JP5138512B2 - Medical waste disposal method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for treating medical waste.

  In general, medical clothing such as surgical gowns and masks used in hospitals and health facilities have been incinerated for measures against infectious diseases.

  In order to perform such incineration, it is necessary to store and seal it in a plastic case or the like separately from general non-infectious waste, and the cost required for disposal is enormous. Moreover, in order to incinerate, a great deal of energy is consumed and a large amount of carbon dioxide is discharged, which has a problem of adversely affecting the global environment.

In addition, there is a problem that a treatment contractor that collects medical waste may inadvertently contact and secondary infection occurs. For this reason, sterilization should be performed primarily at or near the source of the hospital. It has been proposed to safely store medical waste, ensure the safety of transportation to the facility where the processor is secondary or final disposal, and improve the handling during storage and processing (for example, (See Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-65448 A

  However, in the processing method described in Patent Document 1 described above, medical waste is collected in a special container, and heat sterilized with an autoclave while being put in this special container, and then subjected to compression treatment to a secondary treatment facility. Since it is transported, a dedicated container and autoclave equipment are required, which increases the equipment cost. In addition, since the incineration disposal is performed in the secondary treatment facility, the above-mentioned problem that the cost associated with the incineration is enormous and the problem of adversely affecting the global environment still cannot be solved.

  The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and provides a medical waste processing method capable of processing medical waste safely and efficiently using a simple device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for treating medical waste for disposing of medical clothes formed using a water-soluble material that is biodegradable and melts at a temperature higher than human body temperature. The used medical garment is put into a treatment tank, and the used medical garment is immersed in warm water heated to a temperature higher than a human body temperature in the treatment tank. After melting the material, supply a chlorine-based disinfectant, further neutralize by supplying a neutralizer of the chlorine-based disinfectant, and discharge the liquid in this processing tank from the processing tank to the river or sewer or septic tank It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, since a biodegradable and water-soluble material that melts at a temperature higher than human body temperature is used as medical clothing, microorganisms can be used if medical clothing is left without being incinerated. Decomposes naturally by such actions. Therefore, the emission of carbon dioxide, which has been generated in large quantities when incinerated, is greatly suppressed and is friendly to the global environment.

  The biodegradable material referred to in the present invention is a material that is decomposed in a reasonably short period of time in a natural environment and has a reduced molecular weight, and the period required for decomposition is the environmental conditions to which this material is exposed. However, for example, the molecular weight drops to 10,000 or less within about 6 months under the biodegradability test environment defined in ISO14851. The biodegradable material used in the present invention is preferably a material that decomposes and disappears within about three years in a landfill treatment plant or the like that treats sediment waste discharged from a sewage treatment plant.

  In addition, used medical clothing that has been thrown into the treatment tank is immersed in warm water that has been heated to a temperature higher than the human body temperature to dissolve the water-soluble material. Since clothing can be processed, the processing can be easily performed with a simple device.

  Furthermore, since a chlorine-based disinfectant is subsequently supplied, infectious diseases can be effectively prevented.

  Furthermore, since the neutralizing agent of the chlorine-based disinfectant is supplied for neutralization, the liquid in the treatment tank can be safely discharged from the treatment tank to the river, sewer or septic tank.

  Thus, according to the present invention, used medical clothing can be processed safely and efficiently. Therefore, it is not necessary to store and seal it in a plastic case or the like separately from general waste that is not infectious, and the cost is greatly reduced. Moreover, since a great amount of energy necessary for incineration is not consumed or a large amount of carbon dioxide is not discharged, the global environment is not adversely affected. In addition, there are no problems such as inadvertent contact by a processing company that collects medical waste and secondary infection, ensuring the safety of transportation to the facility where the processing company performs secondary or final disposal. There is no need to do.

  In the present invention, the medical clothing is used at the time of medical work in a hospital or facility, for example, surgical clothes, work clothes, apron, mask, hat, gloves, sheets, pillowcases, socks Including slippers and disposable diapers. It also includes clothing used at the site where infections can occur, such as work clothes and masks worn when disinfecting at a poultry farm when avian influenza occurs.

