降低加護單位生物醫療廢棄物產量

Decreasing the Output of Biomedical Waste in the Intensive Care Unit

背景：隨著醫療科技進步，PVC（polyvinyl chloride）材質之丟棄式耗材被廣泛使用，而加護單位因重症病患治療需要，生物醫療廢棄物產量逐年增加。若未經妥善管理及處理將對環境衛生及大眾健康造成莫大危害。統計本院加護單位生物醫療廢棄物每人日產量2014年較2013年增加8.51%，分析主要原因為生物醫療廢棄物收集桶內容物分類及人員廢棄物分類行為正確率低，以及未選用與設置合宜容器。目的：加護單位生物醫療廢棄物每人日產量降低10%（ 降低0.22 Kg／人／日）。解決方案：專案小組設計分類標語並張貼宣導海報、以案例設計教案進行教育訓練、成立環保小尖兵及推廣合宜容器使用原則。結果：經專案推行後加護單位生物醫療廢棄物每人日產量降低13.2%。結　論：專案實施後能有效降低加護單位生物醫療廢棄物每人日產量，並提升加護單位醫療人員執行廢棄物分類行為，以提供病患及家屬更佳之醫療照護環境，達到環保愛地球之目標。

made with PVC （polyvinyl chloride）. Furthermore, biomedical effluents are steadily increasing due to severe patient treatment requirements in intensive care units. If these biomedical wastes are not properly managed and disposed, they will cause great harm to the environment and to public health. The statistics from an intensive care unit at one medical center in northern Taiwan show that the per-person biomedical effluents produced in 2014 increased 8.51% over 2013 levels. The main reasons for this increase included the low accuracy of classification of the contents of biomedical effluent collection buckets and of personnel effluents in the intensive care unit and the generally poor selection and designation of appropriate containers. Purpose: Improvement measures were implemented in order to decrease the per-day weight of biomedical effluents by 10% per person （-0.22 kg/person/day）. Methods: The project team developed various strategies, including creating classification-related slogans and posting promotional posters, holding education and training using actual case studies, establishing an “environmental protection pioneer” team, and promoting the use of appropriate containers. Results: The implementation of the project decreased the per-day weight of biomedical effluents by 13.2% per person. Conclusions: Implementation of the project effectively reduced the per-person daily output of biological wastes and improved the waste separation behavior of healthcare personnel in the unit, giving patients and their families a better healthcare environment and helping advance the cause of environmental protection worldwide.