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Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the management of hospital wastes with an emphasis on genotoxic waste. In this regard, wastes production rate, separation method, temporary storage, collection, and disposal were investigated. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive survey was conducted at six public hospitals by designing a questionnaire regarding medical waste management. Furthermore, face-to-face interviews were arranged. Results: The results demonstrated that the generation rate of total medical waste, hazardous-infectious waste, genotoxic waste, and the generation rates of general waste in Semnan city were 2.904, 0.9 (31%), 0.09 (3%), and 1.914 (66%) kg/bed-day, respectively. Approximately 50% of the hospitals used unsuitable containers to collect genotoxic wastes from hospital wards. It was found that all the hospitals have temporary storage rooms. However, there is not a specific and separate temporary storage place for genotoxic wastes in the hospitals. Four hospitals (83.3%) are equipped with steam sterilization and shredding equipment. One hospital (16.7%) has steam sterilization without shredding for treating infectious and sharp wastes. In this study, chemical neutralization was considered the principal method for treating genotoxic waste in hospitals. Moreover, lack of staff training (46% of hospitals) and shortage of personal-protective equipment (85% of hospitals) were considered significant problems in these hospitals. Conclusions: This study revealed that the healthcare waste management index is acceptable for all types of hospital wastes except for genotoxic waste. Therefore, it is essential to pay more attention to the on-site collection and safe storage of genotoxic wastes. Furthermore, in terms of treatment, transfer, and disposal stages, general hospital waste was managed properly compare to genotoxic waste. |
