Staff Attitudes Toward Healthcare Waste Separation: An Exploratory Survey from a Triple-Bottom-Line Perspective.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Sustainability
• Clinical Waste Management
• Environmental Impact in Medicine

Background:

• The German healthcare system produced 400,000 tons of waste in 2022, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
• Current waste management protocols mandate separate collection of glass, paper, and residual waste in German healthcare facilities.
• Optimizing waste management is crucial for environmental protection and resource conservation within the healthcare sector.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the awareness, proficiency, and opinions of German dermatology professionals regarding waste management.
• To identify personal interest in sustainability and waste reduction strategies among healthcare staff.
• To inform the development of targeted training programs and process optimizations for resource-saving practices in dermatology.

Main Methods:

• An online cross-sectional survey was administered to German dermatology healthcare professionals from February to October 2024.
• A total of 84 complete responses from dermatology wards, outpatient units, and private practices were analyzed.
• Descriptive analysis, comparative assessments between clinical settings, and correlational analyses were performed on the collected data.

Main Results:

• A majority of respondents perceived significant waste generation during wound dressing changes.
• Over 60% of participants expressed a strong interest in receiving further education on sustainability and waste reduction.
• While understanding of waste separation was common, time pressure and stress were identified as primary barriers to consistent practice.

Conclusions:

• A notable gap exists between the awareness of sustainable waste management principles and their practical application in dermatology settings.
• Effective sustainable practices require a combination of structural, organizational, and educational interventions.
• Optimizing clinical workflows and providing targeted training are essential for enhancing resource-saving measures in dermatology.