Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

DOD Reduces Health Care Waste by Reusing Crutches

Image of Military personnel using crutches. A nationwide crutch shortage sparked staff at military hospitals and clinics to collect, clean, and reuse crutches during the pandemic. These efforts led to a new best practice in health care sustainability.

When staff at military hospitals and clinics faced a national crutch shortage in 2020, they launched a crutch collection and reuse initiative to ensure patient care. These efforts created a new waste reduction best practice within the Defense Health Agency.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, global aluminum shortages caused a nationwide shortage of aluminum crutches. “At one point, it took more than four months to get a pair of medium crutches,” said Jill Low, a physical therapy assistant supervisor at Evans Army Community Hospital in Fort Carson, Colorado. In some cases, the shortages were so severe that several hospitals and clinics considered pausing orthopedic surgeries.

MTFs started taking the initiative to collect and reuse unwanted crutches.

As the military hospital and clinic staff worked to manage additional waste loads, this practice reduced the number of crutches that would typically be sent to landfills after patients recovered. “I noticed crutches would be thrown in the trash, so I asked if I could have them [to sanitize and reuse for other patients],” said Edith Valenzuela, a physical therapy assistant at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Fort Bliss, Texas, who was motivated to help patients and reduce waste.

The reuse and reduction benefits the environment and public health, including reduced pressure on waste and recycling streams and decreased greenhouse gases and air pollution from waste incineration or landfill disposal.

With approval from their crutch manufacturer, hospital leadership, and the infection control division, physical therapy offices began reaching out to their local community to collect used crutches. “We spread word throughout the facility to bring any crutches lying around, and suddenly, there were 75 crutches at our door,” said Dr. Teddy Ortiz, a physical therapist at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Physical therapy offices posted signs around the facility encouraging patients to return their unwanted crutches. Some military hospitals and clinics posted on social media to get the word out about collection efforts, requesting donations from the wider community on base. With these strategies, there was an impressive response.

Military hospitals and clinics leveraged their entire physical therapy office—receptionists, physical therapists, and doctors—to participate in crutch reuse efforts. Once quality was assured and necessary parts replaced, crutches were wiped down with nonabrasive antibacterial wipes, labeled, and moved to appropriate storage until patients needed them.

As another added benefit, “DHA military treatment facilities reported a total cost savings of about $34,000 to $50,000 to date from reusing crutches,” said Mr. Roy Hirchak, facility operations branch chief and representative of the DHA Sustainability Program.

Crutch reuse, a sustainable practice brought on by the pandemic, leads to continued patient care, cost savings, and reduces the amount of waste that military hospitals and clinics send to landfills. “Waste built up during COVID, so we are trying to help the environment as much as possible by reusing the crutches,” said Valenzuela.

Although aluminum shortages will likely improve as the pandemic’s impacts abate, sustainable crutch reuse should continue and expand. “As DHA military hospitals and clinics look for new ways to reduce costs and environmental impacts, facilities should consider sustainably reusing crutches,” said Mr. Hirchak. "It helps the environment and contributes to resource savings."

You also may be interested in...

National Caregivers Day

Infographic
1/12/2022
National Caregivers Day

It’s #NationalCaregiversDay! Thank you to the millions of dedicated caregivers keeping our loved ones safe and healthy. https://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/Caregiver-Resources/

COVID-19 Booster Shots

Infographic
8/27/2021
If you have an immune system that is moderately to severely compromised, the CDC recommends you may receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). This would be at least 4 weeks after your second dose.

If you have an immune system that is moderately to severely compromised, the CDC recommends you may receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). This would be at least 4 weeks after your second dose.

Mask Guidance for Department of Defense Facilities

Infographic
7/30/2021
In accordance with CDC guidance, the Department of Defense (DOD) requires all Service members, Federal employees, onsite contractor employees, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in all indoor DOD facilities.   If you are not vaccinated, continue to physically distance consistent with applicable CDC and DOD Force Health Protection Guidance.

In accordance with CDC guidance, the Department of Defense (DOD) requires all Service members, Federal employees, onsite contractor employees, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in all indoor DOD facilities. If you are not vaccinated, continue to physically distance consistent with applicable CDC and DOD Force Health Protection Guidance.

COVID-19 Vaccination Card Second Shot

Infographic
5/27/2021
Graphic saying that keeping track of your vaccination card is important. Includes a helpful tips section, a link to www.tricare.mil/covidvaccine, and what to do when you didn’t get your vaccination card or don’t have a copy. The TRICARE logo is on the bottom right of the page.

Keep track of your vaccination card. Tips include keeping your card on you and taking a picture of it as a backup copy.

Is It Allergies or COVID-19?

Infographic
5/11/2021
Infographic that describes the difference between symptoms of allergies and those related to COVID-19

This Infographic provides a chart that outlines how to tell the difference between COVID-19 and allergy symptoms

Is It Your Time to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Infographic
3/5/2021
This graphic informs TRICARE beneficiaries which tier they fall into as their local military treatment facility or clinic offers the vaccine.

This Infographic informs TRICARE beneficiaries which tier they fall into as their local military treatment facility or clinic offers the vaccine.

Invisible Wounds, Invisible Care

Infographic
12/8/2017
Invisible Wounds, Visible Care: A Road to Care and Recovery. 1. Seek Care: Are yo or someone you know showing symptoms of an invisible wound? Seek care early and often. Many resources are available to support you and your family. 2. Receive Care: Connect with medical and non-medical services that will assist you throughout the care process, help you build a care management team, and support your recovery. 3. Continued Care: Continue recovery while reintegrating into your unit or transitioning into civilian life.

This infographic outlines the Air Force Invisible Wounds Initiative and offers a list of resources for wounded warriors and their families.

Page 1 of 1 , showing items 1 - 7
Refine your search
Last Updated: December 15, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery