Removal of Hospital Junks

It is observed that in public health facilities there are various junk articles in the form of unserviceable medical equipment, furniture and electrical equipment etc. which often lie unattended and are stored in various unoccupied areas of the premises. All junk material stored in the hospital poses a potential fire risk and can lead to accumulation of pests in these areas.

Junk material accumulated in the healthcare settings includes following type of items:

• Surplus Items: Items that are in working order but are not required for use in a particular section. Such items also includes stock in the stores of the hospital which has not been used for some time.
• Obsolete Items: Items that are in working order but cannot be put to use effectively because of change in technology/design
• Unserviceable Items: Equipment that are not in working order, have outlived their span of life and are beyond economic repair
• Scrap: Process waste, broken and any other item not covered above but has got resale value
• Empties: Empty containers, crates, bottles, plastic jars, drums etc.

Condemnation Policy

All health facilities need to have a condemnation policy framed in the hospital and it has to be implemented and followed. The condemnation policy at the health facility should align with the state level condemnation policy framed at the state (if any).

The policy framed in the hospital should be directed to ensure the following:

• The hospital has a Condemnation Committee in the hospital for carrying out the activities of condemnation of junk materials.
• No junk material is stored in patient care areas, open areas and corridors or in critical service areas of the hospital
• There is a provision of having a demarcated and secure space in the hospital for storage of junk material before its disposal

Condemnation Committee

Hospitals need to form a Condemnation Committee for carrying out the activities of condemnation of junk from the health facility. The Condemnation Committee needs to have a representation from different categories of staff, as prescribed in the state level condemnation policy.

The suggested membership of the Condemnation Committee to be formed at the hospital is as follows:

• Hospital Superintendent/Chief Medical Officer of the institution
• Hospital Manager
• Senior Medical Officer
• Nursing Superintendent/senior most nursing staff of the institution
• Technical professional concerned with the machinery/accessories etc., i.e., Bio Medical Engineers// Head of the Department (HoD)//suppliers//service agency etc.
• Representative of the accounts department, if available.
• Store in charge//Storekeeper

The constitution of the committee may vary from institution to institution depending on the availability of the mentioned posts; the changes may be made by the Head of the institution.

Meeting Schedule

The Condemnation Committee formed at the hospital needs to meet at least once in six months or when required.

Responsibilities of Condemnation Committee

The major responsibility of the Condemnation Committee formed at the facility may include following:

• To frame/follow the condemnation policy at the hospital
• To inspect all the areas of the hospital for any junk material present/accumulated in various areas of the hospital
• To decide the minimum upset price for which tendering is required and minimum upset price for which public auctions can be made.
• To gather and maintain information or list of items from different areas of the hospital that need to be condemned or are beyond use.
• To maintain a list of items that are stored in the hospital for condemnation
• To inform all concerned regarding the condemnation activity to be undertaken by the facility
• To approve the condemnation of junk and other materials
• To demarcate and allocate space within the hospital for storage of junk material before its disposal
• To maintain records of the items that are condemned by the health facility
• To follow relevant rules while disposing of the condemned articles e.g. E-waste management rules, BMW management rules etc.

Space for Junk Material

Hospitals need to ensure that they have a demarcated and secure area for storage of junk materials in the hospital before final disposal. All junk material/items should be stored in this area only and should not be stored in patient care areas, open areas or critical service area.

This area needs to be secured under lock and key and should be equipped with fire safety measures like installation of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire alarm etc.

Condemnation Options

The Condemnation Committee formed at the hospital may follow the condemnation options as framed by the State Government or may undertake the following steps for condemnation of junk in the hospital:

• To offer the equipment to authorised vendors under the buyback option
• To sell the junk through public auctions as per for the items having a minimum upset price as decided by the hospital
• To dispose of the junk through tender process for the items having a minimum upset price as decided by the hospital.

Source: : Guidelines For Implementation Of "KAYAKALP" Initiative