An Empirical Study on Employee Awareness and Training Status in Dehradun Hospitals about Effective Biomedical Waste Management
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7492/9twfad95Abstract
Background – Biomedical Waste (BMW) management is important for environment and infection control in hospitals in India, especially as per BMW Management Rules, 2016. This study investigates the efficiency of employee training programs on BMW management practices and the relationship between compliance and employee awareness among hospital staff in private tertiary care hospitals in Dehradun. There are gaps in waste segregation, safe disposal, and PPE usage, which require empirical investigation on the impacts of training.
Methodology – Stratified random sampling technique is used with a cross-sectional research design to target 250 employees (including lab technicians, nurses, doctors, and housekeeping staff). Sample size was calculated with Yamane’s formula and yielded 250 responses. There are three variables assessed in 20-item questionnaire – Employee Awareness, Staff Training, and BMW Management Practices. Primary data was collected with Google Forms during staff meetings and through email to ensure ethical compliance and anonymity.
Results – With SPSS analysis, it is confirmed that Cronbach’s alpha test achieved excellent reliability of instrument (α = 0.984). H1 is tested with linear regression, which has found staff training as a major predictor of BMW practices, suggesting 78.8% of variance. Each single point score of employee training increases 0.77-point predicted to improve BMW practices. Hence, H1 was accepted. In addition, Pearson’s Correlation test was conducted using H2 and identified very strong and positive relationship between employee awareness and BMW management practices (p<0.001).
Conclusion – Structured awareness initiatives and training programs are found to be important interventions to comply with BMW Rules. It enables hospital management with evidence-based training for improved injury prevention, waste segregation, and success of regulatory audits in facilities in Dehradun.
