AST Guideline - Environmental Practices in the Operating Room

20 Appendix A Surgery Department Assessment Checklist Handling HDO Waste in the Surgery Department 1. How much waste is generated daily by the surgery department? A. What is the total percentage of RMW? 2. What makes-up the waste (e.g., percentage of plastic; percentage of paper products; percentage of RMW)? 3. Does the department already segregate waste? A. What is the level of segregation that is occurring? B. Where is the department’s waste stored before collection? Where are the collection points located in the department? C. What type(s) of storage containers are used? 4. How are sharps handled? 5. How is liquid waste handled? 6. Are water and energy conservation methods in place? 7. Does the department recycle? A. What material makes-up the recyclable items? B. What percentage of waste is recycled? 8. Does the department have a donation program in place? Management 1. Who is responsible for overseeing the sustainability efforts in the department? A. Who are the key people in the department responsible for waste issues? 2. How many surgery personnel are involved in waste collection? 3. What types of worker and patient safety measures are in place? A. Has the assessment revealed any health risks to patients or surgery personnel? If so, what kind of risks? 4. Does the department practice environmentally preferable purchasing? 5. Does the department conduct continuing education and training for surgery personnel? A. If so, how often? B. Is the training included in the orientation of new employees? 6. Does the department participate in community awareness activities of how the HDO has implemented sustainability programs? Budget 1. How much does the management of the healthcare waste in the department cost the HDO?