Hazard Awareness & Practices of Biomedical Waste Management among healthcare Staff in Apex Hospitals: A Case Study in District Faisalabad

Abstract

The waste produced in the course of healthcare activities carries a higher potential for infection and injury than any other type of waste. Using a qualitative approach, the study was conducted in two Apex hospitals i.e. Allied Hospital and District Head Quarter hospital Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan from 05 August to 15 October 2019. Consuming a semi-structured interview guide two focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted in each hospital and the participants were conveniently recruited. Each group was consisting of eight members who were directly involved in the creation and handling of biomedical waste (BMW). The thematic analysis method was used to analyze the data. The sanitary staff had insufficient knowledge about BMWM and about the BMWM/HCWM rule (2005) Pakistan. Also, there was no proper mechanism of training of the staff regarding waste management mean. While BMW was being disposed of according to BMWM rule (2005) Pakistan. There is a weak mechanism of implementing proper BMWM in the hospitals where no training, no accountability, and no punishment was being executed against the violation of BMWM Rule 2005 Pakistan. So, a strict policy is required for its implementation.

Keywords

• Biomedical waste management, government hospitals, hospital staff, health hazards