Characteristics and Behavior of Cleaning Service Officers Regarding the Management of Medical Solid Waste Against the Risk of Work Accidents at Permata Bunda Hospital in Medan in 2014
Introduction
The management of medical solid waste is a critical aspect of maintaining a safe and healthy environment in hospitals. As a result of medical service activities, hospitals produce infectious medical waste, which poses a significant risk to the health and safety of cleaning service officers. This study aims to examine the characteristics and behavior of cleaning service officers at Permata Bunda Medan Hospital and its relation to the risk of work accidents in managing medical solid waste in 2014.
Background
Permata Bunda Medan General Hospital (RSU), like other hospitals, generates infectious medical waste as a byproduct of medical service activities. The management of medical solid waste is crucial to prevent health and safety risks for janitors. This study uses a cross-sectional analytical design with a population of 45 cleaning service officers as the research sample. Data was collected through questionnaires and observations, then analyzed using the Pearson Chi-Square test and multiple logistics regression tests with a 95% confidence level.
Methodology
The study employed a cross-sectional analytical design to examine the characteristics and behavior of cleaning service officers at Permata Bunda Medan Hospital. The population consisted of 45 cleaning service officers, who were the research sample. Data was collected through questionnaires and observations, and analyzed using the Pearson Chi-Square test and multiple logistics regression tests with a 95% confidence level.
Results
The results of the study showed that characteristics such as age, education, length of work, and work shifts do not have a significant influence on the risk of work accidents. Conversely, the behavior of cleaning service officers, especially knowledge, attitudes, and actions, has proven to have a significant effect on the risk of work accidents. The action factor is the most influential risk factor, with a prevalent ratio of 0.121. This shows that errors in actions or procedures for handling medical solid waste are the main cause of the risk of work accidents.
Deeper Analysis
This research highlights the importance of the knowledge and attitudes of cleaning service officers in managing medical solid waste. Although individual characteristics do not have a significant effect, adequate training and an increase in awareness program regarding the dangers of infectious medical waste are very important to minimize the risk of work accidents. Here are some of the factors that need to be considered:
Lack of Knowledge
Cleaning Service Officer may not understand in detail the types of medical waste, procedures for collecting, storing, and disposing of the correct medical waste in accordance with the Regulation of the Indonesian Ministry of Health No. 1204/Menkes/SK/X/2004.
Inappropriate Attitudes and Actions
Cleaning service officers may not always apply operational standard procedures in handling medical waste, such as the use of complete personal protective equipment (APD), safe waste collection techniques, and sewage of waste based on type and type danger level.
Recommendations and Solutions
Based on the results of the study, several recommendations that need to be considered to reduce the risk of work accidents at Permata Bunda Medan Hospital:
Training and Increasing Awareness
Permata Bunda Medan Hospital needs to provide training and programs to increase awareness regularly to cleaning service officers regarding medical solid waste management. This training must include:
Types of medical waste and their classification
Procedure for handling proper medical waste in accordance with regulations
The use of the right PPE
The importance of work safety in handling medical waste
Complete Facilities and Infrastructure
RSU Permata Bunda Medan needs to complete the facilities and infrastructure of medical solid waste management, such as:
Addition of medical trash cans in every room
Complete PPE supply, such as special clothes, glasses, hats, aprons, and boats
Temporary storage space for medical waste that is safe and isolated
Monitoring and Evaluation System
Permata Bunda Medan RSU needs to implement a periodic monitoring and evaluation system to monitor the effectiveness of training programs and the use of PPE. Monitoring and evaluation can be done through observation, assessment of knowledge, and collecting work accident data.
Conclusion
By applying the above recommendations, Permata Bunda Medan Hospital can improve the work safety of cleaning service officers and reduce the risk of work accidents related to medical solid waste management. The study highlights the importance of knowledge and attitudes of cleaning service officers in managing medical solid waste, and the need for adequate training and awareness programs to minimize the risk of work accidents.
