STUDENT GUIDE
MODULE 2: HEALTH AND E NVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS HEALTHCARE WASTE
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MODULE 2: HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS HEALTHCARE WASTE
Estimated Time
Module Overview
Learning Objectives
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Student Preparation
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Review Questions
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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? How might people outside of the
immediate medical setting be exposed to healthcare waste hazards?
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INSERT SLIDES
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INSERT READINGS/REFERENCES/HOMEWORK
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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
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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?
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DE-BRIEF AND SUMMARY NOTES
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