Health Care Sustainability: Strategies for Operating Rooms and Urogynecologic Procedures

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Public Health Policy
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• The World Health Organization identified climate change as the primary threat to global public health in 2023.
• Healthcare facilities, especially operating rooms, possess a substantial carbon footprint.
• Surgeons are uniquely positioned to champion environmental sustainability within healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline actionable strategies for reducing the environmental impact of surgical practices.
• To highlight the dual benefits of sustainability initiatives: ecological preservation and cost reduction.
• To advocate for a cultural shift in healthcare towards environmental responsibility.

Main Methods:

• Implementing reusable surgical supplies (gowns, drapes, specula).
• Optimizing instrument tray contents and surgeon preference cards to minimize waste.
• Adopting energy-saving measures in operating rooms (e.g., powering down lights, HVAC, efficient water use, full decontamination loads).
• Enhancing waste management protocols to increase recycling and reduce regulated medical waste.
• Promoting anesthetic techniques like regional anesthesia and judicious use of propofol.

Main Results:

• Adoption of suggested strategies can lead to considerable cost savings.
• Reduced environmental impact through decreased resource consumption and waste generation.
• Potential for improved operational efficiency and reduced waste disposal expenses.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare professionals must acknowledge and address the environmental impact of surgical care.
• Integrating sustainable practices is crucial for mitigating climate change's effect on public health.
• A collaborative, cultural transformation is necessary to embed environmental stewardship in healthcare.