Limitations of the Study
This study has several limitations, including:
The study was conducted in a single hospital, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
The study only examined the characteristics and behavior of cleaning service officers, and did not consider other factors that may influence the risk of work accidents.
The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the dynamic nature of the risk of work accidents.
Future Research Directions
Future research should aim to:
Examine the effectiveness of training and awareness programs in reducing the risk of work accidents.
Investigate the impact of individual characteristics, such as age and education, on the risk of work accidents.
Develop and implement a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to monitor the effectiveness of training programs and the use of PPE.
References
Regulation of the Indonesian Ministry of Health No. 1204/Menkes/SK/X/2004.
World Health Organization. (2014). Medical waste management.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Medical waste management.
Appendices
Questionnaire used to collect data from cleaning service officers.
Observation checklist used to collect data on the behavior of cleaning service officers.
Results of the Pearson Chi-Square test and multiple logistics regression tests.Q&A: Characteristics and Behavior of Cleaning Service Officers Regarding the Management of Medical Solid Waste Against the Risk of Work Accidents at Permata Bunda Hospital in Medan in 2014
Introduction
In our previous article, we discussed the characteristics and behavior of cleaning service officers at Permata Bunda Medan Hospital and its relation to the risk of work accidents in managing medical solid waste in 2014. In this article, we will answer some of the frequently asked questions related to the study.
Q: What is the main objective of the study?
A: The main objective of the study is to examine the characteristics and behavior of cleaning service officers at Permata Bunda Medan Hospital and its relation to the risk of work accidents in managing medical solid waste in 2014.
Q: What is the population of the study?
A: The population of the study consists of 45 cleaning service officers at Permata Bunda Medan Hospital.
Q: What methods were used to collect data?
A: Data was collected through questionnaires and observations.
Q: What statistical tests were used to analyze the data?
A: The Pearson Chi-Square test and multiple logistics regression tests were used to analyze the data.
Q: What are the main findings of the study?
A: The study found that characteristics such as age, education, length of work, and work shifts do not have a significant influence on the risk of work accidents. Conversely, the behavior of cleaning service officers, especially knowledge, attitudes, and actions, has proven to have a significant effect on the risk of work accidents.
Q: What are the recommendations of the study?
A: The study recommends that Permata Bunda Medan Hospital should provide training and programs to increase awareness regularly to cleaning service officers regarding medical solid waste management. The hospital should also complete the facilities and infrastructure of medical solid waste management, and implement a periodic monitoring and evaluation system to monitor the effectiveness of training programs and the use of PPE.
Q: What are the limitations of the study?
A: The study has several limitations, including the small sample size, the use of a cross-sectional design, and the lack of consideration of other factors that may influence the risk of work accidents.
Q: What are the future research directions?
A: Future research should aim to examine the effectiveness of training and awareness programs in reducing the risk of work accidents, investigate the impact of individual characteristics, such as age and education, on the risk of work accidents, and develop and implement a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to monitor the effectiveness of training programs and the use of PPE.
Q: What are the implications of the study for healthcare institutions?
A: The study highlights the importance of knowledge and attitudes of cleaning service officers in managing medical solid waste, and the need for adequate training and awareness programs to minimize the risk of work accidents. Healthcare institutions should take note of these findings and implement measures to improve the work safety of cleaning service officers.
Q: What are the implications of the study for policy makers?
A: The study highlights the need for policy makers to develop and implement policies and regulations that promote the safety and health of cleaning service officers in healthcare institutions. Policy makers should also provide funding and resources to support the implementation of these policies and regulations.
Q: What are the implications of the study for researchers?
A: The study highlights the need for researchers to conduct further studies on the characteristics and behavior of cleaning service officers in healthcare institutions, and the impact of these factors on the risk of work accidents. Researchers should also develop and implement new methods and tools to improve the collection and analysis of data on the safety and health of cleaning service officers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of knowledge and attitudes of cleaning service officers in managing medical solid waste, and the need for adequate training and awareness programs to minimize the risk of work accidents. Healthcare institutions, policy makers, and researchers should take note of these findings and implement measures to improve the work safety of cleaning service officers.