Clinical Audit of Biomedical Waste Management, Awareness, and Challenges among Health Care Workers in Segregation of Biomedical Waste in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Puducherry-A Mixed-Method Study

Abstract

Background: Biomedical waste is any waste generated in health care facilities in the process of providing patient care. Appropriate medical waste management can protect health care employees, the general public, and the environment. The purpose of this study was to conduct a clinical audit of biomedical waste management, to assess awareness level, and explore the challenges among health care workers in biomedical waste segregation in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry. Methods and Materials: The clinical audit was conducted using the Kayakalp checklist in all the blocks. The awareness level on segregation of biomedical waste was assessed using a questionnaire among 375 health care workers. Key informant interviews were conducted with selected health care workers to explore the challenges they face in the segregation of biomedical waste. Results: The biomedical waste management compliance in the study setting was determined to be at 86%, and about 72% of healthcare workers exhibited good awareness level. A significant challenge in waste segregation was the poor time management of the outsourcing facility’s waste collection service. Conclusions: Overall, biomedical waste management in the study setting was satisfactory. For improved compliance, the supervision and activities of the outsourcing facility must be improved. The study’s findings on the challenges faced by health care workers in segregation can be used to improve biomedical waste management in the tertiary care hospital in Puducherry.