Application of digital technologies in healthcare waste management to reduce antimicrobial resistance

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global and increasingly severe public health issue, causing thousands of deaths daily due to infections that no longer respond to treatment. Projections indicate that by 2050, resistant pathogens will cause more deaths than hemato-oncologic malignancies. Therefore, urgent and effective action is required using all possible means and tools.

Traditionally, healthcare efforts to combat AMR focus on the appropriate use and supervision of antimicrobial agents, known as antimicrobial stewardship. However, the proper management of healthcare waste also plays a crucial role in limiting the spread of AMR. Improperly handled waste can release pharmaceutical residues and resistant pathogens into the environment, where resistance genes may spread via environmental microbes and eventually return to humans through the food chain.

Various digital technologies can assist in the institutional management of healthcare waste. Beyond general data management and logistics support, these technologies can also enhance specific waste treatment processes. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of existing and emerging digital technologies applicable to healthcare waste management, highlighting their potential benefits.

Our article is based on the course “Antimicrobial waste minimisation and management”, developed within the EU-supported AMR EDUCare project (www.amreducare.eu).