Written by Dr Jutharat Attawet
As an intraoperative nurse, I am trained to maintain the highest standards of infection preventions and control in order to protect patients. However, this commitment often comes with an unintended consequence: significant waste. One area where this is particularly evident is in the disposal of sterile disposable items/packs that become contaminated, often due to accidental touch, damage to the package or other minor lapses in protocol. These items, once considered sterile, are immediately deemed unusable and must be discarded, contributing to a growing environmental burden. This waste is not only a burden on the environment but also on the healthcare system, both in terms of cost and resource management. Many of these materials are non-recyclable, meaning they end up in landfill, contributing to environmental degradation.
Balancing Sterility and Sustainability: A Challenge for Nurses
As nurses, we are often in a difficult position, balancing responsibility for patient care with the environmental impact of our decisions. Some hospitals support the use of contaminated items educational purposes, allowing staff to use them in training sessions rather than simply discarding them. This is a thoughtful solution that not only reduces waste but also enhances learning experiences. However, in busy operating rooms, where turnover between cases is rapid and time is limited, along with staff lack of awareness or limited knowledge about planetary health and climate change, it is often easier and quicker to simply discard these items into the bin. Finding the time and resources to sort and save materials for educational purposes can feel overwhelming.
Yet, this dilemma highlights a broader issue within healthcare: the need to balance patient safety with environmental sustainability. While patient care must always come first, there is also an urgent need to rethink how we manage waste in the operating room and explore ways to minimise our environmental impact.
Moving Forward: Small Steps Toward Sustainability
Addressing this issue requires a cultural shift within healthcare. It involves rethinking the protocols, educating staff about the environmental impact of their actions, and finding innovative solutions to reduce waste without compromising patient safety.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The issue of waste in the operating room is a complex one, but it is not insurmountable. As nurses, we have a unique opportunity to lead the way in promoting more sustainable practices within healthcare. By raising awareness of the environmental impact of our actions and advocating for change, we can help to create a more sustainable future for both our patients and our planet.
While the challenges are significant, every small step counts. Together, we can find ways to balance the demands of patient care with the need to protect our environment, ensuring that we not only care for our patients today but also safeguard the health of future generations.
Ju Attawet is a perioperative registered nurse with over 13 years of experience. Ju’s research has focused on advancing knowledge in the field of perioperative nursing and promoting the health and well-being of vulnerable populations. As our planet undergoes significant changes, Ju Attawet has developed a keen interest in enhancing people’s health and resilience, as well as improving healthcare professionals’ skills in response to the challenges posed by climate change. This blog shares the Ju’s and insights into how healthcare professionals can help and address planetary health in a small way.
The article image at the top of the page is AI generated.