Journal of Research in Environmental Health

Journal of Research in Environmental Health

Investigating the effect of the outbreak of COVID-19 on the waste produced in hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Document Type : Research article

Authors
Mojtaba Davoudi 1, 2
Zohre Vojodi 3
Tayebe Jafarian 4
Akram Robat jazi 1
Zainab Fuladi 1
Maryam Jafarian 5
Sima Nourbakhsh 6
1 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 Environmental Health Engineering Group, Ibn Sina Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4 Social Working Group, Shahid Kamyab Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Shahid Kamyab Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
6 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22038/jreh.2023.70868.1592
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Increased waste production during patient treatment emerges as a serious issue following infectious disease outbreaks. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on medical waste production in Mashhad, Iran.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 4 referral (R) and 2 non-referral (NR) hospitals were examined. The quantity and quality of waste produced before (2018-2019) and during COVID-19 (2019-2020) were extracted from hospital records and noted in standard medical waste management checklists. Also, the number of hospital visits due to COVID-19 was determined and entered into the study by referring to the Treatment Deputy of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

Results: The results showed that the mean waste production was 449.50 ± 49.45 kg/day and 436.04 ± 107.55 kg/day in 2018-2019 (before COVID-19) and 2019-2020 (during the outbreak) in R1, respectively, 3000.26 ± 227.46 kg/day and 3279.72 ± 153.00 in R2, 544.53 ± 107.10 kg/day and 666.32 ± 156.68 in R3, and 476.72 ± 15.96 kg/day and 635.41 ± 54.88 kg/day in R4. Also, the mean waste production was 219.6 ± 36.90 and 199.06 ± 49.58 kg/day in NR1 and 112.1 ± 29.55 kg/day and 108.8±59.1 kg/day in NR2 before and during COVID-19, respectively. Field surveys showed that despite the increased amount of waste production, all waste management stages, such as collection, transfer, and disposal, are being implemented in accordance with the guidelines.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the medical waste production rate is related to the prevalence of diseases. Considering the importance of medical waste management, it requires careful and correct application of national and international guidelines.
Keywords
Healthcare waste
pandemic
COVID-19
waste management
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Journal of Research in Environmental Health
Volume 9, Issue 3 - Serial Number 35
Autumn 2023
Pages 299-308