SOCIAL: PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES/ STREET DISPOSED BIOHAZARDOUS MATERIAL

SUBJECT: STREET DISPOSED BIOHAZARDOUS MATERIAL
PURPOSE: This briefing note is a recommendation for changes in policy pertaining to the disposal of biohazardous material found in city streets.
ISSUE: There is not enough regulation as to how handle biohazardous material found on the street sides.

Background:

A biological hazard or biohazard is a biological substance that poses a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily humans. This could include a sample of a microorganism, virus or toxin that can adversely affect human health. Biohazard is also a substance that can be harmful to animals. For the purposes of this briefing note, we shall refer to biohazardous materials such as fecal matter, condoms and syringes as that is the major issue that is facing the neighborhoods of Vancouver. These materials are disposed by people who lack the education required to be able to competently dispose of such material. Perhaps there is not a sufficient place in which these materials can be disposed of. Nevertheless, what is common here is the convenience of disposal. Those disposing these items are doing it because it is convenient and easy to do so. This is a major issue and poses a great risk for people such as children, who may be playing in the area. These children are not knowledgeable enough to be able to identify biohazardous materials. Therefore, they are the ones in which we must protect. Although a convenient way to dispose of material is not feasible, there could be other options which could streamline the disposal of such items. The city needs to establish a phone line in which handles reports. These reports can inform health authorities of the location of the biohazardous material. Not only does the city need to have such line, they need to educate people about it. Furthermore, they must have an official committee backed by hazmat to handle such organization.

Considerations:

If we look at urbanized cities such as San Francisco, we can see that urbanization and disposal of biohazardous materials are intertwined. This city has an issue with people defecating and urinating on the side walks. These people are more often than not, the poor and marginalized. They lack a place in which to do these things. San Francisco has been battling this issue for a long time. In fact since 2008 over 23800 cases of human waste were reported in the heart of the city. In 2011, there were 5547 human feces reports to the San Francisco department of Public Work. In 2018. That number was 28084. These are only reports about fecal matter and it does not include reports for used condoms or syringes. This is a big issue of public safety that needs to be addressed. Homeless drug addicts flood the downtown areas of major metropolitan cities. They, “shoot up,” in public and discard needles out of convenience. Regardless of how many needle disposal areas there are, these people will still dispose out of convenience. In Vancouver, the number of needles being left on city streets is on the rise. This has prompted complaints from residents who are verbalizing their concerns. In 2003 Vancouver Coastal Health collected 60000 needles however that figure sharply rose to 300000 in 2016. This is a major issue and this causes significant strain to the already bloated health care system. Although, Vancouver is on the right track with their hotline, the service they provide means that those workers who are allocated to the hotline are being used to retrieve needles rather than assist with urgent health care issues. This is especially in light of the fact that there is already a shortage of workers in the field. Vancouver health authority needs to ensure that they focus on acute incidents that require greater priority. According to a report by Vancouver Coastal Health, hospitals in Vancouver and Richmond will face wide spread shortages by 2015 and beyond. They cited the problem was a result of an aging population. It is estimated that in this time frame there will be a 75% reduction in Registered Care Aides, 34% fewer Pharmacist and 85% shortage of Medical Laboratory Technologists. This is a result of wage cuts which are a result of a lack of funding by the federal government. The stakeholders for this matter are residents of neighborhoods, the health care authority and those disposing biohazardous material.

Options:

Option 1: Delegate care home jurisdiction for pick up.

Although Vancouver seems to have this issue handled what is not being managed efficiently is the shortage of staff. The hotline is a great service that many residents rely on when encountering biohazardous materials but it could be streamlined. We propose that health authorities delegate biohazard material clean up to residential care homes in zones. Since there are enough care homes available with sufficiently educated staff, health authorities could delegate so they can focus more on health care issues that require greater priority. Having a zone in which each care home can be in charge of will increase efficiency. These care homes do not have the acute issues that hospitals deal with on a daily basis. Residents can call the hotline to report items needing attention. The hotline staff can then refer to a zone map and call the nearest care home to clean up the matter. Care homes can appoint community representatives with these duties. The benefit of this option guarantees that these biohazardous material will be dealt with by a competent team. This is a very feasible option as it can easily be implemented. This option ensures the safety and security of the residents living in places where disposed biohazards is a common occurrence. Public acceptability is likely to be high considering the benefits to health care delivery by health authorities could be more efficient.

Option 2: Education.

This is a very feasible option. Knowledge of the hotline must be promoted to ensure the safety and security of residents. Also adequate disposal of biohazardous material initiatives have come a long way. They have adequately taught infectious disease protocols in the community which has served to prevent disease from spreading. Providing education and info sessions within the community have ensured that people are informed and aware of the issues facing contemporary metropolitan areas. This has only served to protect the well being of citizens. This is a sustainable option as disease is carefully managed.

Option 3: Status quo.

This is the most feasible option. Vancouver is doing a great job in managing the disposal of biohazardous material but its actions could be more efficient. It is clear that there is a shortage of health workers which is why option one is a necessity. The InSite services have had over 3.6 million visits since 2003. This is success as they claim that there have been 48798 clinical treatment visits and 6440 overdose treatments in that period. Anti-drug initiatives have served to manage the crisis of addiction well. The fact the needles and sharps containers provided to these people at these InSite locations has likely reduced street disposal. There is high public support for this option. Recommendation: Option one and three is recommended.