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Analysis of Sustainability in Hospital Laundry: The Social, Environmental, and Economic (Cost) Risks

Author

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  • Catia Milena Lopes

    (Polytechnic School, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo 93020-190, Brazil)

  • Annibal José Scavarda

    (School of Production Engineering, Federal University of state of Riode Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 22451-070, Brazil)

  • Mauricio Nunes Macedo de Carvalho

    (Polytechnic School, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo 93020-190, Brazil
    Production Engineering School, Federal University of Pampa, Bagé 95413-170, Brazil)

  • Guilherme Vaccaro

    (Polytechnic School, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo 93020-190, Brazil)

  • André Luis Korzenowski

    (Polytechnic School, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo 93020-190, Brazil
    Business School, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS), Porto Alegre 91330-002, Brazil)

Abstract

Personal and physical injuries are two of the most relevant costs to hospitals. Hospital laundries are sources of these costs due to the physical and health risks present in the clothes and the activities performed. Energy and environmental risk and infrastructure issues also incur operational costs to these organizations and to the health system. This research analyzes the social, environmental, and economic risk in the hospital laundry process, through a multiple-case-study design. Data collection methods include interviews regarding three hospital laundry services in Brazil. The processes of these laundry services have a high consumption of resources (water and energy) and a substantial generation of solid and liquid wastes. Cost reduction actions include pooled laundry services and material substitution. There are also social and environmental risks, the most frequent being ergonomic, biological, and chemical hazards, and injures from sharp devices inadequately disposed. Hospital laundries need more sustainable operations, not only in the infrastructure, but also mostly in the awareness of leaders and teams about the importance of their engagements to resource management and waste reduction in laundry. It is opportune to convince professionals and users about changing habits that do not prioritize sustainability, especially its social and environmental aspects.

Suggested Citation

  • Catia Milena Lopes & Annibal José Scavarda & Mauricio Nunes Macedo de Carvalho & Guilherme Vaccaro & André Luis Korzenowski, 2019. "Analysis of Sustainability in Hospital Laundry: The Social, Environmental, and Economic (Cost) Risks," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:8:y:2019:i:1:p:37-:d:205597
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Birgitte Lilholt Sørensen & Sara Larsen & Claus Andersen, 2023. "A review of environmental and economic aspects of medical devices, illustrated with a comparative study of double-lumen tubes used for one-lung ventilation," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(11), pages 13219-13252, November.

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