Design and In Vitro Validation of an Orthopaedic Drill Guide for Femoral Stem Revision in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Objective: Cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) demonstrates superior survival rates compared to uncemented procedures. Nevertheless, most younger patients opt for uncemented THA, as removing well-fixed bone cement in the femur during revisions is complex, particularly the distal cement plug. This removal procedure often increases the risk...

Creating a circular healthcare economy: Circular strategies for sustainable healthcare

Our world is the only planet, as far as we know, which harbors life. The number of humans on our planet has grown tremendously in recent centuries. In 1800 one billion humans occupied our earth; on 15 November 2022, this number reached 8 billion.<br/><br/>A result of this growth, the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary greenhouse gas...

From surgical waste to medical products

Hospital waste has a major impact on the environment. The worldwide growth of hospital waste is the result of the growing world population and the increase in use of disposables. A circular healthcare economy may contribute to the reduction of hospital waste. The circular economy is a system in which waste is prevented and where waste is reused....

Mondmaskers: van afval naar grondstof

De totale zorg draagt naar schatting voor 5 tot 8% bij aan de totale CO2-uitstoot in Nederland. Dit wordt mede veroorzaakt door het grote verbruik van medische wegwerpproducten, die na gebruik verbrand worden. Onderzocht is of gebruikte chirurgische mondmaskers gerecycled kunnen worden om nieuwe medische producten te maken. Recyclen kan ervoor...

Reprocessing Zamak laryngoscope blades into new instrument parts: an ‘all-in-one’ experimental study

Introduction: Disposable instruments in healthcare have led to a significant increase of medical waste. The aim of this study is to validate the recycling of disposable Zamak laryngoscope blades into new medical products by using a new ‘all-in-one’ affordable reprocessing setup as alternative for die-casting. <br/>Methods: An “all-in-one”...

A Life Cycle Assessment of reprocessing face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic led to threatening shortages in healthcare of medical products such as face masks. Due to this major impact on our healthcare society an initiative was conducted between March and July 2020 for reprocessing of face masks from 19 different hospitals. This exceptional opportunity was used to study the costs impact and the...

Can sterilization of disposable face masks be an alternative for imported face masks?: A nationwide field study including 19 sterilization departments and 471 imported brand types during COVID-19 shortages

Background<br/>Face masks, also referred to as half masks, are essential to protect healthcare professionals working in close contact with patients with COVID-19-related symptoms. Because of the Corona material shortages, healthcare institutions sought an approach to reuse face masks or to purchase new, imported masks. The filter quality of...

Surgical waste reprocessing: Injection molding using recycled blue wrapping paper from the operating room

Introduction<br/>Hospitals in the Netherlands generate approximately 1.3 million kg of waste from the polypropylene (PP) wrapping paper (WP) used to wrap surgical instruments each year. The aim of this study was to develop a method to recycle WP waste into new medical devices.<br/><br/>Methods<br/>WP was recovered from Maasstad Hospital,...

A novel Veress needle mechanism that reduces overshooting after puncturing the abdominal wall

Background: Complications that occur in laparoscopic surgery are often associated with the initial entry into the peritoneal cavity. The literature reported incidences of Veress needle (VN) injuries of e.g. 0.31% and 0.23%. In a 2010 national survey of laparoscopic entry techniques in the Canadian General Surgical practice, 57.3% of...

A Circular Healthcare Economy; a feasibility study to reduce surgical stainless steel waste

The Circular Economy faces a growing interest. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of a circular approach towards reusing discarded hospital instruments and stainless steel waste. Secondary, this study aims to identify if any cost savings can be realized by following a circular instrument repair and recycling approach....

A Comparison of Particle Filter Efficiency Measurements for Protective Masks using Particle Counters with Different Flow Rates

Sterilization of disposable face masks by means of standardized dry and steam sterilization processes: an alternative in the fight against mask shortages due to COVID-19

Steam sterilization of used disposable face masks with respect to COVID-19 shortages

Is there an adequate alternative to commercially manufactured face masks? A comparison of various materials and forms

Background: There is a worldwide shortage of medical-grade face masks. Donning masks can play an important role in curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Aim: To conclude whether there is an effective mask for the population to wear in public that could easily be made during a medical face mask shortage using readily available materials. Methods:...

Reprocessing filtering facepiece respirators in primary care using medical autoclave: prospective, bench-to-bedside, single-centre study

OBJECTIVE: There are widespread shortages of personal protective equipment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reprocessing filtering facepiece particle (FFP)-type respirators may provide an alternative solution in keeping healthcare professionals safe. DESIGN: Prospective, bench-to-bedside. SETTING: A primary care-based study using FFP-2...