Management of waste resulting from medical activity in the Republic of Moldova: pilot study

Abstract

The generation and disposal of medical waste is an ongoing issue for medical facilities. Medical institutions, including hospitals, clinics, and facilities for patient diagnosis and treatment, produce highly hazardous waste for human. The actual pilot study used the questionnaire, based on the World Health Organization form, translated into Romanian where a number of pertinent questions were chosen. The form has been tested in 21 health facilities at the Republican and municipal levels. Tests were conducted online, the average number of beds in medical institutions being – 142.1±127.3 [M±SD]. The average number of employers in medical facilities was 268±173.9 [M±SD]. Following questionnaire testing and analysis of responses, three questions and 15 response options were excluded, 31 questions were amended or adjusted, and three new questions were added. Following the pilot study, it was noted that most of the questions met the criteria submitted for the form: specificity, clarity, simplicity of wording, veracity and reasoning. Additionally, a number of issues have been identified that require a complex and immediate approach.