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BackTable / Urology / Podcast / Episode #276

Understanding Medical Waste Management in Operating Rooms

with Dr. Sunil Patel, Dr. Ruchika Talwar

Can we reduce OR waste without compromising patient care? In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Sunil Patel (Johns Hopkins) joins host Dr. Ruchika Talwar (Vanderbilt) to explore strategies for improving environmental sustainability in surgical practice.

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Understanding Medical Waste Management in Operating Rooms with Dr. Sunil Patel, Dr. Ruchika Talwar on the BackTable Urology Podcast
Ep 276 Understanding Medical Waste Management in Operating Rooms with Dr. Sunil Patel, Dr. Ruchika Talwar
00:00 / 01:04

BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2025, November 25). Ep. 276 – Understanding Medical Waste Management in Operating Rooms [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com

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Podcast Contributors

Dr. Sunil Patel on the BackTable Urology Podcast

Dr. Sunil Patel is a urologic oncologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dr. Ruchika Talwar on the BackTable Urology Podcast

Dr. Ruchika Talwar is a urologic oncologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Synopsis

They discuss the scope of OR-generated waste, the impact of plastics and carbon emissions, and emerging data linking environmental exposures to carcinogenesis. Dr. Patel highlights evidence supporting reusable vs. single-use instruments, shares examples of successful waste-reduction initiatives, and emphasizes the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration to make sustainable practices achievable across healthcare systems.

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction
3:29 - Current State of OR Waste
20:09 - Strategies to Reduce Waste
24:52 - Impact of Climate Change on Patients
33:55 - Future Directions
40:27 - Conclusion

The Materials available on BackTable are provided for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the independent professional judgment of a qualified healthcare professional in diagnosing or treating patients. Any opinions, statements, or views expressed are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, platform, or any affiliated organization.

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