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At least 1,063 records · Page 59Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

[A pilot study for the assessment of pharmaceuticals as water contaminants].

Pharmaceuticals and their metabolites can reach water bodies through sewage systems, industrial discharges, effluents from sewage treatment facilities, aquaculture and livestock farming. Pharmaceuticals include a huge number of substances which are very different as regards their chemical and physical properties and environmental behaviour, although they many have a potent biochemical activity. At present, pharmaceuticals can reach levels of ng-microg l(-1) and some are considered ubiquitous. Nevertheless, their presence in the aquatic environment and their impact on aquatic biota and on human health have not yet been adequately studied. There is some experimental evidence that pharmaceuticals may cause harmful effects such as morphological and metabolic alterations on aquatic species and induction of antibiotic-resistance in aquatic pathogenic bacteria. Risk assessment studies are in progress.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Reducing expenditure on infectious waste handling in the hemodialysis room].

Developing awareness of environmental protection issues and rising costs of medical treatment are causing all medical treatment centers to reduce expenditure on the processing of infectious hazardous wastes. This has become a major matter of policy in most hospitals. This project was undertaken because, in one unit, expenditure on infectious hazardous waste processing began to cost 50% of the hospital's entire monthly spending on such processing. A specialist team was established, which put into practice a monitoring plan and improvement measures. The results were as follows. First, with guidance, staff members realized the importance of reducing the quantity of infectious hazardous wastes. Second, infectious hazardous wastes were reduced by reducing the quantity, recycling, and not being wasteful. Third, following this effort, the hemodialysis room in question was able to save NT 2,786 dollars per month in expenditure on hygienic materials and waste handling fees of NT 5,597 dollars per month. A total of NT 100,596 dollars was saved for the whole year. Fourth, the whole improvement project target completion rate was 240% and the progress rate was 13.3%.

Health Expenditures↗
PubMed2006

[Hospital solid waste: quantification. Bacteriological analyses--case of hospital Ibn Sina].

Hospital waste represent, by their nature and their constitution, a big threat to health in the intra and extra hospital area. and a source of pollution for the environment. A 12-day campaign of weighing of the waste produced by the hospital Ibn Sina of Rabat-Morocco should an average of 1.75 kg/bed/day. In order to identify the hospital pathogenic germs as well as their sensitivities to antibiotics, some bacteriological analyses have been done on the percolat waste of this hospital. The results of these analyses put in evidence the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and their resistance to some antibiotics.

Drug Resistance, Bacterial↗
PubMed2000

Dialyzer reprocessing: improved treatment quality and increased dialyzer reuse using a team approach.

Use of the performance improvement process can yield unexpected positive results. Through the implementation of performance improvement concepts, the Dialysis Centers of Dayton LLC East was able to increase the average dialyzer reuse number and achieve economical benefits while improving the quality of patient care delivered. Employment of the team approach, staff education, and communication was vital to the success of this Over the last 10 years, the use of dialyzer reprocessing has steadily increased in dialysis units across the country. If the reuse average was down in a unit, it was not uncommon to look to the reuse staff for an explanation, since it is "their" job to keep the numbers up. After consultation with a Minntech representative, the Dialysis Centers of Dayton LLC East staff discovered that the most effective methods to increase the average reuse number were those implemented on the dialyzer before it ever reached the reprocessing area. Several technical changes were initiated, including the use of standardized heparin protocols, all of which contributed to the improvement in the reuse average. Although some of these changes had been done previously, they were not implemented and reviewed according to the formal performance improvement model. Two methods for calculating the reuse average were employed. Over a 12-month time frame, reuse numbers increased from 7.1 and 7.5 to 36.6 and 18.1, respectively (utilizing the Hartline [1996] and conventional method of reuse calculation). Review of patient adequacy showed no detrimental effects and a slight improvement in the percentage of patients with a Kt/V of more than 1.2. Focusing on performance improvement in the reprocessing area has yielded many benefits to both patients and staff.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Formocreosol.

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Dental Waste↗
PubMed2006

[Research advance of toxicological risk of hospital wastewater to aquatic environment].

Recent studies indicate that hospitals may represent an incontestable release source of many toxic substances in the aquatic environment. The contact of hospital pollutants with aquatic ecosystems leads to a risk directly related to the existence of hazardous substances, which could have potential negative effects on biological balance of aquatic environments and drinking water sources. A review of the literatures on the risk to aquatic environment of hazardous substances from hospital wastewater and their deleterious effects are presented in this paper.

China↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Amalgam recycling.

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Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Key issues in diagnosing and treating hepatitis C infection.

A strategy and action plan is in place for the management of hepatitis C. However, recent evidence suggests that this is not being implemented and hepatitis C remains a significant public health concern. This article summarises the condition and potential problems, highlights data from the recent audit of practice and outlines the latest recommendations for managing hepatitis C.

Benchmarking↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biomedical waste.

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Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed2005

Problems in the management of medical waste in Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: To identify problems in the management of medical waste in Thailand for future development. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was done in 39 hospitals during June and July 2002 by interviewing medical personnel on knowledge and attitude in management of medical waste, observation of practice and checking the amount of medical waste in waste bags. Certain laboratory investigations were done in dustmen. RESULTS: The amount of medical waste was 0.41 kilogram per bed per day. Problems identified were inadequate knowledge in management, improper practices, high incidence of sharp injury at work. Laboratory tests in dustmen showed evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in 3.4%, parasites and intestinal pathogens in stools 5.1% and positive for HBsAg in 8.5%. CONCLUSION: Improper management of medical waste was present in all hospitals. Risks of exposure and incidence of infection related to the management were at concerned levels. Education and practice guidelines are needed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of medical waste incinerators in Alexandria.

Medical establishments play important roles in different activities by using of modern technology to serve the humans and the environment through different departments in the establishment and its firms. Medical wastes are considered as a hazardous waste because they contain toxic materials, infectious, or non-infectious wastes and they are considered as a hazard to millions of patients, health care workers, and visitors. Treatment processes for medical wastes comprise autoclaving, microwaving, chemical disinfection, irradiation, plasma system, and incineration. Incineration is a thermal process, which destroys most of the waste including microorganisms. Combustion process must be under controlled conditions to convert wastes containing hazardous materials into mineral residues and gases. Hospital waste incinerators may emit a number of pollutants depending on the waste being incinerated. These pollutants include particulate matter, acid gases, toxic metals, and toxic organic compounds products of incomplete combustion, e.g., dioxins, furans, and carbon monoxide, as well as sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. So, there should be a reduction of emissions of most of these pollutants by air pollution control devices. This study was conducted in 51 medical establishments (ME) in Alexandria. To evaluate its incinerators. It was found that only 31.4% of total ME have their own incinerators to treat their medical waste. Also, the incinerators conditions were poor with incomplete combustion. So, the study recommend handling of all medical wastes of ME in Alexandria by the company which is responsible now for management of domestic solid wastes of the city.

Air Pollutants↗