Assessing waste generation and disposal practices in operating rooms: Implications for a sustainable healthcare

The Operating Room (OR) is one of the main generators of healthcare waste within hospitals. To optimize waste management, both its generation and disposal must occur consciously and appropriately. Understanding the challenges related to these processes is essential for supporting the development of tailored strategies and training initiatives grounded in best practices. This study aimed to observe the process of waste generation and disposal in the OR, including room preparation, the period after patient entry, and the interval following their exit, prior to environmental cleaning. This was an observational, cross-sectional, and quantitative study that included a sample of 50 surgical operations observed over six months. Data on the procedures, such as their duration and number of healthcare professionals in the OR were recorded, along with information on waste generation, including the number of adequate and inadequate disposals in each type of waste container. Additional observations regarding the OR's physical layout and organizational structure were documented. Waste generation and disposal varied according to surgical procedure stages, suggesting that factors regarding professional roles and physical placement of waste containers influence adherence to adequate disposal practices. Furthermore, over half of the disposals in infectious waste containers were inadequate, as these materials could have been discarded as general or recyclable waste. Waste segregation in the OR remains a significant challenge. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions that combine educational initiatives, logistic reorganization, and workflow adjustments to reduce waste generation and improve segregation.