FEATURE
forceps, if you purchase a quality pair and have a well-trained sterile process- ing technician carefully follow the man- ufacturer’s cleaning and sterilization instructions, they will last and actually be less expensive than the disposables.” Allman says a chance trip to a gym
while visiting her daughter at college inspired a responsible purchase for her ASC. “We were spending an excessive amount on water bottles at the ASC. When I went to the gym, I saw a hydra- tion station—which provides an easy way to fill water bottles and glasses— and knew we had to have it. We no lon- ger buy water bottles. Our staff just use glass bottles labeled with their name.” Sheehan says there has been a recent push toward making anesthesia more environmentally friendly. “Prac- tice Greenhealth collaborates with the American Society of Anesthesia
Some more mature facilities are
examining the benefits of using a waste anesthetic gas capture system, she says. “It is a small attachment to the anesthesia machine that essentially filters and collects waste anesthetic gases. Facilities piloting the technol- ogy are seeing some energy savings.”
(ASA), which has its own green ini- tiative. ASA has published research indicating that desflurane, a com- mon anesthetic gas, has the highest global warming potential and is the most expensive. There are a number of facilities that have ruled it out of their formulary.”
Keep Working at It As time passes, facilities are doing more for the environment without break- ing the bank, Sheehan says. “We have watched the needle move from what used to be seen as cutting-edge in green initiatives to becoming the norm. Now we just need to keep pushing forward.” Mackler agrees. “I am always keep-
ing my eyes open for new ways to recy- cle and reduce waste. We all need to be playing a part in helping to protect the environment.”
22 ASC FOCUS JUNE/JULY 2016
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