Greening the Supply Chain Series: No More Excuses: Breaking Down Barriers to Achieve Significant Reprocessing Savings

Overview

Session Description

Over the past decade, the acceptance and popularity of third-party reprocessing of single-use medical devices (SUD) has grown dramatically. This success is largely driven by the program's ability to safely prevent thousands of tons of medical waste from going into landfills and save healthcare systems hundreds of millions of dollars every year. The combined environmental and financial benefits have helped SUD reprocessing become one of the single most influential sustainability initiatives currently undertaken by US hospitals – so why isn't every hospital reprocessing? This panel session will identify the most common barriers facility leaders face in implementing and maintaining a successful SUD reprocessing program, including useful tips from hospital leaders that will help any type of healthcare facility overcome them.

Learning Objectives

Examine key drivers of the continued growth of SUD reprocessing
Identify tactics to navigate complicated organizational systems and to overcome reprocessing resistance
Uncover SUD contracting dynamics that may limit your savings potential
Recognize new ways to maximize your existing program's savings long-term
Learn how to replicate successful reprocessing programs across multiple facilities

Presenters

Ellen Cleary, RN, BSN, MBA, CNOR, Director of Surgical and Endoscopic Services Edward HospitalAs the Director of Surgical and Endoscopic Services at Edward Hospital, Ellen has full clinical and financial responsibility over surgery, endoscopy, sterile processing and anesthesia. She began her career in nursing 24 years ago and has been at Edward Hospital for the past 3 years. She initiated the recycling and reprocessing program in surgery with Stryker Sustainability Solutions shortly after joining Edward Hospital. The program began in June 2012 and has netted considerable savings and diversion of garbage from landfills since.

Major Wendy H. Wilkins, RN, BSN, MSN, CNOR, Operating Room Flight Commander, Surgical Services Flight, Misawa Air Base, Japan
Major Wilkins is the Operating Room Flight Commander currently assigned to the 35th Surgical Operations Squadron, 35th Medical Group, Misawa Air Base, Japan. As the AF SG?s Cost Conscious Culture Champion for the AF Recycling Program, she works in collaboration with other healthcare professionals to provide a multidisciplinary approach to positive changes in the surgical environment, including implementing single-use device reprocessing programs.
Major Wilkins completed her nursing degree in 1995 at Meridian Community College and has served numerous roles as an OR staff nurse, manager, OR Support Element Chief, and Operating Room Flight Commander. Prior to her current assignment she was the 96 MDG Executive Officer at Eglin AFB Florida and the Nurse Manager over Vascular/Thoracic Surgery. Prior to her current assignment to Japan, she was the Surgical Operations Flight Commander at Keesler Air Force Base.

Erin Broeske, Director, Corporate Accounts, Stryker Sustainability Solutions
As director of corporate accounts for Stryker Sustainability Solutions, the leading provider of reprocessing and re-manufacturing services for medical devices, Erin serves as a key partner to hospitals, IDNs and GPOs helping them advance their individual sustainability goals. Prior to joining Stryker, Erin served as Director of Market Research Operations for brand strategy firm, Six Degrees and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in global business from Arizona State University.