  In addition, the above-described medical clothing formed using a water-soluble material that is biodegradable and soluble at a temperature higher than the human body temperature is a water-soluble material that is biodegradable and soluble at a temperature higher than the human body temperature. The main part is made of a sex material. For example, accessories such as strings and rubber include medical clothing using conventional products. Thus, even when conventional products are used for accessories such as strings and rubber, these can be treated simply by incineration, so that the amount to be incinerated is very small. Therefore, the emission of carbon dioxide is greatly suppressed and it is friendly to the global environment.

  In the treatment method for medical clothing having the above-described configuration, the biodegradable and water-soluble material that is soluble at a temperature higher than human body temperature is formed of polyvinyl alcohol, and the chlorinated disinfectant is hypochlorous acid, It is desirable to use sodium thiosulfate as the neutralizing agent for the chlorine-based disinfectant.

  The present invention relates to a medical waste treatment method for recovering and disposing of a medical garment made of a water-soluble material that is biodegradable and melts at a temperature higher than the human body temperature. Used medical clothing is collected in a collection bag made of water-soluble material that is biodegradable and melts at a temperature higher than human body temperature. The collected used medical clothing is collected together with the collection bag. In the treatment tank, the used medical clothing is immersed in warm water heated to a temperature higher than the human body temperature together with the collection bag, and the water-soluble material is dissolved in the treatment tank. A disinfectant is supplied, a neutralizer of the chlorine-based disinfectant is further supplied to neutralize, and a liquid in the treatment tank is discharged from the treatment tank to a river, a sewer, or a septic tank.

  According to this invention, the used medical garment is housed and collected in a collection bag made of a water-soluble material that melts at a temperature higher than the human body temperature. Dissolves in hot water heated to a high temperature. Therefore, since the disposal of used medical clothing similar to the above can be performed for each collection bag, it is easy and hassle-free because it can be handled without touching the excrement. Infectious diseases can be effectively prevented. In addition, since the collection bag is made of a biodegradable material, it is naturally decomposed by the action of microorganisms and the like even when discarded. Therefore, it is friendly to the global environment.

  Further, in the above-described medical clothing disposal method, if the treatment tank is constituted by a rotating drum, the time required for the medical clothing and the recovery bag to dissolve in warm water is shortened by rotating the rotating drum, so that the efficiency is further improved. Processing becomes possible.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the processing method of the medical waste which can process a medical waste safely and efficiently using a simple apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of a method for treating medical waste according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
This embodiment is a treatment method of medical waste for discarding medical clothes formed using a water-soluble material that is biodegradable and melts at a temperature higher than human body temperature.

  The medical garment in the present embodiment is used at the time of medical work in a hospital or facility, for example, surgical clothes, work clothes, apron, mask, hat, gloves, sheets, pillow covers, socks, slippers, It includes disposable diapers and clothes used in the field where infection can occur, such as work clothes and masks worn when disinfecting chicken farms when bird flu occurs. This medical garment is formed using a water-soluble material that is biodegradable and melts at a temperature higher than human body temperature. For example, a nonwoven fabric made of polyvinyl alcohol (hereinafter referred to as “nonwoven fabric”). It is formed with.

  In addition, all parts of medical clothing are not limited to those made of polyvinyl alcohol non-woven fabric. For example, mask rubber, apron buttons and hooks, cap strings, etc. Formed.

  Further, the thread for sewing the nonwoven fabric may be formed of a water-soluble material that is biodegradable and melts at a temperature higher than human body temperature, for example, polyvinyl alcohol.

  Furthermore, you may stick the nonwoven fabric which comprises clothes through the water-soluble raw material which melts | dissolves at a temperature higher than a human body temperature, for example, polyvinyl alcohol, for example, the adhesive agent formed with polyvinyl alcohol. Examples of such an adhesive include those formed using a vinyl acetate polymer obtained by emulsion polymerization of a vinyl acetate monomer using polyvinyl alcohol as a protective colloid.

  The adhesive may not be biodegradable but may be formed of a water-soluble material that melts at a temperature higher than the human body temperature. Further, the medical clothing is not limited to the above-described nonwoven fabric, and may be a water-resistant material formed of, for example, polyvinyl alcohol.

