Creating a Greener Operating Room
By Nicole van den Hoven, Serres
Hospitals operate every day of the year in order to treat patients and save lives. In the process, and by the nature of the large quantity of supplies used, they generate a great deal of waste. While some hospitals have taken measures to reduce their carbon footprint, there is still more that can and needs to be done to make healthcare facilities more sustainable.
One of the areas with the greatest supply usage, and therefore waste, in a hospital, is the operating room. One study suggests that the OR generates 30 percent of a hospital’s total waste, and 60 percent of a facility’s regulated medical waste, or red bag waste. Not only does this waste contribute to environmental issues, it is also extremely expensive for healthcare facilities as red bag waste costs 10–50 times more than standard waste to dispose of.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center found that waste produced from a single surgical procedure can cost almost $1,000 on average for disposal. And in hospitals, every dollar counts.
Serres is dedicated to helping hospitals embrace more sustainable practices in their OR’s. Here are some recommended steps for creating a greener OR:
1. Create a team tasked with leading sustainability initiatives at your healthcare facility. These individuals should be committed to introducing more environmentally friendly protocols and procedures. They should meet regularly to discuss policy changes and ways to increase awareness about issues related to sustainability. The team should be empowered and supported by leadership to create new initiatives and also held to specific goals.
2. Review product alternatives that reduce the use of harmful chemicals, waste, water or energy consumption. As an example, consider utilizing reusable suction canisters with suction bags, rather than disposable canisters. Serres manufactures suction bags that can be used as canister liners, which capture the fluid waste, rather than dispense it directly into the canister. At the end of procedure, rather than dismantling the entire canister set-up, staff can simply remove the plugged suction bag that lines the canister to prepare for disposal. These suction bags can be placed in a waste evacuator, called the Serres Nemo, and all of the waste is flushed from the suction bag directly into the sewer. The use of this type of product both reduces costs (less red bag waste that costs more to haul) AND limits disposables to only the suction bag, which creates less waste than other methods.
Compared to a full suction bag, disposing of the emptied suctions bags drastically reduces the CO2 emissions involved in surgical fluid waste disposal. See the info graphic below:
3. Prioritize the use of less plastic in the OR. The example above for suction bags, which are designed to use less plastic compared to other solutions on the market can significantly impact this goal. Less plastics means lighter products, which are easier to transport and store. This leads to less waste produced and greater cost savings. Additionally, all of the suction bags and canisters in this example are also PVC free. Upon incineration PVC contributes to the level of dioxin, which is extremely toxic to humans and the environment. Therefore, undertaking a project such as this results in a reduction in chemicals of concern AND waste, while achieving a cost reduction on waste disposal (hauling). It’s hard to argue with a change that achieves these kinds of results.
4. Pursue a certification with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The LEED rating was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to promote greener operations in healthcare facilities. Certification has shown to be associated with lower operating costs, conserving resources, and creating a healthier environment for patients and staff.
Healthcare facilities are increasingly recognizing the benefits of pursuing more sustainable initiatives. With thoughtful solutions like the example described here, healthcare facilities can lower their carbon footprint significantly compared to using other similar solutions and products. To learn more about this and other sustainability initiatives that can contribute to less waste and a lower carbon footprint for your healthcare organization, contact Greenhealth Exchange at info@greenhealthexchange.com.
