Due to demands for high quality, no expense is spared in most ORs, but this approach often results in unrestrained resource consumption and tremendous amounts of wasted resources in terms of both dollars and trash. Gain a better understanding of what sustainability in the operating room might look like. The presenters will discuss how to design and manage OR departments that improve environmental and financial performance, use less energy, and improve indoor air quality while still facilitating the provision of safe, high-quality patient care. This session will enable you to-
• List three techniques, based on a literature review and presentation of examples, for integrating sustainability practices into the design and management of OR departments.
• Employ methods, as described in the presentation, to compare a facility's current operating room practices with cost-effective, sustainable options to demonstrate the benefits of greening the OR in terms of patient satisfaction and cost reductions.
• Discuss, using a review of case studies presented, methods that can be applied to update existing areas in a health care facility to better meet the needs of patients and health care providers.
• List three innovative strategies, as demonstrated in case studies, for adapting the principles presented to other projects and scenarios.