 The temperature at which the non-woven fabric and adhesive are melted is set to a temperature higher than the human body temperature, and may be about 37 degrees. However, when the temperature is set to 80 to 90 degrees, for example, the temperature is higher than 90 degrees. It is desirable to immerse it in high-temperature water that has been heated, since it dissolves the nonwoven fabric and has a sterilizing effect. Thus, the temperature setting at which the nonwoven fabric is melted is controlled by a known technique, for example, the difference in the degree of polymerization or saponification of the PVA polymer used as the raw material of the sheet, the control of the stretching conditions, or the difference in the raw material composition. is there.

  Next, the processing method of the clothing for clothing comprised in this way is demonstrated.

  First, used medical clothing is put into a treatment tank, and the used medical clothing is immersed in warm water heated to a temperature higher than a human body temperature in the treatment tank. Melt the sex material.

  Next, hypochlorous acid is supplied as a chlorine-based disinfectant to the liquid in the treatment tank in which the nonwoven fabric is dissolved, and sodium thiosulfate as a neutralizing agent for the chlorine-based disinfectant is further supplied for neutralization. Here, since medical clothing is first immersed in warm water and then hypochlorous acid is supplied, the medical clothing can be suitably treated. This is because when hypochlorous acid is supplied first and then medical clothing is immersed in water, the molecular structure of polyvinyl alcohol changes, making it difficult to dissolve the nonwoven fabric in water.

  After neutralization by supplying sodium thiosulfate, a neutral liquid remains in the treatment tank, and the liquid in the treatment tank is discharged from the treatment tank to a river, a sewer, or a septic tank.

  In addition, since materials made of conventionally used materials such as mask rubber, apron buttons, hooks, and hat strings remain as solids, these solids are collected and incinerated. Since such solids are very small, the amount to be incinerated is very small. Therefore, the emission of carbon dioxide is greatly suppressed and it is friendly to the global environment.

  In addition, although it is preferable to use sodium thiosulfate as a neutralizing agent, it is not restricted to this, For example, you may use calcium sulfite, sodium sulfite, and ascorbic acid.

  Further, the processing tank of the processing machine described above may be constituted by a rotating drum. In this case, in the rotating drum, the medical garment is immersed in hot water heated to a temperature higher than the human body temperature and stirred, and the water-soluble material of the medical garment is dissolved in the hot water, so the melting time is shortened. Is done.

  In the above-described method for treating medical clothing, when collecting medical clothing, the used medical clothing is stored in a collection bag made of a water-soluble material that melts at a temperature higher than the human body temperature. Since it can be processed together with the collection bag, it is hygienic and highly convenient.

  The collection bag is made of, for example, polyvinyl alcohol. In this case, the collection bag is biodegradable and water-soluble, which makes it easier to process used medical clothing.

  When the used medical clothing is stored and processed in the collection bag, the collected medical clothing is first put into the processor together with the collection bag.

  Then, in the treatment tank of the processing machine, the used medical clothing is immersed in warm water heated to a temperature higher than the human body temperature together with the collection bag and stirred, and the collection bag and the medical clothing are stored in the hot water. Dissolve water-soluble materials.

  Subsequent processing is the same as that described above.

  The temperature at which the medical clothing and the collection bag melt is set to a temperature higher than the human body temperature. For example, when the temperature is set to melt at 37 degrees, the temperature of the hot water in the processing machine is about 40 degrees. Good. Further, when the temperature at which the medical clothing and the collection bag are melted is set to 80 to 90 degrees, the medical clothing and the collection bag are melted and sterilized by, for example, being immersed in high-temperature water heated to a temperature higher than 90 degrees. Since it also has an effect, it is effective in preventing infection.

  Next, an example of a processing machine used in the above-described processing method for used medical clothing will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the processor A includes a rotating drum (not shown) that is rotatably arranged, supply means for supplying hot water to the rotating drum, and the water solution in the hot water in the rotating drum. There are provided a solution in which the soluble material is dissolved and a discharging means for discharging insoluble matter to a river, a sewer or a septic tank.

