Situation of Infectious Waste Transportation of Hospitals in Ayutthaya Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to investigate the transportation of
infectious waste among 16 hospitals of Ministry of Public Health in Ayutthaya province,
Thailand. Collection of data was done during March to April, 2016, by using (1) observation
and interview forms applied for hospital officer on infectious waste management of each
hospital, and (2) a stakeholder workshop on infectious waste transportation with 38 participants
seeking for any of their challenges and proposed resolutions. The data had been analyzed
using descriptive statistics; mean, percent and standard deviation.
The results showed all hospitals exported their infectious wastes to dispose outside
the hospital while found 93.75% of waste transporters did not receive any legal permit from
local administrative organization (LAO). The vehicles used for waste transportations found
not having any proper sign 68.75% and without emergency gears installment, for examples,
no fire distinguisher 81.25%, no red bag 62.50%, no long hand held tong 81.25%, and no bag
rope tied 87.50%. No manifest was sent to LAO 93.75%. For waste transportation plan, no
assigned stop points specified and duration of time 68.75%. For transporters’ practice,
30.77% of them had no training, 57.69% with no annual personal health check-up, and
experienced with accidents from sharps injured 23.08%. The stakeholder workshop results
found that key challenges of infectious waste transportations for not meeting the Ministerial
Regulation on Infectious Waste Management B.E. 2545, were from the hospitals had limited
opportunity to select waste transporters. In addition, the transporter service providers aimed
to reduce cost, and LAO did not legally enforce this type of business. Proposed solutions
included: both the hospital and service provider need to sign more strict contract as
required by the Ministerial Regulation. Also LAO need to review its waste transportation
license fees and due enforcement of waste transportation. The Department of Health should
support training for waste transportation service providers, controlling quality of service
providers prior to issuing the license, and communicating with hospitals.