Current Research in Medical Sciences

en Investigating the performance of on-site infectious wastes decontamination equipments in hospitals affiliated with Babol University of Medical Sciences بهداشت محیط بهداشت محیط پژوهشی اصیل Original Article Background: The proper functioning of the hydroclave, a critical device in the sterilization of medical instruments, is essential. This study aimed to assess the performance of hydroclave devices in decontaminating infectious waste at hospitals affiliated with Babol University of Medical Sciences in 2023. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study utilized a questionnaire that collected data on monthly Geobacillus stearothermophilus (Class 6) and Bovidic vial test results, the number of active beds, the average daily weight of infectious solid waste, as well as the name, age, and capacity of the hydroclave devices, and their operating parameters, including temperature, pressure, and sterilization time. Results: In 2023, hospitals affiliated with Babol University of Medical Sciences produced an average of 250.46 kg of infectious waste per day, with an average of 181.28 active beds. The performance accuracy of the hydroclave devices, based on G. stearothermophilus (Class 6) and Bovidic vial tests, was as follows: G. stearothermophilus test—77.8% negative, 1.4% positive; Class 6 test—72.2% negative, 1.4% positive; Bovidic test—73.2% negative, 0% positive. Data for the remaining tests were unavailable. On average, the devices had a lifespan of 7.83 years, a capacity of 1133.33 liters, operated at 133 °C and 2.59 bar, with an average sterilization time of 25.16 minutes. Conclusion: This study has shown that the performance of hydroclaves in hospitals in 2023 was generally effective in the decontamination of infectious waste. It is recommended that indicators of the proper performance of hydroclaves be routinely monitored to ensure effective sterilization of hospital infectious waste. Geobacillus stearothermophilus, Decontamination, Medical Waste Disposal, Hospitals, Hydroclave 46 54 http://crms.mubabol.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-274-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Zahra Rajabi zrajabi1478@gmail.com 10031947532846002912 10031947532846002912 No 1Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Hosseinali Nikbakht ep.nikbakht@gmail.com 10031947532846002913 10031947532846002913 No Department of Biostatics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Fatemeh Asgharzadeh asgharzadeh.59@gmail.com 10031947532846002914 10031947532846002914 No 1Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Nasim Naeij nasim.naeij@gmail.com 10031947532846002915 10031947532846002915 No 1Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Seyed Mahmoud Mehdinia smmehdinia@yahoo.ca 10031947532846002911 10031947532846002911 No Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute Abdoliman Amouei iamouei1966@gmail.com 10031947532846002910 10031947532846002910 Yes Social Determinants of Health (SDH), Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.