Reducing packaging waste in care units: a national survey

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Environmental Science
• Medical Device Packaging

Background:

• Growing concern for ecological transition in healthcare settings.
• Increasing interest in pro-environmental practices among healthcare professionals.
• Need for evidence-based guidance on sterile medical device (SMD) packaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide recommendations for selecting between single- and double-packaged SMD.
• To assess healthcare professionals' perceptions and practices regarding SMD packaging.
• To inform decisions balancing environmental impact and patient safety.

Main Methods:

• A national survey co-constructed by leading French professional societies.
• Electronic distribution of questionnaires to operating theatre professionals across France.
• Data collection from 130 healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

• 61.5% use single-pack SMD daily, but only 11.3% for implantable devices.
• 71.5% consider packaging an environmental criterion, focusing on package quantity.
• 66.9% deem single packaging insufficient for safety; 70.8% support single-pack SMD where appropriate, but 60.0% oppose it for implantable SMD.

Conclusions:

• French operating theatres show strong environmental awareness regarding SMD packaging.
• Safety remains paramount, particularly for implantable SMD, influencing packaging preferences.
• Recommendations will promote single-pack SMD when clinically safe, maintaining double packaging for high-risk implantable devices.