Sustainable Product Procurement Guide
Hospitals are incredibly energy-intensive and generate enormous amounts of waste. Thus, addressing inefficiencies in their product procurement is critical. Implementing sustainable products can help hospitals balance cost, sustainability, whilst still…
Hospitals are incredibly energy-intensive and generate enormous amounts of waste. Thus, addressing inefficiencies in their product procurement is critical. Implementing sustainable products can help hospitals balance cost, sustainability, whilst still adhering to hospital regulations. The team’s research specifically focuses on improving sustainable product procurement within the UCLA Health system. The research aims to address three central questions: What does the process look like to bring a new product into the hospital? How can UCLA’s procurement strategy incorporate sustainable principles? How can a sustainable supply chain become proactive rather than reactive?
To investigate this, we conducted interviews with key hospital administrators, vendors, and sustainability specialists to identify barriers and opportunities for sustainable procurement. Market research provided insights into viable product alternatives that align with UCLA Health’s sustainability goals. Our findings so far indicate that products like reprocessed stethoscopes, biodegradable gloves, and disinfectant wipes offer significant environmental benefits with minimal cost increase. Challenges emerged when trying to find sustainable products that met strict medical sterility standards and seamlessly integrated into daily hospital operations, from laundering staff and nurses to chief doctors performing open-heart surgeries. By prioritizing products that would likely not be handled by a physician but still reduce Ronald Reagan Medical Center’s environmental footprint, we have identified feasible solutions for UCLA Health. With that in mind, we created a Sustainable Procurement Guide through research, interviews, and stakeholder approvals. The guide will provide UCLA Health with a framework for sustainable procurement, serving as a model for RRUMC and other institutions.
Stakeholder: Noah Bidna, UCLA Health Supply Chain Analyst
Project Leads: Vicky Tong and Campbell Baker
Members: Ethan Shnack, Kevin Briseno, Eden Kessler, Natalie Gurzeler, Jackson Roberts