Nurses' Perceptions and Experiences Regarding Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room: A Phenomenological...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Environmental Science
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Environmental sustainability is increasingly critical in healthcare settings.
• Operating rooms generate significant waste and resource consumption.
• Nurses play a vital role in implementing sustainable practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore operating room nurses' awareness, practices, and perceived barriers concerning environmental sustainability.
• To identify knowledge gaps and areas for improvement in sustainable operating room management.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 15 operating room nurses.
• Data collected via interview and personal information forms.
• Content analysis employed to identify key themes and subthemes.

Main Results:

• Nurses demonstrated limited awareness and knowledge of environmental sustainability principles.
• Identified gaps in institutional support and practical implementation of sustainable practices.
• Nurses reported both positive and negative experiences with current sustainability efforts.

Conclusions:

• Targeted educational programs are essential to increase nurses' awareness and knowledge of environmental sustainability.
• Developing robust institutional policies and providing adequate support are crucial for enhancing sustainable practices.
• Improving nurses' understanding is pivotal for efficient resource utilization and environmental benefit in operating rooms.