Improve Waste Management in farabi Malekan hospital: An Action Research Study

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Hospital waste has many potential hazards for human and environmental due to its nature. Therefore, they must be properly managed. The aim of this study is to improve waste management in Farabi Hospital in Malekan city with an action research approach. Methods: The present study is action research that was conducted with a mixed-method (quantitative-qualitative) approach in 2019-2020. For action research, a simple and practical model introduced by Simmouns in 1995 was used. Initially, a scoping review of interventions to improve waste management performance in hospitals conducted. To conduct action research, first, using the waste management performance evaluation with the standard checklist and brainstorming with the company officials and hospital staff, the list of main problems was identified and prioritized using the prioritization matrix. In the next step, in consultation with the hospital officials, 11 interventions (Holding a training workshop, preparing a report and sending it to various officials, compiling a waste management training booklet, preparing an educational pamphlet, preparing a standard trash can, preparing colored labels to observe waste separation, preparing between to transport waste to a temporary room, appointing a user Safe and trained for the location of the disposal site, preparation and supply of personal protective equipment suitable for the service staff of the wards and safe user, preparation and installation of standard waste disposal device and improvement of the site disposal site) were finally designed and implemented for about 6 months. In the last step, the re-evaluation of waste management performance was performed. Results: In the scoping review phase, the results of 27 articles were reviewed. The mean standard difference of the interventions on KAP was estimated to be 3.04 [2.54-3.54]. Interventions in improving the amount of waste produced, waste management costs, and overall waste management performance were also significantly effective. The results of the interventions showed that employees' knowledage of the principles of waste management has increased significantly, the production of domestic and infectious waste has decreased significantly, and after designing and implementing interventions, a large number of checklist items observed in the hospital and only a limited number of them (11 of the 44 items) are still not observed. Conclusion: Although the interventions in this study have greatly improved the performance of hospital waste management, however, more interventions and continuous monitoring of their results recommended. The results of the study also showed that using action research can solve many problems and shortcomings in hospitals and other centers and action research can be a valid and powerful study method for conducting applied research in the field of medical sciences.