As part of the 66th Congress for Hospital Management, Mavie Med was awarded 2nd place in the Vienna category of the Innovation and Sustainability Award 2025 by the Austrian Association of Green Hospitals (ÖVGK) this week. With its awards, the ÖVGK aims to put the spotlight on innovators who are committed to better, more ethical and more sustainable healthcare. The award-winning project "Sustainable OR processes: Reduction of packaging waste through complete surgical kits" impressively demonstrates how sustainability and efficiency can go hand in hand in everyday clinical practice.
The Mavie Med private clinics (Privatkliniken Döbling, Confraternität and Goldenes Kreuz in Vienna, Privatklinik Graz-Ragnitz, Privatklinik Wehrle-Diakonissen in Salzburg) perform over 30,000 procedures every year. In the past, individually packaged consumables were used, which led to high
packaging costs and a corresponding environmental impact. To meet these challenges, the OR management team initiated and supported the now completed introduction of standardized complete OR sets with ISCC-certified materials. The aim was to reduce packaging waste, conserve resources and optimize processes at the same time.
"The innovation lies in the combination of sustainability, process optimization and the highest hygiene standards. Our clinics show that targeted measures in everyday clinical practice can make a significant contribution to environmental protection without compromising the quality of medical care," emphasizes Werner Fischl, Managing Director of Mavie Med Privatkliniken, whose area of responsibility includes sustainability. He adds: "Sustainability is a central component of our corporate strategy. With this changeover, we have set a clear signal for environmental protection in the healthcare sector.
One tonne less packaging waste
Potential suppliers were sought and assessed, sample surgical trays were evaluated as part of a test phase and adapted to the specific requirements of each clinic. The step-by-step introduction of the complete surgical sets was carried out in the clinics in collaboration with an Ecovadis Platinum-certified supplier.
The switch to complete sets has resulted in 63.5% less packaging waste, which corresponds to a saving of more than one tonne. In addition, bio-based, ISCC-certified surgical drapes have been introduced to replace fossil raw materials and strengthen the circular economy. This was also recognized by the competition jury in its justification for the top ranking: "Unnecessary packaging in the surgical setting leads to an increase in waste on the one hand and increased personnel requirements in preparation on the other. In this project, over 1,700 surgical scenarios were analysed and standardized for each operation in an interdisciplinary collaboration. At the same time, a sustainability assessment was also carried out in the supply chain and, in addition to reducing packaging, a switch was made to bio-based ISCC-certified surgical drapes."
"Our investments in sustainable materials and efficient processes not only contribute to environmental protection, but also improve the working conditions for our OR teams," explains Fischl. The calculated time savings amount to 4,045 hours per year (this corresponds to a 43% reduction in the time previously required for transportation and unpacking). Less individual packaging also reduces potential sources of error, makes warehousing easier, reduces the workload of specialist staff and increases the efficiency of operating room processes.
Mavie Med
Mavie Med is a leading operator of private healthcare facilities in Austria and employs around 2,100 people. The group of companies includes Privatklinik Döbling, Ambulatorium Döbling, Privatkliniken Confraternität and Goldenes Kreuz in Vienna, Privatklinik Wehrle-Diakonissen in Salzburg, Privatklinik Graz Ragnitz and Privatklinik Wörgl in Tyrol. As part of private-public partnership (PPP) models with the SVS, Mavie Med operates the Malcherhof Baden clinic, which specializes in rehabilitation medicine, and the health center for the self-employed in Vienna. Mavie Med is part of Mavie, a holistic health brand that supports people throughout their lives in maintaining and improving their health and belongs to UNIQA Insurance Group AG.
