INTRODUCTION
The first rule in medicine is 'Primum Non Nocere' - Do No Harm. Under Biomedical Waste Management rules by the Government of India, it is responsibility of every hospital, clinic, laboratory and similar setups to ensure the wellbeing of not only of the staff working in their respective establishments, but also of the public at the large.
Biomedical waste means any waste which is produced during healthcare, diagnostic tests, research or related procedures on human beings or animals conducted in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and clinics etc. It is far more hazardous than any other waste as it may harm, infect or injure patients, visitors and public. The most vulnerable being the ragpickers or those who are involved in manual scavenging. Biomedical waste is a danger if it is not treated or managed carefully. It is a potential pollutant which may contaminate soil, air and water.
The Government of India has promulgated the Medical Waste (Management and handling) Rules, 1998 under which the person who is responsible of medical and other establishments where such wastes are generated are held legally answerable for maintaining the conditions mentioned in rules, which have come into effect from January 1, 2003.
The first rule in medicine is 'Primum Non Nocere' - Do No Harm. Under Biomedical Waste Management rules by the Government of India, it is responsibility of every hospital, clinic, laboratory and similar setups to ensure the wellbeing of not only of the staff working in their respective establishments, but also of the public at the large.
Biomedical waste means any waste which is produced during healthcare, diagnostic tests, research or related procedures on human beings or animals conducted in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and clinics etc. It is far more hazardous than any other waste as it may harm, infect or injure patients, visitors and public. The most vulnerable being the ragpickers or those who are involved in manual scavenging. Biomedical waste is a danger if it is not treated or managed carefully. It is a potential pollutant which may contaminate soil, air and water.
The Government of India has promulgated the Medical Waste (Management and handling) Rules, 1998 under which the person who is responsible of medical and other establishments where such wastes are generated are held legally answerable for maintaining the conditions mentioned in rules, which have come into effect from January 1, 2003.
Types of Biomedical waste
Biomedical waste can be divided according to its potency of spreading infection.
Harmless waste- As the name suggests, the waste which is nontoxic. For example, paper, cardboard, flowers, kitchen waste, ordinary office etc.
Infectious waste- Any waste which is likely to transmit infection through pathogenic microbe it carries. This may include used syringes, used blades and needles, swabs, dressings, laboratory samples etc.
Biomedical waste can be divided according to its potency of spreading infection.
Harmless waste- As the name suggests, the waste which is nontoxic. For example, paper, cardboard, flowers, kitchen waste, ordinary office etc.
Infectious waste- Any waste which is likely to transmit infection through pathogenic microbe it carries. This may include used syringes, used blades and needles, swabs, dressings, laboratory samples etc.
Non-Infectious hazardous waste: It can be chemical, radioactive and pharmacological waste.
Management
The aim and objective of biomedical waste management is to prevent harm or injury resulting from waste, to minimize its amount by reducing its volume and to ensure safe its disposal. Here are the few points regarding the waste management
Conclusion
Medical wastes must be categorised according to the type. Sorting and segregation of waste is a key step which can be done by reducing, reusing and recycling thereby ensuring safe disposal of waste. Loose implementation of rules and lack of civic concern imposing direct threat on society. The challenge is to protect environment and health of community from the hazardous effect of biomedical wastes.
Management
The aim and objective of biomedical waste management is to prevent harm or injury resulting from waste, to minimize its amount by reducing its volume and to ensure safe its disposal. Here are the few points regarding the waste management
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The hospital and its premises should be kept clean.
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Ensure the safety of public at large.
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Reduce the amount of waste.
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Segregation: Separate the waste and put them into different colored container according
to the type of waste. Waste sorting is a method which makes the procedure of waste
management less complicated. The waste is sorted under following categories
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Dry or Wet waste
- Biodegradable or Non-biodegradable waste
Waste Treatment
Chemical disinfection: It is an important preliminary procedure before final treatment with some material. for example, contaminated sputum or pus are disinfected before being buried and autoclaved.
Deep Burial: The large uninhabited land is chosen for this process. This is a safe method for disposal of sharp objects also.
Incineration: It is the method by which solid infections, like anatomical waste, amputated limbs, and the like are exposed to very high heat until it turns into ash, which would be only about a tenth of original volume.
Autoclaving: Widely used in laboratories and clinics for treating infectious waste before disposal. Microwave: Useful method of sterilization of small volume of waste.
Liquid wastes are disinfected and neutralized before flushing into the sewer.
Chemical disinfection: It is an important preliminary procedure before final treatment with some material. for example, contaminated sputum or pus are disinfected before being buried and autoclaved.
Deep Burial: The large uninhabited land is chosen for this process. This is a safe method for disposal of sharp objects also.
Incineration: It is the method by which solid infections, like anatomical waste, amputated limbs, and the like are exposed to very high heat until it turns into ash, which would be only about a tenth of original volume.
Autoclaving: Widely used in laboratories and clinics for treating infectious waste before disposal. Microwave: Useful method of sterilization of small volume of waste.
Liquid wastes are disinfected and neutralized before flushing into the sewer.
Conclusion
Medical wastes must be categorised according to the type. Sorting and segregation of waste is a key step which can be done by reducing, reusing and recycling thereby ensuring safe disposal of waste. Loose implementation of rules and lack of civic concern imposing direct threat on society. The challenge is to protect environment and health of community from the hazardous effect of biomedical wastes.
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