How green is your OR?

Concerns for global ecosystems and an increase in general ecologic beliefs are becoming more commonplace, both in personal and professional practice. The nursing field is no different, as healthcare facilities are in need of environmentally sound policies. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), healthcare organizations spend more than $8.5 billion on energy each year to meet patient needs.1 It is also estimated that healthcare facilities create between 2 to 4 million tons of waste in the United States.2 Healthcare facilities and practices contribute to the degradation of healthy environments, which, in turn, can cause more disease in humans. Ecologic behaviors in the nurse’s professional environment can help develop more environmentally friendly, or “green,” nursing practices. This can improve local and global environments by decreasing the amount and costs of waste disposal, as well as reducing potential human or environmental health threats. Ultimately, such activities seek to promote a sustainable human ecosystem. Nurses can play a key role in developing a more environmentally sustainable professional practice. The OR is an area where the use of “greening” ?