Medical waste management in Hospital Blood Banks (HBB): a literature review
Main Article Content
Keywords
Medical Waste, Blood Bank, Waste Management, Infection Control, Environmental Health
Abstract
Medical waste management in Hospital Blood Banks (HBB) is a critical aspect of hospital environmental management, directly impacting infection control and public health. This literature review examines the classification, handling, and disposal of medical waste generated in hospital blood banks, highlighting the unique challenges and regulatory frameworks that govern these processes. Medical waste in blood banks encompasses a variety of hazardous materials, including infectious waste (such as blood-contaminated items, used needles, and laboratory samples), pathological waste, sharp objects, chemical reagents, expired pharmaceuticals, cytotoxic substances, and radioactive materials. Effective segregation at the source is essential, with color-coded containers and strict labeling to prevent cross-contamination and ensure safe handling.
The review underscores the importance of compliance with national regulations, such as the Indonesian Ministry of Health guidelines, which mandate specific protocols for waste segregation, temporary storage, transportation, and final disposal. Infectious and sharp wastes are typically incinerated, while chemical and pharmaceutical wastes require specialized treatment. The role of hospital staff is emphasized, particularly regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to standard operating procedures to minimize occupational exposure. Additionally, the management of expired blood products involves meticulous documentation and safe destruction to prevent misuse. The review also discusses the integration of environmental impact assessments in liquid waste management and the need for continuous monitoring and reporting. By implementing comprehensive waste management strategies, hospital blood banks can significantly reduce the risk of infection transmission to healthcare workers, patients, visitors, and the surrounding community, while ensuring compliance with environmental and health standards.
This review highlights the necessity of ongoing education, strict adherence to protocols, and institutional commitment to sustainable healthcare waste management practices in hospital blood banks.
References
2. Karpinska E, Kot A, Kruszewska I, Piotrowska M, Piotrowski D, Szarpak L, et al. Healthcare Waste—A Serious Problem for Global Health. Healthcare (Basel). 2023;11(2):242. doi:10.3390/healthcare11020242.
3. Lattanzio S, Stefanizzi P, D'ambrosio M, Cuscianna E, Riformato G, Migliore G, et al. Waste Management and the Perspective of a Green Hospital—A Systematic Narrative Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(23):15812. doi:10.3390/ijerph192315812.
4. Tushar SR. Assessing the challenges to medical waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for the environmental sustainability in the emerging economies. Socioecon Plann Sci. 2023;87:101513. doi:10.1016/j.seps.2023.101513.
5. Windfeld ES, Brooks MS. Medical waste management - A review. J Environ Manage. 2015;163:98-108. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.08.013.
6. Sharma HB, Vanapalli KR, Cheela VS, Ranjan VP, Jaglan AK, Dubey B,et al. Challenges, opportunities, and innovations for effective solid waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic. Resour Conserv Recycl. 2020;162:105052. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105052.
7. Sharma HB, Vanapalli KR, Cheela VS, Ranjan VP, Jaglan AK, Dubey B, et al. Challenges, opportunities, and innovations for effective solid waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic. Resour Conserv Recycl. 2020;162:105052. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105052.
8. Babanyara YY, Ibrahim DB, Garba T, Bogoro AG, Abubakar MY. Poor Medical Waste Management (MWM) practices and its risks to human health and the environment: a literature review. Int J Healthc Qual Assur. 2013;26(5):447-465. doi:10.1108/IJHCQA-03-2012-0027..
9. Lee BK, Ellenbecker MJ, Moure-Ersaso R. Alternatives for treatment and disposal cost reduction of regulated medical wastes. Waste Manag. 2004;24(2):143-151. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2003.10.008.
10. Bansod HS, Deshmukh P. Biomedical Waste Management and Its Importance: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2023;15(2):e34589. doi:10.7759/cureus.34589.
11. Hamza SK, Habeeb AD, Mohammed DF. Evaluation of medical waste management in two hospitals of Karbala Governorate. OBAT: J Ris Ilmu Farmasi dan Kesehatan. 2024;2(4):298–302. doi:10.61132/obat.v2i4.586.
12. Ali MS, Tayyab M, Abdullah M, Arslan M, Abraham M, Liaqat M. Assessing nurses’ knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding medical waste management at a teaching hospital in Lahore. Insights J Health Rehabil. 2025;3(3):528–35. doi:10.71000/39jab675.
13. Lestari SO, Zakianis, Sapta WA. Ensuring safe disposal: hospital preparedness for managing medical waste during the COVID‑19 pandemic. BKM‑PHCM (Badan Kajian Medis dan Publikasi Kesehatan Masyarakat). 2023;39(3):e6679.
14. Fadaei A. Comparison of medical waste management methods in different countries: a systematic review. Rev Environ Health. 2022;38(2):339-348. doi:10.1515/reveh-2021-0170.
15. Ibáñez-Cruz AJA, Vergara-Florián AME, Algoner WC. Hospital solid waste management strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections from occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and improve occupational safety. Front Public Health. 2025;13:1499463. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1499463.
16. Jersild C, Hafner V. Blood Transfusion Services. International Encyclopedia of Public Health. 2008;325-329. doi:10.1016/B978-012373960-5.00520-7.
17. Hess JR. Conventional blood banking and blood component storage regulation: opportunities for improvement. Blood Transfus. 2010;8 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):s9-s15. doi:10.2450/2010.003S.
18. Gaur DS, Negi G, Chauhan N, Kusum A, Khan S, Pathak VP. Utilization of blood and components in a tertiary care hospital. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2009;25(3):91-95. doi:10.1007/s12288-009-0027-1
19. Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia (Kemenkes RI). Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia Nomor 91 Tahun 2015 tentang Standar Pelayanan Transfusi Darah. Jakarta; 2015.
20. Krishna HM, Prasad MK, Mitragotri MV, Bipin GI, Gupta D, Sharma R. Recent advances in perioperative blood management. Indian J Anaesth. 2023;67(1):130-138. doi:10.4103/ija.ija_1043_22.
21. Waheed S, Borhany M, Abid M, Naseer I, Shamsi T. Blood Ordering and Transfusion Practices: An Insight Toward Better Utility of Blood Products. Cureus. 2022;14(2):e22075. Published 2022 Feb 10. doi:10.7759/cureus.22075.
22. Fayed SAH, Habiba AIA, Khamis EA, Abu Elela LAM, El‑Gammal WEA. Training program to avoid common pitfalls among nurses during blood transfusion process. Egypt J Nurs Health Sci. 2022;3(2):101–31. doi:10.21608/ejnhs.2022.261798.
23. Das S. Safe transfusion practices: challenges and opportunities. J Clin Biomed Sci. 2013;3(2):55–61.
24. Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia (Kemenkes RI). Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia Nomor 7 Tahun 2019 tentang Kesehatan Lingkungan Rumah Sakit. Jakarta; 2019.
25. Ezirim I, Agbo F. Role of National Policy in Improving Health Care Waste Management in Nigeria. J Health Pollut. 2018;8(19):180913. doi:10.5696/2156-9614-8.19.180913.
26. Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia (Kemenkes RI). Keputusan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia Nomor 1204/Menkes/SK/X/2004 tentang Persyaratan Kesehatan Lingkungan Rumah Sakit. Jakarta: Kemenkes RI; 2004.
27. Abor PA, Bouwer A. Medical waste management practices in a Southern African hospital. Int J Health Care Qual Assur. 2008;21(4):356-364. doi:10.1108/09526860810880153.