A pilot study of the hidden costs of leaving on hospital computer monitors: can OMFS lead the way?

Healthcare systems are significant contributors to the growing climate crisis. The NHS has pledged a net zero target by 2040. This pilot investigated the environmental and financial impact of leaving computer monitors on during out-of-hours service within the oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) departments. A total of 151 monitors were surveyed over a varied period, revealing that on average, 92.7% remained on overnight. Each monitor left in active mode costs approximately £14.47 annually compared to £0.47 in energy-saving mode. Extrapolating these results across the Trust, switching off monitors could save an estimated £150,000 and reduce emissions by 121.69 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions (CO₂e) per year, equivalent to 6000 planted trees. These findings emphasise the need for targeted strategies to support the NHS's goal, with OMFS departments leading the way in sustainability initiatives.