A case study on clinical waste management and disposal and value of incineration

Abstract

A case study that had involved analysis of clinical waste, separation according by month and survey had done at Hospital Tuanku Fauziah, health clinic (Kangar, Arau and Kuala Perlis), and private clinic (Klinik Faizah, Klinik Menon and Klinik Raflesia). The objective this study are to analyze the amount of clinical waste produced at general hospital ,health clinic and private clinic and to study the factor that influenced the rate of clinical wastes produced. The study was done for about one year (January 2011 - Disember 2011). Besides that, the study also looks at the clinical waste management system that is being practiced at hospital, health clinics and also private clinics. The study also reveals that Hospital Tuanku Fauziah had the highest percentages in clinical waste produced in one month. The factor that had influenced the highest rate of clinical waste produced was due to the increased of birth rate and death rate, and the enhancement of road accident especially during festive season and school holiday. Incineration is known to be the best available option for treating clinical waste and a proper operation of the incinerator is essential to ensure complete destruction of the waste. The incineration also is the best method to dispose of clinical waste is classified as infectious waste. Transportation of clinical waste, whether internal or external auditor has specific guidelines to reduce risks to workers, hospital staff and the public. The end result of incineration is slag (bottom ash) will be disposed of at a landfill that has been fixed and guaranteed.