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Reprocessing Initiatives Save $1 Million!

HUP's-Stewardship-Core-CouncilThanks to reprocessing initiatives, HUP saved  $1,257,302 last year and prevented 14,683 pounds of medical waste from being added to local landfills. Reprocessed instruments are cleaned, tested to make sure they work, and resterilized. They work as well as new but can be purchased for about half the price.

In a major academic medical center such as HUP, the savings add up. Indeed, since January  alone,  HUP has reprocessed 17,500 pulse oxymeters (sensors that measure oxygen level), 1,200 EP diagnostic catheters, and 100 ultrasound scalpels, which comprise the majority of the money saved.

In addition to the significant savings and reduction in medical waste, HUP also received the Healthy Hospital Award from Stryker Sustainability Solutions.  This designation is reserved for hospitals that demonstrate exceptional commitment to health care sustainability and quality through the employment of medical device manufacturing and reprocessing programs.

 

Photo (above):  Accepting the Healthy Hospital Award are members of HUP’s Stewardship Core Council, which is part of the Shared Governance Core Council.  Its  role is to analyze the resources used in Nursing and make recommendations that support safe, cost-effective, and high-quality patient care.

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