Mp02-10 Greening the Operating Room (Gor): High-Impact Initiatives Urologists’ Can Facilitate to Jumpstart a Program

You have accessJournal of UrologyHealth Services Research: Quality Improvement & Patient Safety I (MP02)1 May 2024MP02-10 GREENING THE OPERATING ROOM (GOR): HIGH-IMPACT INITIATIVES UROLOGISTS' CAN FACILITATE TO JUMPSTART A PROGRAM Divya Ajay, Shane Dunne, Vittoria Arlsan-Carlon, Yessenia Salgado, Gail Simmons, Gregory Craigg, Michael Rodriguez, Robert Berninger, and Sherri Machele Donat Divya AjayDivya Ajay , Shane DunneShane Dunne , Vittoria Arlsan-CarlonVittoria Arlsan-Carlon , Yessenia SalgadoYessenia Salgado , Gail SimmonsGail Simmons , Gregory CraiggGregory Craigg , Michael RodriguezMichael Rodriguez , Robert BerningerRobert Berninger , and Sherri Machele DonatSherri Machele Donat View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/01.JU.0001008600.97797.3b.10AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Operating rooms (ORs) are resource intensive and contribute up to 30% of a hospital's waste. This provides opportunities to develop sustainability initiatives to reduce environmental impacts. GOR initiatives require buy-in and execution from various stakeholders, including hospital administration, clinical staff, and support teams. Our objective is to share easy-to-implement strategies that reduce costs and improve sustainability through reductions in environmental/climate impact in the OR that Urologists' can lead. METHODS: A retrospective assessment of a single large cancer center's GOR efforts from a prospectively maintained sustainability dashboard. RESULTS: In 2022, our GOR initiative saved 1.8 million kWh in electricity, decreased greenhouse gas emissions by 148%, avoided 150 tons of waste, and recycled 14,000 kbs of single-use devices (SUD) leading to an overall savings of $1,112,505 (Figure 1). A few high-impact easily implemented initiatives contributing to savings include: Energy consumption: Computer power on/off software programs, turning off OR monitors/lights at the end of the day, switching OR lights to LED, and HVAC (air exchange) setbacks using CO2 sensors to decrease exchanges when the room is not in use. Waste reduction: Standardizing case carts, switching from single-use-plastic to reusable equipment, recycling SUD (ligatures, staplers, blood pressure cuffs, O2 sensors, compression devices, etc.), recycling/repurposing sterile blue wrap, and donating unwanted medical equipment. Anesthetic gases: Reducing Nitrous oxide, desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane use, and increasing the use of monitored sedation or regional anesthesia, when possible, helps reduce anesthetic gas use. Education and collaboration: Educating staff by placing recycling signage in every OR, using color-coded recycling bin/bags to help with waste segregation, nominating champions within OR staff, environmental services, and other stakeholders helps align everyone toward a common goal and identify areas for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: We present easily implemented high-impact GOR initiatives aligned with industry best practices that any Urologist can initiate to kickstart a GOR program in their own organization and reduce the environmental/climate impacts of healthcare in their community. Download PPT Source of Funding: None © 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 211Issue 5SMay 2024Page: e16 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.Metrics Author Information Divya Ajay More articles by this author Shane Dunne More articles by this author Vittoria Arlsan-Carlon More articles by this author Yessenia Salgado More articles by this author Gail Simmons More articles by this author Gregory Craigg More articles by this author Michael Rodriguez More articles by this author Robert Berninger More articles by this author Sherri Machele Donat More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...