Module 7: Walkthrough of a Healthcare Facility

UNDP GEF Project on Global Healthcare Waste

1 UNDP GEF Project on Global Healthcare Waste

MODULE 7: WALKTHROUGH OF A HEALTHCARE FACILITY

MODULE 8: WALKTHROUGH OF A HEALTHCARE WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY

ESTIMATED TIME

 Lecture, walkthrough and de-brief: 5-6 hours

OBJECTIVES  Conduct assessment of a healthcare waste system by visiting a healthcare facility or a waste treatment facility  Complete the I-RAT form o Organize notes from the visit to include how the facility classifies and segregates, handles and collects, transports, stores, and disposes of healthcare waste and observes control strategies for reducing exposure to workers, training programs etc.  Prioritize areas for improvement

TARGET AUDIENCE

 HCWM coordinators  Healthcare professionals  Facility managers  Other management staff  Healthcare waste workers/handlers (Note: Presentation slides should be adjusted to fit the needs of waste workers and other auxiliary staff.)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTRUCTORS

This activity will be conducted in three phases. All arrangements for the visit to facility (including transport) will have to be made in advance.

PHASE 1- WALK-THROUGH PREPARATION (60 MINUTES). MATERIALS CAN BE PROVIDED THE PREVIOUS DAY FOR REVIEW BEFORE CLASS.  Instructor will present the slide presentations that outline the key steps to observe during the walkthrough process. You may share these slides so participants know what to look for during the walkthrough survey

 Please give instructions as to which parts of the I-RAT you want participants to complete. Provide a sample assessment, if available.

 Provide any background information about the facility: policies of the facility; do they have any documents to share; can you have a courtesy meeting with senior management?

 Participants may prepare questions based on facility and areas they will be visiting.

 Resources:

 Baseline assessment of facility (if available)

 I-RAT (Individualized Rapid Assessment Tool): A rapid assessment tool to obtain an initial indication of the level of healthcare waste management at an individual healthcare facility. The tool results in an overall score that can be used by Ministries of Health to compare and rank healthcare facilities for the purpose of prioritizing interventions. The tool can also be used as a quick way to identify possible areas for improvement. The I-RAT is not intended to provide a detailed or comprehensive assessment. The I-RAT was designed for use by technical consultants and/or

hospital personnel specializing in healthcare waste management The I-RAT can be found at: www.gefmedwaste.org

PHASE 2- WALKTHROUGH (ABOUT 2-3 HOURS, NOT INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION)  Divide participants in groups of no more than 4.

 Each group can tour one part of the facility to prevent over-crowding.

o Laboratory

o Waste transport system

o Treatment/disposal areas

o Ward (segregation)

o Waste collection center

 Each group can designate a group leader who will ask questions.

 Remember at the healthcare facilities we are guests and should not interfere with the work.

 Participants should use their eyes to learn about how the facility manages healthcare waste. The notes taken in preparation for the walkthrough will give general information about healthcare facilities and the walk-through will be an opportunity to gather specific information.

PHASE 3-PROGRAM EVALUATION AND PRIORITIZATION (60 MINUTES)  Upon completion of the walkthrough, participants will work in their groups to organize their notes. The notes should include how the facility classifies and segregates, handles and collects, transports, stores, and disposes of healthcare waste.

 Each group should complete the I-RAT tool and provide a score

 Each group will identify key areas for improvement and develop a strategy for what more they would like to see or learn about.

 Each group will use the information they have gathered to make a judgment about the strengths of the program based on what they have identified from the walkthrough.

DE-BRIEF (60-90 MINUTES)

 Each group will present the score

 Did all groups score the same way? What were the differences?

 Can they rank the hazards and prioritize changes?

 What are quick solutions to implement? (e.g. stopping the recapping of needles, vaccinating workers)

 What would you need more information on?

 Difficulties with I-RAT? How can we improve it?

 How can we improve the walkthrough exercise?