Clinical Transformation: The Key to Green Nephrology

Abstract

Climate change represents a major global public health threat. The very provision of healthcare itself has a significant untoward effect on the environment, to which kidney care is likely to contribute disproportionately. In this article we describe the four principles we believe will underpin a successful transformation to lower carbon kidney care: disease prevention, patient empowerment, lean service delivery and the preferential use of low-carbon technologies. We illustrate their application and their co-benefits, such as improvements in patient care and reductions in cost, with examples.

Green respiratory health care: Time for us all to act

“…Medical specialities such as oncology and nephrology have also published papers outlining their approach to greener health care, and there are several published hospital‐centred approaches to this issue. But, are respiratory physicians sufficiently engaged in these processes and where might more emphasis be needed?…”

Study on ecological awareness and performance of nursing personnel in dialysis units

“…The ultimate goal is to reduce environmental pollution and creating "green" hospitals. In this way, hospitals will be friendlier to the environment, control costs and reduce waste of public money, and will work in favor of public health [1,[29][30]. A similar research study «Go Green in Dialysis» (Ecological approach Dialysis) prepared by EDTNA / ERCA (European Association of Nurses for Dialysis and Transplantation) and the company Fresenius Medical Care in 2010 [31].…”

Climate change and us: What nephrologists should know

“…Since its inception in 2009, this group has made impressive transformations in the sustainability of kidney care in the United Kingdom. Specifically, s ystematic high‐quality research and national ‘green guidelines’ have led to attitude and practice change . The latter includes introduction of widespread RO water recycling, retro‐fitting of heat exchangers into dialysis systems, plastic cap recycling and telemedicine to reduce travel‐related emissions.…”