HCR 194: requesting the department of health to reduce the use of disposable surgical equipment and adopt sustainable practices in the provision of health care services following examples set by california and japan.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of health to reduce the use of disposable surgical equipment and adopt sustainable practices in the provision of health care services following examples set by california and japan.

     WHEREAS, the State recognizes the environmental and economic impacts associated with the excessive use of disposable surgical equipment; and

     WHEREAS, hospitals and health care facilities generate significant medical waste that often consists of single-use surgical instruments and supplies and contributes to landfill overflow and environmental pollution; and

     WHEREAS, California has implemented programs that encourage the use of reprocessed and sterilized surgical instruments, reducing medical waste and lowering costs for health care facilities; and

     WHEREAS, Japan has successfully adopted advanced sterilization and recycling techniques to extend the lifespan of surgical instruments while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and infection control; and

     WHEREAS, reducing the reliance on disposable surgical equipment in the State aligns with the State's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship; and

     WHEREAS, adopting the use of reusable and reprocessed surgical equipment can lead to substantial cost savings for health care institutions while maintaining high-quality patient care; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to reduce the use of disposable surgical equipment and adopt sustainable practices in the provision of health care services following examples set by California and Japan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is urged to develop guidelines and initiatives aimed at reducing the use of disposable surgical equipment in health care facilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that hospitals and medical centers in the State are encouraged to explore partnerships with companies specializing in medical equipment sterilization and reprocessing; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to submit a report detailing the feasibility, potential cost savings, and environmental benefits of reducing disposable surgical equipment usage to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Director of Health.

Report Title: 

DOH; Disposable Surgical Equipment; Sustainable Practices