ObjectiveTo explore medical waste management method in a large hospital and strengthen the standardized management of medical waste. MethodsBetween July 2012 and December 2014, according to the PDCA cycle working procedures, existing problems were found in medical waste management through survey, the cause of which was analyzed to formulate and implement a new system of medical waste management, to help carry out employee training and cross examination, and give feedback to clinical departments to make improvements. Then, we analyzed the awareness rate of medical waste-related knowledge among medical staff, accuracy rate of medical waste disposal, average daily medical waste amount before and after the application of PDCA cycle to evaluate the effect of the measures taken. ResultsAwareness rate of medical waste-related knowledge among medical staff (2012:55.59%, 2013:62.89%, 2014:94.43%) increased with statistical significance (χ2=410.871, P<0.001). Accuracy rate of medical waste disposal (2012:69.83%, 2013:87.29%, 2014:94.91%) increased with statistical significance (χ2=197.449, P<0.001). Rank correlation analysis showed that average daily medical waste amount declined as average daily inpatients number increased (rs=?0.590, P<0.001). ConclusionUsing PDCA cycle can improve the awareness rate of medical waste-related knowledge and accuracy among medical staff to achieve continuous quality improvement of medical waste management.
Objective To assess the current status of medical waste management and classification disposal in hospitals across Hubei Province, providing a scientific basis for optimizing medical waste disposal strategies and promoting waste minimization, harmless treatment, and resource utilization. Methods A random sample survey was conducted on medical and health institutions in Hubei Province between January 8 and January 17, 2025. The self-made survey questionnaire was used to survey and analyze the medical waste management and classification disposal in medical and health institutions. Results A total of 257 medical and health institutions were surveyed. Among them, there were 93 tertiary hospitals (36.19%), 75 secondary hospitals (29.18%), 77 primary hospitals (29.96%), and 12 non-graded medical institutions (4.67%). The overall compliance rate for medical waste management and training exceeded 90%. In terms of medical waste supervision sections, compliance rates in primary hospitals and non-graded hospitals were 77.92% (60/77) and 58.33% (7/12), respectively. The compliance rate for medical waste classification and disposal was above 90%, with a 100% (221/221) compliance rate for the disposal of placentas from normal deliveries. However, the standardized disposal rates for “fetal tissues from pregnancies under 16 weeks or weighing less than 500 grams”, “amputation and other human tissues (or organs)” and “dead fetus” were 81.45% (180/221), 44.65% (96/215), and 79.64% (176/221), respectively. Additionally, 87.16% (224/257) of healthcare institutions classified single-use soft infusion bottles (bags) as recyclable waste, but significant variations were observed in the disposal of uncontaminated waste (e.g., empty disinfectant bottles, empty dialysis fluid barrels, oxygen humidifier bottles, and orthopedic casting materials). Furthermore, 99.61% (256/257) of hospitals provided protective equipment for medical waste handlers, 91.83% (236/257) conducted regular health examination to them, and 97.28% (250/257) had established needle stab reporting systems and related training programs. Conclusions Medical waste management and classification in hospitals across Hubei Province are largely standardized. However, the certain categories of medical waste still require stricter regulation and oversight.