Introducing a new medical waste tracking and classification system for Jordan

Date29 July 2014
Published date29 July 2014
Pages224-238
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-04-2014-0004
AuthorBashaar Y. Ammary
Subject MatterPublic policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation
Introducing a new medical
waste tracking and classification
system for Jordan
Bashaar Y. Ammary
Water and Environmental Engineering Department, Balqa Applied University,
Huson College, Huson, Jordan
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce a cradle to grave manifest system for medical
waste in Jordan. As part of this program, medical waste classification, generation rates, and tracking
in different parts of the world and in Jordan are described.
Design/methodology/approach – After reviewing different classification systems, the program
adopted the World Health Organization definitionwith minor modification to be used with the proposed
manifest, as it is very similar to thecurrent bylaw regulating medical wastein Jordan. In addition, the
generation rates of hazardous medical waste in 11 public hospitals and one governmental university
hospital inthe northern part of Jordan were calculated.These were based on theweights of these wastes
that were transferred to the sole incinerator used by these hospitals over a 12-month period. These
weights were obtainedthrough interviews with personnel in charge of the medical waste incinerator.
Findings – This project has devised a manifest form to be used for medical waste transport.
In addition, the generation rate was found to vary from 0.88 to 3.05 kg/bed/daybased on 100 p ercent
occupancy rates. The generation weight was found to be different for different months of the year.
Originality/value – Management of waste disposal and treatment, including medical waste is very
important in a water poor country like Jordan. The introduction of a manifest system and the adoption
of a medical classification system, in addition to the calculation of the generation rates are very
important for sustainable development in the country.
Keywords Jordan, Hospitals, Waste disposal, Medical waste classification,
Medical waste generation rate, Medical waste manifest
Paper type Case study
1. Introduction
Health-care wastes or medical wastes are defined differently in different parts of the
world (Pru
¨ss et al., 1999; European Waste Catalogue (EWC), 2001; Miyazaki and
Une, 2005; Ananth et al., 2010; United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2013).
For example, the European Union defines medical wastes as wastes from human or
animal health-care and/or relatedresearch (EWC, 2001). The World Health Organization
(WHO) defines medical waste as the waste generated by health-care establishments,
research facilities, and laboratories, in addition to waste originating from “minor” or
“scattered” sources (Pru
¨ss et al., 1999). According to the United States Environmental
ProtectionAgency (2013) medicalwastes contain all wastematerials generated by health-
care facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, dental practices, blood banks,
and veterinaryhospitals/clinics, as well as at medical research facilities and laboratories.
In addition, many countries have adopted their own classification of medical waste.
As Jordan is in the process of introducing a manifest system for tracking of medical
waste from cradle to grave, it is necessary to ad opt a national classification of
medical waste that could be used as a basis for tracking of such waste. Medical waste
has been classified by international agencies such as the WHO, Basel Convention, or the
United Nations (UN). In addition, manycountries have adoptedtheir own classification of
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
WorldJour nal of Science, Technology
and Sustainable Development
Vol. 11 No. 3, 2014
pp. 224-238
rEmeraldGroup PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/W JSTSD-04-2014-0004
224
WJSTSD
11,3

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