• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.143-151
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• 2024

This study was on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of medical waste management in medium-sized hospitals located in D Metropolitan City in Korea. This work was intended to be used as basic data for improving the level of medical waste management. The questionnaire data were analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé's test, and multiple regression methods. The Factors influencing the knowledge of medical waste management were that males had a lower knowledge level of medical waste than females (β=-0.272, P<0.01), and it was found that the more adequate medical waste containers were provided, the higher the knowledge level of medical waste management (β=0.180, P<0.05). The factors affecting the attitude were not significant, and the factors affecting the practice showed that the higher the attitude score, the higher the level of practice (β=0.465, P<0.001). It was shown that gender and sufficient provision of medical waste containers had an effect on the knowledge of medical waste management, and the attitude toward medical waste management was identified as a factor influencing the practice. Individual education and training according to the characteristics of medical workers, and periodic guidance and inspection of medical waste managers will be required to increase the attitude of medical workers toward medical waste management. We need to construct a management process that thoroughly separates medical waste from the beginning of the medical waste generation, leading to the establishment of a positive attitude toward medical waste management.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.327-336
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the practice of medical waste management of nurses in tertiary general hospitals after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: The participants were 154 nurses working in two tertiary general hospitals. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using an Independent t-test, One-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS/WIN 27.0 program. Results: Factors significantly influencing the subject's practice of medical waste management include medical waste education(β=.18, p=.013), recognition of infection control organizational culture (β=.26, p=.007), and attitudes toward medical waste management (β=.23, p=.011). The explanatory power of these variables for medical waste management practice was 29.0% (F=7.34, p<.001). Conclusion: To improve the practice of medical waste management, a strategy to provide positive attitudes toward medical waste management should be needed when developing medical waste management training programs, and various measures are necessary to make the organizational culture positive for the implementation of infection control guidelines at the organizational level.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.532-544
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• 2017

Objectives: Because the amount of medical waste (i.e., health-care waste) generated in Korea is rapidly increasing and social concern against its safety is widespread, a number of issues related with medical wastes are being discussed. The purpose of this study is to compare diverse medical waste management systems worldwide and propose future directions of a medical waste management system in Korea. Methods: Literature review was conducted mainly on the WHO, and developed countries such as the European Union (Germany, Belgium and UK), Japan and the United States. For these countries, the data with respect to their systems for medical waste management ranging from the definition of medical waste to the whole processes of collection, transportation and disposal were summarized and compared. Results: The terminology and classification of medical wastes were not consistent for WHO recommendation, EU, Japan, US and Korea. Comparison of the collection, storage, transportation and disposal of medical waste showed that Korea had rather stronger regulations for medical waste management compared to developed countries including Belgium (Flanders region), Germany, Japan and the US. Considering that developed countries adopt rather flexible disposal system especially for general medical wastes which pose lower possibility of infection, Korean government could consider diversifying disposal methods other than incineration. It may also be very important to try to reduce the amount of medical wastes and enough capacity for off-site incineration are secured. Conclusion: Our study of international comparisons suggests that it is necessary to continue to identify advantages and disadvantages of the current medical waste management systems and establish more effective one in Korea.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.194-204
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• 2020

This study investigated and analyzed the Korean and international status of radioactive waste management for medical linear accelerators (linacs) and proceed prior research to suggest radiation safety regulations and guidelines for the safe use of radiation. We analyzed the number of linacs installed in the radiation oncology departments of 103 institutions. In addition, we analyzed the procedures and standards for disposal in Korea and foreign countries. For foreign countries, we analyzed the status based on reports from the United States, Japan, Europe, and Canada. A total of 182 linacs are installed in Korea and 95% of them use more than 10 MV of energy. In Korea, standards for managing radioactive waste from a linac, disposal procedures, and clearance criteria have yet to be established. Therefore, radioactive waste is disposed of in different ways depending on the hospitals where they originate. Japan, the US, and Canada have recommended clearance levels and procedures for linacs. Other countries have provided management guidelines for research or large-scale accelerators, but not for medical purposes. In this study, we investigated the management of radioactive waste from medical linacs in Korea and abroad. Several foreign countries have suggested a clearance level and criteria for disposing of waste storage drums. For the safe management of medical linacs, it is necessary to establish safety management regulations. In Korea, standards for disposal, such as radiation or dose limits, are required for medical linacs. A system for clearance when disposing at a medical institution should be created.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.211-219
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• 2019

