Paper I
Question
Outline steps in biomedical waste management.
Answer
Steps in biomedical waste (BMW) management:
- Segregation at source — waste is segregated at the point of generation into colour-coded bags/containers per the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016 (India): Yellow (anatomical, soiled, expired medicine, chemical, microbiology waste), Red (contaminated recyclable plastics — tubing, IV sets, gloves), White/translucent (sharps — needles, syringes, scalpels), Blue (glassware, metallic implants) — the single most important step, since mixing categories negates all downstream benefits.
- Collection — segregated waste is collected in leak-proof, puncture-resistant, labelled containers/bags bearing the biohazard symbol.
- On-site storage — collected waste is stored in a designated, secure storage area for no longer than 48 hours, away from patient-care areas.
- Transportation — waste is transported from the point of storage to the treatment facility in covered, leak-proof trolleys/vehicles, following a fixed, pre-designated route within the facility, minimizing transit through patient-care/public areas.
- Treatment/disposal (category-specific, per the colour-coding above):
- Incineration (or deep burial where unavailable) for yellow-category anatomical/pathological waste.
- Autoclaving/microwaving followed by shredding for red-category recyclable plastics.
- Autoclaving/dry heat sterilization followed by shredding/mutilation and encapsulation for white-category sharps, preventing reuse/injury.
- Disinfection followed by recycling for blue-category glassware/metallic items.
- Final disposal — treated waste (post-shredding/autoclaving) is disposed via secure landfill or sent for recycling as appropriate, with sharps encapsulated in concrete/metal containers before landfill disposal to prevent injury/reuse.
- Documentation and record-keeping — every healthcare facility maintains generation/treatment records and submits periodic (annual) returns to the State Pollution Control Board.
- Training and occupational safety — regular training of healthcare workers and waste handlers, provision of personal protective equipment, and immunization (e.g., Hepatitis B) for waste-handling staff given their occupational exposure risk.
- Monitoring/audit — periodic internal audits and oversight by the hospital infection control committee to ensure compliance with segregation, storage, and disposal protocols.