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Medical Waste Reduction

Medical Waste Reduction. Kate Konkova PUBH-6165-2. Introduction . Source Reduction Proper Segregation Recycling Reusing. Source Reduction. Source reduction, what is it? Waste increase Lack of waste tracking in the hospitals

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Medical Waste Reduction

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  1. Medical Waste Reduction Kate Konkova PUBH-6165-2

  2. Introduction • Source Reduction • Proper Segregation • Recycling • Reusing

  3. Source Reduction • Source reduction, what is it? • Waste increase • Lack of waste tracking in the hospitals 1. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2009). Reduce & Reuse. www.epa.gov • Chen, I. (05 July 2010). “In the world of throwaways, making a dent in medical waste.” The New York Times. www.nytimes.com

  4. Source Reduction • Reducing the amount of toxic medical waste • Xylene Alternatives (Histosolve, Clear-Rite3) • Product substitution with recycled content • Use of alternate technologies Sustainable Hospitals Project. (2003). Pilot study of alternatives to the use of xylene in a hospital histology laboratory. www.sustainablehospitals.org

  5. Proper Segregation • Non-hazardous waste mixed with hazardous waste constitutes hazardous waste. • Disposing medical waste ~ $480 per ton • Disposing non-medical (municipal) waste ~ $24 per ton Earth911. (2010). Tips for recycling medical waste. www.earth911.com

  6. Recycle • Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. • Benefits of Recycling: • Protects U.S. manufacturing jobs and increases U.S. competitiveness • Reduces the need for landfilling and incineration • Prevents pollution • Saves energy • Decreases emissions of greenhouse gases • Conserves natural resources • Helps sustain the environment for future generations Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2010). Recycling. www.epa.gov

  7. Recycle • Recycle materials in the hospitals: • Paper • Corrugated Boxes • Batteries • Ink Cartridges • Aluminum Cans • Steel cans • Electronic Equipment • Pallets • Textiles • Mercury • Fluorescent Lamps

  8. Recycle - Paper • The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules  • Shred • Use double-sided paper

  9. Recycle - Electronics • Computers • Monitors • TVs • Cell phones • Fax Machines

  10. Reuse • Donating • Reprocessing • Reusable equipment and supplies

  11. Reuse - Donating • Unused hospital beds • Unused medical equipment • Pharmaceuticals • Extra hospital supplies

  12. Reuse - Reprocessing • The American Society for Healthcare Central Service Professionals (ASHCSP) says it includes all operations performed to render a used reusable or single-use device patient-ready or to allow an unused product that has been opened to be made patient-ready. • In-house program • Third-party reprocessor. • An estimated 1,800 hospitals diverted 2,650 tons of garbage from landfills in 2009. Selvey, D. (2001). Medical Device Reprocessing. Infection Control Today. www.infectioncontroltoday.com

  13. Reuse – Equipment / Supplies • Transport plastic bags • Transport containers • Linen • Dishware

  14. Conclusion • Source Reduction • Proper Segregation • Recycle • Reuse

  15. References • Chen, I. (05 July 2010). “In the world of throwaways, making a dent in medical waste.” The New York Times. www.nytimes.com • Earth911. (2010). Tips for recycling medical waste. www.earth911.com • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2009). Reduce & Reuse. www.epa.gov • Selvey, D. (2001). Medical Device Reprocessing. Infection Control Today. www.infectioncontroltoday.com • Sustainable Hospitals Project. (2003). Pilot study of alternatives to the use of xylene in a hospital histology laboratory. www.sustainablehospitals.org

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