Ongebruikte medische disposables in de OK

OBJECTIVE: This study quantifies and characterizes unused medical disposables in operating rooms to determine their carbon footprint and identify opportunities for sustainable improvements in healthcare. DESIGN: Observational study. METHOD: The study was conducted at Amsterdam University Medical Centre, a tertiary hospital with 44 operating rooms. Unused disposables from surgeries conducted during office hours were collected for two weeks. The number, weight and volume of the disposables were determined for each surgery. The carbon footprint was calculated based on data from a Life Cycle Assessment. RESULTS: 1785 unused disposables were identified from 187 surgeries, with a carbon footprint of 338 kg CO2-equivalents (kg CO2-eq) and weighing 60 kg. Gauze (37 kg CO2-eq) and surgical drapes (127 kg CO2-eq) were found to have the largest carbon footprints, with gauze contributing substantially due to their frequent waste (n = 527; weight = 3 kg) and drapes due to their weight (n = 154; weight = 15 kg). CONCLUSION: Unused disposables in operating rooms cause waste and a substantial carbon footprint.