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

医疗废物的处理在县一级受到监管，但在日本，无论是否被视为医疗和传染病废物，都没有对家庭垃圾的监管。我对家庭医疗产生的医疗/感染性废物感到担忧，我正在建立家庭医疗的医疗废物管理系统。我调查了家庭护理护士产生的医疗废物。共有527名受试者同意我们的调查。结果，我发现家庭护理护士使用一次性注射器最多，其次是纱布，第三是导尿管和尿路，然后是静脉滴注器。它们不仅用于医院，还用于家庭医疗保健，尽管没有对家庭垃圾进行监管。如何处理这些废旧产品这一令人担忧的问题，留给了家庭护理护士的判断。此外，在家中接受治疗的老弱病残的患者对如何处理这些医疗废物感到无所适从。另一方面，我调查了家庭护理站是否有风险管理手册和他们实施的感染控制和预防。结果，我发现308人(58.5%)有风险管理手册，417人(78.7%)有感染控制和预防。关于医疗废物的处理，我现在提出四点建议。首先，用报纸包裹用于感染伤口的纱布，使其不接触陌生人的手，从而处理掉。其次，将两根一次性导尿管用实心塑料袋包裹起来。第三，把纸尿裤和其他垃圾分开，这样它就不会碰到陌生人的手。最后，当你不知道如何做某事时，问问医生或护士。

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.