Like many hospitals across the nation, Steward Health Care is focused on growing our sustainability programs to reduce the environmental footprint of our delivery of care.
One of the most impactful initiatives we are pursuing is the reprocessing of single-use medical devices. This allows us to recycle and reuse single-use medical devices that would otherwise end up in landfills. Participating in this program has enabled us to divert much of our hospital waste away from local landfills. Our reprocessing partner, Stryker’s Sustainability Solutions, collects the devices from our facilities and then inspects, cleans, function tests, sterilizes and packages them for safe reuse by following strict FDA guidelines.
Since 2018, Steward Health Care has reduced its carbon footprint by 20,090 kg CO2e through the reprocessing of five single-use devices: the ViewFlex ICE Catheter, LigaSure Exact Dissector, MyoSure Reach, HARH36, and Max-A Pulse Oximeter. That is equivalent to 22,617.94 miles driven, 1,029.75 gallons of gasoline consumed, or 1,108,506.88 smartphones charged. This has resulted in 78,000 pounds of waste diverted from landfills, and 1,366 metric tons of CO2 being mitigated. Additionally, through the Products for the Planet program, Steward Health Care has partnered with the National Forest Foundation to plant 2,288 trees in areas that are in the most need.
Because of our collective efforts and focus on a successful reprocessing program in 2022, Steward Health Care was awarded the Platinum Environmental Excellence Award. Thanks to all our staff who make this program such a success and allow us to reduce our impact on the environment.
Broad health care sustainability is a journey. Our reprocessing programs are just one way we’re demonstrating our commitment to quality health care through a circular economy.
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