SR 174: requesting the Department of Health to encourage reductions in the use of disposable surgical equipment and adoption of sustainable practices in the provision of health care services following examples set by California and Japan.

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the Department of Health to encourage reductions in the use of disposable surgical equipment and adoption of 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 Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Health is requested to encourage reductions in the use of disposable surgical equipment and adoption of 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 Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Director of Health.

Report Title: 

DOH; Disposable Surgical Equipment; Sustainable Practices

SENATE 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 Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, 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 Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Director of Health.

Report Title: 

DOH; Disposable Surgical Equipment; Sustainable Practices

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1542

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 174

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.R. No. 174 entitled:

"SENATE 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,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request 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.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that there are opportunities for the Department of Health to reduce the ecological footprint of the health care sector in the State, especially in regard to medical waste.  Your Committee further finds that disposable surgical equipment contributes significantly to medical waste, much of which ends up in landfills or incinerators, exacerbating the State's waste management challenges.  Your Committee notes that California has already made strides toward waste reduction in health care facilities through initiatives such as reusable surgical gowns and instruments, which have reduced overall waste and saved costs in the long term.  Your Committee further notes that Japan has implemented similar practices, integrating sterilization technology to safely reuse medical equipment, setting an example of sustainability in health care.  This measure promotes sustainability initiatives in the State's health care sector by encouraging reductions in medical waste and adoption of sustainable practices in the provision of health care services.

     Your Committee notes the concern raised in testimony that the Department of Health alone cannot be expected to reduce the use of disposable surgical equipment and adopt sustainable practices in the provision of health care services in the State.  Therefore, there is a need to amend this measure to address this concern.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the Department of Health is requested to encourage reductions in the use of disposable surgical equipment and adoption of sustainable practices in the provision of health care services following examples set by California and Japan; and

     (2)  Amending its title accordingly.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 174, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 174, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,