 study participants 52 were doctors, 79 were nurses, 23 were technical staff and 41 were
housekeeping staff. 77% of healthcare providers follow the guidelines suggested by WHO for waste
management. 93.3% of healthcare providers agree that after COVID 19 there is massive increase in Biomedical
waste production. 50% healthcare providers believe that COVID 19 infected waste is mixed with non-infected
waste in the hospital. 52.3% agreed that waste store for Less than 24 hours before treatment/disposal. 61%
responded that Plastic containers were used for waste collection. 67.7% were aware of biomedical waste
rules and regulations followed in India. 63% responded that there are separate bins for collecting COVID
patient wastes. 78.9% received training regarding collection of COVID patient’s wastes. 84.6 % agreed that
it is necessary to improve the waste management technique during COVID19 pandemic. 81.5% participants
follow colour coding while disposing wastes. 83.6% were aware of biomedical waste disposal policy in
hospital. 75.4% say maintaining Biomedical waste record is mandatory in hospital. 61.1% say masks are
major waste during COVID-19 pandemic. Only 34.3% gave correct response regarding disposal of glassware
and metallic body implants. only 41.5% gave correct response regarding disposal of Pathological wastes.
77.5% gave correct responses regarding disposal of masks.
CONCLUSION: This study showed that creating more awareness among healthcare workers for proper handling, treatment
and disposal of medical waste generated from COVID patients is necessary. Creating potential strategies to
overcome difficulties while handling and treatment of waste during COVID-19 pandemic may reduce the
waste generation and minimize environmental problems.