Impact of medical waste bin on contamination of patient's environment: An experimental study.

Medical waste bins are a potential source of microbial contamination in the hospital environment, while there is no clear guidance for the management of them. We aimed to assess the impact of medical waste bins on patient's environment. This experimental study simulated microbial contamination by performing medical procedures on a patient model with fluorescent lotion. The waste bin was set as initially empty or two-thirds filled with waste, open or with a lid. The percentage of fluorescent-contaminated area in designated patient's environments was analyzed by 2 independent observers. Among a total of 120 experiments, the sides of the bins were more contaminated in open-occupied bins compared to open-empty bins and in open-occupied bins compared to lid-occupied bins (median 1.9175% vs 0.0916% [ P =.001] and 1.9175% vs 0.0899% [ P =.003], respectively). The top of the bedside equipment trolley for preparing medical procedures was more contaminated in lid-occupied bins than open-occupied bins (median 0.0080% vs 0.0040%, P =.013). In addition to reducing contamination of the bin itself, the manually operated lid had a potential risk of contributing to microbial transmission by contaminating the equipment trolley. Medical waste bins should be kept no more than two-thirds full, and caution should be taken when using the manually operated lid, to avoid cross-contamination. • The guidance on medical waste bins, potential source of pathogen, is needed. • Two-thirds filled waste bins were more contaminated than empty bins. • Open waste bins were more contaminated than lidded bins. • Equipment trolley was more contaminated in bins with manually operated lids. • Occupied waste bin and manually operated lid may be sources of contact transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]