Recycling Unused Medical Supplies

Pennino, Ralph P.; Mayer, Anne Marie; Dahn, A. T.; Husser, Wendy C

doi:10.1097/00006534-199408000-00031

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…Although the precise materials that are recovered and the recovery methods will most likely be institutiondependent, materials frequently recovered by other centers are consistent with ours, namely sutures, syringes, and surgical gloves [14,15,21]. By value and frequency, sutures represent perhaps the most significant recovery potential [15,21].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

“…The past couple of decades have seen a plethora of recovery and donation organizations seeking to reduce waste in the United States and to alleviate the desperate need for material and human resources in developing world healthcare systems [13][14][15]. However, little is known about the national potential for recoverable supplies and the attributable global health impact of these supplies when donated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Global Public Health Impact of Recovered Supplies from Operating Rooms: A Critical Analysis with National Implications

et al. 2014

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Public Health Impact of Recovered Supplies from Operating Rooms: A Critical Analysis with National Implications

et al. 2014

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“…24 Given that much surgical waste comes from partially used prepackaged sets, this is an area where a greener operating room and global surgical work intersect. 25 Organizations such as the British Foundation for International Reconstructive Surgery and Training already exist to share surgical skills and deliver surgical supplies. Hand surgery can work closely with such organizations to collect and donate unused medical supplies to countries in need.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon Neutral Hand Surgery: Simple Changes to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Han

2022

Plast Surg (Oakv)

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Introduction: Rapid climate change poses a major challenge to healthcare. The operating room is especially responsible for carbon emission, with 20% to 70% of hospital waste traced back to the operating room. This literature review aims to suggest changes that can be made in hand surgery for a more sustainable practice. Methods: A literature search was conducted from PubMed, Medline, and other online search engines with the keywords “carbon footprint, environmental health, carbon neutral, plastic surgery, hand surgery, surgery.” Results: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Research, Rethink and Culture” was the framework used to recommend a more carbon neutral practice. In reduction, techniques such as cutting down oversupply of materials, adopting protocols to perform cases in ambulatory settings, and simple measures to reduce energy were identified as valuable methods. Modified sterilization techniques and reprocessing single-use devices were techniques identified for reuse and recycling involved single-stream recycling, staff training, and donation of basic surgical supplies. Research involved adopting data-driven programs for life cycle assessment of all equipment in the operating room, while the use of telemedicine and “green meetings’ were suggested for rethinking. Finally, strategies to encourage a team approach to environmental responsibility were discussed. Conclusion: Carbon neutral practice must be implemented to safeguard sustainable and cost-effective operating rooms and healthcare systems. Hand surgery can pave the way for other specialties through the use of available resources to develop guidelines for carbon neutral practice. This requires active effort from hand surgeons to act as role models for other healthcare professionals.

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“…In regards to donating opened but unused equipment to developing countries, Rosenblatt et al (1993) conducted a review in 1993 of the REMEDY programme and report that when medical care facilities in developing countries are dependent on medical supplies, they become frustrated by the inconsistency. This was reiterated by Pennino et al (1994), who raised concerns that donation of supplies is erratic, often in bulk, and often unneeded, therefore, ultimately not fixing the problem but just instead sending hospital “waste” further away. Pennino et al (1994) also raised the concern that donated supplies are often single-use equipment.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This was reiterated by Pennino et al (1994), who raised concerns that donation of supplies is erratic, often in bulk, and often unneeded, therefore, ultimately not fixing the problem but just instead sending hospital “waste” further away. Pennino et al (1994) also raised the concern that donated supplies are often single-use equipment. As such, disposable syringes, needles, tubing, drains, catheters, and even gauze are often reused.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Operating room greening initiatives – the old, the new, and the way forward: A narrative review

2018

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Healthcare waste is a rampant issue in Australian hospitals. The operating room (OR) contributes disproportionately to total hospital waste. There has been considerable research in the literature concentrating on strategies to improve OR and hospital waste accumulation, in an attempt to provide guidance and direction on how to reduce the healthcare ecological footprint. We reviewed the literature for leading greening initiatives currently utilised in the OR in Australia and internationally. This narrative literature review focuses on the trend of OR greening initiatives over the last 25 years, comparing different innovative approaches, the successes and setbacks, and the financial implications of initiatives. A variety of measures that hospital management, surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and other healthcare personnel can take to reduce the ecological footprint of their healthcare facility are outlined. Greening initiatives include reducing, recycling, reusing, rethinking and researching, as well as novel technology and smarter architectural design. We also evaluated the barriers to improving waste management, which include lack of leadership, misconceptions among staff, and an overall resistance to change. In conclusion, in a world where greenhouse gas emissions cause unprecedented climate change and landfill space is finite, it is incumbent upon hospitals to help reduce the environmental impact of their facility. Reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions would moderate the incidence of human disease, save money for the healthcare system and society as a whole, and contribute to a safer and healthier world we all would like to live in.

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Recycling Unused Medical Supplies

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

Global Public Health Impact of Recovered Supplies from Operating Rooms: A Critical Analysis with National Implications

Global Public Health Impact of Recovered Supplies from Operating Rooms: A Critical Analysis with National Implications

Carbon Neutral Hand Surgery: Simple Changes to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Operating room greening initiatives – the old, the new, and the way forward: A narrative review

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