Implementing Sustainable Practices in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: Results from a Year-Long Waste Reduction Initiative.

BACKGROUND

Cardiac catheterization laboratories (CCLs) contribute significantly to hospital waste and environmental impact. While sustainability efforts in healthcare are growing, comprehensive strategies for waste reduction in CCLs remain limited.

AIMS: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a quality improvement initiative in reducing waste output and enhancing recycling practices in a high-volume CCL.

METHODS

A one-year study was conducted in a single-center CCL performing approximately 2,800 annual procedures. Interventions included staff education, waste tracking, improved segregation, forming a sustainability team, and regular progress updates. Waste outputs were measured at baseline, one month, three months, and one year post-intervention. Carbon footprint reductions were calculated using emission factors of 340.00 kg/ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) for incinerated waste and 0.11 kg/tCO2e for recyclable glass.

RESULTS

Over one year, infectious waste decreased by 35.4% [from 2.38 ± 0.40 to 1.54 ± 0.09 kilogram per procedure (kg/procedure)], and general waste decreased by 26.4% (from 0.83 ± 0.14 to 0.61 ± 0.03 kg/procedure). Recyclable paper increased by 55.5% (from 0.30 ± 0.05 to 0.47 ± 0.03 kg/procedure). The estimated annual carbon footprint reduction was 1,084.2 kg carbon dioxide equivalent.

CONCLUSIONS

Sustainability initiatives can significantly reduce waste and carbon emissions in CCLs while promoting recycling. This study provides a practical framework for advancing environmental sustainability in high-volume CCLs.