Sustainability interventions in nursing wards
Verpleegkundig handelen
Non-sterile bladder catheter insertion
Since July 2024, bladder catheterisation may be performed using the new ‘no-touch technique’. In this method, non-sterile gloves are used, and the genital area is cleaned with tap water. This more sustainable approach requires fewer sterile materials and saves time, as the procedure can be performed by a single nurse. With this intervention, nurses put the new guideline into practice.
Intervention
Perform bladder catheterization using the no-touch technique instead of sterile catheterization.
Environmental impact
Measured in CO₂ emissions, based on the reduced use of environmentally harmful materials in bladder catheterization.
Implementation approach
Look at the approach for implementing a different method in nursing practice and consult the step-by-step guide for more information on setting goals, implementation, and evaluation.
When is it implemented?
This intervention is implemented when each nursing unit in the hospital uses the clean catheterization guideline and the kg of CO2-equivalent has been calculated.
How is this measured?
Determine the number of bladder catheterizations per year using purchasing data for insertion sets or individual catheters (when sets are not used). Analyze the purchasing data from the previous year and calculate how many insertion sets or catheters were purchased over the course of a year for the nursing units. Fill in the environmental impact calculation tool*.
If not all nursing units have adopted the new method, follow the "measuring intervention with purchasing data" procedure.
Resources
click here for the Radboudumc infographic where they implemented this intervention and saved 2151 kg of waste per year.
click here for a display from the Green OR about the difference in materials between clean catheterization and sterile catheterization.
click here for an information poster published by V&VN.
click here for the bladder catheterization guideline, module 2 insertion.
Footnotes
* The environmental impact calculator follows
- Samenwerkingsverband Richtlijnen Infectiepreventie. (Juli 2024). Richtlijn Blaaskatheterisatie.
Resultaten
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View our other interventions
Nursing practice
Replacing IV lines every seven days
IV lines, the part of the infusion system that remains outside the body and connects to the intravenous catheter, are currently replaced every four days to prevent infections. Research shows that replacing IV systems every seven days does not increase the risk of infection. This saves materials and time for nurses.
Monitoring parameters
Reusable transport bag for laboratory samples
Nurses collect various samples for diagnostic testing. For transport to the laboratory, different single-use containers such as cups, bags, or kidney trays are currently used and then discarded. A reusable transport container is a more sustainable alternative.
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 do-not-do recommendations1 advises: “Avoid or limit unnecessary layers underneath the patient, such as linen, positioning materials, cellulose mats, incontinence materials, clothing, and bedding.”
