Barriers and facilitators of biomedical waste management among healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study.

Abstract

Background: Biomedical waste is a significant byproduct of healthcare systems, and it includes a diverse mixture of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. There is increasing concern among governments and healthcare organizations regarding the generation, handling, and disposal of healthcare or clinical waste. This study seeks to utilize a qualitative methodology to examine the barriers and facilitators faced by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in effectively managing biomedical waste (BMW) at several hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Method: We adopted an interview qualitative study with semi-structured individual interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various factors that impact adherence to hand hygiene among HCPs. The content analysis method was used to examine the interviews allowing for the identification of codes and themes through a systematic categorization procedure.

Results: A group of 32 HCPs with diverse specializations, who had an average age of 38 years, were interviewed. The participants included 14 males and 18 females. The interviews included a total of 8 physicians, 4 anesthesiologists, 6 lab technicians, and 14 nurses. We found that the participants focused on five primary themes that pertain to the challenges and problems related to BMWM among HCPs.

Conclusion: Based on these findings, it is highly recommended to implement a comprehensive national strategy for integrating biomedical waste management (BMWM) into all healthcare programs. To maintain a high level of expertise in the field of BMWM principles, it is important for hospitals to provide regular training sessions to their staff.