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Establishing mercury-free medical facilities: a Malaysian case study

Mohamad Mahathir Amir Sultan (Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia)
Choo Ta Goh (Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia)
Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh (Department of Community Health, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia)
Mazlin Mokhtar (Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia)

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance

ISSN: 0952-6862

Article publication date: 11 February 2019

Issue publication date: 11 February 2019

193

Abstract

Purpose

Mercury is widely used in medical and healthcare facilities as dental amalgam, mercury-added medical devices, thiomersal-containing vaccines, laboratory analysis and for other general applications despite the hazards. Various agencies consistently promote mercury-free medical facilities through mercury-free alternatives and better management practices, which are in line with the Minamata Convention on Mercury that aims to protect human health and environment from anthropogenic mercury release. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a gap analysis on recommended practices gathered from the literature and current practices gathered through semi-structured interviews with Malaysian medical personnel. A life cycle approach was adopted covering mercury use: input, storage, handling, accident, waste disposal and governance phases.

Findings

The authors found that there are significant gaps between recommended and current mercury management practices. Analysis indicates improper mercury management as the main contributor to these gaps. The authors found from recommended practices that core components needing improvement include: mercury management action plan, mercury use identification team, purchasing policy, proper guidelines and monitoring systems.

Practical implications

This study helps us to understand mercury management practices and suggests essential steps to establish a mercury-free medical facility.

Originality/value

This study explored the gaps between recommended and current mercury management practices in a medical facility and contributes to the Minamata Convention on Mercury aspirations.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the research grant entitled Public-Private Smart Partnership: Managing Industrial Risks for a Sustainable Future (AP-2014-009) awarded by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and the financial support given to this research. Special thanks for Professor Emeritus Dr Peter John Peterson for his continuous support during the study.

Citation

Amir Sultan, M.M., Goh, C.T., Wan Puteh, S.E. and Mokhtar, M. (2019), "Establishing mercury-free medical facilities: a Malaysian case study", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 34-44. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-08-2017-0161

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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