Sustainability interventions in nursing wards
ADL
Reducing washing of unused (clean) linen
Keeping a stock of linen in the patient room, either by the bed or in the cupboard, is convenient but not always necessary. After discharge, the patient room is cleaned and any unused linen in the room is treated as used laundry and washed again.
Intervention
Critically assess the linen stock in patient rooms by, for example, using a separate linen trolley.
Environmental impact
Measured in CO₂ emissions, based on the reduction in the number of kilograms of linen washed.
Implementation approach
- Refer to the approach for reducing the use of a product.
- Conduct a baseline and follow-up measurement* to assess the current situation. Use a sample to determine the amount of unused linen that remains after a patient is discharged. Record the quantity and type of linen items, such as sheets, pillowcases, blankets, draw sheets, towels, washcloths, patient gowns/pyjamas, and any other items relevant to the hospital.
- Reduce the stock kept in patient rooms by storing linen in a separate cabinet or trolley in the hallway or a designated storage room. If this is not possible on the ward, minimise the in-room stock to a one-day supply and document this in the implementation plan.
- Consult the step-by-step guide for more information on setting goals, implementation, and evaluation.
When is it implemented?
This intervention is considered implemented when the set goal has been achieved, with less unused linen being washed compared to before the implementation, and the difference in CO₂-equivalent (kg) has been calculated.
How this is measured?
Use the linen input tool** to calculate the total weight of the linen items and fill in the environmental impact calculator***.
Note: Other interventions may affect the results of this one. If the "Reducing linen use" intervention is implemented at the same time, it may strengthen the calculated environmental impact. Implement the "Reduce linen use" intervention at a different time to measure the effect accurately.
Resources
Click here for an example from the United Kingdom where they conducted a pre- and post-measurement and implemented a linen trolley in the corridor.
Footnotes
* Linen sample template to follow
** Linen input tool to follow
*** The environmental impact calculator to follow
Resultaten
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View our other interventions
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Clean intermittent catheterisation
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.
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.”
