The Measures to reduce the generation of medical waste in medical facilities

November 26, 2021, Set Health has issued  Circular 20/2021/TT-BYT stipulating the management of medical waste within the premises of medical facilities.

Specifically, substance collection frequency infectious waste from the place of generation to the waste storage area in the medical facility’s premises at least once a day. For medical facilities with less than 0.5 kg of infectious waste generated in a day, infectious waste is collected at least once a day, and sharp infectious waste is collected. at least once a month.

Besides, for waste infections arise at medical facilities, the storage time is not more than 02 days under normal conditions; In case infectious waste is stored in a cold storage device at a temperature below 8oC, the maximum storage time should not exceed 07 days. For medical facilities in remote, mountainous, and island areas that do not have appropriate treatment measures, sharp infectious wastes are safely stored in concrete tanks within the medical facility’s premises. After the waste has been sterilized, there must be a warning sign in the waste storage area.

Also, the facility must implement the following measures to minimize the generation of medical waste: Procurement, installation, use of supplies, equipment, tools, drugs, chemicals and other materials suitable to use needs ; Renovating equipment and processes in medical professional activities; There are measures, roadmap and implementation to limit the use of single-use plastic products,….

Circular effective from 10th January 1, 2022.

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