HEALTHCARE & SUS TAINABI L I T Y


gas, to allow for a full circular economy for inhaled anaesthetic gases which has the potential to be a world first in the field of pharmaceuticals.


Agile and easy use


The gas capture system is simple to install, space efficient, and easily moved to accommodate the often-restrictive operating theatre environment, fluctuating personnel presence, and spaces where an AGSS is unavailable. The indicator sensor and audible alarm signal full canisters and replacement need.


Reduced energy consumption and harmful emissions The anaesthetic gas recapture system captures up to 99% of the patient’s exhaled anaesthetic gases as it passes through the CONTRAfluran canister.23


This means that


its use also potentially contributes to an overall reduction in energy consumption and costs associated with an AGSS which require significant amounts of energy to operate.24


Energy usage for an AGSS


comprises over 60% of anaesthesia-related electrical usage within a single operating theatre. These systems are left running 24 hours a day, 365 day a year, irrespective of how many procedures are performed, which contributes to operating theatre’s 2-3 times higher measured energy as corresponding anaesthetic rooms.25


Improved patient safety and environmental responsibility Providing this innovative technology to hospitals allows anaesthetists to sustainably choose the right anaesthetic agent that enables the most complete patient recovery after surgery.


COVID brings new importance to sustainability


The COVID-19 pandemic has escalated the urgency of healthcare sustainability across clinical, social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Facility capacities are reduced, and it remains to be seen when and to what degree normal surgical activity may resume. Requirements for the use of PPE, waiting times, decreased provider availability and increased demand for delayed treatments, escalated sterilisation procedures, and restricted circumstances under which patients are admitted and for what conditions have all contributed to additional efficiency and economy pressures on both inpatient and outpatient settings.26 Given these new constraints in healthcare settings, there is intensified attention on operating theatre turnaround time, as providers attempt to meet the demand for missed or delayed surgeries. This means choices among anaesthetic


MARCH 2021


Clinical excellence and a green healthcare future The gas recapture system offers increased clinical agility to providers while removing anaesthetic gas waste and associated greenhouse gas emissions. As healthcare providers, organisations, and communities work diligently to improve patient outcomes in the hospital and quality of life in a greener community and world, circular economies will become increasingly important. Because hospital activities can contribute to both global warming and local reduction in air quality which can increase respiratory illnesses, these technologies are important developments in the journey of the healthcare sector to not only help individuals, but also the planet.


gases may be even more important than before, as different inhalation agents and their associated recovery profiles become a key factor for post-pandemic NHS sustainability and operational strategies.


business/2016/jan/27/circular-economy- healthcare-sector-business-waste-management- live-chat#:~:text=The%20circular%20 economy%20is%20the,money%20and%20 serving%20patients%20better.


16 https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2016/circular- economy-what-it-means-healthcare/25881


17 https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable- business/2015/apr/15/circular-economy-jobs- climate-carbon-emissions-eu-taxation


18 https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/ standard/news/articles/2020/20200414-normally- we-need-about-six-weeks-for-one-scanner-now- only-two.html


19 https://lbnmedical.com/how-much-does-a-ct- scanner-cost/


20 https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/ standard/news/articles/2019/20190607-philips- at-cleanmed-closing-the-loop-on-the-circular- economy.html


21 https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2016/circular- economy-what-it-means-healthcare/25881


CSJ


References 1 https://www.england.nhs.uk/2020/01/greener-nhs- campaign-to-tackle-climate-health-emergency/


2 Tomson C. (2015). Reducing the carbon footprint of hospital-based care. Future Hospital Journal, 2(1), 57–62. https://doi.org/10.7861/futurehosp.2-1-57


3 Naylor C, Appleby J. Sustainable health and social care: connecting environmental and financial performance. London: King’s Fund, 2012. Available online at www.kingsfund.org.uk/sites/files/kf/field/ field_publication_file/sustainable-health-social- care-appleby-naylor-mar2012.pdf


4 https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/national- ambition/


5 https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/ national-indicator-library/core-carbon-footprint- of-nhs-trusts-and-foundation-trusts---carbon- emissions-per-metre-squared-of-occupied-floor- area-iap00519


6 https://www.gmhsc.org.uk/news/nhs-in-greater- manchester-declares-a-climate-emergency/


7 https://www.england.nhs.uk/2020/01/greener-nhs- campaign-to-tackle-climate-health-emergency/


8 https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/whats- already-happening/putting-anaesthetic-generated- emissions-to-bed/


9 https://www.sduhealth.org.uk/policy-strategy/ what-is-sustainable-health.aspx


10 https://healthmanagement.org/c/hospital/ issuearticle/the-sustainable-operating-room


11 https://practicegreenhealth.org/topics/greening- operating-room/greening-or


12 Pierce T, Morris G, Parker B. Reducing theatre energy consumption. Health Estate 2014 Mar;68(3):58-62.


13 https://www.rcn.org.uk/small-changes/success- stories/making-operating-theatres-greener


14 https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/AboutTheTrust/ Newsandpublications/Trust-highlights/Operating- theatres-go-green-for-NHS-Sustainability-Day.aspx 15 https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-


About the author


Andy Goldney is the vice president for Baxter’s Medication Delivery and Pharmaceuticals organisation in Western Europe. He is also the country sponsor for the UK and Ireland. Andy is a qualified pharmacist and joined Baxter in 1991. During this time, he has held a variety of commercial roles. He has been a serving board member at the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) since 2015.


WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM l 77


22 NHS Sustainable Development Unit 2013, Carbon Footprint from Anaesthetic gas use. Accessed at https://www.sduhealth.org.uk/areas-of-focus/ carbon-hotspots/anaesthetic-gases.aspx


23 Data on file. Efficiency Test Canister. Berlin: ZeoSys Medical; 2020.


24 Pierce T, Morris G, Parker B. Reducing theatre energy consumption. Health Estate. 2014;68(3):58-62.


25 file:///C:/Users/craig/Downloads/AGSS%20-%20 pp58-62%20HEJmar14.pdf


26 Nigel, E. Here to stay? How the NHS will have to learn to live with coronavirus. The Nuffield Trust. London (2020).


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