title: The direct environmental impact of hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement: a surgical waste audit of five cases.
abstract: Health care facilities produce significant waste (2200 kg/bed/year) creating 2% of greenhouse gas emissions and 1% total solid waste nationwide, with 20-70% of waste coming from operating rooms. We performed a waste audit of hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) to understand its environmental impact and identify areas for greening practices. A waste audit of five hip arthroscopy procedures for FAI was performed. All waste was collected and separated into six waste streams in real time: (i) normal/landfill waste; (ii) recyclable cardboards and plastics; (iii) biohazard waste; (iv) sharp items; (v) linens and (vi) sterile wrapping. The surgical waste (except laundered linens) from five FAI surgeries totaled 47.4 kg, including 21.7 kg (45.7%) of biohazard waste, 11.7 kg (24.6%) of sterile wrap, 6.4 kg (13.5%) of normal/landfill waste, 6.4 kg (13.5%) of recyclable plastics and 1.2 kg (2.6%) of sharp items. An average of 9.4 kg (excluding laundered linens) of waste was produced per procedure. Given the considerable biohazard waste produced by FAI procedures, additional recycling programs, continued adherence to proper waste segregation and an emphasis on 'green outcomes' is encouraged to demonstrate environmental responsibility and effectively manage and allocate finite resources.
authors: 1. Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery.
authors: Darren
authors: D
authors: de Sa
authors: 2. Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
authors: Kellee
authors: K
authors: Stephens
authors: 2. Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Kuang
authors: 3. Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Centre for Evidence-Based Orthopaedics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Simunovic
authors: 4. Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Jon
authors: J
authors: Karlsson
authors: 1. Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery.
authors: Olufemi R
authors: OR
authors: Ayeni
keywords: arthroscopy; femoroacetabular impingement; hip; medical waste; recycling