Background: There are various departments in hospital that produce hazardous, infectious, pathological and radioactive wastes. Utilizing proper methods of waste management is of high priority in order to prevent from releasing these wastes to environment. This study aimed to evaluate waste management efficiency in Karaj hospitals.
Material & Methods: This cross - sectional study was conducted in Karaj during 2011-2013. All hospitals of Karaj had been selected as statistical population of this study (n=8) by census. The data had been collected by separating and weighting produced hospital wastes for 4 month (during one week at each month) and filling related checklists of health ministry. Collected Data had been analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The daily capita of waste was 4.1 kg per active bed, 5.6 kg per occupied bed and 9.4 kg per patient. The overall percentage score of present status of hospital waste management was assessed 88% and in 12% which indicate moderate and weak levels respectively. Hospital waste management had been evaluated weak in terms of collection, transportation and personnel but seen from the viewpoint in the separation and temporary storage, it was assessed moderate. However, in terms of disposal, assessment of hospital waste management showed it is in a desirable status.
Conclusion: The present status of hospital waste management was far beyond the expectations among studies hospitals. Thus, developing an operational plan and monitoring its implementation is highly recommended to. Given the main weakness of hospital waste management was related to production, collection, separation, and transportation, taking these areas consideration is of high priority.
