Assessment of Medical Waste Management (A Case Study of Hospitals in Ardabil)

Background & objectives: Medical wastes are of great significance due to their potential environmental impacts. This study aimed to examine the medical waste management in hospitals of Ardabil city in 2016. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, hospitals of Ardabil city (7 hospitals) were studied. Initial data were obtained from library information, observation and checklist. Also, the quantity of produced wastes in hospitals was determined through their weighting in three consecutive days in one season. In order to evaluate other items of waste management pattern in hospitals, guidelines provided by ministry of health and medical education were used. Data analysis was performed by comparing the existing situation with rules and guidelines in Microsoft excel. Results: The rate of produced waste in studied hospitals was obtained 2.74 to 5.70 kg/b.d. In average, general, biomedical, sharp and chemical- pharmaceutical wastes were accounted for 47.30%, 50.78%, 0.91% and 1.01% of total produced wastes, respectively. Implementation phases of waste management were matched poor to medium with laws. There was biomedical treatment system in 5 hospitals, of which 40% had proper function. Conclusion: Medical waste management in studied hospitals showed no suitable status and needed a planning for continuous training and performance monitoring.