Where is the green lab? - Ministry of Health
Transcript of Where is the green lab? - Ministry of Health
Improving Environmental Sustainability
of Microbiology Laboratory Processes
Where is the green lab?
Aim Statement: Within twelve months, we
will achieve a 30% reduction in general and
clinical waste
Background: Typical laboratories use 3-6 times more
energy per unit surface area than an office building, due to
specialised equipment, ventilation systems, temperature
and humidity controls.
Few guidelines exist. We audited our laboratory against
recommendations for academic laboratories and found
significant deficiencies.
Team members• Sponsor/s
• A/Prof Susan McLennan, Director of Operations,
Sydney&SE Sydney, NSW Health Pathology
• Dr Raymond Chan, Head of Department, NSW Health
Pathology-RPA
• Prof Roger Wilson, Chief Pathologist, NSW
• Project Team
• Jo Mercer, Microbiology Laboratory Manager
• Tracey Tran, Technical Officer/ laboratory WHS rep.
• Min Li, Hospital Scientist
• Denis Paino, Hospital Scientist
• Rima Farhat, Hospital Scientist
• Frances Jenkins, Technical Officer• Acknowledgement: Fiona Branch
Place LHD Logo
Here
Dr Rebecca Davis Senior Staff Specialist, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology NSW Health Pathology-RPA
[email protected] ECLP Cohort 2020
Plans to sustain change
• Pathology stewardship
• Follow journey of a specimen/test to look at costs
(environmental and financial)
• Liaise with Environmental Science dept at Sydney Uni
re possibility of joint project
• Ongoing collaboration with Environmental Services
RPAH to measure waste components and improve
recycling e.g. more difficult to recycle plastics
Plans to spread / share change
Presentation to other departments (e.g. chemistry,
haematology) at NSW Health Pathology-RPA re gains and
applicability to other departments scheduled for June
educational meeting but the meeting was deferred
Link to NSW Health Pathology Strategic Plan Towards 2025
7.1 Create labs of the future: Partner in the design and delivery of
innovative physical and virtual laboratories and collection
services that better support customers, community and our staff
7.2 Smarter, sustainable services: Lead the implementation of
eco-friendly, sustainable services and workplaces
Literature review • Lopez JB et al. Reducing the Environmental Impact of Clinical
Laboratories. Clin Biochem Rev. 2017 Feb;38(1):3-11
• Ross, J et al. Improving laboratory economic and environmental
performance by the implementation of an environmental management
system. Accreditation and Quality Assurance. 2019; 24:319–327
• Reid, E et al. Outcomes and challenges of implementing an ISO
14001:2004 Environmental Management System in a clinical
laboratory. Australian Journal of Medical Science August 2012;
33(3);88-95