A Study on Procedural Algorithm for Biomedical E-waste Management and Applications

Abstract

There is seemingly an increasing number of failed biomedical equipment in hospitals in Uganda and around the world at large. Usually, this equipment has neither been declared obsolete nor disposed of because of lack of a procedural algorithm and/or proper electronic waste management system(s). This has resulted into increasing numbers of biomedical equipment that is not in use hence taking a lot of space which could be used by the hospital for more productive work. The general objective of this research is to design a system that categorizes and procedurally predicts biomedical equipment obsolescence. Specifically, we analyze what procedure Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital follows to declare equipment obsolete. Develop a procedural algorithm to be followed in categorizing biomedical electronic equipment obsolescence. Generate a database that compares and categorizes electronic obsolescence of biomedical equipment. Accordingly, in this paper, a procedural algorithm for biomedical electronic obsolescence and subsequently, an online E-waste management system is presented. To accomplish this, the following was done; (i) Analyzed several standard procedures followed to declare biomedical equipment obsolete, and (ii) generated an online database that procedurally compares and categorizes degrees of obsolescence for different biomedical equipment. The results show that our system can anticipate if equipment is obsolete or functional based on a set of rules, and then generate a tabular representation of the data for future reference and action. This has the potential to improve electronic and/or inventory management in hospitals, as well as to promote environmental preservation by reducing electronic waste pollution.