System application using "multi-option" for hospital waste management in a hospital in india

History of hospital waste management in India is about a decade old. Rules in this regard were promulgated in 1998. By initiative of WHO 11 pilot projects were granted in the biennium 1999-2000, of which one was awarded to the Air Force Hospital at Bangalorea multidisciplinary hospital having over 800 beds. The project was started in January 1999, and got completed in May 2000. For the first time a comprehensive system of hospital waste management was evolved using ´multioption´ approach for disinfection and ecofriendly disposal. This, perhaps is the only ´onsite´ hospital waste management system in India, which combines proper disinfection, eco-friendly disposal, safety aspects, and appropriate as well as multilevel training and awareness programmes. Survey of the hospital to determine waste generation points, current practice, awareness level, and safety measures was done in two phases-one during the lean period and another during the rush period of patients. During the course of the project safety clothing and equipment for the waste handlers were identified and selected. The project was conducted in form of applied research since its most important feature was system development, and not to seek ´end of pipeline´ solution.