IASO Group: Infectious Waste Management

TOPIC: Initiatives on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

Initiative

IASO Group: Infectious Waste Management

SUBMITTED FROM:

The IASO Group is one of the largest health groups in Greece with three state-of-the-art clinics in Attica, the IASO Obstetrics and Gynecology, the IASO General Clinic and the IASO Children's Clinic, which provide comprehensive health services for the whole family. IASO is the leading General, Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital in Greece, holding the largest market share in its sector. It has a capacity of 486 beds (it also serves patients of the general clinic and the pediatric hospital) with more than 11,000 deliveries per year and more than 16,000 surgical operations per year. In addition, it has the most modern pediatric clinic in Greece according to the standards of leading pediatric hospitals abroad, the largest Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Europe, the largest Breast Center and one of the largest Radiation Oncology Centers in Greece and the leading Assisted Reproduction Unit ( IVF) Institute of Life – IASO. The General Clinic of IASO provides a full range of services in the diagnostic, pathological, surgical and oncological fields and specialized units for the comprehensive medical care of each patient, with investments in infrastructure and the acquisition of the latest medical equipment. With the IASO General Clinic, the IASO Group serves the health service needs of the whole family.

The IASO Group awards prove the high level of medical care and health services provided, the top medical staff, the entrepreneurship and continuous investments in new facilities and in medical technological equipment, the dynamic actions of corporate responsibility and the high level in Marketing and Contact. The Group has been distinguished for its corporate communication, the image of the IASO Group and the successful Marketing campaigns for the creative capture of each idea, with the right message and in the right style.

The IASO Group, the Top Hospital and the only Group that has received a total of 105 awards and distinctions, counts firsts at all levels: Firsts at domestic and European level, recognition as a "Top Hospital", numerous awards, innovation, the high level of service quality, the continuous evolution and development prove the reliability and great dynamics of the IASO Group. In addition, it ranks at the top with competitive advantages such as its reputation, reliability and prestige, the high quality and training of its medical staff, its modern character in terms of facilities, equipment and medical methods it offers, and above all its dynamic presence on social media.

Objective Action

Waste production may be prevented through:

• Getting materials procured in line with the needs of each hospital, avoiding surpluses and the purchase of larger quantities than those required.

• Optimizing the ordering times and processes, to reduce the chance of materials expiring.

• Keeping logs of the materials stored in warehouses, so as to promote the use of materials close to their expiration date.

• Getting materials procured that can be easily put to use.

• Participating in programs that sort the waste at the source, if possible.

Target Audience

Duration

Continuously

Description

The Group has paid special attention to the management of infectious waste. Before disposal, infectious waste is stored in a special refrigerated chamber. Furthermore, radioactive waste remains refrigerated until it has been completely neutralized. Before being disposed, all infectious waste goes through a Radiation Detector, so that there is not even the slightest chance of hazardous waste leaving the area of the hospitals.

The general categories of waste produced by the Group hospitals are:

1. Urban Solid Waste (USW): waste that is similar to urban waste, e.g. from food preparation in the hospital kitchens, from catering activities, glass, paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, packaging materials and other non-hazardous waste.

2. Hazardous Medical Waste (HMW):

• Purely Infectious Hazardous Waste (PIHW): waste that has come into contact with blood, secretions or other biological fluids and which could potentially transmit infectious diseases.

• Mixed Hazardous Waste (MHW): waste that comes from the Pathology Labs, from chemotherapy departments, such as tissues, and waste that contains cytotoxic, cytostatic, chemotherapy or other medications.

Also note that IASO manages other Hazardous Waste (HW): Chemical substances that consist of or contain hazardous substances, as well as special types of waste: radioactive waste, alternative management systems: batteries, electrical and electronic equipment waste, discharge oils, etc.

Waste production may be prevented through:

Getting materials procured in line with the needs of each hospital, avoiding surpluses and the purchase of larger quantities than those required.
Optimizing the ordering times and processes, to reduce the chance of materials expiring.
Keeping logs of the materials stored in warehouses, so as to promote the use of materials close to their expiration date.
Getting materials procured that can be easily put to use.
Participating in programs that sort the waste at the source, if possible.

In 2019, the waste management at the IASO Group hospitals included: