Carbon Reduction at a Renal Unit through Sustainable Action Planning

Key learning point 

“Finding money for green initiatives is always difficult, It would be wonderful if the Unit would re-invest some of its cost savings into more carbon reductions, for example to reuse the significant amount of reverse osmosis waste water the unit produces.”

Setting/Patient Group: Renal Unit

Issue to be addressed:

Renal units are resource-intensive areas. An action plan was devised to improve resource efficiency.

Intervention:

• 2-3hrs team workshops were conducted to identify significant carbon reduction opportunities using the Sustainable Action Planning (SAP) resource efficiency toolkit.
• An action was devised in consultations with staff and patients
• The action plan was integrating into the normal management of the Renal unit for continuous improvement. Actions included
  • Adjusting sandwich menu to avoid food waste
  • Patients brining their own blankets, reducing linen use
  • Synchronised treatment times to reduce cancelled ambulance bookings
  • ‘Leaning’ consumables including bicarbonate cartridges and dressing packs
  • Implementing recycling

Outcomes:

Clinical

• Reduction in healthcare acquired infections

Social

• Improved patient experience with nearly 50% less waiting, fewer aborted journeys and more self-care.
• Improved workplace for staff with more time to look after patients, and better attendance.

Environmental

• Projected carbon reductions 36.545 kg CO2e /year 
• Cardboard for recycling was reduced by 65% when Fresenius 5L containers were switched to pallet 

Economic

• Annual financial savings of £57,528