Tudor, T. L., Woolridge, A. C., Phillips, C. A., Holliday, M., Laird, K., Bannister, S., Edgar, J. E. and Rushbrook, P. (2010) Evaluating the link between the management of clinical waste in the National Health Service (NHS) and the risk of the spread of infections: a case study of three hospitals in England. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 213(6), pp. 432-436. 1438-4639.
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Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate waste management practices in three case study NHS Trusts in England and the potential risks of the spread of pathogens causing healthcare associated infections (HCAIs). Using a combination of microbiological techniques, interviews and questionnaire surveys, four target microbes were studied, namely: meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), meticillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Waste Flow Diagrams (WFDs) were used to map the flow of the waste.
While there was a perceived link between the management of the waste and the spread of the microbes by staff, none of the target organisms were isolated. The findings suggest that when the waste is properly contained and managed that it should not pose a significant risk in terms of the spread of the four bacteria tested in this study. In addition, the results demonstrate that there is a need for staff perceptions and beliefs to be addressed in the development of policies and training related to infection control and its link to waste management
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Healthcare associated infections; waste management; NHS; infection prevention and control
Subjects:
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA565 Environmental health > RA567.7 Medical wastes
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA643 Disease (Communicable and non-infectious) and public health
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA960 Medical centers. Hospitals. Dispensaries. Clinics
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA643 Disease (Communicable and non-infectious) and public health
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA960 Medical centers. Hospitals. Dispensaries. Clinics
Creators:
Tudor, T. L., Woolridge, A. C., Phillips, C. A., Holliday, M., Laird, K., Bannister, S., Edgar, J. E. and Rushbrook, P.
Publisher:
Elsevier
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for Research into Sustainable Wastes Management
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society
Faculties > Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology > Environmental Science
Research Centres > Environment Research Group
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society
Faculties > Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology > Environmental Science
Research Centres > Environment Research Group
Date:
15 September 2010
Date Type:
Publication
Page Range:
pp. 432-436
Journal or Publication Title:
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
Volume:
213
Number:
6
Language:
English
ISSN:
1438-4639
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Refereed:
Yes
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