709-ENVI
Applying the 3 R's of Sustainability to the Operating Room: How to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to Cut Operating Room Costs

Chairs: Michelle Louie
Faculty: Janelle Katie Moulder, Asha B. McClurg, Jacqueline Wong

Description: Speakers propose cost-cutting strategies for the operating room based on the 3 R's of sustainability: reduce, reuse, and recycle. The speakers will review how to define and calculate operating room expenditures and offer tactics and surgical techniques to reduce costs without sacrificing patient safety or surgical efficiency. A review of the medical literature with a focus on environmental sustainability, adaptability, and thinking outside the box will underscore presentations from each speaker. Topics include: (1) When old is new again: cost cutting tips and tricks using "old school" techniques; (2) Less is more: evidence-based strategies to reduce operating room waste; (3) Recycling: What's the deal with refurbished instruments?

Learning Objectives: At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:
Describe how to calculate operating room costs
Perform cost-saving, adaptive, and ecologically-sound surgical techniques
Compare the role and safety of reusable and refurbished instruments in the modern practice of laparoscopic surgery

Course Outline
9:15 AM Welcome, Introduction and Course Overview
M. Louie
9:20 AM How to Calculate Operating Room Costs
J. Moulder
9:45 AM Reduce: Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Operating Room Waste
A. McClurg
10:10 AM Reuse: When Old is New Again: Cost Cutting Tips and Tricks Using "Old School" Techniques
J. Wong
10:35 AM Recycle: What's the Deal With Refurbished Instruments?
M. Louie
11:00 AM Discussion Questions & Answers
11:15 AM Adjourn