Neurointerventions Face Waste Audit

Investigators quantify procedural waste, disposal costs, and carbon emissions in a neurointerventional angiography suite.

By
Kathryn Wighton
March 11, 2026
3 min

MDSpire News

Objective:

To quantify the types and volume of waste produced during neurointerventional procedures and evaluate associated disposal costs and estimated carbon emissions.

Approach:

Key Findings:

Average solid waste generated per case was 6.7 kg, with clinical waste accounting for 51%.
Recyclable materials constituted a significant portion: 1.4 kg of recyclable plastic (20.2%) and 0.9 kg of recyclable paper (13.4%) per procedure.
Aneurysm procedures generated the highest average waste volume at 8.9 kg per procedure.
Average waste disposal cost was approximately $1.56 per procedure, varying by procedure type.
Estimated annual waste from the department is 2,690 kg, leading to approximately 2,889 kg of carbon dioxide emissions if incinerated.

Interpretation:

The variability in waste generation and disposal costs based on procedural complexity indicates the necessity for targeted waste-reduction strategies.

Limitations:

Study conducted in a single tertiary care facility, which may limit generalizability.
Waste generation may vary in different healthcare settings or regions.

Conclusion:

The findings underscore the environmental impact of neurointerventional procedures and the importance of implementing tailored waste reduction strategies.