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Environmental Accountability in Perioperative Settings
Author(s) -
Melamed Ann
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
aorn journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1878-0369
pISSN - 0001-2092
DOI - 10.1016/s0001-2092(06)60978-2
Subject(s) - business , reuse , bioaccumulation , environmental planning , perioperative , health care , environmental pollution , toxic waste , pollution , perioperative nursing , medical waste , environmental health , medicine , environmental science , waste management , environmental protection , hazardous waste , engineering , political science , ecology , law , biology , surgery
Global environmental problems are connected to patient care issues. The amount and toxicity of medical waste have increased in recent decades. Certain medical products contribute significantly to pollution and contamination of the food chain with persistent, bioac‐cumulative toxins, including mercury and dioxins. Perioperative nurses need to understand how best to segregate waste and take advantage of opportunities for reuse and recycling. There are many ways nurses can contribute to pollution prevention in health care, some of which are detailed in this article. AORN J 77 (June 2003) 1157‐1168.