Over the first half of 2024, Tallaght University Hospital’s Urology Department has taken part in an environmental initiative aimed at improving waste management in theatres with the introduction of a cross-specialty “Green Moment.”
The project, led by Consultant Urologist Ms. Clíodhna Browne, aimed to encourage members of the urology teams and theatre staff to reduce waste production and correctly dispose of waste generated during procedures.
As part of this initiative, current recycling habits in the urology theatres were recorded. At the end of each urology procedures, the general waste bin in the operating theatre was weighed twice; once as it was found at the end of the case and again after removing all recyclable waste that was disposed of incorrectly. This was done for 20 different cases in accordance with both the Hospital protocol and the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.
The “Green Moment” was then introduced to staff and integrated into each case’s “Time Out” process and also during the morning multidisciplinary planning meeting involving nursing, anaesthetic and surgical colleagues. Before the introduction of the “Green Moment,” 56% of recyclable waste in the urology operating theatres was incorrectly placed in general waste bins. Following the intervention, there was a significant decrease in mismanaged waste to 31% The “Green Moment” prompted the theatre team to be mindful of their recycling habits and emphasised the importance of correct waste segregation and disposal. The amount of recyclable waste that was initially incorrectly put into the general waste bin over the two weeks was about 12kg. After the Green Moment was introduced this was reduced to approx. 6.5kg over the same period. This dramatic improvement in recycling habits demonstrates the substantial and positive effect that simple actions can have on our recycling behaviours. Undoubtedly, the “Green Moment” has helped mark a significant step towards a more environmentally friendly urology theatre in TUH and has become embedded in the urology department’s daily practice. It is proposed to act as a springboard for future discussions and environmental initiatives and to encourage the adoption of more carbon-friendly practices by all surgical departments in TUH. With the help of the Green Committee, more formal teaching regarding correct waste disposal will be provided to theatre staff of all specialties. It is hoped that the “Green Moment” will be adopted by all surgical teams in the Hospital and that sustainable practice will become the gold standard in TUH.
