title: Effects of an incinerator project on a healthcare-waste management system.
abstract: This evaluative research study aimed to assess the effects of the central healthcare incinerator project on waste management in Yala Province. The study data were collected twice: at baseline and during the operational phase. A combination of structured interview and observation were used during data collection. The study covered 127 healthcare facilities: government hospitals, healthcare centres, and private clinics. The results showed 63% of healthcare risk waste (HCRW) handlers attended the HCRW management training. Improvements in each stage of the HCRW management system were observed in all groups of facilities. The total cost of the HCRW management system did not change, however; the costs for hospitals decreased, whereas those for clinics increased significantly. It was concluded that the central healthcare waste incinerator project positively affected HCRW management in the area, although the costs of management might increase for a particular group. However, the benefits of changing to a more appropriately managed HCRW system will outweigh the increased costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Patthanasak
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khammaneechan
authors.forename: Kamolnetr
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okanurak
authors.forename: Pornchai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sithisarankul
authors.forename: Kraichat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tantrakarnapa
authors.forename: Poonsup
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Norramit
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D017745:Incineration / Q000191:economics; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017744:Medical Waste Disposal