Objective To explore the application of risk assessment of nosocomial infection control in outpatient departments, so as to find out the high-risk departments and high-risk links of nosocomial infection, and to provide basis for the formulation of nosocomial infection prevention and control measures in outpatient departments. Methods The improved risk assessment tool was used to evaluate the nosocomial infection management risk in the outpatient departments of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. We evaluated risk indicators and risk levels from three dimensions: likelihood of risk occurrence, severity of consequences, and integrity of the current system. Results Among the evaluated outpatient departments, the departments with extremely high risk levels included pediatric fever outpatient department (147.8 points), pediatric outpatient department (141.2 points), emergency internal medicine department (139.4 points), and pediatric emergency department (138.8 points). The departments with high risk levels included internal medicine outpatient department (138.4 points), dermatology outpatient department (136.0 points), otolaryngology-head and neck surgery outpatient department (135.6 points), and ophthalmology outpatient department (134.0 points). The risk assessment scores of 31 outpatient departments showed a normal distribution. The evaluation results of various risk indicators showed that among the 26 risk indicators, there were 2 extremely low risk, 4 low risk, 6 medium low risk, 7 medium high risk, 4 high risk, and 3 extremely high risk. The 3 extremely high risk indicators were lack of nosocomial infection prevention and control knowledge, patients with difficult to identify diseases (air/droplet transmission) seeking medical treatment, and crowded waiting areas for patients. Conclusions The comprehensive risk assessment of outpatient departments can screen out high risk outpatient departments and find out the main risk links. We can concentrate resources on key departments, prevent key risks, and improve the efficiency of nosocomial infection control.
Objective To assess the current status of medical waste management and classification disposal in hospitals across Hubei Province, providing a scientific basis for optimizing medical waste disposal strategies and promoting waste minimization, harmless treatment, and resource utilization. Methods A random sample survey was conducted on medical and health institutions in Hubei Province between January 8 and January 17, 2025. The self-made survey questionnaire was used to survey and analyze the medical waste management and classification disposal in medical and health institutions. Results A total of 257 medical and health institutions were surveyed. Among them, there were 93 tertiary hospitals (36.19%), 75 secondary hospitals (29.18%), 77 primary hospitals (29.96%), and 12 non-graded medical institutions (4.67%). The overall compliance rate for medical waste management and training exceeded 90%. In terms of medical waste supervision sections, compliance rates in primary hospitals and non-graded hospitals were 77.92% (60/77) and 58.33% (7/12), respectively. The compliance rate for medical waste classification and disposal was above 90%, with a 100% (221/221) compliance rate for the disposal of placentas from normal deliveries. However, the standardized disposal rates for “fetal tissues from pregnancies under 16 weeks or weighing less than 500 grams”, “amputation and other human tissues (or organs)” and “dead fetus” were 81.45% (180/221), 44.65% (96/215), and 79.64% (176/221), respectively. Additionally, 87.16% (224/257) of healthcare institutions classified single-use soft infusion bottles (bags) as recyclable waste, but significant variations were observed in the disposal of uncontaminated waste (e.g., empty disinfectant bottles, empty dialysis fluid barrels, oxygen humidifier bottles, and orthopedic casting materials). Furthermore, 99.61% (256/257) of hospitals provided protective equipment for medical waste handlers, 91.83% (236/257) conducted regular health examination to them, and 97.28% (250/257) had established needle stab reporting systems and related training programs. Conclusions Medical waste management and classification in hospitals across Hubei Province are largely standardized. However, the certain categories of medical waste still require stricter regulation and oversight.
