Elimination of Infectious Wastes by Hybrid Technology of Shredder and Autoclave in Sakon Nakhon Hospital

Abstract

          This descriptive study aimed to study the outcome elimination of infectious waste using the hybrid technology of shredder and autoclave in Sakon Nakhon hospital. The practice guideline for elimination of infectious waste was improved then the personnel’s training for acknowledging new guideline was conducted. The study tools consisted of 1) the questionnaires adopted from ICC ROUND no. 9, evaluation form for prevention and control of infection, Sakon Nakhon hospital 2) record form for infectious waste quantity from all sectors in hospital and 29 network services in Muang district and the leftovers 3) water supply, record form for electricity bill and other expenses and 4) record form for environmental effect. Data were collected from January to June, 2021 and analyzed using the descriptive statistics; average, percentage. The unit cost and break–even point for elimination of infectious waste were then calculated.

           The result showed that the new practice guideline for elimination of infectious waste were developed and were applied in personnel training. Seventy–eighty sectors (83.87%) were participated. The acknowledgment of personnel was 100%. The proper waste sorting of the personnel was 96.15%. The unit cost for elimination of infectious waste was 6.3 baht/kilogram which was decreased 5.7 baht/kilogram when compared with those of 12.0 baht/kilogram managed by private sector in the same period of year 2020. The payback period of this waste eliminated machine was 6 year and 6 days. The leftover waste was decreased by 87.5%. This waste elimination was safe and environmentally–friendly, cleaner waste storage area and as a result, not a source of germs. The hospital budget allocation for waste tank was not necessary.

          Keywords: Infectious wastes, Autoclave, Unit cost, Payback period, Shredder