Critical Success Factors of Medical Waste Management Implementation in Healthcare Facilities in Nigeria: A Case Study

Abstract

Medical waste management (MWM) in developing countries such as Nigeria continue to lag in the development and implementation of successful MWM programs. The concentration of research on management practices, waste generation and characterization, disposal practices implies very little attention has been given to understanding the factors that are critical to implementing successful MWM programs. The aim of this study is therefore to identify critical factors of MWM success in developing countries, and assess the recognition and implementation of these factors toward achieving MWM goals in healthcare facilities (HCFs) in Benue State, Nigeria. This study adopted a case study approach. Factors critical to MWM success were identified from literature and validated through key informant interviews conducted across four (4) case study HCFs. The study found that, training, sensitization and awareness was considered the most critical factor, followed by environmental legislation in compliance with international environmental rules/regulations; and specific and elaborate regulations with regard to medical waste. The third most critical factors were financing and investment; infrastructure; and adequate and efficient workforce. It was found that implementation of the critical factors at the HCFs was poor. Issues contributing to poor implementation include lack of awareness on existing medical waste management guidelines; lack of enforceable national policy or regulation on medical waste management; inadequate finance among others. This stresses the need for increased participation at both internal (HCF), and external (ministry) levels in creating awareness on the risk potential of medical wastes and existing guidelines to encourage acceptable practices, and enactment of specific legislation dealing with MWM.

Why Hospital Waste Management Is Important to the Environment?: A Systematic Literature Review

“…This study stresses the need for increased participation at both the internal (HCF) and external (ministry) levels in creating awareness about the risk potential of medical wastes and existing guidelines to encourage acceptable practices and enactment of specific legislation dealing with MWM (Baaki et al, 2017). To improve current practices, nurses must be well-equipped with skills and practices in managing medical waste.…”

“…Many countries are now developing guidelines or policies to manage hospital waste. The study found that training, sensitisation, and awareness are considered the most critical factors, followed by environmental legislation in compliance with international environmental rules/regulations; and specific and elaborate regulations concerning medical waste (Baaki et al, 2017). Unfortunately, a study conducted by Rajan et al (2018) shows that the current classification system of SMW in national guidelines was not appropriate for safe collection and disposal (disposal techniques adopted for Ayurveda biomedical wastes are esewage/drains, incineration, and landfill).…”

Lagos State Hospital Waste Management Practices: A Descriptive Overview with Stakeholders’ Role and Key Recommendations

“…These various types of medical waste are separated using a method called segregation. Segregation separates different medical waste streams according to their classifications and is an essential part of the medical waste management process [9]. The essence is to separate infectious/hazardous waste from non-infectious/nonhazardous waste and prevent contamination [15].…”

“…A working environment with unsafe healthcare waste management practices may result in exposure to infectious wastes by Healthcare workers, patients, and clients that could, in turn, create infection due to blood-borne pathogens [8]. According to Baaki et al [9], planning a hospital waste management system is complex and challenging since healthcare waste is unique and heterogeneous.…”

“…Over the years, biomedical wastes have increased due to the increase in size and number of healthcare facilities, the exponential rise in population, industrial and economic growth, urbanization, and disposable products in health facilities [10]. While most of these wastes are domestic or municipal wastes, a small percentage have pathogenic properties, posing a threat to human health and the environment [9]. Managing this waste stream composition remains a significant challenge, particularly in developing countries.…”