Exploring Changes in Healthcare Waste Management Post COVID-19: A Qualitative Study in a Maldivian Health Facility

Abstract

Background: Healthcare waste management practice is a fundamental activity for all institutions that provide health services. Managing healthcare waste effectively to prevent health risks and reduce environmental damage is crucial to every healthcare service provider. Significance: Healthcare waste, including infectious waste, sharps, pharmaceuticals, and chemical waste, poses significant health risks and contributes to environmental damage if not appropriately managed. The study can be beneficial for internal policymakers to develop policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to set minimum criteria at institutional levels and enhance the practice of the proper methods to manage HCW. Hence, this research remains a vital reference tool for everyone handling HCW. Based on the study results, special attention can be given to areas where further research is needed. Aim: The study aimed to explore healthcare waste management practices in a Maldivian health facility before the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes that have occurred since then. Objectives: To examine and compare the changes that have been brought into healthcare waste management practices in a healthcare facility before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative research method was employed, involving in-depth face-to-face interviews to collect data. The collected data was analysed using a content analysis approach. Limitations: This study included only one healthcare facility that treats COVID-19 patients, employing a qualitative study approach with a small sample size. Therefore, the study cannot be generalised to the overall issue of HCWM practices across the Maldives, as resource availability and organisational culture differ from facility to facility. In addition, the outcome cannot be compared with other health facilities because the study limits the depth of comparative perceptions that multi-organisational studies can result. Hence, lack of external validity remains the major limitation.  Findings: The main concepts identified were: (A) ‘key changes to HCWM practices established since the Covid-19 pandemic’. (B) ‘Major barriers to effective HCWM practices in terms of integration at the institutional level’. (C) ‘Key areas of interventions to establish proper techniques to promote the right practice while managing HCW’. Implications: The study findings suggest that the health facility’s HCWM practices can be improved when hospital management addresses the identified barriers and implements practical interventions together, which could result in a more effective solution to HCWM.

Keywords: Waste management, COVID-19, Health facilities, Maldives