Sustainability Initiatives in the Operating Room

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Sustainability
• Environmental Medicine
• Hospital Operations

Background:

• Operating rooms (ORs) are major contributors to hospital waste, accounting for up to 30% of the total.
• The resource-intensive nature of ORs presents a significant opportunity for environmental and economic improvements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize existing literature on sustainability initiatives within operating rooms.
• To identify key themes and strategies for reducing waste and environmental impact in OR settings.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review was conducted.
• Searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ProQuest databases.
• 78 relevant articles were included from a total of 108 identified publications.

Main Results:

• Key themes identified include leadership commitment, waste reduction strategies (segregation, recycling, donation), minimizing device packaging, energy and water conservation, anesthetic gas selection, and education.
• Forming dedicated committees (OR committee, Green Team) can drive environmental initiatives and cost savings.
• Supply chain adjustments favoring reusable devices, effective recycling, and donating surplus items are effective waste diversion methods.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing OR efficiency and reducing waste generation positively impacts the environment and reduces costs.
• The field of healthcare sustainability is emerging, highlighting the need for further research to support evidence-based practices.