MHACB 560 COMPETENCY ONE ASSESSMENT

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School

University of Phoenix *

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560

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Health Science

Date

Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by MsGwen

1 Competency One Assessment Gwendolyn Thompson University of Phoenix MHACB 560 Nicole Goy Due Date

2 Competency One Assessment Local Hospital Sustainability Initiative (Blue Wrap Recycling) Blue wrap, made from polypropylene plastic, is used for wrapping surgical instruments for sterilization. The U.S. EPA estimates that blue wrap accounts for 19 percent of all operating room waste. Blue wrap recycling is a fairly new initiative. Our Plano campus currently recycles this blue wrap, and Dallas will soon follow this year, diverting non-biodegradable waste from landfills. Polypropylene has a relatively low market value; thus, collection and shipping expenses need to be kept to a minimum. In essence, the amount spent on collecting and transportation cannot exceed the money made from recycling (about $0.04 per pound) and the money saved on disposal (around $0.03 per pound, or $56 per ton). Mission and Vision Statement Our commitment to our environment is reflected in our values:  Selfless Service – We are an earth-friendly healthcare system, reducing our environmental impact and supporting a healthy community with an enthusiastic spirit.  Passionate Advocacy – We sustain our pediatric health system through innovation, empowerment, and accountability for the children we serve today and for generations to come.  Commitment to Excellence – We are true leaders of change who continue to explore and implement novel sustainability practices to promote a culture of exemplary environmental performance.  Unwavering Integrity – We are transparent, authentic, and honest in our sustainability journey. We recognize that our path is challenging, and we are committed to creating a better planet, community partner, and workplace due to our efforts. Outcomes to Expect Two important facets of Children's Health's Environmental Services program are waste reduction and increased recycling. Our main objectives are to increase recycling pounds on every campus and decrease regulated medical waste. We recycled 785 tons of waste in 2020, a 72% improvement over 2019 levels. Materials and supplies are delivered on pallets every day to

3 Children’s Health. Our Supply Chain Distribution Center uses reusable pallets to move material to and from the warehouse each day. Standard wooden pallets are picked up by a vendor and put back into the pallet market instead of being sent to the landfill. It is anticipated that Children's Health will become the top hospital in Texas for waste management and the biggest consumer of renewables among all pediatric hospitals in the United States as a result. Strategies to Achieve There’s a variety of ways to successfully utilize blue wrap recycling, including peer matching with another healthcare facility that has previously developed successful programs and offering a waste audit to discover the correct linkages that will optimize recycling. Getting staff acceptance and support is crucial for any new initiative. Find out from the staff how they see the program operating. Focusing on a hospital operation area that is recognized to produce clean materials is also crucial (clean plastics are preferred by the recycling market). The surgical services and laboratory divisions frequently use blue wrap. First, get input on creating a blue wrap waste reduction and recycling program from the sterile processing department and charge nurses. To determine how much blue wrap is being thrown away, ask the hospital for information on how much is bought each week or month. Finally, assemble your lead recycling "team" to create, carry out, and oversee the recycling program in addition to educating hospital personnel. Discuss the hospital's intention to recycle blue wrap and other plastics by working with the county or city recycling coordinator and the local waste hauler. Request the required pick-up service and collection containers as well. Arrange sufficient loading dock space for the storage of blue wrap before pick-up as part of the logistics plan, working with the key players' cooperation. Plan the labor and equipment needed for on-site consolidation and potential baling. Contract with current (local) providers for

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