Identification and Risk Assessment of Coronavirus Transmission through Hospital Waste Management System Using Preliminary Hazard Analysis

Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) is one of the methods to identify significant safety areas which provides an initial assessment of hazards and determines requisite hazard controls and follow-on actions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the waste status and perform a semi-qualitative risk assessment of Coronavirus transmission through waste management system in Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital using PHA and providing appropriate solutions.

This descriptive-analytical study was performed in Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital, 2020. PHA was conducted to identify and assess the risk of Coronavirus transmission at different stages of hospital waste management.

The waste produced in the hospital included infectious (98.09%), pharmaceutical and chemical (1.2%), sharps (0.69%), and normal wastes (0%). Plastics and organic materials accounted for the largest percentage of waste. Preliminary Hazard Analysis showed 35 potential risks for Coronavirus transmission, including waste collection (n=12), waste production, storage, and separation at source (n=11), and temporary storage and maintenance (n=6).

According to current study, reducing the risk of Coronavirus transmission in hospital waste management system, requires necessary trainings and awareness of healthcare personnel, especially hospital cleaning staff.