Sustainability interventions in nursing wards
General resources
Paper medication cup
Medication is often administered several times a day in plastic cups, which generates a large amount of waste. Paper medication cups suitable for liquids (containing less than 5% plastic) offer a more sustainable alternative. In some cases, however, a plastic cup remains necessary, for example when crushing medication.
Intervention
Replace disposable plastic medication cups with paper ones.
Exclusion: Paper medication cups are not suitable for crushing medication.
Environmental impact
Measured in CO₂ emissions, based on the use of less environmentally harmful materials in medication cups.
Implementation approach
- Refer to the implementation approach for a (reusable) product.
- The presence of plastic medication cups can influence behaviour.In the implementation plan, describe where the paper cups will be placed. It may be helpful to store the plastic cups elsewhere, for example next to the medication crusher, with a label stating “for crushed tablets only.”
- Consult the step-by-step guide for more information on setting objectives, implementation and evaluation.
When is it implemented?
This intervention is considered implemented when nursing units in the hospital use paper medication cups, except where this is not possible, and the difference in CO₂-equivalent (kg) has been calculated.
How this is measured?
The environmental impact of this intervention can be determined using purchasing data on the number of medication cups, see Measuring an intervention using purchasing data. Use the purchasing data for both plastic and paper cups.
Note: Other interventions may influence the results of this one. If the Reducing medication cup use intervention is implemented at the same time, it may affect the purchasing data. Implement the Reducing medication cup use intervention at a different time to measure the effect accurately.
Resources
Click here for an example of a paper medication cup containing less than 5% plastic and with millilitre measurements.
There are no inspirational resources available yet. Has your hospital already implemented this intervention and would you like to share your experience? Please contact the Together for greener healthcare programme.
Resultaten
%
%
%
View our other interventions
General resources
Paper medication cup
Medication is often administered several times a day in plastic cups, which generates a large amount of waste. Paper medication cups suitable for liquids (containing less than 5% plastic) offer a more sustainable alternative. In some cases, however, a plastic cup remains necessary, for example when crushing medication.
ADL
Reducing linen use
Linen is used for many different purposes. Reducing linen use is not only better for the environment but also benefits patients by helping to prevent pressure ulcers. The Beter Laten list1 advises: “Avoid or limit unnecessary layers underneath the patient, such as linen, positioning materials, cellulose mats, incontinence materials, clothing, and bedding.”
Nursing interventions
Containers made from recycled plastic for specific hospital waste
Nursing units produce large amounts of waste, including specific hospital waste (SHW). Nurses collect this waste in separate SHW containers, also known as WIVA containers, identifiable by their blue bins with yellow lids. A more sustainable alternative made from recycled plastic has been developed, recognisable by its grey colour.
