Abstract: ABSTRACT Medical waste management at major hospitals in the UAE was assessed following the WHO guidelines. A questionnaire that accounts for all steps of waste management was distributed among 14 hospitals in the country and direct onsite visits were performed for selected hospitals. Results revealed that the rate of medical waste generated averages 1.95 kg/bed/d, but varies from 0.2 to 4.5 kg/bed/d among the surveyed hospitals. Waste segregation is applied for pathological, sharps, and infectious waste. But, not all surveyed hospitals practice segregation of other types of medical waste. A separate on-site storage room for medical waste exists at many hospitals. Collection of medical waste is conducted using color-coded bags. However, not all surveyed hospitals practice marking on the disposed containers neither are they employ a waste tracking system. Many hospitals do not have pretreatment capabilities for medical waste possibly due to budget constraints or wide use of disposable items. Some hospitals, however, apply pretreatment for pathological and infectious waste using autoclave or chemical disinfection. Incineration is widely used for treatment of medical waste. But, some incinerators are old and poorly maintained. All radionuclides used at the UAE hospitals have relatively short half-lives. Meanwhile, hospitals using radionuclides have special storage facilities for radioactive waste with a decay storage period that varies from 2 to 3 weeks, but could reach 6 months depending on the isotope present in the waste. Guidelines for medical waste management, excluding radioactive waste, have been developed in some emirates, but those for management of radioactive medical waste are greatly lacking. Better management of medical waste can be achieved if a hospital coordinates activities among its different departments. Also, hospitals should train their staff to become aware of the hazards associated with infectious or toxic waste. It is also recommended that hospitals immunize workers at risk and document all cases of infection or poisoning result from exposure to or handling of medical waste. Overall, the system of medical waste management in the UAE is developing.
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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