Expanding Waste Segregation Initiatives to Reduce Regulated Medical Waste: A Multi-Departmental Quality Improvement...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Environmental Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Regulated medical waste (RMW) contributes significantly to healthcare expenses, often due to incorrect waste classification.
• Operating rooms (ORs), intensive care units (ICUs), and obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) departments are key areas for RMW misclassification.
• This study addresses RMW reduction and cost savings at Akron City Hospital (ACH) by implementing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To decrease the volume and associated costs of regulated medical waste (RMW) at Akron City Hospital (ACH).
• To implement and evaluate department-specific interventions for RMW management.
• To align waste management practices with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Periodic analyses compared hospital-wide RMW volume, pick-up frequency, and disposal costs before and after interventions.
• Interventions were rolled out department-specifically, starting with ORs in October 2022 and expanding to ICUs and OBGYN by February 2024.
• Strategies included staff education, informational flyers, and optimized container management, with data analyzed using t-tests and ARIMA modeling.

Main Results:

• Monthly RMW weights decreased significantly from 56,366 lbs in 2022 to 37,017 lbs in early 2024 (P < .001).
• RMW disposal costs saw a substantial reduction, falling from $175,189.51 in 2022 to $57,528.17 for the first six months of 2024.
• Time series analysis and anomaly detection confirmed improved consistency and stability in RMW weights post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• Department-specific interventions effectively reduced RMW volume and healthcare costs.
• The study highlights the success of tailored education and operational adjustments in sustainable waste management.
• This approach offers a scalable model for addressing financial and environmental challenges in healthcare waste management.