Reduction methods of hospital solid waste production

Document Type : Original Research

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Abstract

  Aims. This study was to determine the status of waste production in one of the hospitals of Tehran, in order to identify the sources and methods of reducing produced waste.   Methods. This is an intervention field study. Effective procedures of produced waste reduction were carried out and their effects were followed. Data was collected by direct vision and filling checklists by questioners and was analyzed by SPSS13.   Results. Separating and separate collection of general and infectious hospital wastes were done in 96% of wards by 10% of cooperation among doctors and 40% of cooperation among nurses. From the most effective ways of reducing hospital waste production was the necessity of existance of a purchasing pattern, warehousing, distribution and consumption of items and equipment and supplies with emphasize to produced waste reduction proportionated to the needs of the hospital. Prevention of items wasting and appropriate usage of them, clean recycling in production source, reforming the pattern of services and using the best quality accessories and equipment was from the other effective factors on reduction of waste producing. Success of these factors depends on policy support and monitoring of health. Despite of the 10% increasing number of patients admitted during the study than a year before, the waste production was reduced 20%.   Conclusion. By performing simple programs in hospital, waste production can be controled and reduced. Reducing the cost of hospital waste management and reduction of its bioenvironmental dangers were also attained by identifying and performing economic and technical methods of produced waste reduction or elimination.

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Journal of Military Medicine
Volume 11, Issue 3 - Serial Number 37
September and October 2009
Pages 127-133

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