A reduction in prone-position-related hospital-acquired pressure injuries between the two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic

The NHS employs 1.7 million staff and over the last 5 years, > 600 million disposable cups have been used in the sector [1]. Each year, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) procures 375,000 polystyrene cups for theatre use. Based on these figures, we estimate usage of > 1 million single-use cups within East Midlands (EM). Methods We decided to replace disposable cups with mugs in theatres throughout EM to reduce our carbon footprint, whilst reducing costs. We contacted various companies to sponsor our project to procure mugs for: all anaesthetists working in 12 NHS Trusts in EM (personalised);UHL theatre and intensive care unit (ICU) staff (split cost between the Trust and us);32 generic mugs per hospital to encourage switch from disposable to reusable cups. We reached out to all 12 anaesthetic departments. Ten provided us with a named list of staff, subject to GDPA rules. Two hospitals requested generic mugs instead of personalised ones, so that they could put them in dishwashers. We agreed to provide 85 generic mugs each but negotiated for trainees to have their own personalised ones. Results Seven companies agreed to sponsor $4800 in total towards the project. In total, we procured 877 personalised and 1468 generic mugs. These were distributed in July 2019. Leftover money was used to procure mugs for subsequent trainees, but with COVID-19, the distribution of mugs for new trainees became difficult after April 2020. Therefore, the small excess fund was used to purchase fruits and drinks to improve staff morale and wellbeing during the pandemic. Following this exercise, a survey of 111 staff showed the project had resulted in a change of behaviour towards more sustainable practice. Most respondents also reported an improvement in their morale. Discussion UHL's Department Of Anaesthesia And Intensive Care spends $9375 on single-use cups per annum. Replacing these with mugs cost $1840. Cost savings were invested in dishwashers to sustain the project. Mugs for all anaesthetists in EM cost us $3120. The NHS is one of the biggest environmental polluters in the country. Our project highlights the scale of the problem and sets the foundation for a more sustainable workplace environment.