Waste Segregation Education Among Intraoperative Personnel: A Quality Improvement Project

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Medical waste significantly impacts public health, environmental sustainability, and healthcare costs, with American hospitals producing over 4 billion tons annually. The primary barrier to effective waste segregation is a lack of provider knowledge. Using education and visual aids, this quality improvement project aimed to enhance waste segregation practices at a 402-bed community hospital in the Southeastern United States. METHODS: Among operating room personnel, this project used a pre-/postintervention design to evaluate change in self-reported waste segregation knowledge, attitude, practice, and confidence, as well as intraoperative sharps waste bin weight and compliance. RESULTS: Participant knowledge improved significantly from pre- to post-education and was sustained at the 3-month post-education measurement (P < .001). Participants indicated a positive attitude toward compliance with medical waste segregation. Mean confidence scores increased across groups, with significant difference between pre- and 3-month post-education scores. The weight of sharps bin waste decreased from pre- (612.7 kg) to post-education (527.6 kg), with the average bin weight decreasing from 7.32 kg (SD = 3.77) to 6.85 kg (SD = 2.97). Item disposal compliance increased significantly from pre (50.5%) to post (60.2%) (P = .023). The mean number and weight of non-compliant items significantly decreased from 262.2 (SD = 143.4) items with a weight of 4.9 kg (SD = 3.4) to 162.5 (SD = 82.5) (P = .021) items with a weight of 2.6 kg (SD = 1.4) (P = .028). CONCLUSION: Continuous education regarding waste segregation is needed. The importance of leadership in promoting sustainable waste management practices in healthcare facilities is undeniable.