21/12/2024
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In effort to improve individual and population health, healthcare systems ironically contribute significantly to globalwarming, a situation that cannot be ignored. (ORs), among the most resource-intensive areas in healthcare, play a major role in the sectorโs environmental impact.
Studies reveal that healthcare systems account for ๐% ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐% of national GHG emissions in many countries. For instance, the United States healthcare system contributes 10% of the nationโs emissions. If it were a country, it would rank 13th globally for GHG emissions, surpassing countries like the United Kingdom. Such data underscores the urgent need for reform within the healthcare sector to address its environmental impact.
Operating rooms are ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ-๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ฌ, consuming three to six times more energy per square meter than other hospital areas. This is largely due to strict ventilation standards set to maintain clean air during surgical procedures. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning HVAC systems alone account for 65% of hospital energy use, with ORs being the primary energy consumers. Simple measures like per hour during non-surgical hours can significantly lower energy use, carbon footprints, and operational costs.
๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐๐ฌ like desflurane are particularly harmful, with emissions from a two-hour procedure equivalent to driving a car 608 kilometers.
Desflurane has nearly #20 times the global warming potential of and 2,600 times that of total intravenous anesthesia . Transitioning to less harmful anesthetics or prioritizing TIVA offers an effective pathway to reducing emissions compromising patient safety.
๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ is another critical area. Single-use devices, often preferred for convenience and infection control, have led to a surge in medical waste, much of it plastic. Meanwhile, the improper disposal of anesthetic medications contributes to pharmaceutical contamination of groundwater and surface water. Hospitals must adopt sustainable waste management practices, such as reusing equipment where feasible and ensuring proper disposal of pharmaceuticals to mitigate their environmental burden.
Health professionals, hold a unique responsibility to lead by example. By embracing sustainable practices, such as reducing OR energy consumption, optimizing anesthetic choices, and minimizing waste, the healthcare sector can align its operations with global climate goals. These changes reduce emissions and demonstrate the health sectorโs commitment to protecting the planet and, by extension, human health.
As continues to impact health systems worldwide, the need for low-carbon, climate-resilient health systems has never been greater.
Insightful piece from Kirigo Wachira ๐
