Mercy Health is taking bold steps to embed sustainability into the heart of healthcare delivery, empowering staff to lead initiatives that care for both people and the planet.
With support from the Mercy Health Foundation, four team members from the sustainability, quality improvement, infection prevention and control, and pharmacy teams recently participated in the University of Melbourne’s Sustainability in Quality Improvement (SusQI) Workshop. The program, designed to integrate environmental sustainability into healthcare quality improvement, provided participants with practical tools to drive change within their services. Their involvement reflects Mercy Health’s team-based approach to making sustainability part of everyday healthcare.
Mercy Health is now working to embed SusQI principles into its existing improvement framework, helping staff consider and measure the environmental, social and financial impacts of their initiatives.
The workshop is already bearing fruit, with Mercy Health team members applying their learnings to tackle some of healthcare’s most pressing sustainability challenges.
Reducing Unnecessary Glove Use
Non-sterile gloves are essential for infection control, but overuse contributes to plastic waste and unnecessary costs. At Werribee Mercy Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women, more than six million gloves were used in the past year, resulting in 24 tonnes of landfill waste, equivalent to driving around Australia 10 times.
Lisa King, Manager of Infection Prevention and Control, is leading efforts to promote the appropriate use of gloves, improving hand hygiene while reducing environmental impact.
Cutting Waste from Expired Medical Consumables
Medical consumables such as dressings and syringes often expire before use, contributing to avoidable waste. Sustainability Lead Joanna Milne is working to improve systems and practices to reduce this issue, ensuring resources are used efficiently and responsibly.
Rethinking Inhaler Use
Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) carry a significant carbon footprint, and studies show up to 92% of doses go unused in hospital settings. Christina Hanciu from the Werribee Mercy Pharmacy team is exploring ways to reduce waste from unnecessary prescribing of MDIs.
A recent Canadian study revealed that unused MDIs generated emissions equivalent to driving around the planet 31 times in one year – a stark reminder of the environmental cost of waste in healthcare. Alternatives like Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) have a much lower carbon footprint.
Building Capability for Sustainable Quality Improvement
Annie Campbell, Health Services Quality Improvement Coach, is supporting staff to embed sustainability into their improvement initiatives, helping build a culture where environmental responsibility is part of everyday care.
Michelle Williams, Group Manager Caring for People and Planet, also contributed to the workshop as part of the University of Melbourne facilitation team, reinforcing Mercy Health’s leadership in sustainable healthcare.
Everyone has a role to play, and Mercy Health’s commitment to sustainability is clear: caring for the planet is part of caring for people. Team members across the organisation are encouraged to contribute ideas and take action.
