Infection Control in Home Care and Management of Medical Waste Generated by Home Medical Care

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Medical waste disposal is regulated at the prefectural level, but there is no regulation of household waste no matter if it is considered medical and infectious waste in Japan. I have a concern about medical/infectious wastes that are generated by home medical care, and I am establishing a medical waste management system for home medical care.I investigated what kinds of medical waste that home care nurses generated. A total of 527 subjects consented to our investigation. As a result, I found that home care nurses used disposable syringes the most, gauze next, catheters associated urinary tract third and then intravenous drip sets. These are used not only in hospital but also in home medical care, although there is no regulation of household waste. The worrysome matter of how to dispose of these used waste products is left to home care nurses' judgment. Besides, old and frail patients who are under medical treatment in their homes are at a loss how to dispose these medical wastes. On the other hand, I investigated whether home care nursing stations have a risk management manual and infection control and prevention that they practice. As a result, I found that 308(58.5%) have a risk management manual, and 417(78.7%) practice infection control and prevention. I'll now propose four points about the disposal of medical waste for comfortable at-home treatment care.First, you'll dispose of the gauze used for infectious wounds by wrapping it up in a newspaper so that it does not touch a stranger's hand. Second, wrap the double disposable catheters up in a solid plastic bag. Third, keep the paper diapers separate from other trash so that it does not touch a stranger's hand. Finally, ask a physician or nurse when you don't understand how to do something.