Several studies have found decreased overall environmental costs with reusable equipment as compared to single-use disposable equipment. Some examples relevant to critical care include laryngoscopy handles and blades, blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters and sterile surgical/procedural gowns and drapes. The benefit however is not universal for all equipment or ICUs and depends on local practices and hospital electricity source and sterilization practices.
Sources:
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McGain, F, McAlister, S. Reusable versus single-use ICU equipment: what’s the environmental footprint?. Intensive Care Med 49, 1523–1525 (2023). PMID:37962641.
McGain F, McAlister S, McGavin A, Story D. A life cycle assessment of reusable and single-use central venous catheter insertion kits. Anesth Analg. 2012 May;114(5):1073-80. Epub 2012 Apr 4. PMID: 22492185
Overcash, M. A Comparison of Reusable and Disposable Perioperative Textiles: Sustainability State-of-the-Art 2012. Anesthesia & Analgesia 114(5):p 1055-1066, May 2012. PMID: 22492184.
Sanchez, SA, Eckelman MJ, Sherman, JD. Environmental and economic comparison of reusable and disposable blood pressure cuffs in multiple clinical settings, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 155, 2020, 104643, ISSN 0921-3449, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104643.
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