[Resource-efficient use of single-use surgical textiles : A data-driven analysis of 213,000 surgeries from 2022]

Operating rooms are among the most resource-intensive areas of hospitals and generate significant amounts of waste and carbon emissions. Single-use surgical textiles contribute significantly to the ecological footprint of surgical procedures. As a surgical discipline, urology makes a significant contribution to the volume of surgical procedures. The goal of this study was to quantify the contribution of surgical textiles to overall resource consumption and to analyze the extent to which ecological and economic savings can be achieved through standardized use. The study used data on surgeries and consumption of surgical textiles from 25 hospitals (in four tier levels) that belong to a privately owned hospital chain operating throughout Germany. Actual consumption of surgical textiles in 2022 was compared against a target scenario based on predefined surgical standards. For each surgical standard, carbon emissions were calculated using a life cycle assessment and was then allocated to the respective surgeries. In 2022, 213,048 surgeries were performed in the 25 hospitals. A total of 352.7 tons of single-use surgical textiles were used, which corresponds to 1997 tons of CO₂ equivalents. Raw materials accounted for the largest share of emissions, while local transport made only a minor contribution. Consistent standardization could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 8%. Particularly high savings potential was identified in orthopedic (up to 23.4%) and cardiology (up to 20.6%) clinics. The results show that a fraction of the resource consumption in the operating room is avoidable. Standardized use of single-use surgical textiles might offer both ecological and economic advantages.