A multidisciplinary team comprised of clinical experts, operations leaders and ambulatory clinic managers from BC Cancer have published a paper in the BC Medical Journal titled, “Eliminating the routine use of examination table paper in outpatient oncology clinics.”
Researchers include Caroline Mariano, MD; Hannah Wells, BSc; Maura Brown, MD; Krista Clement, BSc; Rae Wooffindin, BSN; Kevin Hare, BSN; Shilo Lefresne, MD; Jagbir Kaur, BSN; Michael Darud, BSc; Vincent Chui, BSc; and Jane Sun, BSc.
More info: The paper explores the impact health care systems have on contributing to greenhouse gas emissions through single-use products, such as examination table paper. The objective of this study was to eliminate the routine use of examination table paper in outpatient oncology clinics at four BC Cancer centres: Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and Surrey. Researchers found that pre-intervention, cancer centres used 19 to 69 rolls of paper monthly, and post-intervention, usage declined to 0 to 2 rolls monthly. This led to the conclusion that the use of examination table paper can be eliminated in outpatient clinics, resulting in both cost savings and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
CBC News: B.C. Cancer eliminates exam paper, saves 32 tonnes of emissions