背景:在医疗机构中,隔离废物的适当管理对于防止感染传播并保护医护人员和公众至关重要。这项研究调查了豪登省GeorgeMukhari博士学术医院的废物处理人员对隔离废物管理的了解,南非。
方法:进行了一项调查,以评估废物处理人员对废物类型的理解,颜色代码,安全预防措施,以及对与隔离废物管理相关的内部政策的认识。
结果:研究发现,大多数废物处理人员对隔离单元中产生的废物类型有很好的了解,包括锐利废物,人体组织废物,感染性废物,一般废物。他们还正确识别了尖锐废物的例子,比如注射,刀片,玻璃载玻片,和针。此外,大多数受访者都知道代表传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上的显着关联,这表明年龄可能会影响他们对废物管理实践的理解。此外,发现经验与废物处理人员对隔离废物的健康危害性质的知识显著相关。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,一些受访者不了解废物处理的内部政策,例如针对隔离的准则和协议,包装,标签,和处理隔离单元内产生的废物。
■这些发现凸显了持续培训的重要性,有针对性的教育,和政策传播,以确保有效的废物管理和废物处理人员遵守安全协议。
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.
UNASSIGNED: 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.