Reducing the Environmental and Economic Costs of Single-Department Infectious Waste Disposal

Purpose: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of zero-cost interventions on the reduction of infectious waste (IW) stream production in interventional radiology (IR).

Methods: This quality improvement initiative was developed using needs identification through department-wide meetings with IR stakeholders (physicians, nurses, and radiologic technologists). Department leadership identified and implemented two interventions to reduce disposal of noninfectious waste (NIW) in the IW stream. First, hospital waste management provided focused education for sorting IW versus NIW to IR staff members. Next, the number of IW bins was reduced, and the IW bins were strategically placed on the perimeter of the room. Radiologic technologists tracked IW and NIW bags per case for 25 case days before the intervention and 175 case days after the intervention. A run chart was created to visualize change over time. Wilcoxon rank sum and signed rank tests were performed to evaluate the difference in IW and NIW bags per case before and after the intervention. A goal of significant reduction in NIW stream production was set.

Results: Before the intervention, the production of IW and NIW bags per case was similar (median, 1.0 [interquartile range (IQR), 0.86-1.31] vs 1.1 [IQR, 0.86-1.40]; P = .20). After the intervention, IW bags per case decreased (median, 1.0 [IQR, 0.86-1.31] vs 0.05 [IQR, 0.00-0.13]; P < .001). Fewer IW bags than NIW bags were produced per case after the intervention (median, 0.05 [IQR, 0.00-0.13] vs 1.53 [IQR, 1.30-1.76]; P < .001).

Conclusions: Zero-cost interventions, including focused education, stakeholder engagement, and strategic placement of waste bins, can significantly reduce the environmental and economic impact of waste produced in IR.