Wastage rate, management practices, and contributing factors of medical laboratory reagents and consumables in selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Date
2025-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Medical laboratory reagents and consumables are unusable due to expiration, damage or loss. Wastage have negative impact on both operational efficacy and financial sustainability. Identifying and addressing major challenged faced in managing stock available help to reduce waste and improve patient health care.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the wastage rate of medical laboratory reagents and consumables, along with their management practices and contributing factors, in selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during 2024/25
Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in six public hospitals in Addis Ababa. Retrospective one-year data and prospective data was collected during the study period. Checklist and a structured questioner was developed from assessment tools. After verifying the completeness, data were coded and entered into EPI info and exported to SPSS software for analysis. The association between the dependent and independent variables was also analyzed using a bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Qualitative data was analyzed using the open code 4.03 software. The data was then taken for thorough reading and a codebook was developed for analysis. Narrative approached was used to illustrate the finding.Result: A total of 993 item Laboratory reagent and commodities expired in the study hospitals. The overall laboratory reagent and consumable wastage rate was 11.25%. Acceptable storage requirement were fulfilled in 85% of storeroom in the study hospital. In the study hospitals, items were purchased using the program and Revolving Drug Fund system. Inventory was managed using Bin Card, Internal facility report and resupply, Report and requisition form, and Model 22. computer based Logistic information management system, Item received near expiration and equipment breakdown were associated factor for wastage. In qualitative finding equipment breakdown, prolong shipment, receiving near expiration and push system were stated as cause of wastage.
Conclusion: The wastage rate of laboratory reagent and consumable in selected hospital was 11.25%. Model 22, internal facility report and resupply, Report and requisition form and bin card were used to manage inventory. Wastage is statistically associated with computer based Logistic information management system AOR=0.029; 95% CI (0.08, 0.11), item received close expiration AOR=3.24; 95% CI (1.09, 9.57) and equipment breakdown AOR=4.36; 95% CI (1.29, 14.77). To reduce waste, public hospitals should work to address inventory management challenge and cause of wastage
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Keywords
Inventory management, Wastage rate, Laboratory reagent and consumable