There are 10 reusable supply categories. Each category includes items that when purchased will help hospitals achieve the goal of transitioning from disposables to reusables.
- Blood pressure cuffs
- Laryngoscope handles/blades
- Operating room light handles
- Patient linens
- Patient positioning devices
- Pitchers, cups, bowls, basins
- Pulse oximeter sensors/probes
- Safety belts
- Surgical towels
- Trocars
For each supply category, all of the product types that fall within the Impact Purchasing Commitment are listed. There are also product types listed separately for which the sustainability criteria can be applied. These options are expected to be available in the marketplace but do not count towards the Impact Purchasing Commitment goal.
The Impact Purchasing Commitment was created by hospitals of the Healthcare Anchor Network in partnership with Practice Greenhealth and Health Care Without Harm. The commitment supports sustainability professionals and purchasing managers as they work together to embed sustainability into purchasing processes and engage suppliers and group purchasing organizations to provide innovative, sustainable products and services with a reduced impact on human health and the environment.
The information below supports the implementation of the Impact Purchasing Commitment sustainability goal for environmentally preferable purchasing “Greening the Operating Room” and helps hospital operators transition from single-use disposables to reusables and addresses waste generation in health care.
Technical sustainability criteria documents that further define reusable products for purchasers and help them determine whether a product meets sustainability criteria are available for download below in each product category.
Blood pressure cuffs
Definition
A reusable blood pressure cuff is a medical device consisting of a piece of rubber or similar material that is wrapped around a patient's arm and then inflated in order to measure their blood pressure. It attaches/adapts into the patient monitor. A reusable blood pressure cuff is a multiple-use device that is able to be cleaned/disinfected between patient uses.
Download the technical criteria for blood pressure cuffs (coming soon)
Blood pressure cuffs included in the Impact Purchasing Commitment
- Blood pressure cuffs used in surgery
- Blood pressure cuff tubing (attaches to a monitor)
Additional reusable items for consideration
These options are expected to be available in the marketplace but do not count towards the Impact Purchasing Commitment goal. The criteria would apply to these items.
Reusable blood pressure cuffs in non-OR critical care areas using patient monitoring such as:
- Interventional radiology
- Special procedures requiring sterile technique
- Critical care areas
Not applicable for blood pressure cuffs criteria under the Impact Purchasing Commitment
The blood pressure cuffs criteria does not apply to the following items although there could be sustainable options in the marketplace. When criteria or other guidance is available it will be linked below.
- Any blood pressure cuff not used in conjunction with a patient vital signs monitor
- Wearable wrist cuff with a monitor
- Manual sphygmomanometer (rubber squeeze bulb, blood pressure cuff, mercury-free dial with needle; requires stethoscope for use to measure blood pressure)
Laryngoscope handles/blades
Definition
The standard laryngoscope handle (contains batteries to power light channel) is an accessory used with compatible standard laryngoscope blades (varying sizes, shapes with light channel) which are used to examine and visualize a patient's airway and aid placement of a tracheal tube. These are multiple-patient-use devices that can be cleaned/disinfected/sterilized between patient uses; primarily used in OR.
Download the technical criteria for laryngoscope handles/blades (coming soon)
Laryngoscope handles/blades included in the Impact Purchasing Commitment
- Laryngoscope handle
- Laryngoscope blades (with or without light channel) (varying types, sizes based on patient anatomy)
- Video laryngoscope (preference for reusable blades)
- All reusable blades (conventional, detachable, fiber illuminated) and handle types
- Single piece laryngoscope
- Laryngoscopes connected by light-transmitting cables to external light sources
Additional reusable items for consideration
These options are expected to be available in the marketplace but do not count towards the Impact Purchasing Commitment goal. The criteria would apply to these items.
Other non-OR locations where laryngoscopes are used, such as:
- ER
- ICU/CCU
- Special procedures
- Interventional radiology
Not applicable for laryngoscope handles/blades criteria under the Impact Purchasing Commitment
The laryngoscope handles/blades criteria does not apply to the following items although there could be sustainable options in the marketplace. When criteria or other guidance is available it will be linked below.
- Video system, when applicable
- Disposable laryngoscope handles
- Disposable laryngoscope blades
Operating room light handles
Definition
Reusable sterile handle that provides surgeon control of the surgical light intensity, pattern, power, and positioning.
