Comparison of medical waste management methods in different countries: a systematic review

Abstract

Medical waste status is a severe public health problem worldwide. Proper medical waste management is of paramount importance. However, there is insufficient information about medical waste management and lack of management in different countries. The aim of this research was to investigate and evaluate the present status of medical waste management in different countries. We systematically searched Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed Central, Google Scholar databases, as well as medRxiv using the following keywords: medical waste, waste management, disposal, healthcare per-capita generation, gross domestic product (GDP), and hospital. A total of 38 eligible articles were identified. Correlations were calculated between the amount of medical waste generated (kg bed.day−1) vs. GDP per capita ($) and ranking of healthcare system performance. A negative correlation was found between medical waste generation rate and ranking of healthcare system performance. According to the findings of this study, the medical waste generation rate in different countries ranged from 0.14 to 6.10 kg bed.day−1. About 25% of countries segregated medical waste, and about 17% used standard storage for all medical waste. Shortcomings were also found in waste collection, storage, transportation and transfer, and disposal of medical waste management activities in different countries. Only about 25% of countries simultaneously used three techniques, such as autoclaving, incineration, and landfill for disposal and treatment of medical waste, and 91% used incineration method. This study highlights an essential need for particular medical waste management guidelines and regulations, technologies, knowledge and financing to upgrade medical waste management worldwide. This study can be considered to be a good guide for further research on medical waste management in developing and developed countries.

Tracing the barriers to decarbonising ophthalmology: A review

“…In countries where medical waste is mostly incinerated, the emissions from waste disposal could be higher. 55 Across several countries, the mass of waste varied by an order of magnitude from 250 g at AECS, other Indian sites and in Eswatini, to over 4 kg in the United Kingdom. 37,38,42,44 A prospective assessment of cataract surgery waste in Malaysia found a similar mass of around 1 kg per case, and highlighted the wide range of packaging for common items, and the potential for reducing packaging, re-using items and recycling.…”

“…Waste disposal was a very minor source of emissions in these cataract footprinting studies, as general medical waste to landfill does not decompose and generate greenhouse gases. In countries where medical waste is mostly incinerated, the emissions from waste disposal could be higher 55 . Across several countries, the mass of waste varied by an order of magnitude from 250 g at AECS, other Indian sites and in Eswatini, to over 4 kg in the United Kingdom 37,38,42,44 .…”

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“…Rational classification of medical waste is one effective method for containing the infection and preventing the spread of the epidemic from the source. However, currently only about 25% of countries classify medical waste (Fadaei, 2022). Moreover, most guidelines or available technologies are not entirely suitable for the current national situation.…”

“…However, currently only about 25% of countries classify medical waste (Fadaei, 2022). Moreover, most guidelines or available technologies are not entirely suitable for the current national situation.…”

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“…In addition, deficiencies found in the cases of some countries referred to the stages of collection, storage, transport, and transfer of these typical wastes, as well as the organization of the elimination of their management activities. In the same research, it was found that only a quarter of the investigated countries simultaneously applied three techniques for the elimination or treatment of sanitary waste (i.e., autoclaving, incineration, or storage), with 91% usually using incineration [19].…”