Updates on biomedical waste management during COVID-19: The Indian scenario

Due to enhanced healthcare needs brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of biomedical waste generated has also increased manifold across the globe. With the world in global crisis due to the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has put great pressure on the biomedical waste management system in India and around the world. To control the spread of the COVID-19 virus, proper disposal of the waste is essential to reduce any risk of secondary transmission. This paper investigates the situation of biomedical waste management in the city of Thane in Maharashtra due to the onset of COVID-19 and suggests some key recommendations to the policymakers to help handle biomedical waste from possible future pandemics. The study found that there was an 81% increase in the total biomedical waste (BMW) generation in 2020, when compared to 2019 and the yellow category waste from COVID-19 centres was the highest contributor to this waste. It was also found that though there was a slight increase in yellow category waste, the total biomedical waste from non- COVID healthcare facilities (HCFs) was comparable to that of the waste generated in HCFs during 2019, revealing that there was conscious reduction in the usage of single use PPEs at non- COVID HCFs. The city, despite owning a Central Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility (CBWTF), was dependent on another incinerator at the Hazardous Waste Management Treatment facility (HWTF) for treatment of the additional waste generated. Unforeseen situation like these, expose the vulnerability of our existing biomedical waste management system and reinforces the need for investing and improving them for strengthening preparedness in the future. The situation also demands periodic education on importance of source segregation and waste reduction through rational use, disinfection and disposal of PPEs.

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KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS, AND PRACTICES REGARDING BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2017.v10i8.19101 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 341

Author(s):

Santhosh Kumar ◽

Reshma Rahman

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Waste Disposal ◽

Dental Students ◽

Management Policy ◽

Biomedical Waste ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Control Procedures ◽

Materials Used ◽

Level Of Significance ◽

Policy Systems

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practices of dental students regarding biomedical waste (BMW)management.Methods: A self-administered structured questionnaire consisting of 16 questions on knowledge, awareness, and practices about BMW managementwas distributed among 100 students randomly belonging to 3rd year, final year and intern students of Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University,Chennai. The data extracted were tabulated, statistically analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 and results obtained. The data were analyzed using ANOVAtest (all the results are calculated at 1% level of significance) and Post-hoc test.Results: Overall, 67% respondents were aware of the existing BMW management policy systems in India. 62% of students were aware about thecorrect color coding management system for hospital waste management that prevails in India. 86% of students knew about the dental wastecategories of materials used in dentistry. There was a statistically significant difference of knowledge levels among the 3rd year, final year students andthe interns. 100% practice discarding sharps in the puncture-proof containers. Only 27% of the respondents discarded the extracted tooth in a properway. Only 51% of them have attended previous training programs on dental waste management. There was also a statistically significant difference ofBMW disposal practices among the three groups.Conclusion: The majority of dental students in our study have good level of knowledge and awareness regarding BMW management in dental clinics.However, their practice toward BMW disposal was poor. Hence, the knowledge acquired must be put into practice. Intern students have the highestlevel of knowledge and practices toward dental waste disposal when compared to final year and 3rd year students. Hence, these findings imply thatproper training, continuing education programs, and short-term courses about BMW management, and infection control procedures are requiredto motivate the dental students and dental auxiliaries. The importance of training regarding BMW management must be emphasized as the lack ofproper and complete knowledge about BMW management impacts practices of appropriate waste disposal.

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