Case Study: Catholic Healthcare West
Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) has integrated environmental policies into its mission and job descriptions to show its commitment
to environmental performance as a core value. Single-use device reprocessing is an important part of CHW’s environmental
program. Based on its experience, CHW offers the following suggestions for implementing a successful reprocessing program.
People
- An executive sponsor
- A department champion and backup who has credibility with doctors and staff
- At least one champion in the operating room
- A sales representative with visibility and responsive actions (door-to-door department performance reports)
Process
- A commitment to results in which staff can’t find a "loophole for failure"
- Staff who believe they are “doing the right thing” and making a difference
- Sufficient education to fight off the original equipment manufacturers’ attack on the credibility of reprocessing
- Access to the "data" using the Internet
- A standing agenda item at department meetings
- Results posted for doctors and staff
Communication with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
- Know who owns the business – we are the customer.
- Make known that stewardship of resources and the environment is a priority.
- Make the desire to use reusables, reposables known.
- State the belief that it is safe, reliable, and "the right thing to do."
- Warn about potential consequences tied to counter-detailing.
- Move the disposable business if necessary.
Hospitals should be prepared for what to expect
- Post vendor access policy in clinical departments.
- Request immediate copies of any letters from original equipment manufacturers.
- Prevent the possibility that doctors will "buy-in" to false claims about reprocessed devices.
- Know where to go for facts (original equipment manufacturers may have bad information).
- Be prepared at the corporate level to take action with vendors as needed to move business.
- Call on reprocessor representatives to “coach” doctors and staff.
Source: Practice Greenhealth newsletter
