WELCOME TO THE GLOBAL GREEN ANESTHESIA ONLINE COURSE
Tackling climate change is one of the most daunting challenges of the 21st century. As clinicians, we witness its impact daily, with increasing patient admissions related to air-quality illnesses, weather-related disasters, heat waves, flooding, and vector-borne diseases. Healthcare professionals are at the forefront, managing these impacts while simultaneously contributing to climate change through daily operations.
The healthcare sector is responsible for approximately 10% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States, with hospitals accounting for about 36% of these emissions. If the U.S. healthcare system were considered a country, it would rank 13th globally in terms of GHG emissions. Hospitals are among the most energy-intensive facilities, ranking second in energy use and third in water consumption compared to similarly sized commercial buildings.
Operating rooms (ORs) are resource-intensive areas within hospitals, driving significant financial costs and revenues. ORs consume 40-60% of a hospital’s total supplies, generate up to 60% of hospital revenue, produce more than 30% of total hospital waste (two-thirds of which is regulated medical waste), and use six times more energy per square foot compared to other hospital spaces.
Anesthetic gases significantly contribute to global warming and ozone depletion, accounting for roughly 5% of a healthcare organization’s total GHG footprint. There is typically a gap in formal education among healthcare providers regarding the environmental impact of anesthetic gases. Approximately 4,000 tons of waste are generated daily by hospitals, with around 30% originating from ORs. Notably, up to 70% of OR waste is incorrectly classified as biohazardous due to inadequate awareness and improper waste segregation practices.
The purpose of this global online course is to enhance awareness and education about sustainable anesthesia practices. Participants will learn effective strategies for waste reduction, management of anesthetic gas emissions, proper recycling techniques, and methods to decrease hazardous waste. The ultimate goal is to empower healthcare professionals globally to initiate and support sustainability projects within their institutions, fostering meaningful environmental improvements in anesthesia practices.
Course Objectives:
– Understand the pharmacology and physics of anesthetic gases in relation to climate change.
– Analyze how anesthetic agents contribute to global warming.
– Implement environmentally friendly anesthesia techniques, including Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA) and regional anesthesia.
– Comprehend healthcare institutions’ roles in climate change and strategies for delivering climate-smart healthcare.
– Recognize the importance of sustainability in healthcare delivery and the impact of individual actions.
– Review global examples of successful green anesthesia initiatives and lessons learned.
– Evaluate financial implications of sustainable practices and develop actionable plans for greening your OR.
Faculty Experts:
– Dr. Praveen Kalra
– Dr. Larry Chu
Our distinguished faculty will provide engaging lectures and guidance throughout the course, sharing their expertise on sustainable anesthesia practices and empowering participants to become leaders in environmental stewardship within their clinical environments.