Topf and Dillon (1988) have described human effects due to noise-induced stress as decrease in sustained attention, rapid detection, multiple single tasks, and incidental memory. Of course, one physical effect of the noise is human stress which should be avoided in hospital environment. Hospitals have various sources of noise such as alarms, paging systems, telephones, computer printers, televisions, delivery carts, staff conversation, equipment, housekeeping activities, air conditioning systems, doors opening and closing, and sounding systems. In fact, the noise level is hospitals usually more than the recommended levels. In 1974, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggested that the peak noise level in a hospital should not exceed 45dB during the day and 35 dB at night. The WHO has recommended that noise level should not exceed 35 dB in rooms where patients are treated or observed and 30 dB in wards rooms. Several studies have been conducted for hospital noise that linked hospital noise to a variety of negative physiological outcomes. The summary of approved disposal methods based on the class is presented in Figure. Further more, waste disposal process must be carried out according to approved method such as incineration which is requiredfor disposal of pathological specimens. For central storage area it should not be located near the general waste central storage. For example, in collection system medical staff that is responsible of segregation stage must follow the guidelines approved by Ministry of Health (MOH) of their county. Time and temperature of temporary storage (generation side)Įvery factor should be taken into consideration for a proper waste management system.segregation system, type of containers/bags) Collection system in the generation site (i.e.The most important factors that should be considered in waste management systems are World Health Organization (WHO) divides medical waste into seven basic categories based on their properties and risk level: In general, the amount of waste generated by healthcare activities is 80 per cent general waste and the remaining 20 per cent is hazardous material. Medical waste is any waste occurring as a result of medical services and scientific research in medicine. Waste management is crucial to promote high quality of healthcare and safe environment within hospitals. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning 1. In this article, some of internal factors are discussed:ħ. Many internal factors have a significant impact on hospital environment such as waste management, noise, and infection control and external factors such as sources and treatment of water, sewage treatment and disposal. In general, many factors affect hospital environment internally and externally. In this context, the clinical engineer plays an important role in providing safe environment within hospital. Maintaining a safe environment reflects a level of competent healthcare that must be fulfilled for patient safety. Hospitals are representative of complex environment in which different aspects including patients, staff, equipment, services, and information are interfaced. Some internal factors that impact upon hospital environment safety are presented. Externally the hospital is a contributor to the environmental load of the community. Indeed, the hospital requires a safe internal environment. Environmental concerns affect the hospital internally and externally. The environment within the hospital is critical for life support.
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