Since improper management practices of solid medical waste (SMW) could potentially result in serious health risks and environmental problems, it is very important to properly treat and dispose of the medical wastes. In this study, current practices of SMW management from storage to final disposal stage in 12 health care facilities (HCFs) of Burundi were investigated using the official government reports. The results showed that 75% and 92% of HCFs used uncovered wheelbarrows and trucks for on-site or off-site SMW transportation, respectively, indicating that most transportation equipment and waste workers are not safely protected. The results also showed that 92.8% of SMW (15,736.4 ton) from all 12 HCFs were inappropriately disposed of through uncontrolled land disposal and incineration. If pharmaceutical wastes and discarded medical plastics (29.5% of SMW) can be separated and treated properly, the treatment costs can be reduced and resource savings can be achieved. Raising awareness of healthcare workers and general public about potential health effects arising from improper SMW management, sufficient financial and human resources for the treatment facilities (especially incinerators), and effective regulations and guidelines for transportation and treatment of SWM are some of the major tasks for safe and sustainable medical waste management in Burundi.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2017

Objectives : As a descriptive study, the present research investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding medical waste and factors influencing these variables, based on nurses working at university hospitals in Busan and Gyoengnam provinces. Methods : The 508 participants were selected from five university hospitals in Busan and Kyongnam provinces and consented to participate in the study between June 1 and July 15, 2016. The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS 23.0 based on descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, Person correlation coefficients, and hierarchical analysis. Results : The average scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding medical waste among the participants were 15.88 (1.71), 4.38 (0.45), and 4.24 (0.40) respectively. When the scores for the knowledge and attitude related to medical waste were higher, the score for practice (r=.500, p<.001) increased, and the most influential factor on practice regarding medical waste was attitude toward medical waste (${\beta}=.45$, p<.001). Conclusions : Thus, to reinforce a positive attitude toward medical waste management, continuous education and a systematic approach to minimize health and environmental hazards are needed.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.12 no.9
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• pp.255-263
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• 2014

It is different from other countries, they limit the possibility of long-distance travel of infectious waste by principles around treatment and recommend to use various techniques. Medical waste generated from the health medical institutions requires more thorough management because it causes potential danger to anybody exposed and also greatly harmful to natural ecosystems. The amendment bill of Wastes Control Act points out growing risk while consigning to remote waste treatment facilities because of the low processing cost and propose area-division as a solution. This study based on literature reviews, comparison of foreign countries and Korean acts. It requires area-division strategies as a suitable alternative considering the domestic situation.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2014

This study was conducted to propose medical radioactive waste management methods by background factors of radioactive workers, their awareness of safety management and reduce the difficulty of self-disposal. A population of 102 radiotechnologist who work at hospital in Busan was the subject of this study and a survey was conducted to them. the analysis for the collected data used SPSS/PC+Win13 version and one-way, ANOVA was carried out of verify differences between the groups. The result showed that most of workers had correct awareness of radioactive waste management. Also, about the difficulty of self-disposal, legal procedures were mentioned most often, and as efficient improvement of management methods is concerned, changing the awareness of safety management and disposal was proposed. According to this study, the right way of managing medical radioactive waste is to change the awareness of radioactive workers by reinforcing regular training.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.81-90
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• 1995

This study was conducted to find out the management status of radioisotopes and radioactive waste products in Korean medical institutions during the period of three years from 1991 to 1993. The results are summarized as follows : 1. The rate of medical institution to the institutions making use of radioisotopes was decreased every year, for example, 18.11 % in the year 1991, 17.86 % in the year 1992 and 15.87 % in the year 1993. 2. The use of domestic made radioisotopes in the medical institution was increased every year, for instance, 89.68 % in the year 1991, 94.21 % in the year 1992 and 99.79 % in the year 1993. 3. 91.01 % of the half life of isotopes used in the medical Institution were two month below. 4. The rate of radioactive waste products in the medical institution to all radioactive waste products was increased every year, for example, 54.44 % in the year 1991, 75.36 % in 1992 and 78.49 % in the year 1993. 5. The rate of inflammable waste products from medical institution was 76.47 % of all inflammable waste products, and 73.99 % of whole waste products was from the medical Institution.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.27 no.4_1
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• pp.722-733
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• 2024

According to the National Fire Agency, there are 1,810 waste recycling facilities, 2,094 waste treatment facilities, and 223 waste minimization facilities in Korea. Waste fires are characterized by high severity and are prone to reignition, and it is difficult to timely detect them. Waste fires consequently demand many firefighters, equipment, and time to extinguish. Notwithstanding this reality, waste is excluded from the category of special combustible materials in the Act on Installation and Management of Firefighting Systems, 2021 (the Act). Therefore, this study proposes that special combustible materials, including waste, should be incorporated into the Act, that fire detectors and photoelectric smoke detectors should be installed to enable early detection of fires, and that the use of water and foaming agents as firefighting equipment should be enforced.