  The supply means for supplying hot water to the rotating drum mainly comprises water supply means, a steam boiler 1, a hot water tank 2, and a water supply tank 3, and steam from the steam boiler 1 is supplied to the water supplied to the hot water tank 2. The water is supplied to increase the temperature of the water, and the water supplied from the water supply means is supplied into the processor A together with the water from the water supply tank 3 that temporarily stores the water. The steam in the processor A is supplied again to the steam boiler 1 so that the steam is circulated.

  Since the processor A is configured as described above and piping for water supply / steam supply is made, the processor A can be used if it is formed to have resistance to high-temperature water in a normal washing machine. it can. Further, since piping for a normal washing machine / dryer can be used without special piping, for example, it is possible to use processing machines in parallel with a washing machine. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform a particularly large-scale construction in order to install the processor A.

The discharge means has a drain pipe 4 so that insoluble matters larger than the diameter of the drain pipe 4 remain in the rotating drum and can be easily taken out.
In addition, after draining from a processing machine, a rubber member etc. can be removed by using drainage lint and a slit screen in a septic tank.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the water-soluble material that is biodegradable and melts at a temperature higher than the human body temperature is used as the medical garment, the medical garment need not be incinerated. If left untreated, it decomposes naturally by the action of microorganisms. Therefore, the emission of carbon dioxide, which has been generated in large quantities when incinerated, is greatly suppressed and is friendly to the global environment.

  In addition, used medical clothing that has been thrown into the treatment tank is immersed in warm water that has been heated to a temperature higher than the human body temperature to dissolve the water-soluble material. Since clothing can be processed, the processing can be easily performed with a simple device.

  Furthermore, since the chlorine-based disinfectant is supplied thereafter, it can effectively cope with infectious diseases.

  Furthermore, since the neutralizing agent of the chlorine-based disinfectant is supplied for neutralization, the liquid in the treatment tank can be safely discharged from the treatment tank to the river, sewer or septic tank.

  Thus, according to the present invention, used medical clothing can be processed safely and efficiently.

  As mentioned above, although the Example as an example was demonstrated about embodiment of this invention, it is not restricted to the Example mentioned above.

  The present invention can be applied to a medical waste processing method capable of processing medical waste safely and efficiently using a simple apparatus.

It is the schematic explaining the outline of the processing method of the medical clothing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Steam boiler 2 Hot water tank 3 Water supply tank 4 Drain pipe A Processing machine

Claims (5)

A method of treating medical waste for disposing of medical clothing formed using a water-soluble material that is biodegradable and melts at a temperature higher than human body temperature,
Put used medical clothing into the treatment tank,
In the treatment tank, the used medical clothing is immersed in warm water heated to a temperature higher than the human body temperature to dissolve the water-soluble material, and then a chlorine-based disinfectant is supplied, and the chlorine A method for treating medical waste, characterized in that a neutralizing agent for a system-based disinfectant is supplied and neutralized, and the liquid in the treatment tank is discharged from the treatment tank to a river, a sewer, or a septic tank. The medical waste treatment method according to claim 1,
A method for treating medical waste, wherein the water-soluble material that is biodegradable and melts at a temperature higher than a human body temperature is formed of polyvinyl alcohol. In the medical waste processing method according to claim 1 or 2,
A medical waste treatment method, wherein the chlorine-based disinfectant is hypochlorous acid, and the neutralizer of the chlorine-based disinfectant is sodium thiosulfate. A medical waste treatment method for recovering and disposing of medical clothes made of a water-soluble material that is biodegradable and melts at a temperature higher than human body temperature,
Used medical clothing is collected in a collection bag made of a water-soluble material that is biodegradable and melts at a temperature higher than human body temperature, and the collected used medical clothing is collected. Are put into the treatment tank,
In the treatment tank, the used medical clothing is immersed in warm water heated to a temperature higher than the human body temperature together with the collection bag to dissolve the water-soluble material, and then supplied with a chlorine-based disinfectant. Furthermore, the neutralization agent of the said chlorine type disinfectant is supplied and neutralized, The liquid in this processing tank is discharged | emitted from a processing tank to a river, a sewer, or a septic tank, The processing method of the medical waste characterized by the above-mentioned. In the medical waste disposal method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The method for treating medical waste, wherein the treatment tank comprises a rotating drum.

Images