The Case: Problem Identification – Metals in The Orthopaedic OR

Description

The session on Environmental Stewardship began with Angela Scharfenberger introducing the topic and expressing her enthusiasm for learning more about it. After outlining the learning objectives, she welcomed three panelists, with Brenna Mattiello being the first speaker. Brenna, a second-year medical student at the University of Calgary, discussed the significant issue of surgical metal waste produced in operating rooms (OR). She highlighted the origins of the SWIM project—Surgical Waste The Impact of Metal—initiated by Dr. Marcia Clark, aiming to trace the lifecycle of surgical metal waste from usage in the OR to disposal in landfills. Brenna elaborated on the detrimental environmental impact of incinerating surgical metals, which often end up in soil and contribute to pollution and health hazards.



Brenna presented a thorough literature review revealing that the existing process for managing surgical metal waste follows a linear economic model, in stark contrast to a sustainable circular economy approach. This linearity culminates in incineration at the Swan Hills Treatment Center, where remnants are disposed of into the soil, perpetuating an environmental burden. The presentation underscored how misconceptions around hazardous versus non-hazardous waste lead to misclassification and increased costs for waste management.



Brenna outlined the project's methodology, involving interviews with key individuals at South Health Campus to gather insights on the waste's lifecycle. The findings emphasized the need for clear guidelines for waste disposal and opportunities for recovery and recycling of surgical metals, with the potential to repurpose materials for use in electric vehicle batteries. She concluded with a call to action for further research into the disposal pathways across different facilities to enhance environmental practices in healthcare.

Specialties

Powerpoint