Sustainability interventions in nursing wards
ADL
Washable underpad
Disposable cellulose mats have a significant environmental impact due to the raw materials used in their production. For example, wood is needed to make the pulp that gives the mats their absorbent quality. In addition, cellulose mats are difficult to recycle.
Intervention
Replacing disposable fiber mats with washable pads.
Implementation approach
Look at the approach for implementing a (reusable) product and consult the step-by-step guide for more information on setting goals, implementation, and evaluation.
Environmental impact
Measured in CO2 -emissions by reducing the number of fiber mats and reusing washable pads. Want to know more about the environmental impact? See the bottom of this page for more information.
Current situation
Disposable cellulose mat 60 x 60 cm
- 100 cellulose mats of 28 grams = 20.2 kg CO2-eq
- 100 cellulose mats of 40 grams = 26.6 kg CO2-eq
New situation
60 x 60 cm washable pad
- Use a washable pad 100 times and wash 100 times = 8.7 kg CO2-eq
-33-43% CO2
Two disposable fiber mats were calculated: a 28-gram fiber mat with 330 grams of absorption capacity and one of 40 grams with 570 grams of absorption capacity.
Using a washable pad 100 times instead of a cellulose mat saves
13.6-20.6
kg CO2-eq
and is equivalent to driving 70 to 106 km
When is it implemented?
This intervention is considered implemented when nursing units in the hospital have switched to using washable underpads and the difference in CO₂-equivalent (kg) has been calculated.
How is this measured?
The environmental impact of this intervention can be determined using purchasing data on the number of cellulose mats, see the procedure for measuring an intervention using purchasing data.
Note: Other interventions may affect the outcomes of this intervention. If the ‘Reducing the use of cellulose mats’ intervention is implemented at the same time, this could influence the purchasing data of cellulose mats. Implement the ‘Reducing cellulose mat use’ intervention first, followed by this intervention, to accurately measure the effect.
Resources
Click here for an example from Noordwest Hospital Group where washable underpads were introduced. The hospital aims for zero disposable cellulose mats per year.
Click here for the best practice from the Green ICU on washable underpads.
View our other interventions
ADL
Reducing absorbent mat use
Disposable absorbent mats are designed to absorb large amounts of body fluids from patients. In practice, they are also used for other purposes, such as wiping up spilled liquids on the floor. In many cases, a towel or collection tray will suffice. Because of their high consumption in hospitals, absorbent mats have a significant environmental impact1.
Monitoring parameters
Reducing blood testing
Blood samples are an essential part of patient care, but they also generate waste and take time. Nurses play an important role at the start of this process and, together with physicians and nurse specialists, can explore ways to reduce the number of blood samples performed.
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.
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.
