Facility Care

Single-use device reprocessing saves money and the environment

When hospitals discard items that can be reprocessed, they perpetuate the problem by creating unnecessary landfill waste


Single-use device (SUD) reprocessing is one supply-chain initiative that allows healthcare facilities to care for the environment while reducing costs, according to an article on the FacilityCare website.

Hospitals reprocess SUDs to reduce their environmental footprint. The Sustainability Roadmap for Hospitals notes that hospitals produce an average of 25 pounds of waste per patient, per day. This is more than five times the amount of waste the average person in the U.S. generated per day in 2012, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to the article.

When hospitals discard items that can be reprocessed, they create unnecessary landfill waste. 

Resterilizing and repackaging expired and unused devices also allows hospitals to reduce the costs of disposing of these unused devices or purchasing new ones.

With these cost savings, the article said, hospitals can put more resources toward other care initiatives.

Read the article.

 



October 9, 2014


Topic Area: Maintenance and Operations


Recent Posts

On the Lookout: The Software Supply Chain as a Healthcare Cyberattack Vector

Staying watchful of third-party software vendors and their activities is critical for healthcare cybersecurity.


Hackensack Meridian Health & Wellness Center at Clifton Opens

The Clifton center expands health care access in Passaic County by reducing barriers such as travel and wait times.


Suffolk Breaks Ground on Expansion of White Plains Hospital

The 10-story, approximately 500,000-square-foot expansion is slated to open in 2028.


EVS Leadership Culture Critical in Preventing Hospital-Acquired Sepsis

Cleaning is an essential yet complex component for the prevention of HAI-induced sepsis.


Man Dies by Suicide in Emergency Department Waiting Room at Kansas Hospital

No staff or patients were harmed, and the man was alone in the waiting area when he shot himself.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.