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Design Opportunities to Reduce Waste in Operating Rooms

Author

Listed:
  • Charlotte Harding

    (Department of Product Development, Faculty of Design Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Joren Van Loon

    (Department of Product Development, Faculty of Design Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Ingrid Moons

    (Department of Product Development, Faculty of Design Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
    Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business Economics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium)

  • Gunter De Win

    (Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Center (ASTARC), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
    Department of Urology, University Hospital Antwerp, 2650 Edegem, Belgium)

  • Els Du Bois

    (Department of Product Development, Faculty of Design Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium)

Abstract

While taking care of the population’s health, hospitals generate mountains of waste, which in turn causes a hazard to the environment of the population. The operating room is responsible for a disproportionately big amount of hospital waste. This research aims to investigate waste creation in the operating room in order to identify design opportunities to support waste reduction according to the circular economy. Eight observations and five expert interviews were conducted in a large sized hospital. The hospital’s waste infrastructure, management, and sterilization department were mapped out. Findings are that washable towels and operation instruments are reused; paper, cardboard, and specific fabric are being recycled; and (non-)hazardous medical waste is being incinerated. Observation results and literature findings are largely comparable, stating that covering sheets of the operation bed, sterile clothing, sterile packaging, and department-specific products are as well the most used and discarded. The research also identified two waste hotspots: the logistical packaging (tertiary, secondary, and primary) of products and incorrect sorting between hazardous and non-hazardous medical waste. Design opportunities include optimization of recycling and increased use of reusables. Reuse is the preferred method, more specifically by exploring the possibilities of reuse of textiles, consumables, and packaging.

Suggested Citation

  • Charlotte Harding & Joren Van Loon & Ingrid Moons & Gunter De Win & Els Du Bois, 2021. "Design Opportunities to Reduce Waste in Operating Rooms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:2207-:d:501571
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Joren Van Loon & Lore Veelaert & Sander Van Goethem & Regan Watts & Stijn Verwulgen & Jouke C. Verlinden & Els Du Bois, 2021. "Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators in the COVID-19 Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiufen Xie & Yan Hong & Xianyi Zeng & Xiaoqun Dai & Melissa Wagner, 2021. "A Systematic Literature Review for the Recycling and Reuse of Wasted Clothing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Else F. de Ridder & Herman J. Friedericy & Anne C. van der Eijk & Jenny Dankelman & Frank Willem Jansen, 2022. "A New Method to Improve the Environmental Sustainability of the Operating Room: Healthcare Sustainability Mode and Effect Analysis (HSMEA)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, October.

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