Health Policy Issues and Health Programmes in ... - Amazon S3

Hospital Waste Management4. Temperature is detected by a thermocouple with a life of 20–25 days. The thermocoupleburns out because it is in direct contact with the flame. This leads to erroneous readings; theactual chamber temperature may be very low or very high.5. The life of the refractory liner is a maximum of 2–3 years.6. The fuel is purchased through the stores and its erratic supply can result in closure of theincinerator units.7. There has been a difference of more than 200%–300% in the purchase price of incineratorsfor government and private hospitals.8. Most of the hospital waste is scavenged by the ward boy, staff, and rag-pickers. This reducesthe calorific value of waste and requires more fuel.Nearly 80% hospitals depend on incineration for disposal of biomedical waste. 1998 BiomedicalWork Rules for emission standards increase the purchase and operation cost tenfold. Theoptions will includel developing hospital-owned regional disposal facility,l CTF, andl paying high amount for incinerator upgrading or for new technologies.Features of Autoclave Systemsl Direct heatl Temperature/pressurel Steam penetration.Features of Hydroclave Systemsl Indirect heatl Innovation type of steam sterilizationl Double-wall container.The hydroclave is an advanced form of autoclave, according to the CPCB Report, 2000. Inhydroclave steam sterilization, steam is reused and stored in an outer jacket. In fact, themoisture from waste, which averages 40% in Indian waste, is converted into steam by heatingfrom the outside. Hydroclave provides low-temperature steam sterilization with significanttechnological advancement and innovation.l The hydroclave sterilization vessel is a double-walled (jacketed), cylindrical vessel, fittedwith a powerful mixing/fragmenting system on the inside.l Steam heat is applied to the jacket only, while the agitated waste absorbs the heat from thejacket and makes its own steam from its moisture content.l All particles of the fragmented, agitated waste, including sharps and liquids get exposedevenly to the heat.l There is no need for special autoclave bags or pre-treatment of the waste.l Liquids and gases remain locked inside the vessel until sterilization is complete—nothing isvacuumed or pumped out in its infected state.l Jacket steam heat will completely dehydrate the waste, regardless of its original watercontent.212