STUDENT GUIDE

MODULE 2: HEALTH

AND

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS HEALTHCARE WASTE

MODULE 2: HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS HEALTHCARE WASTE

Estimated Time
Module Overview

Learning Objectives

Student Preparation

Review Questions

Lecture: 45 minutes
Activity: 45 minutes
Describe hazards of healthcare waste
Describe who is at risk of exposure
Describe the chain of infection, routes of exposure, how to intervene
List common pathogens associated with healthcare waste
Describe potential public health and environmental impacts of
healthcare waste
Characterize the main types of hazards associated with healthcare
wastes and their health effects
Identify who is at risk of exposure
Identify key routes of exposure
Describe the public and environmental impacts of mismanagement of
healthcare wastes in your country
Blue Book Chapter 2, 3
Begin thinking about healthcare waste, what role you play in its
generation/removal, and how it is dealt with in your facility
What are some of the major routes of exposure to healthcare wastes?
Who do you think is at risk of exposure to hazards from healthcare
waste at your facility? What are some of the hazards that are often
present? Do certain hazards present greater risk than others?
How does your facility deal with the major categories of healthcare
wastes (sharps, chemical, etc.)? Do you know of any interventions
that can reduce exposure to healthcare wastes?
Think about the chain of infection. Can you give an example of this
process within the healthcare setting?
What are some public health and environmental impacts of
mismanaged healthcare wastes, both within and beyond the facility?
3

How might people outside of the immediate medical setting be

exposed to healthcare waste hazards?

INSERT SLIDES

INSERT READINGS/REFERENCES/HOMEWORK

ACTIVITY : MODULE 2: EXERCISE

This module exercise picks up where Module 1 left off. The purpose of this exercise is to continue thinking
about the health and environmental impacts of healthcare waste.
Module 2 Exercise: Health and Environmental Impacts of Healthcare Waste
Discuss the following questions in your groups using the Table you completed in the Module 1 Exercise
1.
2.
3.
4.

Can you discuss ways in which these hazards are contained or should be contained in your facility?
Discuss any personal experiences with exposures to hazards.
Have accidents happened with any of your staff? How can they be prevented in the future?
What are some possible negative impacts on your environment if hazardous wastes from your facility
are disposed of improperly?
5. Have you thought about how your waste disposal methods can impact your surrounding
communities? Should you feel responsible? What can you do about this?

DE-BRIEF

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SUMMARY NOTES