The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is focused on reducing the environmental footprint that results from our delivery of care. Like most hospitals across the nation, the medical center has participated in a reprocessing program for single-use medical devices since 2011. According to Practice Greenhealth, nearly 73% of its award applicants have a program in place.
This program allows the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to recycle and reuse single-use medical devices that would otherwise end up in landfills. Their reprocessing partner, Stryker’s Sustainability Solutions (Stryker), collects devices from our facilities and then inspects, cleans and sterilizes the devices. Stryker then performs a multitude of tests, to ensure the safety and quality of the device, and packages them for safe reuse, according to stringent FDA guidelines.
How can you help reduce our environmental footprint? Look for Stryker bins placed throughout patient care floors, ORs and the EP lab. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center encourages you to place disposable devices such as LigaSures, endo-mechanical, general laparoscopic, and other surgical devices in the teal bins. Pulse oximeters and ECG leads can be placed in the white bins.
In addition, to reducing their impact, you can help to divert waste and reduce the organization’s overall spend. With your help, the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has been able to divert 15,847 pounds of waste and save nearly $558,341 through January for fiscal year 2021. As a result of the collection of devices from their facilities, Stryker has planted approximately 160 trees on our behalf through the Products for the Planet program.
The reprocessing program is just one way we’re demonstrating our commitment to quality healthcare. For more information or to schedule a virtual presentation with Stryker representatives, please contact valueanalysis@osumc.edu.
Story from Wexner Medical Center Marketing & Strategic Communications