Sağlık Çalışanlarının Tıbbi Atık Bilgi Düzeylerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Authors : Mahmut Akbolat, Oğuz Işik, Cemile Dede, Mesut Çimen

Pages : 131-140

View : 43 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2011-09-01

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Purpose: This descriptive study is designed in order to find out whether health professionals receive any training about medical waste and if they did, to demonstrate their distinct attributes regarding medical waste collection and disposal. Patients and Methods: The pool of the study is composed of 1647 health professionals working in public hospitals in Sakarya. Stratified random sampling method is used in the study. Of the collected questionnaires, 497 of them are used in the data analysis. Data is collected through a survey form prepared by the authors. Factor analysis, descriptive statistical methods and ANOVA are used in the analysis of the data. Results: 69.6 % of health professionals participating in the study have received training about medical waste as a part of in-service training. In general, health professionals are aware that their institutions have a waste plan 66,9 % , that there are special storage areas for medical waste 73,5 % , that there are personnel specifically assigned with the task of collecting medical waste 72,6 % and that color codes are used to separate medical waste from other types of waste 81,6 % . Furthermore, it is found out that amongst health professionals who possess high level of knowledge regarding the collection and handling of medical wastes 4,48±0,633 , knowledge and attitude of the physicians, nurses, personnel who received education on graduate or associate degree level or who work in clinics or polyclinics, are higher compared to other personnel. Conclusion: The collection of medical wastes separate from other wastes and to make use of recoverable wastes are important in terms of contributing to national economy and preventing economic loss in health institutions. Thus, taking measures and carrying on training in accord with the Regulation on Control of Hazardous Wastes is recommended in order to continue providing services without posing a risk for employees, patients, their families and the environment.
Keywords : waste, medical waste, health professionals