Bonollo, Elivio

NIYOMPANITPATANA, Thawon

This paper outlines the methodology, based on a systems design approach, used to investigate and develop an improved model of an infectious waste management system for small healthcare providers in North-Eastern Thailand, mindful of sustainability and health care requirements. As will be explained, this research is based on quantitative and qualitative mixed-methods of enquiry and data collection including surveying the views of groups of professionals from ten representative small healthcare providers. These groups of participants (representing the main stakeholders) included administrative staff and medical doctors, nurses and practitioners, and unskilled operational staff. Based on empirical interview survey data obtained from these groups, a parametric model of an infectious waste management system (IWMS) has been developed in order to identify the relevant parameters and constituent variables underpinning the effectiveness of the system. This model of an IWMS has seven important functional parameters, namely: (1) planning and design of the system, (2) administration and policy, (3) individual departmental procedures, (4) sustainable, infectious waste disposal methods, (5) periodic and monitoring and control, (6) commonly used products and equipment, and (7) prevailing cultural and social norms. It is supported by detailed empirical data of which a relevant sample will be presented and discussed. It will be shown that the systems design approach, along with related empirical investigations (inclusive of stakeholder views) can lead to improvements in the design and operation of infectious waste management systems for small health care providers in NE Thailand

A Design Study of Sustainable Infectious Waste Management Systems for Small Healthcare Providers in North-Eastern Thailand

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

University of Canberra Research Repository