Course Access
Sustainability
ACIPC recognises the importance of creating sustainable approaches to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and acknowledges the need for sustainable IPC practices across all healthcare settings.
The healthcare industry plays a significantly role in contributing to environmental impact, with the Australian healthcare industry considered to be responsible for an estimated 7% of Australia’s total emissions, highlighting the critical need for sustainable practices within the healthcare system, to mitigate this impact and continue to deliver high quality care.
IPC programs are designed to prevent and minimise the risks associated with transmission of infection, and existing strategies focus on the use of transmission-based precautions, single-use and disposable items, energy intensive reprocessing methods and excess packaging that contribute to the generation of substantial amounts of health-related waste, as well as economic, environmental and social consequences.
The need to balance patient safety and environmental responsibility is significant and we aim to explore opportunities to minimise waste generation and promote responsible resource use in healthcare settings. Through collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers and environmental experts we aim to identify innovative solutions that balance patient safety with environmental accountability and demonstrate how infection prevention professionals can be at the forefront of reducing the impact of healthcare on the environment.
Key terms explained
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Terms |
Definitions |
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Biobased plastics |
Plastics fully or partially made from biological resources, rather than raw fossil materials. They may or may not be biodegradable or compostible1. |
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Biodegradable |
Refers to the ability of a substance to be broken down by microorganisms (bacteria and fungi), into natural elements like water, carbon dioxide and biomass. This process typically occurs under natural environmental conditions and results in the material being assimilated into the ecosystem without leaving harmful residues1. |
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Biodegradable plastics |
Plastics that biodegrade in certain conditions at the end of their life. May be made from biological resources or fossil raw materials1. |
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Circular economy |
An economic system that keeps materials and products in circulation for as long as possible, aiming to eliminate waste through improved design of materials, products and systems2.
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Compostable |
Materials that can be biologically decomposed under aerobic conditions, producing a stable product known as compost3 |
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Greenwashing |
The process of conveying misleading information about how a company or product is more environmentally sound than it is4. Examples include:
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Life cycle assessment |
The process of attempting to measure the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its existence |
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Net-zero |
Cutting carbon emissions to a small amount of residual emissions that can be absorbed and stored by nature and other carbon dioxide removal measures, leaving zero in the atmosphere5 |
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Recyclable |
A product or material that can be collected, processed and manufactured into a new product |
Resources
An Australian glossary on Health and Climate Change
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience Health Care Module (ACSQHC)
Sustainable glove use for healthcare workers (ACSQHC)
Articles of interest