Making anesthesia environmentally sustainable
—4.4 % of global greenhouse gases are caused by the health sector.1 And of the total emissions of hospitals, 2 % are due to volatile anaesthetics.2 That doesn't sound too much at first. However, with 10,000 anesthesia cases per year and an average use of volatile anesthetics, the annual CO2 footprint of these is equivalent to that of 200 average German citizens. 3
With the "Inhaled Anesthetic 2020 Challenge", the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is calling for a 50 % reduction in carbon emissions from anesthetics. The DGAI and the BDA are also addressing the issue. Together they have published a position paper with concrete recommendations for action.
Sources
- The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change Policy Brief for Germany.
- NHS Sustainable Development Unit.
- Schuster et. Al (2020); A&I.
Implement low flow anesthesia safely
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One of the central points for saving volatile anesthetics is the consistent implementation of low- or minimal-flow anesthesia. The advantages are clear and not only ecological:
- Reduction of greenhouse gases
- Cost reduction
- Improving clinical outcomes
Information on the clinical background and use of low-flow anesthesia can be found on the following website.
Rebreathing systems in anesthesia
—Clinical practice shows that the use of low- and minimal-flow anesthesia can be safely and easily integrated into daily routine. "The safety and technical performance of today's anesthesia machines make low-flow, minimal-flow and metabolic-flow anesthesia the procedures of choice". This is the conclusion of Bert Mierke, MD, and PD Christian Hönemann, MD, convinced low-flow advocates and authors of the booklet "Low-Flow, Minimal-Flow and Metabolic-Flow Anaesthesias - Clinical Techniques for the Use of Rebreather Systems".
This booklet contains further information and practical tips for the safe use of low flow anesthesia.
Low-flow, minimal-flow and metabolic-flow anesthesia: clinical techniques for the use of rebreathing systems
Schematic procedure of minimal flow anesthesia
How do we support you?
—As your specialist in acute care, we provide holistic support in the implementation of environmentally conscious anesthesia - from modern anesthesia equipment for the implementation of safe low-flow anesthesia to analysis software for comprehensive analysis of gas consumption and decision support in the procurement of consumables.
Our anesthesia machines support you with advanced technology, e.g. permanently high tightness of the breathing systems, intelligent humidity management, adequate gas and ventilation monitoring, sample gas return, as well as support in the efficient control of anesthesia through assistance systems such as SmartPilot® View.
Green Anesthesia - "Closed System" with Zeus IE
Dr Timur Özelsel, an anesthetist and Deputy Head of the Expert Group on Environmental Sustainability in the Canadian Society of Anesthesia (CAS-ES), explains how efficiently he can work with the Dräger Zeus IE using quantitative anesthesia. Here, only as much volatile anesthetic is consumed in the auto-dose as the patient takes in. This results in minimal greenhouse gas emissions from volatile anesthetics and maximum cost savings.
Recycling and waste management examples
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Our medical technology requires high-performance materials. We get the best out of the waste, dispose of what cannot be recycled and comply with the applicable regulations. We support disposal with recycling passes as well as material lists, sketches and dismantling recommendations in accordance with WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU (Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equiment).
Please also read our press article „Almost everything that glitters is gold".
(Available only in Germany)
Green Hospital
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Sustainability in the hospital
Hospitals are considered to play a key role in achieving national climate targets. With the emission of 4.4% of global greenhouse gases such as CO2, the health sector is above the emissions of air traffic and shipping.1, 2 In addition, 300-600 litres of water per bed/patient are consumed in a German hospital per day.3
Service providers and industry partners are accordingly asking themselves how hospitals can be operated more sustainably. To answer this, it is important to identify the sources of CO2 emissions in hospitals.
Get in touch with Dräger
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2425 Skymark Ave, Unit 1
Mississauga, ON L4W 4Y6
Call us from 8 am - 5 pm (ET), Monday - Friday
1 Health Care Without Harm in collaboration with Arup, 2019.
2 Climate Watch, the World Resources Institute, 2020.
3 Bayrisches Staatsministerium, Debatin, Klinergie 2020, Medica.