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Ways to Reduce Operating Room Medical Waste

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The reason why a lot of waste happens in the OR is simply because of the risk of infection involved. If various clothes, instruments, blood, fluids, and clothing are not well-discarded, the risk of infection and contamination can increase, endangering the lives of patients and staff.

Nonetheless, equipment and material that don’t have the risk of infection can be recycled so as to lower the overall cost of waste disposal.

Things to keep in Mind When Selecting OR Products


In order to help you achieve the purpose of controlling OR waste, you need to consider the following factors when choosing OR products:

1. Safety and Protection

The safety of the staff and patients is paramount when choosing medical products. Since 15% of hospital wastes are considered infectious, you should only opt for medical products that are approved by FDA and OSHWA.

2. Performance

While some OR materials are designed for a single-use, others like linens and surgical clothes can be reused. All in all, you want to make sure that the materials are durable and comfortable.

3. Cost

Cost is another important factor when it comes to operating rooms. Sustainability will help to reduce the high costs of operating room waste.

4. Environmental Aspects

Apart from the financial aspect, the environmental effect of single-use or reusable products needs to be measured. While single-use products encourage waste disposal, reusable products help minimize waste. Nonetheless, the latter can increase the risk of infection if not properly disinfected.