Urology Team introduce reusable catheter bags to help save money and plastic waste
UHDB’s Urology Team has introduced reusable catheter bags for patients who are discharged with a catheter fitted, saving over 15,000grams of plastic a year.
The new catheter hospital to home packs, which were introduced into the Trust in August 2022, mean that instead of discharged patients being supplied with seven single-use night bags, they are given one single reusable night bag, which can be used for seven days. This change means that patients will still receive a week’s supply, but it significantly reduces the use of plastic bags.
As a result of the switch to reusable bags, the amount of plastic used has been cut by 80%, saving approximately 9,600 bags from going to landfill each year.
Along with the environmental benefits of switching to reusable packs, there is also a cost saving for patients. Although the supplier, Clinisupplies, provide the hospital to home packs to UHDB free of charge, the benefits passed on to the patients in the community means that prescriptions cost for these night bags could be cut by up to 60%, which is approximately £19 per patient per month.
Sam Muter, Urology and Continence Clinical Nurse Specialist, has been part of the team working hard to implement these changes based on feedback from colleagues and patients alike.
She said: “In today’s climate, we all need to be aware of the impact of our decisions both from a cost perspective and an environmental level. Catheter products in general do create a lot of waste so we knew there must be a way in which we could help to reduce this by just thinking slightly differently.”
The Urology team worked closely with key areas in the Trust that are involved in the discharge of patients requiring catheters into the community, to ensure the smooth transition of the change in catheter bags for patients.
Amy Goodman, Urology and Continence Clinical Nurse Specialist, spoke about the interest patients show in the environmental impacts of the products used: “We are also finding that patients are asking us more about the environmental impact of the products they are using and how they can contribute. So, this has been a welcome introduction for them.”
Sam and Amy have urged other teams to review their practices, to see if there are changes that can be made in their departments to become more sustainable: “We would encourage any other teams to take it back to basics as any little change can make a huge difference in the longer term.”
You can find out more information on sustainability at UHDB >