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[Operating room: Two concrete actions for a lasting impact on environment]
Julie Marcadet1, Camille Legros2, Guillaume Gavaudan2
1Service de gynécologie-obstétrique, centre hospitalier universitaire Sud Réunion, BP 350, 97448 Saint-Pierre cedex, Réunion.
Awareness campaigns improved non-infectious medical waste sorting, but infectious waste management remains a challenge. Pricing transparency for medical devices effectively reduced overall waste volume in operating rooms.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Healthcare Management
- Waste Management
Context:
- Medical waste management is critical, especially in isolated regions like Reunion Island.
- CHU Sud Reunion generated significant infectious (147.5 tons) and industrial (1203 tons) waste in 2022.
- Operating rooms are key areas for waste reduction initiatives.
Purpose:
- To assess the impact of awareness campaigns and pricing transparency on medical waste reduction.
- To evaluate changes in waste segregation quality and volume in hospital operating rooms.
- To identify effective strategies for improving medical waste management.
Summary:
- A prospective study implemented educational posters and cost-labeling for medical devices in 14 operating rooms.
- Non-infectious waste (DAOM) sorting compliance increased from 52.8% to 79%, while infectious waste (DASRI) compliance decreased from 54.2% to 36%.
- Overall waste volume decreased by 38.2% after interventions, demonstrating the effectiveness of simple strategies.
Impact:
- Awareness campaigns and pricing transparency can significantly reduce overall medical waste.
- Further targeted interventions, training, and audits are necessary for optimal infectious waste management.
- Simple, cost-effective strategies can lead to substantial improvements in hospital waste management and environmental sustainability.
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