Emergency Management of Medical Wastewater in Hospitals Specializing in Infectious Diseases-a Case Study on Huoshenshan Hospital

Abstract

Background: Medical wastewater from hospitals specializing in infectious diseases is a major health and environmental risk during pandemics. However, few systematic studies on medical wastewater management in hospitals of infectious diseases have been reported. As designated emergency field hospital for the treatment of COVID-19, the Huoshenshan Hospital achieved successful outcomes on emergency management measures of medical wastewater.Results: The lessons of medical wastwater based on Huoshenshan Hospital can be concluded following four aspects: (1) Emergency management system of medical wastewater based on the “Internet Plus” technology, and other related management schemes and standard systems provided legislative foundation for emergency management of medical wastewater. (2) The three-tier prevention and control system of medical wastewater ensured the discharged wastewater meets water quality standards. The system specifically included the individual seep and leak-proof sealed collection system at the first tier, as well as the enhanced disinfection and moving bed biofilm reactor wastewater biological and chemical treatment technology at the second tier. (3) The study established an effective three-tier accountability system in medical wastewater quality monitoring, data recording, storage, and reporting, as well as data review and filing, especially in continuous data monitoring and dynamic analysis of characteristic indicators. (4) Information disclosure by government and public supervision promoted successful implementation of medical wastewater management and control measures. Based on the results of 212 public questionnaires, we also confirmed that information of the case was open to public and internet users who actively participated. Conclusion: Our study will provide methodological reference for the emergency management of wastewater in designated infectious disease hospitals in similar situations.