Reusable tourniquets for sustainable phlebotomy, South Yorkshire Regional Services (SYRS)

This project was completed as part of the 2023-4 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Green Team Competition.

Setting / patent group:

Phlebotomy testing for Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Vascular and Renal services

Issue:

The single-use tourniquets used by SYRS were poor quality and provided a poor experience for both patients and staff. The high volume of tourniquet required also contributed a lot of clinical waste.

Intervention:

A reusable tourniquet (Daisygrip) was trailed and has been implemented across the SRYS service via implementation of a communication and education strategy.

Outcomes

Social

- patients and staff felt the reusable tourniquet is a better option

- 94% staff said it was important to them that the reusable tourniquet would help to reduce waste and carbon emissions in the department

- 100% of patients surveyed agreed they liked the reusable option, reporting it does not pinch or mark their skin or cause any pain.

Environmental:

- estimated projected annual savings of 1,057.7 kgCO2e, equivalent to driving 3,123.7 miles in an average car, if scaled up across Trust could be, 24,885 kgCO2e, equivalent to driving 73,493.7 miles in an average car.

Economic

- estimated annual savings of £6,632, if scaled up across Trust could be £35,868

Key learning point

Key elements that contributed to the success and learning in this project was collaboration. With the support from our Nurse Director, Operations Directors and the Infection Prevention and Control team the team were able to make our changes happen. Regular team meetings and involving the right people from the start inviting colleagues in response was vital.