Case Study

Stanford School of Medicine

In converting to the Sharpsmart reusable sharps containers, Sharpsmart helped Stanford achieve a 20% increase in efficiencies for the first year.

Keith Nobile

The Challenge

Stanford School of Medicine (SoM) faced the challenge of having multiple vendors collecting the clinical waste and sharps containers from their 26 facilities

Since SoM utilised an outside company to handle all clinical waste inside all the buildings, there were multiple complaints about clinical waste bins filling up in the labs. The end users did not understand proper waste segregation for the different containers. Prior to partnering with Sharpsmart, many buildings were transitioning from the medical centre to the SoM, resulting in confusion with the medical centre housekeeping and the outside vendor who was responsible for handling the clinical waste.

Our Approach

STEP 1

Sharpsmart examined the flow of biomedical waste, sharps, and pharmaceutical containers throughout all 26 buildings. Through carefully analysing these processes, the service technicians gained an understanding of SoM’s areas that could be improved with the assistance of Sharpsmart’s products and services.

STEP 2

Sharpsmart conducted waste audits of all buildings to ensure proper segregation was occurring. By conducting this methodical process, Sharpsmart measured the amount and type of waste generated by each building in order to identify the most efficient solutions for SoM.

STEP 3

Sharpsmart presented a comprehensive training program for proper segregation, as well as DOT training for all employees responsible for signing manifests and handling biomedical waste. By taking advantage of these educational materials, SoM has remained compliant and knowledgeable on all waste segregation.

The Solution

Sharpsmart mitigated the confusion and challenges of SoM’s employees by presenting a customised solution of taking sole responsibility of handling of all clinical waste and incineration waste streams. Sharpsmart also presented an innovative way to ensure dock space was utilised appropriately and efficiently. By conveying the clinical benefits of the sharps containers, the safety team and end users were overwhelmingly impressed. Along with the sharps container benefits, the Sharpsmart team created a highly efficient way to collect the infectious and offensive waste, resulting in less disruptions to the end users and less complaints of containers filling up too quickly.

As the Sharpsmart and SoM relationship has grown, the Sharpsmart team has implemented many innovative products. Just recently, SoM has adopted the Clinismart container. By utilising the Clinismart, efficiency has increased even more, safety has increased by not having to remove bags out of containers as much, and aesthetically the labs look a lot cleaner and streamlined.

The Outcome

Results showed that in converting to the Sharpsmart reusable system, Sharpsmart assisted Stanford School of Medicine toward:

A 20% increase in efficiencies for the first year.
The creation of a total waste collection system that increased safety and efficiency.