The biomedical waste management in selected hospitals of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Abstract

Introduction: Poor waste management practices pose a huge risk to the health of the public, patients, professionals and contribute to environmental degradation.
Aims and objectives: Our study was aimed to assess the present status of biomedical waste management in Government and Private Hospitals.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was done in 10 Government and 10 Private hospitals and availability of the various color coded bags in the different locations of the hospital were assessed.
Results: Supply of various types of color coded bags for biomedical waste disposal and usage of disinfectants for treating biomedical waste has been better in the government hospitals than in private hospitals. Regular review meetings on Biomedical waste segregation; disinfection and disposal were held only in 30% of government hospitals and 20%of private hospitals.
Conclusion: A Committee on Biomedical waste management is to be established in every hospital for the implementation of the proper disposal of Biomedical Waste.

Keywords: Biomedical Waste, color coded bags, Hospital.