隔离废物管理：以南非豪登省乔治·穆卡里学术医院为例的垃圾处理人员知识调查。

An investigation into waste handler's knowledge of management of isolation waste: A case study of Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Gauteng, South Africa.

机构信息

Department of Community Health, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.

Department of Chemistry, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.

出版信息

PLoS One. 2024 Jun 10;19(6):e0305224. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305224. eCollection 2024.

DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0305224

PMID:38857219

原文链接:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11164387/

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The proper management of isolation waste is of utmost importance in healthcare facilities to prevent the spread of infections and protect both healthcare workers and the general public. This study investigated waste handlers' knowledge of the management of isolation waste at Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Gauteng, South Africa.

METHODS

A survey was conducted to assess waste handlers' understanding of waste types, colour codes, safety precautions, and awareness of internal policies related to isolation waste management.

RESULTS

The study found that the majority of waste handlers demonstrated a good understanding of waste types generated in the isolation unit, including sharps waste, human tissue waste, infectious waste, and general waste. They also correctly identified examples of sharp waste, such as injections, blades, glass slides, and needles. Additionally, most respondents were aware of the colour code used for representing infectious waste as "yellow" and "red." The study revealed a statistically significant association between waste handlers' age and their knowledge of isolation waste, suggesting that age may influence their understanding of waste management practices. Furthermore, experience was found to be significantly associated with waste handlers' knowledge of the health-hazardous nature of isolation waste. While the majority of waste handlers recognized the importance of wearing protective clothing and correctly marking isolation waste, some respondents were not aware of the internal policy for waste handling such as guidelines and protocols specific to the segregation, packaging, labeling, and disposal of waste generated within the isolation units.

CONCLUSION AND CONTRIBUTION

These findings highlight the importance of continuous training, targeted education, and policy dissemination to ensure effective waste management and adherence to safety protocols among waste handlers.

摘要

背景

在医疗机构中，妥善管理隔离废物对于防止感染传播、保护医护人员和公众至关重要。本研究调查了南非豪登省乔治·穆卡里学术医院隔离废物处理人员的知识。

方法

通过调查评估废物处理人员对废物类型、颜色代码、安全预防措施以及对隔离废物管理内部政策的了解程度。

结果

研究发现，大多数废物处理人员对隔离单元产生的废物类型有很好的理解，包括锐器废物、人体组织废物、感染性废物和一般废物。他们还正确识别了锐器废物的例子，如注射、刀片、载玻片和针。此外，大多数受访者知道用于表示感染性废物的颜色代码为“黄色”和“红色”。研究表明，废物处理人员的年龄与他们对隔离废物的知识之间存在统计学上的显著关联，这表明年龄可能影响他们对废物管理实践的理解。此外，经验与废物处理人员对隔离废物健康危害性质的知识呈显著相关。虽然大多数废物处理人员认识到穿防护服和正确标记隔离废物的重要性，但有些受访者不知道内部废物处理政策，如隔离单元内废物的分类、包装、标签和处置的具体指导方针和协议。