Volume 11, Issue 1 (March 2026)
J Environ Health Sustain Dev 2026, 11(1): 2904-2914 |
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Nikseresht L, Dowlatabadi A, Nasab H, Alimohammadi Ardakani M, Mokhtari M. Strategies for Minimizing Health Care Waste: A Systematic Review Study. J Environ Health Sustain Dev 2026; 11 (1) :2904-2914
URL: http://jehsd.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1007-en.html
URL: http://jehsd.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1007-en.html
Leili Nikseresht 
, Afshin Dowlatabadi , Habibeh Nasab , Majid Alimohammadi Ardakani , Mehdi Mokhtari *
, Afshin Dowlatabadi , Habibeh Nasab , Majid Alimohammadi Ardakani , Mehdi Mokhtari *
Environmental Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Abstract: (249 Views)
Introduction: Solid waste from healthcare centers is a major health and environmental challenge that imposes significant costs on the healthcare system.
Methods: This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using keywords related to healthcare waste reduction, and Google Scholar was used as a supplementary source. Original quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies examining waste reduction interventions in healthcare settings were included. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa scale, and only studies with moderate to high quality were included in the final synthesis of results. The data were analyzed narratively and descriptively.
Results: Twelve studies were included in the review. The results showed that educational and management interventions, such as implementing comprehensive quality management models, pharmaceutical interventions, such as prescription review, use of multi-dose vials, and rounding of drug doses, as well as redesigning hospital nutrition services and employing safe technologies and alternatives, resulted in significant waste reduction and cost savings. Among these, pharmacy bundles and targeted staff training were the most effective interventions.
Conclusion: This review found that various strategies have been used to reduce healthcare waste in different countries, with pharmaceutical packaging optimization and educational programs showing the greatest effectiveness. However, there is still a need for larger intervention studies and evaluations of long-term clinical and economic outcomes.
Methods: This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using keywords related to healthcare waste reduction, and Google Scholar was used as a supplementary source. Original quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies examining waste reduction interventions in healthcare settings were included. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa scale, and only studies with moderate to high quality were included in the final synthesis of results. The data were analyzed narratively and descriptively.
Results: Twelve studies were included in the review. The results showed that educational and management interventions, such as implementing comprehensive quality management models, pharmaceutical interventions, such as prescription review, use of multi-dose vials, and rounding of drug doses, as well as redesigning hospital nutrition services and employing safe technologies and alternatives, resulted in significant waste reduction and cost savings. Among these, pharmacy bundles and targeted staff training were the most effective interventions.
Conclusion: This review found that various strategies have been used to reduce healthcare waste in different countries, with pharmaceutical packaging optimization and educational programs showing the greatest effectiveness. However, there is still a need for larger intervention studies and evaluations of long-term clinical and economic outcomes.
Type of Study: Systematic Review |
Subject:
Solid remediation and wastes
Received: 2025/10/23 | Accepted: 2026/01/20 | Published: 2026/03/23
Received: 2025/10/23 | Accepted: 2026/01/20 | Published: 2026/03/23
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