Daijiworld Media Network – Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Feb 21: The healthcare sector is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, with waste management, single-use plastics, transportation, and food services adding to the burden. Notably, 3% of emissions come from inhaled anesthetic agents.

A study by Michigan Medicine has revealed that adopting environmentally friendly anesthetic practices reduced harmful emissions by 50% in just one year, without compromising patient safety. The findings were published in Lancet Planetary Health under the paper titled, Environmental and patient safety outcomes of a health system green anesthesia initiative: A retrospective observational cohort study.

"Tens of thousands of people undergo general anesthesia at Michigan Medicine annually. Inhaled anesthetics are a key area for emission reductions as they have a disproportionately high impact on the environment," said Dr Douglas Colquhoun, assistant professor of Anesthesiology at U-M Medical School.

The Green Anesthesia Initiative, launched in March 2022, focused on reducing nitrous oxide use, adopting less harmful fluorinated ethers, and increasing intravenous anesthetics. The results showed an average reduction of 14 kg of CO2-equivalent emissions per case, achieved by limiting nitrous oxide 270 times more potent than CO2 and favoring sevoflurane over isoflurane.
"We demonstrated that small changes in practice can lead to substantial environmental benefits without affecting patient outcomes," Dr Colquhoun added.

Dr David Hovord, clinical assistant professor of Anesthesiology, emphasized the broader impact: "Beyond the study period, our emissions dropped significantly over three years. This initiative modernized our care while ensuring patient safety."

Lauding the team's efforts, Tony Denton, senior VP and chief ESG officer at Michigan Medicine, stated, "This initiative showcases how we can redesign long-standing medical practices to reduce environmental harm while maintaining quality care. It is a testament to innovation, teamwork, and our commitment to a healthier planet."

Michigan Medicine’s success highlights the potential for sustainable healthcare practices worldwide, proving that environmental responsibility and medical excellence can go hand in hand.