Medical waste management practices in Turkey: A case study in Sakarya

Objective: To determine the knowledge levels of hospital administrators about the process of collection, temporary storage and delivery to the authorities about disposal of medical wastes. Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted in Turkey in June 2010. Questionnaire technique was used as the data collection tool in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The results were assessed at significance level of p < 0.05. Results: There was at least one manager responsible for waste management at each healthcare institution and all institutions had a medical waste management plan. Majority of institutions had a temporary storage for medical wastes. Genotoxic pharmaceutical chemical and heavy metal-containing wastes, as well as pressurized vessels were collected separately from other medical wastes. Average 1697 Kg medical waste per/day, and average 1.39 Kg medical waste per/bed were produced in healthcare institutions. Conclusion: Effective medical waste management depends on active support of hospital administration and training of staff which are responsible for segregation, collection, storage, transportation and disposal of medical wastes.