Gaps in Nursing Training on Biomedical Waste Management and Handling: Situational analysis at a Tertiary Care Public Hospital

Introduction: Growing health care industry has been seeing parallel growth of generated Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) which requires scientific approach for its management. Hospitals have been working hard to maintain levels of standards for Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules (BMWMH) as notified by Government of India. BMWMH have left it for the organization to define their systems, processes, responsibility assignments and monitoring systems and to educate and endow adequate training to their employees and staff generating and handling BMW. While earlier studies were focused on knowledge, attitude and practices at various organizations, current study focuses to identify reasons for possible lapses in BMWMH.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the differences in conceptual clarity on BMWMH among diploma and graduate nurse and identify areas requiring management focus. Method: Study was conducted at a tertiary care public sector Medical College. Validated questionnaire was used where by questionnaire was specifically framed to assess the clarity on basic concepts behind the BMWMH.

Result: Graduate nurses were found to have higher conceptual clarity compare to diploma holder nurses. Training levels were found to be below national averages in tertiary care hospitals. Study goes on to identify, suggest methods and actionables for tertiary care institutions to improve compliance to BMWMH rules which can also be replicated for other healthcare organizations.