Medical waste
Guide for proper management of medical waste
Medical waste is produced daily by hospitals, clinics, and other institutions working in thehealth system around the world. Due to the special nature of medical waste, it requires careful handling and proper management. To prevent threats to public health and the environment, and to achieve a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By the term medical waste, we mean materials that are produced during diagnostic or treatment processes, as well as when vaccinating humans or animals. Therefore, medical waste contains a large variety of materials, such as sharps, infectious waste, pharmaceuticals, and even radioactive and chemical waste.
Based on the above, it was self-evident that medical waste management would be important for several reasons, including: preventing the spread of diseases and protecting public health, as well as preserving various environmental systems, which necessarily means reducing expenses for confronting the negative effects of improper disposal of this waste.
In this article, we will try to provide you with a brief guide to the various types of medical waste, and how to deal with each type. We also reviewed the most prominent challenges facing the proper management of medical waste, and their sustainable solutions.
Types of medical waste
In order to deal or dispose of medical waste properly, we must first get to know the most important types of this waste, which we will discuss briefly in the following lines.
First– Infectious waste: By infectious waste we mean materials that may contain pathogens, which are microorganisms that can cause diseases in humans or animals, especially those who deal with these materials directly.
The most prominent examples of this infectious waste are: laboratory waste from samples and instruments, as well as secretions and bodily fluids of patients, and medical textiles such as gauze, cotton, and bandages.
Second– Sharp instruments: Sharp instruments include any type of medical instrument that has a sharp edge or pointed end that can puncture or cut human skin. Examples of these tools include: syringes, scalpels, and scissors.
Third– Pharmaceutical preparations: Pharmaceutical preparations – whether those that require a prescription to be dispensed or those that do not – that are spoiled and expired must be disposed of properly and safely; To prevent the infiltration of these preparations into the surrounding environments, and avoid any opportunity to use them.
Fourth– Chemical residues: The chemical residues that we mean here are those resulting from the use of disinfectants and other cleaning liquids. These are wastes that must also be dealt with carefully to prevent any harm to the environment.
Fifth– Radioactive waste: Radioactive medical waste is waste contaminated with radiation, such as X-ray films. These wastes must certainly be dealt with with extreme care. To get rid of them in the best way that prevents any harm.
Methods of medical waste disposal
The current management of medical waste includes a set of procedures and methods that ensure the safe disposal of this waste. The most prominent of these methods are:
1- Burial of waste: Burial is one of the common methods of disposing of medical waste, as this is done in designated landfills. Although this method is relatively simple and cheap, it can result in significant negative impacts on the surrounding environment. Due to the leakage of harmful substances – such as waste – into the soil and groundwater sources.
2- Incineration of waste: Incineration is another method of managing medical waste, and it is, without a doubt, a very effective method for eliminating medical waste. But on the other hand, it produces harmful emissions and air pollutants.
3- Sterilization by heat and pressure: This method is known as “Autoclaving,” and relies on sterilizing medical waste by exposing it to high-pressure steam. Although this method is effective in eliminating infectious waste, it consumes large amounts of energy and cannot effectively treat a large number of waste.
4- Chemical sterilization: Chemical sterilization includes treating medical waste, using chemicals capable of destroying the causes of infection in this waste. This method is effective in reducing the risk of transmitting infection, but – on the other hand – it is expensive and results in hazardous chemical waste.
5- Mechanical shredding: Mechanical shredding involves tearing waste into small pieces, making it easier to process or dispose of. This method can be effective in reducing the volume of waste, but it is certainly not sufficient to completely eliminate the pathogens of infection.
6- Biological treatment: Biological treatment involves using living organisms – such as bacteria or fungi – to break down organic materials in medical waste. This method can be effective in reducing the volume of waste and its environmental impact, although it is not a suitable method for all types of medical waste.
Medical waste management challenges
There is no doubt that the environmental impact comes first when discussing the challenges of medical waste management, as some medical waste management practices – such as burying or burning waste – can lead to an impact on the environment. This is due to the release of harmful emissions, such as dioxin and furan compounds, or the leakage of some hazardous substances into the soil and groundwater.
One of the challenges facing the proper management of medical waste is the dangers that target public health, as improper handling of medical waste during the collection, transportation, and disposal operations can endanger the health of the public, especially those in charge of this industry.
Sharp tools – such as needles and scalpels – can cause injury to some people if they are not handled properly, and infectious waste – such as laboratory waste – can cause the spread of diseases. This means the necessity of dealing with medical waste very carefully, especially by those working in this field.
The last challenge that we will highlight here is the financial cost. There is no doubt that the proper management of medical waste requires continuous investments, and this is a burden that small establishments may not be able to bear. Which means there is a need for an integrated system for managing medical waste, a system that everyone can benefit from.
Medical waste management costs include purchasing equipment designated for collection, transportation, and treatment operations, in addition to the costs of establishing the necessary infrastructure, as well as training, and providing worker protection equipment, as well as compliance with local regulations and laws regulating this matter.
Medical waste handling solutions
To address the challenges we referred to in the previous title, many sustainable alternatives and smart methods can be adopted to manage medical waste more efficiently and with less harm to the environment and public health. We will discuss some of these alternatives below.
First– Separation and classification: The process of separating and classifying the types of medical waste is a key element in the sustainable management of these wastes. This is to ensure that each type of waste enters the appropriate treatment stage. Proper classification can also help reduce the risk of injury to workers involved in waste treatment.
Second– Prevention: This is one of the important ways to reduce the negative effects of medical waste, by focusing on how to prevent these effects. To achieve this, we must educate workers in this industry on the proper handling and how to safely dispose of various types of waste and hazardous medical materials, while providing the necessary protective equipment, and establishing appropriate ports.
Third– Recycling and use: It is possible to recycle certain types of medical waste, such as sharp tools and medications. For example, used syringes can be melted down and recycled to manufacture new syringes. Unused medications can also be donated to organizations that can distribute them to those in need.
Medical waste inThe future of sustainability
With our world witnessing a sharp population increase, which in turn has led to a continuous and increasing demand for medical care – we need to find new, smarter and more sustainable ways and methods; To deal with large quantities generated from various medical wastes.
Regardless of the direction we take to manage our medical waste, we must start now – not tomorrow – to make the medical waste disposal process more sustainable, in a way that preserves the environment and public health, and paves the way for future generations. To deal with their medical waste optimally.
In the end, we stress the importance of cooperation – locally, regionally and globally – between the various stakeholders, industrial institutions and the scientific community. This is to work together to enhance research and innovation in the field of sound management of medical waste, and to develop comprehensive solutions that ensure sustainable dealing with this waste.
