Has anyone working in pharmacy aseptics services got any examples of sustainability projects that they would be willing to share. And/or any useful resources to signpost to?
I wouldnt say "projects" but its a case of looking at your SOPs and processes. Ive seen some places that buy in triple bagged products, causing more plastic waste. This is more efficient for the unit as spraying in would not be required for a sterile unbagged product. But all depends on the demands and workload of the unit. Think "marginal gains"
It's been a good few years since I was in aseptics and these were primarily money saving projects but looking back they did have sustainability benefits too. Vial sharing (where allowed). Batch manufacturing as opposed to prescription by prescription saved on drugs and ancils used. Thanks to national dose banding tables bought in for SACT drugs a lot of things that were manufactured but not used could be repurposed for another patient who was on the same dose. Using needles instead of spikes if you weren't going in to a vial multiple times. Not buying triple bagged products.
Since the Carter report many aseptic sites buy in a lot more outsourced products now so it could also be worth seeing what sustainability things they're doing, if any, at the likes of Baxter, BathASU, Bbraun etc.
Hi Nuala,
I think this is a huge problem we should all focus on! Not only in aseptic units but also in operation rooms, delivery rooms and others. I agee with Rebecca when I look back to the way some things were done a few decades ago, when we hadn't the resouces we have now, and I include trivial things of our life, just like going shopping, and there was sustainability benefits.
Anyway, I'm working with my hospital's environment team to establish a tour for fabrics that wrap some sterilized itens, in order to avoid their disposal and reuse them. It's still a work in progress!
I also think there's a lot to do with procurement and industry, to avoid the excessive wrapping of products and all the waste around medicines, For example, biological medicines, all present themselves in a ready to use pre-filled pen. Can you realize the waste? Why not use a multiuse device and simple glass ampoules, just like those of insulin?
I wouldnt say "projects" but its a case of looking at your SOPs and processes. Ive seen some places that buy in triple bagged products, causing more plastic waste. This is more efficient for the unit as spraying in would not be required for a sterile unbagged product. But all depends on the demands and workload of the unit. Think "marginal gains"
https://www.helapet.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=407
It's been a good few years since I was in aseptics and these were primarily money saving projects but looking back they did have sustainability benefits too. Vial sharing (where allowed). Batch manufacturing as opposed to prescription by prescription saved on drugs and ancils used. Thanks to national dose banding tables bought in for SACT drugs a lot of things that were manufactured but not used could be repurposed for another patient who was on the same dose. Using needles instead of spikes if you weren't going in to a vial multiple times. Not buying triple bagged products.
Since the Carter report many aseptic sites buy in a lot more outsourced products now so it could also be worth seeing what sustainability things they're doing, if any, at the likes of Baxter, BathASU, Bbraun etc.
Hi Nuala,
I think this is a huge problem we should all focus on! Not only in aseptic units but also in operation rooms, delivery rooms and others. I agee with Rebecca when I look back to the way some things were done a few decades ago, when we hadn't the resouces we have now, and I include trivial things of our life, just like going shopping, and there was sustainability benefits.
Anyway, I'm working with my hospital's environment team to establish a tour for fabrics that wrap some sterilized itens, in order to avoid their disposal and reuse them. It's still a work in progress!
I also think there's a lot to do with procurement and industry, to avoid the excessive wrapping of products and all the waste around medicines, For example, biological medicines, all present themselves in a ready to use pre-filled pen. Can you realize the waste? Why not use a multiuse device and simple glass ampoules, just like those of insulin?
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