A report from Johns Hopkins said that U.S. hospitals collectively throw away at least $15 million a year in unused operating room surgical supplies that could be salvaged, according to an article on the Infection Control Today website.
The report highlights the opportunity to reduce the cost and environmental impact of medical waste disposal.
The waste of supplies, researchers said, is rooted in the common practice of bundling surgical materials in ways that streamline operating room readiness and efficiency, but once opened, everything in the bundle that is unused is thrown away.
In the study, materials topping the 19-item surgical supplies list included gauze, disposable syringes, sutures and surgical towels.
The Future of Healthcare Facility Construction Projects
Arnprior Regional Health Upgrades Building Controls to Improve IEQ
Next Level Medical Suffers a Data Breach
Extreme Weather: The Maintenance-Resilience Link
Encompass Health Lower Providence Opens in Pennsylvania