Approaches to Elevate Environmental Health Standards in Hospital Environments
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/hl2023227Keywords:
Environmental health, hospital settings, infection control, waste management, sustainabilityAbstract
Abstract: Maintaining the well-being of patients and healthcare professionals depends on raising environmental health criteria inside hospital settings. Being heavy traffic sites, hospitals may struggle with waste management, air quality, infection control, and sustainability. Not only does ensuring ideal environmental health in these contexts help to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), but it also improves staff safety and patient outcomes. One important strategy is the application of strict infection control rules emphasising on keeping sterile surroundings. This covers consistent cleaning of high-touch surfaces, air filtration systems, and the acceptance of antimicrobial products. Apart from infection prevention, the hospital environment is much improved by air quality management. Modern ventilation systems together with monitoring and controlling air pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particle matter (PM), and carbon dioxide (CO2) may significantly improve the hospital environment. Hospital waste management especially the handling of non-hazardous items and medical waste is another area of issue. Emphasising lessening of the environmental effect of their operations, hospitals are progressively implementing waste segregation and recycling policies. Correct disposal and management of waste including sharp items, toxic pharmaceutical products, and other bio hazardous materials helps to provide a safer environment for patients and staff members both. Modern healthcare buildings also increasingly feature sustainability projects like green infrastructure and energy-efficient building designs. Hospitals may reduce their carbon footprint by using sustainable water management techniques, renewable energy sources, and energy-efficient equipment, therefore helping to support world environmental health objectives. Additionally, the use of eco-friendly cleaning agents and the reduction of single-use plastics further supports sustainability efforts in healthcare.
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Copyright (c) 2023 Sangram Keshari Behera, Dhairyasheel D. Patil, Renuka Jyothi.S, Nancy Puri, Ashok Kr Sharma (Author)
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