[Operating room: Two concrete actions for a lasting impact on environment]

The management of medical waste is critical for hospitals and environmental authorities, particularly in isolated regions like Reunion Island. In 2022, the CHU Sud Reunion generated over 147.5 tons of infectious medical waste (DASRI) and 1203 tons of industrial waste. The study investigates the effect of awareness campaigns and pricing transparency in reducing waste production in operating rooms.

This prospective intervention study involved healthcare professionals from 14 operating rooms at CHU Sud. Two interventions were implemented: posters educating on waste segregation and labels displaying the cost of medical devices (MD) to reduce overuse. Waste was weighed, and the quality of sorting assessed at four time points.

The quality of waste sorting improved, particularly for DAOM (non-infectious waste), where compliance increased from 52.8% at baseline to 79% after three months. However, sorting for DASRI remained challenging, with a decrease in compliance from 54.2% to 36%. Waste volume decreased by 38.2% after the second intervention.

While awareness improved sorting, DASRI management requires further action. Training and regular audits are needed. The inclusion of MD prices helped reduce waste, mirroring findings in other studies. Simple interventions led to better waste management and reduced total waste in operating rooms. Continued efforts, including long-term training and specialized waste committees, are essential for ongoing improvement.