A qualitative exploration of barriers, enablers, and implementation strategies to replace disposable medical devices with reusable alternatives

Abstract

Hospitals use many single-use devices that produce more waste and greenhouse gas emissions than reusable devices; operating theatres alone are responsible for up to a third of hospital waste. We explored barriers and enablers to replacing disposable devices with reusable alternatives in operating theatres by use of interviews, the Theoretical Domains Framework, and theory-informed behaviour change techniques. 19 stakeholders were interviewed at a large tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia, and 53 barriers and 44 experience-based or intuition-based enablers were identified. 30 strategies were identified across six topics: external purchasing (two strategies); internal purchasing (seven strategies); incentivisation and standardised environmental decision making (three strategies); successful practical introduction of reusable devices (five strategies); identification of goals and facilitation of leadership (two strategies); and a community of practice and knowledge building (11 strategies). We present these 30 implementation strategies, from the individual to the policy level, which consist of evidence-based behaviour change techniques aimed at addressing the identified barriers to replacing single-use devices with reusable alternatives.