The Environment Protection Regulations 2009 (EP Regulations) outlines reporting requirements by which waste generators’ organizations must systematically measure, record, and report waste-related details. They must maintain records regarding the waste type and stream, with specific logs for each waste category. During hospital waste management inspections, records and documentation are critical items audited for compliance. Let’s look at some of the vital aspects of such inspections:
- What do inspectors look for during a hospital waste management audit?
- Why are these checklists necessary for hospitals to follow during internal and third-party inspections?
- How does Fielda help improve the implementation of these waste management checklists?
What inspectors look for during hospital waste management inspections: During a review of hospital waste management systems, some of the key points covered include how disinfectants are used; whether there are sufficient supplies such as protective clothing and decontaminants containers and disinfectants? Are the waste materials being sorted and segregated based on the type of waste, for instance, if sharps are being mutilated and disposed of correctly in puncture-proof and leak-proof containers? Inspectors also check how waste is transported within the hospital and if temporary storage is in the appropriately designated area and is for less than 24 hours before being removed from the premises. The checklist also includes hygienic storage, labeling of storage bins, use of protective wear by staff, etc. It’s also vital that final disposal methods are reviewed, including how solid waste is burned or wet waste doused with kerosene before burning, etc.
Why these checklists are vital for proper hospital waste management: Hospitals waste, if not appropriately managed, can result in severe violations of state regulations, and this can, in turn, lead to fines and penalties. More fundamentally, lapses in following the prescribed SOPs and waste management protocols can expose staff, patients, and visitors to infectious substances posing the risk of widespread diseases, poor hygiene, and foul odors. In addition, in specific cases like radioactive substances and toxic waste material, there is a significant risk of injury and long-term damage to health.
How does Fielda help implement these checklist-based reviews: Comprehensive hospital waste management audits span general areas, labs, pharmacies within the hospital, intensive care units, clinics, and operation theatres. Observing and documenting how several types of waste are collected, stored, and disposed of involves a vast amount of data in several possible formats. Inspectors may also need to add supporting documents, photos, etc., as evidence of observations. Fielda helps unify all the facets of inspections in one seamless experience. With custom digital forms and flexible workflows, inspectors can design checklists and data flow processes to suit their requirements. And real-time data collection enables instant reports for better planning and scheduling.
Capture: Enrich hospital waste management data collection with photos, videos, and supporting documents upload from the convenience of a mobile device
Review: Check status updates and follow up on tasks with automated alerts and triggers
Collaborate: Design workflow to suit organizational processes and team protocols for maximum productivity
About Fielda: Fielda helps companies manage and maintain their assets and gain real-time oversight of all tasks, workflows, and projects to improve operational efficiency, enhance team productivity and impact the bottom line. Whether it’s installations, inspections, repairs, replacement of parts, servicing and maintenance, or routine audits, with Fielda’s mobile data collection, GIS-enabled technology, automated and custom workflows, and analytics, you can eliminate errors, enhance response time, ease workflow bottlenecks, and simplify your field operations.