AB134. SOH25_AB_206. The environmental impact of interventional radiology: an analysis of carbon emissions and disposal costs of caudal epidural injections

Background: The rise in image-guided interventions for pain management requires addressing in the context of environmental impact. This research is being undertaken to evaluate waste generation at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (NOHC), which conducts 1,900 interventional radiology (IR) procedures annually. We aim to quantify the environmental and financial impacts of the waste produced whilst addressing initiatives to enhance waste management.

Methods: Clinical, domestic, and recycled waste weights were recorded, including the segregation of Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) Blue Wrap waste in caudal epidural injections. Additionally, kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions (kgCO2e) and disposal cost calculated.

Results: Preliminary findings in a sample size of 30 RT injections performed by seven different interventional radiologists, have shown that each caudal epidural steroid injections kit produces ~2.231 kgCO2e of waste. Materials within the kit were wasted by 85% of the radiologists. CSSD Blue Wrap contributed on average 35% of waste associated with injections. Extrapolating these findings to the estimated number of IR injections performed in 2023 at NOHC (1,996 IR injections in 2023), the emissions are estimated to be 4,453 kgCO2e, with the total cost of disposal kits estimated to be €7,800.

Conclusions: Proposed methods of waste reduction include replacing some single-use injection pack materials with sterilizable metal equipment, replacing CSSD Blue Wrap waste with biodegradable alternatives, providing training on waste segregation to healthcare providers, and most importantly, improving kit customization to the proposed radiological procedure.

Keywords: Caudal epidural injections; interventional radiology (IR); sustainable healthcare; sustainability; waste reduction