Ways to Cope with Hospital Waste this Pandemic

The pandemic has led to an increase in the volume of hospital waste. Existing disposal facilities may not be enough for the surge, so institutions and concerned agencies need to find ways to cope with the problem.

Here are some of the important factors to consider to ensure proper waste management in hospitals during this pandemic:

1.    Look for suitable facilities for temporary storage
Due to the nature of coronavirus, all health care solid wastes are considered infectious. In cases of incineration or disposal capacity issues, suitable facilities for temporary storage should be in place while awaiting disposal. The trash should be stored in sealed and disinfected containers and placed in protected areas with restricted access.

2.    Training of involved personnel
Health care workers should undergo training to understand the following better:

•    The nature of each class of waste and how to handle them
•    The guidelines proposed by the governing bodies
•    The environmental effects of the processes they undertake

3.    Consider recycling
Ensure that the items are safe for reuse by following laid-out guidelines for cleaning, sterilization, and disinfection.

4.    Adapting to healthier waste disposal methods
Disposal methods such as throwing of waste on landfills and the use of incinerators should be on a lesser scale as they leave a window for further spread of infections and environmental degradation.

Conclusion

The scope of what is at stake due to the quality of waste management is substantial to the health and environment sectors. Both sectors need to ensure that waste disposal remains a top priority, especially in a time like a pandemic when they dispose of waste that may be hazardous to many.