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- Talk
- 19/09/2023
- UK
Working Together - SOS Sustainable Orthopaedic Systems
Description
In this engaging presentation led by Deborah Eastwood, the focus is on the necessity for change within the field of Trauma and Orthopaedics, particularly regarding efficiency and sustainability. Eastwood highlights alarming statistics regarding productivity losses, emphasizing that many healthcare professionals waste up to 40% of their workweek due to administrative issues and unpreparedness in the operating theatre.
She shares insights about the current state of instrument usage in surgeries, revealing that over 30% of the instruments sterilized for procedures often go unused. The call for rationalizing instrument trays is echoed, suggesting that healthcare professionals are ready for change but face barriers in adopting new practices.
The discussion extends to surgical practices, questioning the need for double gloving and whether every case requires a scrub nurse. Eastwood advocates for a shift in mindset towards reusing certain surgical items and implementing more efficient practice habits, urging colleagues to reflect on economic drivers that could facilitate these changes.
Highlighting the lack of common best practices among surgical teams, she points out careless behaviors that lead to wastefulness, such as disposing of equipment before it's used. Throughout the talk, Eastwood stresses the importance of science as an extension of common sense while inspiring via a quote from Audrey Hepburn that emphasizes the belief that nothing is impossible with the right approach.
The presentation concludes with a call to action, inviting collaboration from the audience to embrace sustainability, as represented by the new section on the BOA website dedicated to sustainable practices in surgery. Hammad, a sustainable surgery fellow, is also invited to provide further insights into ongoing efforts in this critical area.