Green inhalers cut puffer waste
A simple recyclable puffer holder is allowing patients with asthma to breathe easy, while significantly reducing our impact on the environment.
The Lung Function Team, in collaboration with Alfred Health physician and Monash University sustainability researcher Dr Michael Loftus, has been busy finding a solution to the high use of metered dose inhalers (MDIs) or 'puffers' at the hospital's lung function lab.
"Infection prevention measures meant staff previously used a new puffer for any patient requiring inhaled medication during their lung function assessment, but over the year, this meant over 5000 puffers were being used," said Dr Loftus.
“We know that - due to their propellant gas - an entire MDI canister has the same carbon footprint as driving a petrol car more than 150km, so were keen to find a meaningful solution.”
Now, recyclable holders, combined with a new cleaning process, means puffers can be safely reused between patients without compromising their wellbeing and will cut puffer use down to just 50 per year.
“This was a terrific, practical collaboration combining researchers and frontline healthcare workers to identify a carbon ‘hot spot’ within healthcare and implement a practical solution,” said Dr Loftus.
