Sustainability in the Operating Room
70% of waste from the healthcare sector comes from operating rooms, and labor and delivery units.
What’s New - Surgical Waste
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Why Health Care Needs Sustainable Waste Stream Management
This issue describes the moral and ethical obligation of healthcare professionals with respect to the "four prima facie moral principles" - justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, and autonomy. Clinicians can "do no harm" by minimizing toxic byproducts and waste generated from medical care, "do good" by being environmentally responsible and engage in policy change, and "provide equal treatment" by advancing the voices of developing countries that bear the consequences of disproportionate burden of medical waste.
View at AMA's Journal of Ethics
Surveys of Ophthalmologists
Surveys of ophthalmologists have demonstrated substantial concern about ophthalmology’s impact on global warming. More than 90% of survey respondents believe that OR waste is excessive.
Vinyl Council's PVC Recycling Program in Australia and New Zealand Operates in 280+ Hospitals and Facilities
The PVC Recycling in Hospitals program was started in Australia by the Vinyl Council in 2009 to safely recycle used PVC or vinyl medical products. Since then, the program has grown to recycle PVC medical products for over 280 hospitals and healthcare facilities across Australia and New Zealand. PVC is the most commonly used polymer in IV bags, face masks, and oxygen - altogether, these items can produce 2,500 tons of material that can be recycled into new products. Every ton of PVC that is recycled can prevent the production of new PVC, resulting in 80% less energy consumption and reduced carbon emissions. The Vinyl Council has developed training slides and booklets to help hospitals in Australia and New Zealand set up PVC Recycling programs.
Potential Environmental Effect of Reducing the Variation of Disposable Materials Used for Cataract Surgery
In this study, the authors evaluated the cataract package variability at 3 different Austrian hospitals. There were 55 different cataract package compositions which differed significantly in size and weight. The smallest package was 57% lighter than the largest package. Drapes, covers, and surgical gowns accounted for the largest portion of weight per package, and the difference in size of the smallest and largest drapes was 71%. This variation is surprising since the technique of cataract surgery is essentially the same throughout Austria. This article highlights the fact that material procurement in cataract packaging is an area where carbon dioxide emissions could be mitigated.
Factors Contributing to the Carbon Footprint of Cataract Surgery
Taboun et al. conducted a literature review on the carbon footprint in cataract surgery. They analyzed six relevant papers in their review and found that the estimated carbon footprint per phacoemulsification procedure ranged from 6 kg CO2 - 181.9 kg CO2. The main factors contributing to the carbon footprint were the procurement of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and the use of disposable items. The authors also highlighted the sustainable practices of Aravind Eye Centre, which serves as a model for safe and eco-friendly care.
Calculate the Carbon Footprint of Your Operating Room
The EyeSustain-Zasti Carbon Footprint Calculator will help you understand the impact of your operating room carbon emissions. By answering some basic questions about your facility size, surgical volume, and estimated waste, you'll receive an estimated carbon emissions report based on multiple data points from various cataract surgeries.
Key Topics that Impact Sustainability in the Operating Room
Multisociety Ophthalmic Instrument Cleaning and Sterilization (OICS) Task Force
The task force is focused on reducing unnecessary waste in ophthalmic surgery.
Learn MoreOutpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society (OOSS) surveys and resources
Ophthalmic-driven ASCs are uniquely positioned to make a positive impact on environmental sustainability.
Learn MoreOverview of Operating Room waste in Ophthalmology
Given that ophthalmology has the highest procedural volumes of any specialty—29 million cataract surgeries performed in 2019, and an expected 50 million to be performed yearly by 2050—ophthalmology professionals are positioned to lead sustainability efforts for the healthcare profession by focusing on reducing waste in the OR.