RISK IDENTIFICATION PRACTICES IN CLINICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT: KEY PRACTICES IN MALAYSIAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33736/jcest.9001.2026Keywords:
clinical waste management, facility management, public healthcare facility, hospital risk management, risk identificationAbstract
Risk identification provides a comprehensive understanding that supports stakeholder engagement and informed project decision-making. In clinical waste management, effective risk identification is essential for achieving hospital objectives while preventing health hazards and environmental pollution associated with improper waste handling. Inappropriate risk identification practices may increase the risk of secondary disease transmission through exposure to infectious agents. This study investigates risk identification practices for clinical waste management in Malaysian public healthcare facilities. A qualitative approach was adopted using semi-structured interviews with facility managers responsible for risk identification. Four (4) public healthcare facilities were selected from each region of Malaysia, and the data were analysed using cross-case analysis and pattern matching. The study identified eight (8) key risk identification practices: understanding the regulatory framework, waste classification, emergency response planning, segregation and packaging, personal protective equipment (PPE), audits and inspections, training, awareness and education, and technology and innovation. The findings revealed that these practices were consistently implemented across the participating healthcare facilities, although differences were observed in respondents' understanding of the regulatory framework. Furthermore, the adoption of technology and innovation enhanced risk visualization and supported more effective risk identification. Effective risk identification also enables healthcare facilities to allocate resources more efficiently by prioritising high-risk areas requiring immediate attention. The novelty of this research lies not in identifying new individual risk identification practices but in integrating facilities management practices, regulatory requirements, and technology-based risk visualization to provide a comprehensive understanding of clinical waste risk identification in public healthcare facilities. This integrated perspective offers a more systematic approach to risk identification and serves as the empirical foundation for the subsequent development of an integrated risk identification framework. The study contributes to both theory and practice by extending the current understanding of clinical waste risk identification and providing practical guidance for facility managers to improve risk identification practices, strengthen regulatory compliance, and support efficient resource allocation. Future research should validate these findings across different healthcare settings and project contexts to support the development of a comprehensive risk identification framework.
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