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At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Infectious waste management and laboratory design criteria.

Infectious waste management and laboratory design criteria are provided to help in recognizing what information needs to be included in an individual program and to develop an infectious waste management plan. Relevant engineering aspects of a containment laboratory are described in detail, and suggested equipment and operating procedures for collection, sterilization, and disposal of solid and liquid waste are discussed. The need for public awareness regarding infectious waste is discussed, including liability considerations associated with improper disposal. This study shows how proper management of infectious waste results in lower disposal cost, lower operating costs, reduction in liabilities, increased worker safety, and a cleaner environment.

Containment of Biohazards↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Medication knowledge and self-management by people with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To explore medication knowledge and self-management practices of people with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: A one-shot cross sectional study using in-depth interviews and participant observation. SETTING: Diabetes outpatient education centre of a university teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: People with type 2 diabetes, n=30, 17 males and 13 females, age range 33-84, from a range of ethnic groups. OUTCOME MEASURES: Ability to state name, main actions and when to take medicines. Performance of specific medication-related tasks; opening bottles and packs, breaking tablets in half, administering insulin, and testing blood glucose. RESULTS: Average medication use > or = 10years. Respondents were taking 86 different medicines, mean 7 +/- 2.97 SD. Dose frequency included two, three and four times per day. All respondents had > or = 2 diabetic complications +/- other comorbidities. The majority (93%) were informed about how and when to take their medicines, but only 37% were given information about side effects and 17% were given all possible seven items of information. Younger respondents received more information than older respondents. Older respondents had difficulty opening bottles and breaking tablets in half. Twenty percent regularly forgot to take their medicines. Increasing medication costs was one reason for stopping medicines or reducing the dose or dose interval. The majority tested their blood glucose but did not control test their meters and 33% placed used sharps directly into the rubbish. CONCLUSION: Polypharmacy was common. Medication knowledge and self-management were inadequate and could lead to adverse events.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Reduction in radioactive material use and waste generation at the National Institutes of Health.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has implemented an enhanced and comprehensive program to reduce the use of radioactive materials and to minimize the generation of radioactive and mixed wastes. The primary drivers for this program were increasing waste management costs, difficulties in disposing of certain types of radioactive wastes, particularly mixed wastes, and the increasing burden of managing radioactive materials in accordance with new regulatory requirements. These minimization efforts, coupled with the development of new on-site waste treatment options and the use of commercially available waste processing facilities, have resulted in significant reductions in the use of radioactive materials in bench research and the resultant amounts of radioactive and mixed waste generated and disposed off-site. A survey of users of radioactive materials was conducted to examine the reasons for this reduction and to predict future ordering trends. The primary factors contributing to reductions in ordering appear to be rapidly increasing use of non-radioactive research techniques, and increasingly burdensome safety and security regulations governing the use of radioactive material, which tend to discourage their use. The downward trends in use and disposal of radioactive materials at the NIH appear to be continuing.

Medical Waste Disposal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Issues involved in hospital waste management--an experience from a large teaching institution.

Experience from a large teaching hospital regarding hospital waste management is presented. The quantum of hospital waste generated is 0.775 kg. per patient per day. Out of this biomedical waste constitute only 6.27 per cent. Though all resources have been provided, a large implementation gap for waste management is seen because of attitudinal problem. A particular difficulty is experienced for disposal of green coconut shells. Incineration has been advocated as a viable method of disposal. Cost of incineration is Rs. 2.71 per patient per day.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed2003

Hazardous waste management within dental practices.

As producers of hazardous waste, dentists have a responsibility and a duty of care for the correct management of waste within their practice. Appropriate measures should be taken to minimise hazardous waste where possible or take action to ensure that all generated waste is disposed of in accordance with environmental legislation.

Dental Amalgam↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Syringe disposal practices and gender differences.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe syringe disposal practices of individuals with diabetes who take insulin and to investigate the attitude toward and effect of previous information on proper syringe disposal. METHODS: Adult men and women who injected insulin were recruited from an endocrinology practice and given 2 questionnaires concerning syringe disposal practices and attitude toward proper syringe disposal. Completed questionnaires were returned by mail to the investigator. Nonparametric statistical procedures were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Men with higher income tended to use the trash for syringe disposal more often than lower income men, and older women exhibited a higher positive attitude score than younger women. A positive attitude significantly correlated with the likelihood of proper syringe disposal, and those who had received previous information were more likely to dispose of syringes properly. Healthcare providers were identified as the main source of information. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes educators can improve the syringe disposal practices of their patients through education at each office visit. Knowing more about the environmental and social problems that may ensue from improper syringe disposal may influence patients to practice better disposal methods.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

State syringe and drug possession laws potentially influencing safe syringe disposal by injection drug users.

OBJECTIVE: To review state laws and judicial decisions for potential barriers to proper syringe disposal by injection drug users (IDUs). DESIGN: Using standard legal research methods, this study reviewed drug paraphernalia, syringe prescription, drug possession, and syringe exchange laws and relevant case decisions in 59 jurisdictions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Drug paraphernalia, syringe prescription, and drug possession laws. RESULTS: Drug paraphernalia laws prohibit all possession of syringes by IDUs in 31 jurisdictions. Syringe prescription laws prohibit possession in 7 jurisdictions. In 53 jurisdictions, IDUs may be subject to prosecution for the possession of drug residue in used syringes. Only two states (HI, RI) have no legal barriers to safe syringe disposal by IDUs. Sixteen jurisdictions that have tried to expand syringe access for IDUs by authorizing SEPs or by deregulating pharmacy sale of syringes continue to have criminal law provisions that could pose barriers to proper disposal. CONCLUSION: IDUs are a significant source of syringes disposed of outside the health care system. Involving IDUs in safe community sharps disposal programs is an important public health goal, but may be frustrated by legal barriers. Although this study looked only at law on the books, and not law as actually applied, ethnographic and survey research indicates that criminal laws do influence the syringe possession behavior of IDUs. The findings of this study suggest that syringe and drug possession laws could deter IDUs from participating in safe syringe disposal programs.

Humans↗