Hospital Waste

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Specializes in geriatrics, autism awareness.

I am posting a thread to encourage everyone to buy a reusable water bottle. With earth day just recently passing we as medical professionals work in a field that throws away so much garbage that we need to make an effort to make changes for our children's future. I did a whole presentation on hospital waste and I got my information from googling hospital waste. I was shocked and saddened. Did you know that most hospitals use a one time only sharps container but reusable sharps containers are available? They can be reused upto 500 times. If we stop using plastic pitcher liners as our own personal cups and throw them away after one use we can make a difference. Encourage your kitchen to stop using styrofoam which contains carcinogens, they never break completely down and get into the water for fish to eat. IT's a huge cycle that must be stopped.

http://www.wwfpak.org/factsheets_hwf.php

http://www.h2e-online.org/docs/wsde101505.pdf

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/bizWaste/FactSheets/Hospital.htm

It's upto us to stop this waste!!! Please join in the movement to help. If we are healers then we need to heal our planet as well.

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Specializes in ER and Home Health.

Right on

My hospital already goes that. We are also aggressively recycling everything. I have always preferred my reusable bottle.

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Specializes in geriatrics, autism awareness.

thanks hippygreenpeacechick.....I like you already!

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Specializes in CMSRN.

I use my own ceramic mug at work for everything I drink. I have yet to use a styrofoam cup in months. (well just once when I forgot to bring my mug)

I do not automatically get supplies for new admit patients. I usually ask what is needed and on many occasions I will get from family that they will be back with the patient's personal stuff to use.

I find many items unused in the room because the pt did not need them. But had to throw them away anyhow. This may be on the small level but I try.

And outside the hospital there is much that I do to reduce waste.

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Specializes in geriatrics, autism awareness.

It's nice to hear that people are trying. Just an FYI for California residents....it's NOT a law that if you purchase alcohol that you MUST put your purchase in a bag. The grocery stores and 7/11 always say it is but they are just continuing to perpetuate this old wives tale. IT's not true. Call the Alcohol and Beverage Control to find out for yourself. Their number is 916 41902530 if you have questions.

Stop using plastic bags and buy Chico bags or those 99 cent reusable bags they sell at every store nowadays. You get a 5 cent credit for each bag you use AND they hold way more than plastic or paper and don't rip!

Put them in your car and just condition yourself to keep doing it!

I applaud only using what you need at the hospital. I see so much waste it's pathetic. I also pass it along to whoever will listen the ideas I come across that can make a huge difference. Keep on talking to whoever will listen.

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We banned styrofoam cups last year, and only have paper ones now. I stopped buying bottled water some years ago and use my bike bottles.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I have been wondering if using K-pads for new PICCs is really necessary. They are routinely ordered, although many staff do not set them up due to time constraints. I can't remember ever having a pt. c/o phlebitis in the first 24-48 hours post insertion.

I did a perfunctory internet search for EBP regarding this, found one hit that stated since PICCs are now placed above the AC instead at it, that mechanical phlebitis was no longer an issue.

Is anyone else using K-pads? Or is this some waste we could avoid?

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Specializes in CMSRN.

We do not use K Pad for PICCS (or at least ordered). I have yet to see one used for this purpose.

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