Single-use items are responsible for more than two-thirds of the carbon footprint from the five most common NHS operations, a new study has revealed.
The findings come from researchers at the University of Warwick and Brighton and Sussex Medical School, who were the first to conduct a study of this kind investigating the carbon footprint of equipment used in common operations.
As part of their evaluations, the researchers observed operating theatres at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and, after applying the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) to each of the operations analysed, found that:
- Knee replacements were highest with 85.5kg CO2e;
- Gall bladder removals were second with 20.3kg CO2e;
- Carpal tunnel decompression surgery was third with 12kg CO2e;
- Hernia repairs were fourth with 11.7kg CO2e;
- Tonsillectomy was fifth with 7.5kg CO2e.
Crucially, the research team found that, across the five procedures, only 23% of the products were responsible for over 80% of the surgeries’ carbon footprint, leading the researchers to advise future net zero strategies to focus on the products emitting the most, which are primarily single-use items such as gowns and drapes.
Clinical Lecturer in Sustainable Healthcare at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, and lead researcher for the project, Dr Chantelle Rizan, said: “Mitigating the carbon footprint of products used in resource-intensive areas such as surgical operating rooms will be important in achieving net zero carbon healthcare.”
“Strategies should include eliminating or finding low carbon alternatives for products with the biggest contribution.”
The researchers also advised that health professionals should replace non-sterile gloves with hand-washing, minimise the opening of gauze swab packs and request suppliers to remove the items from single-use pre-prepared packs that aren’t often used.
Single-use gowns and drapes for patients and instrument tables could also be substituted for reusable surgical textiles, given the latter offer substantial carbon reductions and there is no evidence they are clinically inferior, according to the researchers.
Dr Rizan concluded: “Eliminating single-use items or switching to reusables where feasible, alongside optimising associated decontamination processes and waste segregation and recycling, could reduce product carbon footprint by one third.
“This model was based on reusable alternatives already on the market, and this figure maybe surpassed where industry rises to the challenge of sustainable surgical product innovation.”
To access the full study, click here.
