Learning Community
Sustainable Healthcare
Motivation
The climate crisis is the greatest threat to public health.
Climate change and environmental pollution are leading to an increasing number and variety of health concerns. For example, this includes infectious diseases and heat stress. In the Netherlands, the healthcare sector is responsible for 7% of greenhouse gas emissions, 4% of waste, and 13% of resource consumption. By providing healthcare, the sector thus contributes to the climate crisis. It is this paradox that the healthcare sector aims to break.
Learning Community
Sustainable Healthcare
This Learning Community focuses on sustainable healthcare and interdisciplinary collaboration. This means that as part of a community, you will be in contact with others. You exchange information with fellow students and provide each other with feedback. Hospitals, suppliers, and purchasing organizations also participate in the Learning Community and provide you with professional feedback. Communication is key when executing your assignment, as well as involving others in your research and maintaining contact with various parties.
Stakeholders:
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TU Delft
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Zorgservice XL
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Various Dutch hospitals
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The Hague University of Applied Sciences
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Utrecht University of Applied Sciences
Coaches:
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Dr. Bart van Straten (TUD)
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Jeroen Zoller, MSc (ZorgserviceXL)
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Representatives from hospitals in the South Holland region
Goal
The goal of the Learning Community is to contribute to the Green Deal: Sustainable Healthcare.
The goal is a 50% reduction in resource consumption by 2030 and maximum circularity by 2050.
Since there are many different ways to work towards this goal, it has been decided to use the R-Ladder with circular strategies as a framework to address the various challenges.
Current Project Cases
Below you can find an overview of the project cases currently available in the Sustainable Healthcare Learning Community:
Topic
How to inform hospital staff of change in their routine
Developing effective strategies to communicate routine changes to hospital staff, ensuring clarity, minimizing disruption, and fostering adaptability in daily operations
Topic
How to redesign hospital products from recycled materials?
Hospital waste materials like PP and PET can be recycled and repurposed into new products for medical use. Where can this recycling be applied, and what product and legal standards must be met to ensure its viability?
Topic
How to redesign material efficient instrument strips?
Material strips are used to secure medical equipment. How can these strips be redesigned for large-scale manufacturing while remaining environmentally friendly?
Topic
How to improve energy and water recovery in hospitals
Advancing sustainable healthcare in the Netherlands by exploring processes to reduce CO2 emissions through the reuse of water and heat currently discharged into the sewage system.
Topic
Redesign of the syringe without needle
Of all hospital waste, the syringe without needle has the biggest environmental impact. How can this product be re-imagined to reduce its ecological footprint without harming its usability, efficiency and use safety
Topic
Redesign waste separation in hospitals (O.R.)
Making waste separation easier and more efficient for hospital staff whilst improving accuracy and compliance, all within the limited space of the operating room.
Topic
Logistical redesign for hospital waste management
Optimizing hospital waste management through a comprehensive logistical redesign to enhance efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, reduce environmental impact, and minimize operational costs.
Topic
Making complex medical devices more modular
Enhancing modularity in medical devices could streamline end-of-life disassembly and enable part interchangeability, thereby extending the device’s overall lifespan. How can this approach be balanced with maintaining proper safety standards?
Contact
What We Provide
01
Project Design
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
02
Construction Management
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
03
Site Evaluation
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
04
Construction
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
05
Cost Modeling
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. It’s an opportunity to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
Platform
On the website www.evengroenevrienden.nl, (potential) stakeholders can find general information about all available Learning Communities. Through the website, issues can also be submitted.
A platform is being developed where stakeholders, students, and educational institutions can connect with each other and upload deliverables. The online education platform from EdX will serve as the foundation for this. Once the platform is complete, a link will be provided on this page.
Projectorganisation & Communication
The project organization of this Learning Community is formed by Linette Bossen and Bart van Straten. Linette Bossen is the project leader of the projects "Streetwise: learning with society" and "ET-TLC: Energy Transition – Talent in Learning Communities." The Learning Communities within Even Groene Vrienden originated from these projects. Bart van Straten is an expert in sustainability and circular healthcare. He is affiliated with the company Van Straten Medical and several educational and government-related institutions.
Their role is to facilitate the various co-creation sessions and partner sessions, along with the associated communication, as well as keeping the platform and learning path up to date.
What is expected from students
A student must meet the requirements of the course in which they are completing an assignment for the Learning Community (self-monitoring and coordinating with the relevant teacher).
What is further expected from students:
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Complete two reflection questionnaires: one before participation and one afterward (for internal research purposes).
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Attend two co-creation sessions.
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Participate in sprint sessions with fellow students.
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Deliver a presentation at the partner session.
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Write a reflection report.
Learning Community
Learning communities are the driving force behind innovative developments. Professionals from companies, governments, and NGOs collaborate in Learning Communities with researchers, teachers, and students from various educational institutions. In Learning Communities, learning, working, and innovating take place in small groups united by a shared interest. The goal is to develop and share knowledge and find solutions to complex societal problems.
Stakeholders & Meetings
We organize 2 partner sessions per year where students present their results through pitches. It is important for all participants to be present to enable meaningful discussions. These sessions are likely to take place in September and February.
In between, co-creation sessions are organized where students and stakeholders of a specific topic come together to discuss the assignment. Each 10-week cycle includes at least 2 co-creation sessions, each lasting approximately 2 hours. It is essential for organizations wishing to participate to commit to these sessions.
Expectations for Stakeholders:
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Attend 2 topic-specific co-creation sessions per year.
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Participate in the partner sessions.
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Facilitate students in their research, for example, by providing meeting spaces, assisting with interviews, offering guidance, providing contacts, or enabling shadowing opportunities in environments such as hospitals.
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If JIP (Joint Interdisciplinary Project) students are involved in the Learning Community, a coach from the organization will be available (see attachment for the Joint Interdisciplinary Project).
