Training
Advanced education on instruments and endoscopes
Operating theatres are known to be particularly energy intensive and one key initiative to reduce their carbon footprint is through adopting a circular economy approach, which includes the use of reusable surgical instrumentation. While this can cut costs at a time when resources are overstretched, it must not come at the cost of patient safety. In this article, Daniel Coole highlights the need for education on surgical instruments.
To help the NHS meet its carbon targets, in 2022 the Intercollegiate Green Theatre Checklist outlined pivotal actions to minimise emissions associated with energy-intensive operations. Just last year, the landmark Green Surgery Report was launched, setting out further recommendations to cut the carbon footprint of surgical care. A key part of those recommendations is to apply the circular economy principles to surgical products - from their design and manufacture, through to switching from single-use to reusable equivalents, optimising reprocessing of reusable equipment, and extending the lifespan of reusable products through quality repair and remanufacturing.1 However, while they bring sustainable benefits, reusable medical devices come with some challenges. Despite their durability and intended longevity, they are still subject to wear and tear over time due to repeated use, sterilisation processes, and handling. When these issues arise, repairs need to be
conducted by specialised technicians. Ensuring these are conducted to high-quality standards is critical to minimise the risk of instrument failure during surgery, thereby reducing the potential for patient harm.
As well as complying with strict standards, high-quality repairs help maintain the durability and longevity of the instruments, ensuring
that they remain reliable and effective, while reducing the need for frequent replacements and helping healthcare facilities manage costs more effectively. When it comes to surgical instruments – devices that are responsible for saving lives – there can be no compromise on quality. We also need to be doing more to reduce the need to repair. So, how can the industry ensure that cutting the carbon footprint of surgery does not come at the cost of patient safety?
The importance of education Educational programmes are essential for healthcare professionals to understand the best practices for maintaining and caring for their surgical instruments effectively. Having this knowledge is crucial to help extend the lifespan of these life-saving instruments. These programmes can cover important topics such
as proper maintenance, as well as key methods for detecting and diagnosing faults or issues. At Surgical Holdings, a family run manufacturer and repairer of surgical instruments with a core focus on sustainability, we have recently announced the launch of the ‘Surgical Holdings Academy’, a pioneering platform designed to offer medical device education for healthcare staff and decontamination teams on this very important topic. Drawing on our 35-year history, we are
dedicated to championing greater sustainability in healthcare, with all repairs expertly carried out by our team of highly skilled technicians, who are trained in both manufacture and repair. We are keen to pass on this wealth of knowledge, believing it is important to educate and train others to help them get the most out of each surgical instrument, so they last
April 2024 I
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