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Managing barriers to recycling in the operating room
Solomon Azouz1, Piper Boyll2, Marco Swanson3
1Division of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic Phoenix, AZ, USA.
American Journal of Surgery
|July 1, 2018
Summary
Hospital staff recycling in the operating room (OR) is often hindered by a lack of knowledge. An educational program improved OR recycling, leading to significant cost savings in waste disposal.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Waste Management
- Environmental Sustainability in Hospitals
- Operating Room Protocols
Background:
- Limited understanding exists regarding barriers to operating room (OR) recycling among hospital staff.
- Existing hospital recycling programs require continuous improvement, particularly within the OR environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific barriers preventing effective recycling in the operating room.
- To implement and evaluate an educational program aimed at improving OR recycling practices.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted among 524 hospital staff across four Mayo Clinic campuses to assess recycling knowledge and perceived barriers.
- Following the survey, a targeted recycling improvement educational program was developed and implemented at a surgery center.
- A cost-savings analysis was performed to evaluate the program's financial impact on waste disposal.
Main Results:
- Over half of participants (56.7%) were uncertain about which OR items are recyclable.
- Nearly half (47.7%) identified a lack of knowledge as the primary barrier to OR recycling.
- Post-program implementation, the surgery center achieved a 10.3% cost saving in sharps waste disposal compared to the previous year.
Conclusions:
- Addressing knowledge gaps and other barriers to OR recycling is crucial for waste reduction.
- Effective recycling programs in the OR can lead to substantial financial savings for healthcare facilities.
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