Mapping Greener HealthcareMapping Greener Healthcare

Goal: To reduce medication waste on Aspen Ward.

Background: High levels of wasted medication on the ward inspired the team to tackle medicine waste.

Approach: Aspen Ward communicated their goal during a team meeting and organised their project as a group. They decided on the following:

1. Liaised with key staff in pharmacy - Ward pharmacist, Ward top up technician and head of distribution in pharmacy.

2. The ordering of medication for patients which could be brought in from home via family members.

3. Out of date drugs in Aspen drug cupboards.

4. The labelling of patient drugs as ‘do not send home’ rather than as a TTO.

5. Medications being ordered as TTO’s and not being collected by patients.

Savings: The project save £6,674 in four months, which projects to £26,696 over a year. Using the SDU pharmaceuticals carbon conversion factor this equates to 4,138 kg CO2e per year.