SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Life Cycle Analysis of Evacuated Containers Used for Paracentesis

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This study evaluated the environmental impact of two evacuated containers used for paracentesis—glass versus plastic—as part of a planned hospital materials transition. Using a life cycle analysis (LCA) consistent with ISO 14040 standards, the authors assessed one-liter containers with data from EcoInvent and the TRACI 2.2 framework. The analysis included material production, shipping from China, and landfill disposal, but excluded other procedure-related materials, vacuum seal creation, and autoclaving for biohazard waste.<br /><br />The results showed that the plastic container had a slightly lower carbon footprint than the glass container: 24.3 kg CO2-equivalents versus 25.8 kg CO2-equivalents, a difference of 1.5 kg CO2-equivalents per bottle. Plastic also performed better across overall impact categories, with the largest differences seen in global warming potential and smog potential.<br /><br />Although the per-unit difference is modest, the authors emphasize that the effect becomes meaningful when repeated across high-volume clinical use. For example, switching to the plastic container 1,000 times would avoid emissions comparable to driving nearly 4,000 miles in a gasoline-powered vehicle.<br /><br />The study concludes that procurement decisions in healthcare can significantly affect environmental impact, and that LCA is a useful tool for guiding more sustainable purchasing choices. Limitations include the analysis being specific to one healthcare system and some reliance on estimated or unavailable manufacturer data.

Asset Subtitle

Adriana E. Vieco

Meta Tag

Author List Adriana E. Vieco, Karly Hampshire, Mark Terng, Rafael Vissepo-Barba, Stephanie Conner

Category Research

Concept Life Cycle Analysis

Concept Carbon Footprint

Concept Environmental Impact

Concept Healthcare Procurement

Concept Evacuated Container

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Presenting Author Adriana E. Vieco

Track Value in Hospital Medicine

Keywords

life cycle analysis

paracentesis

evacuated containers

plastic container

glass container

carbon footprint

ISO 14040

TRACI 2.2

healthcare procurement

environmental impact

Life Cycle Analysis

Carbon Footprint

Environmental Impact

Healthcare Procurement

Evacuated Container