Background
The importance of healthcare waste management is being increasingly recognised in developed countries. Several years ago, a tertiary hospital pharmacy department implemented the use of red plastic inpatient medication bags as a medication safety tool to improve management of inpatient medications on the wards.
Objective(s)
To evaluate utilisation of red inpatient medication bags and heir utility as a medication safety tool, and to identify opportunities for reducing single-use plastic waste at a tertiary hospital.
Action (Method)
A bedside drawer audit was conducted to assess red inpatient bag usage across 15 wards spanning 2 hospital sites. Twelve months of procurement dispensing data was used to calculate the annual cost and volume of plastic used. Surveys of pharmacy technicians and nursing staff were utilised to gather insights on red inpatient bag utilisation and value. A literature review on inpatient medication distribution processes at other hospitals was conducted.
Evaluation
Only 14.4% of drawers demonstrated appropriate utilisation of red inpatient bags. Over twelve months, 40,880 red inpatient bags were used, incurring a cost of $14,034.30 and generating 425.245 kg of plastic waste. The technician survey confirmed that no bags are sanitised for reuse, therefore 100% enter the general waste stream. Bag sanitisation was considered to be time consuming and carry risk of bags tearing. Nursing feedback highlighted concerns regarding bag effectiveness and practicality during medication administration, leading to significant discarding upon reaching wards.
Discussion
The audit highlighted minimal utility and practicality for end users of red bags, with their financial and environmental costs outweighing perceived benefits as medication safety tools. Recommendations to phase out plastic bags and adopt alternative approaches, validated by other institutes, will be presented to the medication safety committee. This initiative aims to reduce plastic generated by the hospital pharmacy department, without compromising medication safety