HOSPITAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

I. OFFICIAL HOSPITAL WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

1. The waste management of the hospital is the responsibility of the Administrative Department through the housekeeping unit. The infection control committee (ICC) shall supervise and monitor the waste management system. The hospitals waste management system was based on the Manual on Hospital Waste Management from the Environmental Health Service of the Department of Health. 2. The official waste management system in place at PPL-San Pablo City is an official hospital policy. Violators are given 72 hours to explain their sides and if such explanations are insufficient to justify their actions, the violators are subject to sanctions. Sanctions include reprimands, warnings, and suspensions. 3. The Hospital Waste Management Committee will be responsible for the implementation of the program and activities on waste management. It shall establish proper recording of waste management activities and appropriate reports shall be developed and made available for authorities concerned. 4. The Housekeeping service shall maintain cleanliness and orderliness of the hospital premises. 5. The Housekeeping services shall properly observe the five (5) major components of Hospital Waste Management, namely : Handling consists of categorization and segregation of waste Collection using the color-coded bins or receptacles Storage- collection point for bulk storage Pretreatment prior to disposal or transport Disposal frequent or regular collection schedule.

6. There should be color coded receptacles or bins with cover and inner plastic color coded linings situated in every ward and all areas in the hospital premises. 7. All personnel handling hospital waste must be provided with personnel protective equipments such as mask, gloves, cover all boots, hard hats, etc. 8. All hospital personnel, patients, and watchers as well as the housekeeping services must be aware of the risk and hazards associated with improper handling and management of hospital waste. Since most of the waste generated in hospitals is hazardous or potentially hazardous, health personnel should strictly follow standard guidelines and procedures for disposal.

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Personnel and patients should be fully aware of the need to exercise extreme caution when handling substance which is to be discarded as waste. MEASURES TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN HANDLING WASTE: 1. Awareness of health hazard associated with contaminated or infectious waste 2. Use of protective clothing such as gloves, overall ,mask, etc . 3. Provision of adequate supply of appropriately marked , or container of suitable strength and durability 4. A system of marking, coding, and identification should be understood by all staff of the hospital, especially, for personnel engaged in the collection of waste for disposal off-site for appropriate handling and disposal techniques. 5. Enforcement of codes of practice at both ends of the disposal system. STORAGE The hospital management shall maintain adequate sanitary facilities for storing hospital waste on its premises. A central storage area for all accumulated waste shall also be provided and maintained in sanitary condition. Proper separation of various types of waste is necessary to avoid accidents or hazards. WASTE RECEPTACLE AND BULK STORAGE Guidelines for sanitary waste storage requirement in various types of waste: a. General waste - 3.5 gallon metal or plastic bin with cover located within the hospital rooms and strategic places outside the hospital buildings. b. Pathological waste a similar receptacle with chemical disinfectants; it is tightly covered to avoids emission of offensive odor. c. Radioactive waste PNRI monitored d. Chemical waste - tightly covered glass /plastic container to prevent from spilling e. Infectious waste plastic or airtight bin is required and should be separated from general waste. f. Sharps storage must be in puncture proof container prior to pretreatment and disposal to prevent cuts/needle stick injuries g. Pharmaceutical waste - expired liquid medicines can be disposed directly to the sink. Tablets should be pulverized and stored temporarily in metal /plastic can prior to final disposal. h. Pressurized container waste - can be stored in a red colored container marked as flammable. It should be placed outside the hospital building away from the heat. BULK STORAGE

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A metal /plastic bin, oil drum, or, concrete bin located in a [place within the hospital compound is necessary to keep the accumulated waste material collected prior to disposal. Color coding for various waste category is followed: a. b. c. d. e. Black non-infectious dry waste Green non-infectious wet waste Yellow infectious and pathological waste Yellow with black band chemical waste Red sharps and pressurized containers

NOTE: Color of plastic bag inner lining must resemble the color of the receptacle to facilitate collection process. PRE-TREATMENT REQUIREMENT Satisfactory treatment process prior to disposal of accumulated waste is in practice to maximize promotion of health and environmental hygiene of all staff and personnel, as well as the patients and visitors. COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT SYSTEM The preparation of an appropriate collection and transportation system by the hospital management is vital to the speed in sanitary disposal of hospital waste. This provides an imperative step to a successful collection and transportation system from both the standpoint of health as well as economic considerations. This may be achieved when proper collection and transportation system implemented through direct involvement of hospital maintenance services, housekeeping, motor pool service personnel and full cooperation of all hospital personnel. The hospital provides a collection area for all types of hospital wastes . DISPOSAL SYSTEM The sanitary disposal system of the hospital waste needs much closer attention by the hospital authorities concerned in order to p[promote health and preserve our environment. The general waste (non-infectious waste) are collected daily by the city general services while the pathological waste are collected by a private contractor CESI (Chevalier Environment Services INC)

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SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE DISPOSAL SYSTEM Hospital with sufficient area may deposit their refuse in sanitary pits or though composting of biodegradable waste materials. Where municipal or city collection system is available, hospital waste (general waste) can be disposed of together with the domestic or municipal waste. DISPOSAL AREA CONSIDERATIONS 1. The disposal area shall be free from standing water 2. The premises shall be free from rats, rodents , fly breeding at all times 3. No fire shall be permitted to continue burning in either covered or uncovered materials without a look-out 4. No person shall be permitted to occupy the premises designated as disposal area for living or sleeping purposes.

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