Kayakalp – Utility of a novel Indian tool for the assessment of biomedical waste management in a district hospital of Northern India

Introduction: Kayakalp is an innovative initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as a part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign. The primary objective of this venture is the promotion of cleanliness and delivery of quality health-care services through public health facilities in India. This standardized tool was used to evaluate six key parameters of hospital management of a district hospital in northern India. In this study, we present findings of biomedical waste (BMW) management assessment, one of the six assessment domains of the tool. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was done using Kayakalp assessment tool in a district hospital of a north Indian state in the year 2015. Methods used to assess facility were direct observation, staff interviews, and review of documents. Results were recorded as full, partial, and no compliance for the domain of waste management. Results: The total score for BMW management as per Kayakalp tool was 82 (out of a maximum of 100), with mean score of 8.2 and standard deviation ± 1.48. Overall, there were ten criteria (C1 to C10). The scores were excellent, i.e., 100% for disposal of BMW, solid general waste, and liquid waste management. Minimum score of 60% was seen in the area of sharps management. Conclusion: The standardized approach of the evaluation of public health facilities through Kayakalp tool would help in judging their performance on a uniform pedestal. Such model tools after adjustment to local needs can also be adopted by other nations for the assessment of their health services.