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Operating rooms generate as much as 60 percent of a hospital’s regulated, or "red bag," medical waste. Regulated medical waste is among the most heavily regulated and expensive waste streams to dispose of, in part because of the hazard it poses to people and the environment if improperly handled.
Virtually all waste generated during case setup is sterile and can be safely recycled. Working with infection control and environmental services to ensure applicable regulated medical waste definitions are clear and followed can be a game changer. When properly sorted, a significant portion of waste… Read More
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As sustainability programs gain momentum and leadership support, send a clear message about the priorities of the program by setting targets or goals. Executive stakeholders will take the program more seriously if deliverables are managed and measured, similar to other programmatic initiatives within the organization. Specific, measurable, and time-bound (often referred to as SMART goals) will set the direction for staffing, capacity, and resource allocation resulting in improved performance and impact.
Practice Greehealth recommends addressing the following questions when setting… Read More
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As many businesses and organizations reflect on the rapidly changing social and economic context and chart new ways of working, the health care sector has a unique role to play in guiding how we will achieve a healthier and equitable future.
Health care systems must find ways to honor, maintain, and celebrate what makes their community distinct. Leaders will need to embrace the non-financial, intangible value, it creates such as leadership, transparency, intellectual and human capital, and culture. Together these contribute to the organization’s ability to continue delivering value into the… Read More
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Hospitals and health care facilities of all sizes are investing in the value sustainability can bring to their organization by hiring staff position(s) or placing the responsibility on existing employees. Some programs start from the bottom up, as grassroots efforts, while others may start with middle to upper management. It’s important to understand the drivers or motivation for the decision and how your executive sponsor will support you. Is sustainability seen as an ethical issue and in alignment with the moral compass and mission of your health system and the health sector? Is… Read More
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Moving from single-use, disposable items to reusable items is an effective waste reduction strategy in the operating room, and also reduces upstream environmental impacts because fewer natural resources need to be extracted, shipped, manufactured, produced, and distributed. Reusability of supplies and products should be a priority in every purchasing decision, and the opportunities in the OR abound, including:
Suction canisters
Pulse oximetry probes
Basins/pitchers
Positioning devices
Surgical linens (gowns, drapes, covers, towels)
Blood pressure cuffs
Tourniquets
Sharps containers… Read More
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Several years ago, author Simon Sinek said the youngest generations (Millennials, Gen Z) weren’t just looking for any job, they were looking for a job where they could have an impact. This impact is likely to be strongly tied to the climate crisis, environmental sustainability, or social inequity. In fact, Deloitte’s 2024 Millennial Trends Survey reports that climate/environment is a top concern for both generations.
There is no one way to staff a sustainability program. Below are some sample job descriptions to get you started or add duties to existing roles at your facility.
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Many health care facilities start their sustainability journey by considering how their sustainability work supports or contributes to the organization’s mission, vision, and values through the creation of an environmental mission or commitment statement. By making this your first step, an effective sustainability strategy will build on the organization’s purpose and contribute value versus being a drain on resources. This process is also helpful to revisit as often as there are major changes to the organization’s direction.
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Many hospitals and health systems have identified cost-saving and waste reduction opportunities by taking an in-depth look at the items found in the sterile surgical kits prepared for common procedures.
OR kit reformulation doesn’t need to mean a locked-in, pre-selected group of devices, implants or supplies in every kit. Instead, administrators, surgeons, and nurses are finding big waste reductions, by identifying kit items that routinely go unused during procedures, and then removing them from the preference card and pick list to avoid the unnecessary purchase and then disposal of those… Read More
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While many factors play an important role in development, good governance has always been recognized to be a critical tool for advancing sustainable development and it is also considered a crucial element to be incorporated in development strategies.
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Practice Greenhealth is the health care sector’s go-to source for information, tools, data, resources, and expert technical support on sustainability initiatives that help hospitals and health systems meet their health, financial, and community goals.
Who We Are
Practice Greenhealth is the leading sustainable health care organization, delivering environmental solutions to more than 1,700 hospitals and health systems in the United States and Canada. Partnership opportunities include hospitals, health systems, community health organizations, NGOs, nonprofits, government, academic institutions, and the health care value chain.