Improving Environmental Sustainability

of Microbiology Laboratory Processes

Where is the green lab?

Aim Statement: Within twelve months, we

will achieve a 30% reduction in general and

clinical waste

Background: Typical laboratories use 3-6 times more

energy per unit surface area than an office building, due to

specialised equipment, ventilation systems, temperature

and humidity controls.

Few guidelines exist. We audited our laboratory against

recommendations for academic laboratories and found

significant deficiencies.

Team members• Sponsor/s

• A/Prof Susan McLennan, Director of Operations,

Sydney&SE Sydney, NSW Health Pathology

• Dr Raymond Chan, Head of Department, NSW Health

Pathology-RPA

• Prof Roger Wilson, Chief Pathologist, NSW

• Project Team

• Jo Mercer, Microbiology Laboratory Manager

• Tracey Tran, Technical Officer/ laboratory WHS rep.

• Min Li, Hospital Scientist

• Denis Paino, Hospital Scientist

• Rima Farhat, Hospital Scientist

• Frances Jenkins, Technical Officer• Acknowledgement: Fiona Branch

Place LHD Logo

Here

Dr Rebecca Davis Senior Staff Specialist, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology NSW Health Pathology-RPA

Rebecca.Davis4@health.nsw.gov.au ECLP Cohort 2020

Plans to sustain change

• Pathology stewardship

• Follow journey of a specimen/test to look at costs

(environmental and financial)

• Liaise with Environmental Science dept at Sydney Uni

re possibility of joint project

• Ongoing collaboration with Environmental Services

RPAH to measure waste components and improve

recycling e.g. more difficult to recycle plastics

Plans to spread / share change

Presentation to other departments (e.g. chemistry,

haematology) at NSW Health Pathology-RPA re gains and

applicability to other departments scheduled for June

educational meeting but the meeting was deferred

Link to NSW Health Pathology Strategic Plan Towards 2025

7.1 Create labs of the future: Partner in the design and delivery of

innovative physical and virtual laboratories and collection

services that better support customers, community and our staff

7.2 Smarter, sustainable services: Lead the implementation of

eco-friendly, sustainable services and workplaces

Literature review • Lopez JB et al. Reducing the Environmental Impact of Clinical

Laboratories. Clin Biochem Rev. 2017 Feb;38(1):3-11

• Ross, J et al. Improving laboratory economic and environmental

performance by the implementation of an environmental management

system. Accreditation and Quality Assurance. 2019; 24:319–327

• Reid, E et al. Outcomes and challenges of implementing an ISO

14001:2004 Environmental Management System in a clinical

laboratory. Australian Journal of Medical Science August 2012;

33(3);88-95