MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT BEFORE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN ROMANIAN HOSPITALS

The proper management of medical waste is very important, throughout its life cycle, from correct collection to final recovery or disposal. The hazardous potential of this waste needs to be known by all those who handle it to protect their health, the health of the general public, and the environment. Studying them with a view to their correct management also aims to reduce the potential risks that may arise from their improper handling. The objective of the paper was to present the influence that the COVID-19 pandemic has had through the increased amounts of waste generated by health facilities to limit the spread of the virus and to treat patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The work of the health units mainly focused on measures to limit the spread of the virus through the use of personal protective equipment, testing of the population, treatment of patients infected with SARS-CoV 2 and other patients who needed other types of medical services. To highlight how the pandemic influenced the amount of medical waste produced, three health facilities of various types were analyzed: an Infectious Diseases Hospital, a Municipal Hospital, and a hospital for a small-medium city. Data from the months when the pandemic waves started were used and compared with similar months in previous years. Hazardous medical waste disposal costs were estimated and graphs were plotted to show the unprecedented increase in the amount of medical waste generated during the SARS-CoV 2 - Covid-19 pandemic.