Saving every drop - IV drug wastage in healthcare π§
Here’s something to ponder the next time you’re restocking the drugs in your Anaesthetic trolley. π€ π
Consider the IV drug life cycle - π
πHow was the drug manufactured?
π¦How was it packaged?
πHow far has it been transported to end up here in your hands?
β οΈHow many additional single-use items are needed to safely administer it?
βHow much of this drug will be wasted?
β»οΈHow will it, and those single-use items, be disposed of?
πAnd finally - what sort of carbon footprint do ALL of those things leave?
IV drug formulations have a significantly higher footprint than oral formulations, for example, the IV formulation of Ciprofloxacin has a carbon footprint 60 times higher than that of its oral counterpart! βοΈ
Unfortunately, in the Operating Suite, IV medications are a mainstay, but there are still small considerations and changes we can make to help reduce the mark we leave on our environment - such as:
πCan an oral pre-med, such as Panadol, be given to avoid administering IV?
π§ Careful fluid management can reduce unnecessary use of multiple fluid bags.
π§Ί Can that drug tray be reused?
π¬οΈ Can we use TIVA to reduce volatile gas usage and reduce IV drug waste?
β Does your patient really need a PCA? Can they have oral or sublingual pain relief post-operatively?
ποΈ Can you minimise the volume of waste thrown into sharps containers and contaminated waste bins?
β οΈ Do those IV drugs in your trolley that are close to expiry have “use first” labels on them?
In the fight against waste, every small effort counts! πͺ Together we can make a difference.
Build Knowledge β
Improve Safety β
Refs:
AAMC (2024) Drugs used in Hospitals leave giant carbon footprint. https://www.aamc.org/news/drugs-used-hospitals-leave-giant-carbon-footprint
Lane, S.F. (2020) The environmental sustainability of propofol use in daily practice. British Journal of Anaesthesia. Vol 124(6) pp 221-222. https://www.bjanaesthesia.org/article/S0007-0912(20)30165-3/fulltext
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