@
MGH
Medical Resource Delivery Project
COLLECTING DATA
A unique solution to creating sustainable OR recycling is to incorporate the use of QR Codes into tracking recycled inventory. The QR Codes can be scanned using a QR Scanner through a smartphone, tablet, or other camera and Internet equipped device. The code links to an online form that collects timestamped information about inventory stock and tracks the cost of the items being donated and recycled. Currently, OR staff and student volunteers manually sort, count, and record the information, and there is little tracking of overall savings.
FASTER SHIPPING
We plan on implementing a novel weighing system that will store supplies above scales, eliminating the
need for weekly supply counting. The weight of the bins will be converted based on per item weight and will automatically update upon scanning of the appropriate QR code. When a threshold number of items are present in the necessary receptacle, a notification will be sent, and items can be shipped to resource poor communities.
EXPANSION
In the future, the OR Recycling
Program would like to expand to other operating rooms. The eventual aim is to expand to all of the operating rooms within the hospital. We will create yearly digest reports detailing recycling levels of each operating rooms. These lists will hopefully create competition to further encourage recycling and waste reduction. In the near future, we also aim to collaborate with the Center for Global Health at MGH to ensure that the supplies are delivered to global communities in the greatest need.
MANAGING COSTS
We plan to manage costs by recycling unused OR materials. The average normal
delivery costs $7,262 to $16,653, with the
average C-section costing between $10,545
and $26,3051. Of these costs, approximately $2,000 of unused materials is discarded, of
which $500-$1,500 is recyclable.
ELIMINATING WASTE
We plan to recycle 100% of the reusable materials donated by the OR. Currently,
the supplies are posted to the Med-Eq Medical Equipment Donation Agency website for donation to NGOs traveling to underserved communities. NGOs can
select boxes of supplies, which are then
shipped at no cost to the agency.
Shipping boxes are obtained and recycledfrom other medical departments.
RESOURCE
ALLOCATION
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PROJECTS
The lack of medical equipment in
developing countries is a critical point
of concern. Due to lack of insurance and low GDP per capita, providing
surgical interventions is a significant
challenge, with the “majority of the
world’s population denied access to
safe and appropriate medical devices
within their health care systems”
(WHO, 2010). However, with an
increasing supply of unused and discarded operating room resources from
developed countries, a potential
partnering opportunity exists to provide basic resources to underserved
communities.