Four Ways Plastic Surgeons Can Fight Climate Change

Brown, Carolyn M.; Meals, Clifton

doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000002961

Cited by 18 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Additionally, hospitals can invest in upgrading existing HVAC systems to newer and more efficient models. 8 Embracing new technology, such as telemedicine or electronic medical systems, can also reduce carbon emissions. 49,77 Further research is needed to identify safe and efficient ways of implementing environmentally sustainable changes within orthopaedic surgery, while still safeguarding high-quality care and good patient outcomes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6 The healthcare sector represents one of the largest contributors to the world's carbon footprint, second only to the food production industry. 7,8 Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and other greenhouse gases (GHG), produced by healthcare activities and collectively represented as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO 2 e), trap heat within the atmosphere and, in excessive concentrations, negatively contribute to climate change. 9,10 In the UK, the NHS generates approximately 4% to 5% of the nation's total GHG emissions, 1 an estimated 25 megatonnes of CO 2 e annually.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Environmental sustainability in orthopaedic surgery

et al. 2022

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Aims In the UK, the NHS generates an estimated 25 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (4% to 5% of the nation’s total carbon emissions) and produces over 500,000 tonnes of waste annually. There is limited evidence demonstrating the principles of sustainability and its benefits within orthopaedic surgery. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the environmental impact of orthopaedic surgery and the environmentally sustainable initiatives undertaken to address this. The secondary aim of this study was to describe the barriers to making sustainable changes within orthopaedic surgery. Methods A literature search was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines through EMBASE, Medline, and PubMed libraries using two domains of terms: “orthopaedic surgery” and “environmental sustainability”. Results A total of 13 studies were included in the final analysis. All papers studied the environmental impact of orthopaedic surgery in one of three areas: waste management, resource consumption, and carbon emissions. Waste segregation was a prevalent issue and described by nine studies, with up to 74.4% of hazardous waste being generated. Of this, six studies reported recycling waste and up to 43.9% of waste per procedure was recyclable. Large joint arthroplasties generated the highest amount of recyclable waste per procedure. Three studies investigated carbon emissions from intraoperative consumables, sterilization methods, and through the use of telemedicine. One study investigated water wastage and demonstrated that simple changes to practice can reduce water consumption by up to 63%. The two most common barriers to implementing environmentally sustainable changes identified across the studies was a lack of appropriate infrastructure and lack of education and training. Conclusion Environmental sustainability in orthopaedic surgery is a growing area with a wide potential for meaningful change. Further research to cumulatively study the carbon footprint of orthopaedic surgery and the wider impact of environmentally sustainable changes is necessary. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(8):628–640.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Environmental sustainability in orthopaedic surgery

et al. 2022

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“…‘Green initiatives, incentives or awards’ may encourage surgeons and administrators to rethink the global and financial impact of the unnecessary waste produced [ 31 ]. Perhaps ophthalmologists can be invited to participate in an innovative competition to design a surgeon-tailored instrument pack based on each subspecialty in ophthalmology to best cut down unnecessary waste and cost, whilst maintaining patient safety.…”

Section: The Ophthalmology Carbon Footprintmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ophthalmology Going Greener: A Narrative Review

et al. 2021

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The combined effects of fossil fuel combustion, mass agricultural production and deforestation, industrialisation and the evolution of modern transport systems have resulted in high levels of carbon emissions and accumulation of greenhouse gases, causing profound climate change and ozone layer depletion. The consequential depletion of Earth’s natural ecosystems and biodiversity is not only a devastating loss but a threat to human health. Sustainability—the ability to continue activities indefinitely—underpins the principal solutions to these problems. Globally, the healthcare sector is a major contributor to carbon emissions, with waste production and transport systems being amongst the highest contributing factors. The aim of this review is to explore modalities by which the healthcare sector, particularly ophthalmology, can reduce carbon emissions, related costs and overall environmental impact, whilst maintaining a high standard of patient care. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40123-021-00404-8.

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“…Although all surgical disciplines warrant discussion within the broader context of climate change, there is a need to understand the unique concerns and implications for each surgical subspecialty. In light of increasing trends for both reconstructive and cosmetic surgical procedures in the past 20 years in the United States, 9 growing demands for globalization efforts, 10 and preliminary work on surgical mitigation measures, 8 , 11 , 12 plastic and reconstructive surgery is one unique lens from which to examine the relationship between surgery and climate change.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Narrative Review of Plastic Surgery and Climate Change: Context and Considerations

Hyland

Yates

Broyles

2022

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Climate change poses significant threats to human health and society. Although healthcare will bear a large burden of the downstream effects of climate change, the healthcare industry is simultaneously a major contributor to climate change. Within hospitals, surgery is one of the most energy-intensive practices. There is a growing body of literature describing ways to mitigate and adapt to climate change in surgery. However, there is a need to better understand the unique implications for each surgical subspecialty. This review contextualizes plastic and reconstructive surgery within the climate change discussion. In particular, this review highlights the specific ways in which plastic surgery may affect climate change and how climate change may affect plastic surgery. In light of growing public demand for change and greater alignment between industries and nations with regard to climate change solutions, we also offer a conceptual framework to guide further work in this burgeoning field of research.

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Four Ways Plastic Surgeons Can Fight Climate Change

Cited by 18 publications

References 43 publications

Environmental sustainability in orthopaedic surgery

Environmental sustainability in orthopaedic surgery

Ophthalmology Going Greener: A Narrative Review

A Narrative Review of Plastic Surgery and Climate Change: Context and Considerations

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