Performance Evaluation of Non-Incineration Treatment Facilities For Disinfection of Medical Infectious and Sharps Wastes in Educational Hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2013

Abstract background: in 2007, a rule prohibiting the use of incinerators was ratified by the iranian islamic parliament. based on this rule, the ministry of health emphasized the sterilization of infectious waste at its production source by means of nonincineration equipment and methods. this research examined the performance of nonincineration technologies in treating medical infectious and sharps wastes at educational hospitals affiliated with shahid beheshti university of medical sciences. methods: this crosssectional descriptive study was conducted in 12 educational hospitals of shahid beheshti university of medical sciences. first, a questionnaire was designed and its validity approved. then the required data was gathered during visits to participating hospitals. finally, the collected data were analyzed using microsoft excel and spss version 16. results: findings showed that the daily production of infectious and sharps wastes in the studied hospitals generally equaled 3387 kg. all hospitals were equipped with nonincineration systems however, only 83.3% of them were active. some infectious waste was disposed of along with urban wastes without being sterilized. monthly biological assessments of treatment equipment were implemented for only 41.7% of the equipment. conclusion: the failures of the nonincineration systems demand that appropriate investigations be conducted prior to the purchase of these devices. monthly biological assessments are essential to ensure the accuracy of the systemsrsquo performance in hospitals.