This month we are carrying on with the sustainability theme and outlining some more ways that practices could become more sustainable.
For the last 3 articles we have looked at how the new HTM 07-01 update will impact the way practices think about Healthcare Waste Management and general sustainability. I am starting to see many practices start to implement the new document as their Healthcare Waste Providers start to roll out the changes.
One of the main things that is starting to become more and more apparent is practices eagerness to try and become more sustainable and reduce the amount of unnecessary waste that is created. Ultimately if we can reduce the amount of waste being generated then this will not only have a positive impact on the environment but also on a practice’s overall costs.
Steam Mops
Under the current UK guidance and Code of Practice maintaining cleanliness throughout the practice is paramount and aiding effective Infection Prevention and Control. Part of the process of maintaining high IPC standards involves the effective cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces including floors.
UK guidance requires that all dental practices should have a selection of different mops utilising the national colour coding of:
• red – for wash-rooms;
• blue – for offices;
• green – for kitchens;
• yellow – for clinical and decontamination areas.
Utilising this method does have its Pros and Cons for dentistry. The Pros are that they are relatively in-expensive to set up and the colour coding is easily distinguishable for anyone using them. The Cons are that they take up a lot of space in a dedicated cupboard, different chemicals are used, which may not be environmentally friendly and the heads will need to be changed periodically.
Another way that practices could clean floors throughout the practice would be to utilise steam mopes for the cleaning and disinfection. Why is Steam so effective at cleaning and disinfecting surfaces?
High-temperature steam effortlessly removes and dissolves all kinds of dirt and grime, eliminating mites, germs and bacteria.
What’s more, it reduces water usage and the impact on the environment, ensuring flawless cleaning with long-lasting results.
A single steam cleaner using different colour coded microfibre mop heads, which are available using the national colour coding, would require less space for storage and also eliminate the use of any harmful chemicals. Once the mop has been used then the microfibre heads would simply be washed at the hottest temperature possible and then reused.
This method would need to be backed up with a robust policy and adhered to by any staff members or outside contractors.
Recycle more
HTM 07-01, along with identifying the various Healthcare waste streams, is also promoting dental practices to recycle more using the 5 R’s methodology. The vast majority of dental products are delivered in packaging that can be recycled. If we incorporate a rigid recycling programme, like what we carry out in our own homes, this will help to reduce the amount of unnecessary waste that is generated.
Go Digital
If you haven’t gone digital already then maybe now is the time? Since the turn on the new decade we have been entering into what is called the 4th Industrial revolution. This revolution is described as:
The Fourth Industrial Revolution has been defined as technological developments in cyber-physical systems such as high capacity connectivity; new human-machine interaction modes such as touch interfaces and virtual reality systems; and improvements in transferring digital instructions to the physical world including robotics and 3D printing.
Going digital has, along with many other things, a significantly positive impact on the environment particularly when we look at X-rays and no longer using harmful chemicals for the developing process.
Compostable Masks, Gloves etc.
As an industry dental disposes of a hug amount of PPE in the form of gloves and masks. Currently many of these will be disposed of in clinical waste. A more sustainable option could be to utilise a compostable or biodegradable options which would be suitably disposed of with the newly adopted ‘Offensive waste’.
‘While latex gloves are made from a natural rubber compound and are naturally biodegradable, the same can’t be said for most nitrile gloves. Traditionally, nitrile gloves have not been biodegradable, as they’re made from a synthetic compound that takes many years to decompose’
More and More manufacturers are developing environmental friendly options of not just PPE but other commonly used items.
These are all only suggestions and may not be suitable for all practices to try to implement but hopefully they will help you if you do want to explore the options of becoming more sustainable without minimising patient or staff safety.
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