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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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Ask any business or sustainability consultant to name a key requirement for program success and they’ll tell you that having an executive or c-suite level sponsor is at the top of their list. There are several reasons for this. First, the sponsor makes sure that the program's goals and objectives are aligned with hospital strategy, and that it has the support, from the top and the bottom, to be successful. Second, the sponsor plays a more strategic role focusing efforts on creating conditions for success or removing impediments, leaving the tactical work to the sustainability leader.
A… Read More
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For many companies, interns are not hired for their value during the internship, but the potential value they provide if they come back or continue on as employees. This holds true for the health care sector as many health care sustainability leaders started out as interns. Most health care workers have a lot on their plate, and while sustainability programming may be “win-win,” it isn’t effortless. It is critical to continue to build a pipeline of professionals that have not only expertise but first hand experience in health care sustainability including planning, implementing, and measuring… Read More
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Single-use medical devices make up a significant amount of the operating room supply budget and costly regulated medical waste generated by operating rooms every day. Working with a third-party reprocessor to safely collect and purchase these reprocessed devices is one of the biggest opportunities for cost savings and waste reduction in the operating room.
All reprocessing must be done by an FDA-approved vendor according to strict guidelines, including a requirement that every reprocessed device is function tested to guarantee safety and reliability.
HCA Healthcare estimates $29 million in… Read More
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Operating rooms can drive big facilities’ cost savings and efficiency improvements through smart, incremental, sustainable practices. Even more important, it’s possible to make these changes while not only maintaining quality patient care but also supporting staff and environmental health.
Though a tiny percentage of a hospital’s total physical footprint, operating rooms have a huge impact on hospital budgets. Operating rooms, on average:
Drive up to 60% of a hospital’s revenue
Are responsible for 40 to 60% of the organization’s total supply costs
Produce more than 30% of a facility’s… Read More
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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.
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Practice Greenhealth is the leading sustainable health care organization, delivering environmental solutions to more than 1,500 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.