REcycle Soon-to-Expire Program (RESTEP): Sustainability efforts in hospital pharmacy

Medication waste has become a topic of discussion due to the environmental and financial impact that waste reduction initiatives can have for health systems.

Houston Methodist, a 9-hospital health system, established the Office of Sustainability in 2023 to manifest the system's dedication to being a responsible corporate citizen, promote sustainable practices, and lead reduction in the organization's carbon footprint. To coordinate focused efforts within the department of pharmacy, a workgroup was established to better identify areas of interest for targeted waste reduction strategies and to highlight efforts in different departmental areas. The REcycle Soon-To-Expire Program (RESTEP) team had an overall goal to decrease medication waste and streamline process inefficiencies to prevent unnecessary labor demands. Waste reduction efforts began in the intensive care unit satellite pharmacy, and successful waste reduction resulted in program expansion. Key stakeholders from other pharmacy operational areas were engaged to target additional efforts for waste reduction. Through recurring discussions, these stakeholders identified underlying themes that can serve as a framework for other health systems with an interest in strategizing waste reduction efforts.

Waste reduction strategies influence how a health system manages resources and environmental sustainability. This can provide better collaboration between healthcare professionals and information technology teams to streamline processes and develop strategies to reduce waste. Key themes were identified to outline a framework to offer guidance to health systems interested in strategizing waste reduction efforts. Through improved waste reporting and waste minimization workflows, a health system can be a better steward of environmental, human, and financial resources.