Respiratory consumables - reduce waste

In my role as Community Childrens Physiotherapy Respiratory Physiotherapist and green champion for Community Team, there are many ways in which we can make a difference. I have a particular interest in reducing single use plastic, supply and procurement of respiratory consumables, improve inhaler prescribing, disposal and recycling, reducing waste of medicines, and optimising prescribing.

We use a lot of single use plastic for example gloves, aprons, catheters and respiratory consumables. The recommendation for the replacement of respiratory consumables varies eg:

• Suction: daily suction may change suction tubing weekly whereas suction once a week may change it monthly.
• Nebuliser: Aerogen advise to replace chamber every 28days with 4 or less treatments per day whereas eFlow aerosol head replaced every 3-6months when no longer working.
• Cough assist circuits: Nippy cough assist circuits are changed monthly and Philips cough assist circuits are 6 monthly.

Therefore, to help to reduce waste and save costs, can we prolong the use of consumables eg replace when no longer working as long as we ensure patient care and safety is not compromised by assessing the replacement of consumables on an individual basis considering the frequency of use, consumables are cleaned regularly and integrity checked before and after use, filter regularly replaced if in circuit, infection control, only used with same patient?

Appreciate any thoughts.