Communication Dans Un Congrès Année : 2025

Rethinking the Use of Medical Devices in Operating Rooms: Leveraging Eco-Design to Reduce Environmental Impact without Compromising Surgical Performance

Résumé

Medical devices (MDs) are a broad category of tools, instruments and implants used in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. They are essential to modern healthcare and have a crucial role in surgical practice. However, their environmental impact, particularly in operating rooms (ORs), is increasingly becoming a major concern. In France, MDs are estimated to account for approximately 21% of healthcare-related greenhouse gas emissions, according to a 2024 study by The Shift Project, largely driven by the extensive use of single-use items, which generate significant volumes of waste. Although prior studies have investigated the environmental impacts of specific materials and sterilization techniques, little is known about how systemic practices in ORs contribute to these impacts. This study, conducted within the framework of the MALIC project (the innovation center of Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, a French private non-profit hospital), explores how eco-design strategies can be implemented in the development and use of MDs, balancing environmental performance, clinical efficiency, and regulatory compliance. This preliminary work lays the groundwork for a longer-term research study. The research adopts a dual approach: a literature review and a field investigation within a major French cardiothoracic hospital. Data were collected through direct observation of open-heart and minimally invasive surgeries, semi-structured interviews with hospital stakeholders, including procurement officers and surgical staff. The study uncovers systemic inefficiencies and barriers to environmentally-sustainable practices. Key findings indicate that the operating room environment is characterized by highly linear material flows and a heavy reliance on disposable medical devices, even for high-value equipment. This dependence is frequently driven by manufacturers’ strategies, sterility protocols, and perceptions of risk that discourage reuse. Observations revealed significant volumes of plastic packaging, a lack of differentiation between infectious and non-infectious waste, and the use of single-use devices even in cases where reuse would be technically feasible. Reusable instruments are rarely preferred, and when they are, challenges arise from logistical constraints, such as delayed sterilization or stock mismanagement. Interviews further showed that procurement decisions are rarely informed by environmental criteria, with clinicians prioritizing comfort and familiarity. Recycling practices remain almost entirely absent, and structured feedback loops linking environmental objectives, clinical needs, and procurement decisions are notably lacking. Three main leverage points emerged. First, reintroducing reusable surgical MDs under controlled conditions requires robust sterilization infrastructure and clear coordination among surgical, sterilization, and logistics teams. Second, improving waste sorting within high-pressure surgical workflows calls for adapted collection protocols, targeted staff training, and collaboration with waste management partners. Third, addressing the dominance of linear product models involves revising procurement specifications, initiating constructive dialogues with suppliers, and integrating environmental performance into purchasing decisions. These findings provide a foundation for ongoing applied research within the MALIC project.

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Dates et versions

hal-05393728 , version 1 (02-12-2025)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : hal-05393728 , version 1

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Adam Blalate, Benoît Dabouis, François Cluzel, Antoine Agathon, Laure Aubrege. Rethinking the Use of Medical Devices in Operating Rooms: Leveraging Eco-Design to Reduce Environmental Impact without Compromising Surgical Performance. Congrès MCV 2025 - Management du Cycle de Vie, Nov 2025, Bordeaux, France. ⟨hal-05393728⟩
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