Download the technical criteria for operating room light handles (coming soon)
Operating room light handles included in the Impact Purchasing Commitment
- Reusable surgical light handles
- Reusable OR light handles
Not applicable for operating room light handles criteria under the Impact Purchasing Commitment
The operating room light handles criteria does not apply to the following items although there could be sustainable options in the marketplace. When criteria or other guidance is available it will be linked below.
- Surgical light handle covers
- Light handles for other devices/lights (e.g., dental light covers)
- Disposable surgical light handles
Patient linens
Definition
The patient linens category includes select textile products used during medical procedures by both patients and care providers; specifically, hospital bed sheets, stretcher/gurney sheets, draw sheets, bath towels, bath blankets, and patient/exam gowns.
Download the technical criteria for patient linens (coming soon)
Patient linens included in the Impact Purchasing Commitment
- Hospital bed sheets
- Pillowcases (flat, fitted), pillowcases
- Flat sheets and/or fitted textile sheets used to cover OR table
- Draw sheets: a flat sheet that is folded in half lengthwise and draped over the middle of OR table to assist with positioning/ transfer
- Medical stretcher sheets - fitted sheet for pads used on stretchers, OR tables, gurneys, and patient transfer carts
- Exam/patient gowns
- Bath towels and washcloths
- Stretchers/gurney sheets,
- Bath blankets
- Bath blankets: go into warmers used on the patient for warmth
Additional reusable items for consideration
These options are expected to be available in the marketplace but do not count towards the Impact Purchasing Commitment goal. The criteria would apply to these items.
- Health care uniforms
- Scrubs
- Socks/slipper socks
Not applicable for patient linen criteria under the Impact Purchasing Commitment
The patient linen criteria does not apply to the following items although there could be sustainable options in the marketplace. When criteria or other guidance is available it will be linked below.
- Pillows Surgical towels
- Emergency blankets
- Underpads
- Body pillow (also used as patient positioning tool), patient drapes,
- Patient capes
- Patient robes Isolation gowns
- Surgical drapes
- Surgical gowns
- Food service napkins
- Cubicle curtains (covered in furniture and fabric goal)
- Massage table barrier
Patient positioning devices
Definition
Reusable patient positioners used in OR provide padding to protect and prevent compression injuries related to patient positioning and provide padding for bony prominences. They are multi-patient-use devices and can be cleaned and disinfected between patient uses.
Download the technical criteria for patient positioning devices (coming soon)
Patient positioning devices included in the Impact Purchasing Commitment
- Pillows
- Heel/elbow protectors
- Cushions
- Bean bag positioners
- Gel rolls, positioners, pads
- Hip/head protectors
- Armboard pads
- Prone positioning arm cradles
- Head positioners
- Leg abduction pillows/wedges
- Positioning straps
- Head/neck stabilizers; wingpads and arm protectors (part of Trendelenburg system)
- Beach chair positioning kit (except rehab sling)
- Mask positioners
- Gel breast pads
- Prone positioners for infants
- Lateral brace positioner; lateral brace replacement pad
- Immobilizers (such as for babies)
- Ulnar nerve cushions
Additional reusable items for consideration
These options are expected to be available in the marketplace but do not count towards the Impact Purchasing Commitment goal. The criteria would apply to these items.
- Reusable patient positioners used in other parts of a facility
Not applicable for patient positioning devices criteria under the Impact Purchasing Commitment
The reusable patient positioning criteria does not apply to the following items although there could be sustainable options in the marketplace. When criteria or other guidance is available it will be linked below.
- Disposable patient positioning devices
- Wound care products
- OR table attachments, equipment, accessories
- OR table padding
- Patient transfer devices
- Patient warming devices
- Rehab sling Patient restraints
Pitchers, cups, bowls, and basins
Definitions
- Pitcher - A graduated container with increments of measurement, typically has a handle.
- Single basin - A basin for irrigation fluid, water for washing instruments, holding sterile limb, placenta, specimens, and other solutions.
- Bowls - Holds medications, fluids, sponges, and guide wires.
- Cups - Holds medicine, fluids, and iodine.
Download the technical criteria for pitchers, cups, bowls, and basins (coming soon)
Pitchers, cups, bowls, and basins included in the Impact Purchasing Commitment
- Pitcher Basin (single)
- Emesis/kidney basin
- Bowls
- Cups
Not applicable for pitchers, cups, bowls, and basins criteria under the Impact Purchasing Commitment
The pitchers, cups, bowls, and basins criteria does not apply to the following items although there could be sustainable options in the marketplace. When criteria or other guidance is available it will be linked below.
