Comparison of Hospital Waste Management Practices at Public Teaching Hospitals of Lahore (T-1277) (MFN 4987)

Abstract

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, aimed to compare HWM practices of two public teaching hospitals i.e. Jinnah Hospital and Service Hospital in Lahore, to describe the qualitative and quantitative results of analysis, observations, interviews and data collected from different groups of hospital staff by questionnaire. Research was conducted from 1st, May to 25th June 2014. Objective of study was to assess the current risk waste management practices and compliance level with hospital waste management rules-2005 and to determine the characteristics of hospital wastewater in these hospitals. The HWM practices in both hospitals were systematic but the hospital staff handling the waste was not fully aware of accurate segregation of the hospital wastes. Our findings reveal a major policy implementation gap, among the government and the hospitals. Wastewater parameters of both hospitals revealed that wastewater from both public teaching hospitals were contaminating the water resources. Effectively implementation of waste management strategies, monitoring, motivation, communication and awareness at all levels is the key to success. Hospital wastewater treatment is not a priority in both hospitals. It is the need of the day that all heath care facilities must follow the national guide lines on HWM and there should be a documented and approved waste management protocol which should be strictly implemented.