title: Utilizing a 'systems' approach to improve the management of waste from healthcare facilities: best practice case studies from England and Wales.
abstract: Changes in environmental legislation and standards governing healthcare waste, such as the Hazardous Waste Regulations are expected to have a significant impact on healthcare waste quantities and costs in England and Wales. This paper presents findings from two award winning case study organizations, the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust and the Cornwall NHS Trust on 'systems' they have employed for minimizing waste. The results suggest the need for the development and implementation of a holistic range of systems in order to develop best practice, including waste minimization strategies, key performance indicators, and staff training and awareness. The implications for the sharing of best practice from the two case studies are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: SITA Centre for Sustainable Wastes Management, University of Northampton, Northampton, UK. terry.tudor@northampton.ac.uk
authors.forename: Terry L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Tudor
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Woolridge
authors.forename: Margaret P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D004739:England; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom; D014852:Wales
chemical_list: D017744:Medical Waste Disposal