Highlights and Key Content

After a warm welcome by Dr. Verena Grimm, the panel participants were introduced by Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hirt, who moderated the event. A special highlight was a pre-produced film documenting a robot-assisted esophageal surgery led by Prof. Dr. André L. Mihaljevic. The film impressively illustrated the issue of high waste generation in the OR, with each discarded material highlighted by an acoustic effect. At the end of the operation, the accumulated waste was collected—forming a considerable pile that prompted reflection.

A significant moment was the congratulation of the University Hospital Tübingen on winning the German Sustainability Award 2024, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to environmentally friendly processes.

Discussions and Expert Contributions

Economy vs. Ecology

Holger Diemer emphasized:
"Ecology is just as important as the economy. We must not permanently consume the resources we need for economic activity. That’s why we need a circular economy—but it must not be more expensive, as no one is willing to pay extra for it."

Sustainability at the University Hospital Tübingen

Mareike Freund, Climate Protection Manager at the University Hospital Tübingen, joined the discussion from the Greenscreen Studio and outlined key aspects of sustainability in a hospital setting. Following this, Sarah Schiemann, Head of the Sustainability Working Group, presented sustainable solutions such as the use of anesthesia gas filters, the 4R and 5R concepts for medical products, and the importance of life cycle assessment (LCA).

Lack of Sustainability Data from Medical Device Manufacturers

The absence of sustainability data from manufacturers was another central topic. Holger Diemer pointed out:
"Product information on sustainability is largely missing from manufacturers. So far, only one manufacturer has approached the University Hospital Tübingen (UKT) to provide such data. As a result, UKT was able to switch to more sustainable alternatives within that manufacturer’s product range. This means that for procurement, a manufacturer gains a clear advantage by providing transparent sustainability information."

Innovations for Sustainable Medical Products

Prof. Dr. Peter Pott and Prof. Dr. Tina Histing introduced an exciting innovation: a prototype for adjustable-length bone screws in the OR. This enables surgeons to create precise screw lengths during surgery, reducing resource waste and minimizing the need for multiple screw variants.

Project SustainMed

Dr. Marie Reumann presented SustainMed, a project funded by the Ministry for the Environment, Climate, and Energy of Baden-Württemberg. The goal is to develop a pilot tool for analyzing sustainable waste management processes in the medical sector. An initial analysis revealed that large amounts of non-contaminated packaging waste are generated during surgical preparation, some of which could be recycled. Further results will be presented in a follow-up event in June.

Personal Impressions and Conclusion

The event clearly demonstrated the urgent need for action in the field of medical sustainability. One key takeaway was the importance of medical institutions obtaining sustainability data from manufacturers to make informed procurement decisions. Discussions also highlighted that innovation and collaboration between hospitals, manufacturers, and scientists are key to driving sustainable change.

Looking Ahead: Continuation in June 2025

On June 25, 2025, a follow-up event will take place, focusing on the differences between single-use and reusable instruments, as well as their economic and quality aspects. Medical technology and medical device manufacturers are invited to collaborate with users on developing more sustainable products.

We sincerely thank all participants and speakers for an inspiring and insightful event!
Below, you can find images and impressions from the event.