Volume 18, Issue 2 (9-2025)
ijhe 2025, 18(2): 267-282 |
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Gharanjic A, Dianati Tilaki R A, Dehghan S, Bay A, Gholami-Borujeni F. Investigating the operation and maintenance status of medical waste decontamination devices in Golestan province. ijhe 2025; 18 (2) :267-282
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6994-en.html
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6994-en.html
Abdolrahman Gharanjic1 
, Ramazan Ali Dianati Tilaki1 , Samaneh Dehghan1 , Abutaleb Bay2 , Fathollah Gholami-Borujeni *3
, Ramazan Ali Dianati Tilaki1 , Samaneh Dehghan1 , Abutaleb Bay2 , Fathollah Gholami-Borujeni *3
1- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
2- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran ,gholami_b_f@yahoo.com
2- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Health Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran ,
Abstract: (517 Views)
Background and Objective: Proper operation and maintenance of hospital waste sterilization devices are crucial for preventing the spread of infections and hazardous diseases, as well as for safeguarding public health and the environment. This study aims to assess the operational and maintenance status of medical waste sterilization devices in public and private hospitals in Golestan Province.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 17 public and 6 private hospitals in Golestan Province, all of which were equipped with vacuum steam autoclaves (without shredders) for medical waste sterilization. Monthly microbiological sampling was performed by an accredited environmental laboratory. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires and personal interviews, with results analyzed using frequency distributions, percentages, and central tendency measures.
Results: The overall microbial sterilization performance of the devices was 97.07%, indicating high efficacy in waste treatment. When comparing hospital types, public hospitals demonstrated a 96.93% satisfactory sterilization rate, while private hospitals performed slightly better at 97.22%. Regarding preventive maintenance, compliance was suboptimal, with public hospitals adhering to maintenance protocols 68.62% of the time, compared to 77.77% in private hospitals. Additionally, the sanitary conditions of sterilization device locations met required standards in 94.11% of public hospitals but only 69.05% of private hospitals, suggesting variability in facility upkeep.
Conclusion: To ensure device effectiveness and minimize risks in hospital waste management, implementing preventive maintenance programs and providing continuous staff training on proper device use are essential.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 17 public and 6 private hospitals in Golestan Province, all of which were equipped with vacuum steam autoclaves (without shredders) for medical waste sterilization. Monthly microbiological sampling was performed by an accredited environmental laboratory. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires and personal interviews, with results analyzed using frequency distributions, percentages, and central tendency measures.
Results: The overall microbial sterilization performance of the devices was 97.07%, indicating high efficacy in waste treatment. When comparing hospital types, public hospitals demonstrated a 96.93% satisfactory sterilization rate, while private hospitals performed slightly better at 97.22%. Regarding preventive maintenance, compliance was suboptimal, with public hospitals adhering to maintenance protocols 68.62% of the time, compared to 77.77% in private hospitals. Additionally, the sanitary conditions of sterilization device locations met required standards in 94.11% of public hospitals but only 69.05% of private hospitals, suggesting variability in facility upkeep.
Conclusion: To ensure device effectiveness and minimize risks in hospital waste management, implementing preventive maintenance programs and providing continuous staff training on proper device use are essential.
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