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🧑🏼‍💻 Research - October 4, 2024

A review on digital transformation in healthcare waste management: Applications, research trends and implications.

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⚡ Quick Summary

This review highlights the critical role of digital transformation in managing healthcare waste, particularly through technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain. It identifies significant gaps in the application of these technologies in emerging economies, emphasizing the need for a structured framework for sustainable waste management.

🔍 Key Details

  • 🌍 Focus: Digital transformation in healthcare waste management
  • 🔧 Technologies discussed: AI, blockchain, IoT, sensors, data analytics, RFID
  • 📈 Research method: Systematic literature review
  • ⚠️ Challenges: Emerging economies struggling with implementation

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • 🌱 Importance of proper waste management for social and environmental sustainability.
  • 💡 Digital technologies can optimize resource allocation and improve waste tracking.
  • 🔗 Blockchain enhances traceability and transparency in waste disposal.
  • 🚧 Emerging economies face significant challenges in adopting these technologies.
  • 📊 Research gaps exist in the application of digital technologies for sustainable waste management.
  • 🛠️ Proposed framework aims to guide future research and implementation strategies.

📚 Background

The generation of healthcare waste has surged in both developed and emerging economies, posing serious challenges for effective management. Proper handling of this waste is crucial not only for environmental sustainability but also for public health. As digital technologies evolve, they present new opportunities to transform traditional waste management practices, particularly in the healthcare sector.

🗒️ Study

The authors conducted a systematic literature review to explore the applications, research trends, and implications of digital transformation in healthcare waste management. They focused on identifying how emerging technologies can be integrated into existing waste management frameworks to enhance efficiency and sustainability.

📈 Results

The study revealed that while developed countries are leveraging digital technologies effectively, emerging economies are lagging behind. Key technologies such as AI and blockchain have shown promise in addressing issues like vehicle route planning, resource optimization, and real-time tracking of waste. However, the integration of these technologies remains a significant challenge in many regions.

🌍 Impact and Implications

The findings of this review underscore the potential of digital transformation to revolutionize healthcare waste management. By adopting a technology-driven approach, healthcare facilities can improve operational efficiency, enhance safety, and contribute to environmental sustainability. The proposed framework serves as a roadmap for future research and practical applications, particularly in regions where waste management practices are still developing.

🔮 Conclusion

This review highlights the urgent need for digital transformation in healthcare waste management, particularly in emerging economies. By embracing technologies like AI and blockchain, the healthcare sector can significantly improve waste management practices, ensuring a safer and more sustainable future. Continued research and collaboration are essential to bridge the existing gaps and foster effective implementation.

💬 Your comments

What are your thoughts on the role of digital technologies in healthcare waste management? We would love to hear your insights! 💬 Share your comments below or connect with us on social media:

A review on digital transformation in healthcare waste management: Applications, research trends and implications.

Abstract

At present, both emerging and developed economies have faced the challenge of higher healthcare waste generation. Developed countries are using these technologies to manage healthcare waste and cope with the challenge. Emerging economies are still struggling to understand and implement digital technologies in healthcare waste management, posing a danger to partners handling toxic and hazardous waste. The proper handling of healthcare waste is essential for social and environmental sustainability. Digital technologies that drive digital transformation in the healthcare sector impact the traditional way of managing healthcare waste. Digital technologies include artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, sensors, data analytics and radio frequency identification. These technologies can potentially address vehicle route planning and scheduling problems, resource optimisation, real-time tracking and the visibility of healthcare waste management. Apart from economic and environmental concerns, the operational workforce also takes care of societal well-being and implements waste management strategies and policies. Past research has focused on integrating blockchain technology to enhance traceability and transparency in waste collection and disposal activities. However, the application and impact of these technologies for managing different operations of healthcare management with sustainability is a gap bridged by the present study. This study adopts a systematic literature review to identify research trends, applications and implications of digital transformation. It proposes a digital technology-driven framework for healthcare waste management for further research.

Author: [‘Sharma V’, ‘Jamwal A’, ‘Agrawal R’, ‘Pratap S’]

Journal: Waste Manag Res

Citation: Sharma V, et al. A review on digital transformation in healthcare waste management: Applications, research trends and implications. A review on digital transformation in healthcare waste management: Applications, research trends and implications. 2024; (unknown volume):734242X241285420. doi: 10.1177/0734242X241285420

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