Reducing waste in the cardiac catheterization laboratory: insights from a co-design workshop

Aims

Healthcare is a significant contributor to environmental degradation, with cardiac catheterization laboratories (cath labs) recognized as high-resource clinical environments. The aim of this study was to identify modifiable drivers of clinical waste and co-develop practical, locally relevant strategies to improve environmental sustainability within a cath lab setting.

Methods and results

A qualitative co-design workshop was conducted at a metropolitan tertiary hospital in Australia. Ten participants, including clinical staff, hospital administrators, support services personnel, and community members, engaged in structured discussions using a World Café model. Data were collected through field notes, participant-generated materials, and member checking, and were analysed thematically using an inductive approach. Six interrelated themes emerged: (i) excessive packaging and procurement practices, (ii) underutilization and disposability of clinical stock, (iii) behavioural norms and change readiness, (iv) infrastructure and feasibility constraints, (v) community and patient engagement, and (vi) measurement, leadership, and accountability. Participants expressed motivation to reduce waste but identified systemic and organizational barriers that limited the adoption of sustainable practices.

Conclusion

Sustainability in the cath lab is shaped by modifiable factors beyond individual clinician behaviour, including procurement policies, stock management, and leadership structures. Embedding sustainability within organizational processes and engaging patients and communities are essential to achieving meaningful, lasting reductions in healthcare waste.