There are a number of inaccurate perceptions on sustainability strategies among health leaders. And in the changing environmental landscape today, many leaders in the supply chain can ask if they still need to focus on it. The answer is yes, it should be a strategic commercial priority which is achievable and measurable, and when it is approached by this lens, can bring savings and long -term value to hospitals and health systems.
For example, clinicians often equate retired tools with a lower quality, while in truth, the reverse is often true. In addition, many managers consider sustainability as another costly budget line element when it can actually create efficiency gains in the end when tackled as a long -term change rather than a single process or a change of procedure that is not supported.
It is time to demystify the myths of sustainability in health care and go to the heart of the reasons why the sustainable supply chain practices are not only the right step forward, but also offer advantages inherent in financial savings and the front of patient satisfaction.
Myth n ° 1: reprocessing leads to lower clinical options
Reprocessing in today’s hospitals testifies to the process of reusing for single use medical devices after being ensured to reuse American standards of Food and Drug Administration. This may include the cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of these devices and inspect them carefully. Although there are enormous opportunities to reduce emissions and waste by reprocessing, there is an erroneous perception among many clinicians that the quality of these products is lower than a whole new product.
The real story: There is a strong argument which can be advanced that retired goods are in fact of better quality. At a minimum, they are equal to quality with new products. And, the transition to reusable products extends the lifespan of each purchase.
For example, consider an impulse oximeter. Quality checks on a whole new device only require that a lot sample is examined – perhaps two or three in 1,000 which are manufactured. The standard for retired options is much higher: the bar is a 1: 1 report.
Substantial waste exists in today’s operating rooms. It’s a fact. Since the assurance of a high -quality product really increases with reprocessing, health care organizations should endeavor to mitigate their environmental impact by reuse of medical devices. Not only is it an important step towards greater durability, but health systems achieve considerable cost savings and improve the resilience of their supply chain.
Health systems can considerably reduce medical waste and save money by implementing a reprocessing program for strategic electrophysiology equipment that balances environmental sustainability, financial innovation and quality of care.
Myth # 2: Sustainable practices create a new budget line element
Today’s health systems operate in the thin financial margins of the razor. Often, the concept of creating a high -level sustainability strategy seems intimidating and expensive.
The real story: Although sustainability initiatives require an initial and continuous investment, the return on investment that can be carried out makes the profitability analysis to present the resources that are easy to do. The objective is to simply take the first steps, the transition to more sustainable long -term products and solutions.
Effective stock management is an important step to get ahead of financial and physical waste. The health systems divided between the facilities and the geography must go beyond the partitioned supply chain strategies which have traditionally characterized operations. Transparency within the largest supply chain is essential to improve product redistribution, which can guarantee shared costs and continuous resilience.
Technology is a critical catalyst for transparency. Supply managers should turn to solutions that allow individual installations to publish expired articles or articles that are no longer necessary. Then, the items can be redistributed on a network of health systems to avoid waste. Internal mail networks that help redistribute products have proven their value in many systems, creating a significant impact in the end.
Continuous evaluation of the environmental impact of various products can help health systems make better choices that support more sustainable practices. For example, the sampling of anesthetic gas has a considerably more significant impact on the environment compared to other anesthetic gases. This simple decision can help health systems reduce their emissions significantly. The elimination of Desflurane vaporizers reduces CO2 emissions, which, like reducing passenger cars on the road, is a big step in the right direction.
A call to action
The reality is that there is a lot to gain on several fronts when the suite C prioritates the reduction in the carbon footprint of a health care organization which includes financial health, patient care results and patient experience. Doctors membership, education and alignment of sellers throw the right base for the first steps.
Photo: CHRISGORGIO, Getty Images
John Wright is operating director at Advantus Health Partners, a health care solutions company facilitating the supply chain for its customers through the management of the rationalized supply chain, organizational purchases, operations and the efficiency of savings. With more than 25 years of experience as a health care manager, John is recognized for his solid history of maximization of efficiency and cost reduction. At Advantus Health Partners, John is responsible for the overall success of the supply chain, including production planning, stock management, integrated logistics and consulting services that provide personalized solutions to complex challenges facing health care. Previously, John was vice-president of the supply chain and support service operations at Intermountain Healthcare. John holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in Virginia Tech business administration and was a sergeant at the Virginia National Guard.
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