Fatemeh Mahmoodzadeh, Nahid Navidjouy, Seyed Javad Jafari, Fatemeh Soltani, Hossein Rezai,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Background: Effective management of healthcare waste is crucial for preventing the dissemination of pathogens and safeguarding public health. This study aimed to evaluate the medical waste management practices in educational hospitals of Khoy City, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included inquiries regarding the types and quantities of waste generated, as well as the processes involved in the collection, transportation, and disposal of chemical, pharmaceutical, and infectious waste. The assessment focused on three hospitals affiliated with Khoy University of Medical Sciences, with 466 active beds. In light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic during the study period, one hospital designated specifically for patients with COVID-19, along with two hospitals operating under standard conditions, were selected as the study population considering the number and variety of wards and the diversity of waste produced.
Findings: Waste management practices in the studied hospitals demonstrated compliance rates of 95.66% and 98.33% in the stages of segregation and transportation, respectively. The stages of temporary storage and decontamination showed moderate compliance, with approximately 75% adherence to established standards. The average total waste generated by the hospitals was 1505.9 ± 31.6 kg/day, with infectious waste comprising the largest portion at 67.2%. In contrast, chemical and pharmaceutical waste represented a minimal share of 0.5% of the total waste produced.
Conclusion: The results indicated a significant increase in the generation of infectious waste following the outbreak of COVID-19. Additionally, decontamination and sanitary disposal of chemical and pharmaceutical waste require increased attention and enhanced oversight.