- Disposable pitchers, cups, bowls, basins
- Water pitchers used in patient rooms
- Bone cement bowls Food cups, bowls
- Drinking pitchers
- Bedpans
- Washbasin
- Tumbler
Pulse oximeter sensors/probes
Definition
A reusable pulse oximeter sensor/probe attaches to the patient monitor in the OR. It may be clipped to a finger, ear, or toe. Probes do not have LED displays, but have a LED light, wiring, adapter. Probes may be dependent on/proprietary to the patient monitor’s original equipment manufacturer.
Download the technical criteria for pulse oximeter sensors/probes (coming soon)
Pulse oximeter sensors/probes included in the Impact Purchasing Commitment
- Finger or toe clip
- Ear clip
Not applicable for pulse oximeter sensors/probes criteria under the Impact Purchasing Commitment
The pulse oximeter sensors/probes criteria does not apply to the following items although there could be sustainable options in the marketplace. When criteria or other guidance is available it will be linked below.
- Probes/sensors not compatible with patient monitoring or used in non-critical care monitoring
- Disposable probes/sensors
- Monitors Wrist pulse oximeter sensor
- Handheld or tabletop monitor
Safety belts
Definition
Reusable safety belts are a patient strap or belt that secures the patient to the OR table or armboards.
Download the technical criteria for safety belts (coming soon)
Safety belts included in the Impact Purchasing Commitment
- Safety belts, reusable
- Armboard straps, reusable
- Trendelenburg straps, reusable
Additional reusable items for consideration
These options are expected to be available in the marketplace but do not count towards the Impact Purchasing Commitment goal. The criteria would apply to these items.
Safety belts used in:
- Interventional areas
- Labor and delivery
- Critical care
- Emergency department
Not applicable for safety belts criteria under the Impact Purchasing Commitment
The safety belts criteria does not apply to the following items although there could be sustainable options in the marketplace. When criteria or other guidance is available it will be linked below.
- Disposable safety belts
- Peritoneal dialysis unit straps or harnesses
- Emergency medical service restraint
- Spine board straps
- EKG neonatal strap for ring electrodes
- Intravenous or arterial catheter positioning tapes or dressings or straps or cuffs
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks or straps
- Endoscopic bite blocks straps
- Face masks straps
- Knee, body straps
- Catheter leg strap
- Fetal monitoring strap
- Stirrup straps - except with Trendelenburg
- Patella strap
- Compression support straps
- Wrist, patella, elbow straps
- Clavicle strap
- Positioning straps
- Circumstraint board strap
- Mobilization strap sets
- Chin strap
- Foam wedge with strap
- Safety vest with zipper and quick release straps
Surgical towels
Definition
Reusable surgical towels are used in the OR and other interventions requiring sterile technique; a sterile drape used to cover the body while surgery is being performed.
Download the technical criteria for surgical towels (coming soon)
Surgical towels included in the Impact Purchasing Commitment
- Surgical towels
- Huck towels
- OR towels
Not applicable for surgical towels criteria under the Impact Purchasing Commitment
The surgical towels criteria does not apply to the following items although there could be sustainable options in the marketplace. When criteria or other guidance is available it will be linked below.
- Disposable surgical towels
Trocars
Definition
A reusable surgical instrument with a three-sided cutting point enclosed in a reusable tube, used for withdrawing fluid from a body cavity. Trocars enable pathways into a body cavity or space through which an obturator, camera, and instruments can be inserted.
Download the technical criteria for trocars (coming soon)
Trocars included in the Impact Purchasing Commitment
- Endoscopic surgical trocar
- Cannula (part of trocar)
- Seal (part of trocar)
- Trocar, reusable
- Trocars used in:
- Laparoscopic surgery (includes robotic surgery)
- Arthroscopic surgery
- ENT surgery (sinus tracheal)
- Gastro-urology
Additional reusable items for consideration
These options are expected to be available in the marketplace, but do not count towards the Impact Purchasing Commitment goal. The criteria would apply to these items.
- Trocars in the catheterization laboratory
Not applicable for trocars criteria under the Impact Purchasing Commitment
The trocars criteria does not apply to the following items although there could be sustainable options in the marketplace. When criteria or other guidance is available it will be linked below.
- Reprocessed trocar
- Laryngeal trocar
