In this joint webinar with the Infection Prevention Society (UK), facilitated by ACIPC IPC Consultant Karen McKenna, we will explore sustainability-related IPC topics.
Leaning on sustainability and IPC: a contradiction? with Graham Pike. A summary of the challenges and opportunities experienced when leading on both IPC and Sustainability, including examples of sustainability initiatives with an IPC focus.
Going greener at a small district general hospital in the UK with Holly Slyne Projects and initiatives that the IPC Team have led or supported to implement sustainability into healthcare.
Rethinking Clinical Waste: A safe, cost effective and sustainable waste management strategy at Royal Melbourne Hospital with Susan Whyte and Carla DeMarco At the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), over-classification of waste as clinical waste has led to unnecessary costs and environmental impact, prompting the Infection Prevention Service to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment involving observational audits, waste‑journey analysis, and benchmarking against other Victorian hospitals. Findings showed inconsistent staff practices, varied interpretations of guidelines, and no increased infection risk associated with managing eligible items through the general waste stream. With clinical waste costing $3.50/kg, twelve times more than general waste and totalling over $1 million in FY 2023–24, shifting appropriate waste to general disposal offers substantial financial and carbon‑reduction benefits. Implementing this safe, cost‑effective, and sustainable reclassification requires clear policy, staff education, audits, and strong stakeholder engagement to support evidence‑based waste management without compromising patient or staff safety.