Advancing green practices in the operating room

Hospital systems produce a substantial amount of environmental pollution, contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate-related health threats. In the United States, healthcare accounts for 10% of national GHG emissions and generates five million tons of waste annually, with operating rooms (ORs) responsible for more than 30% of this burden. Despite well-documented benefits of recycling programs, many ORs lack structured waste-management systems, resulting in improper segregation, excessive reliance on single-use devices, and increased disposal costs. This quality improvement initiative focuses on a mid-Michigan hospital in which the OR generates one-third of all hospital waste and 60% of regulated medical waste. This project aims to reduce the facility's environmental footprint by implementing a three-pronged sustainability program targeting reusable airway equipment, surgical blue wrap recycling, and improved sharps disposal. A comprehensive literature synthesis demonstrates that reusable laryngoscopy equipment markedly decreases carbon emissions and costs, upcycling blue wrap generates economic and community benefits, and proper sharps segregation significantly reduces regulated waste volume. Guided by a SWOT analysis, the proposed intervention includes staff education, visual aids, and structured waste-segregation protocols. Baseline and post-implementation data will compare the weights of waste in each category over a six-month period. Expected outcomes include reduced GHG emissions, lower disposal costs, improved recycling compliance, and strengthened institutional sustainability practices. By integrating environmental stewardship into perioperative workflows, hospitals can enhance operational efficiency, support public health, and mitigate the growing climate impact of healthcare delivery.

Authors dc:creator

• Cutler, Kiersten
• Denkovska, Katerina
• Paige, Ryan (Nurse)

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lourens, Gayle

• Operating rooms--Waste minimization
• Medical wastes
• Greenhouse gas mitigation
• Operating rooms--Environmental aspects

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

dnp:85
oclc:1570815565
local:R_6V8ZY3ZFyTAbhYx

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:d.lib.msu.edu:dnp_85