Our Contribution to a Greener Anaesthesia
—According to the American Association of Nurse Anaesthesiology, anaesthesia accounts for 25% of a hospital's operating room waste1. We are aware of this issue and have integrated circular economy principles into every stage of our products' lifecycle.
In Green Anaesthesia, we focus on the use phase of our devices, providing a valuable opportunity to minimise environmental impact. By helping hospitals to significantly reduce emissions, waste and anaesthetic gases, we improve operating practices that support patient care and sustainability. Find out how our approach can support your eco-friendly anaesthesia.
1-Denny NA, Guyer JM, Schroeder DR, Marienau MS. Operating Room Waste Reduction. AANA J. 2019 Dec;87 (6):477-482. PMID: 31920201. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31920201/.
Low‑flow anaesthesia reduces emissions and costs while protecting the patient’s lungs
—The climate impact of anaesthetic gases is significant, with global emissions comparable to those of 1,000,000 cars1.
Anesthetic gases are halogenated hydrocarbons and therefore highly potent greenhouse gases with a high Global Warming Potential (GWP). Minimal- and low-flow anaesthesia, using the lowest possible gas volumes, can reduce emissions by up to 90%.2
We support our customers in implementing low-flow anaesthesia through advanced systems, clinical expertise, and data-driven analysis tools.
The World Medical Association has declared a climate emergency and calls for climate neutrality by 2030. Environmentally conscious anaesthesia can contribute to this goal.3
We continuously optimise our equipment and solutions to improve the efficient use of anaesthetic gases, which account for approximately 2% of a hospital’s greenhouse gas emissions, with low- and minimal-flow techniques playing a key role.4
1- M. P. Sulbaek Andersen, S. P. Sander, O. J. Nielsen, D. S. Wagner, T. J. Sanford, T. J. Wallington.
Inhalation anaesthetics and climate change. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2010; DOI: 10.1093/bja/aeq259
2- Baum JA. Low-flow anesthesia: Theory, practice, technical preconditions, advantages, and foreign gas accumulation. J Anesth. 1999;13:166-74
3- WMA Resolution on Climate Emergency – WMA – The World Medical Association
4- Chakera et al., British Journal of Anaesthesia (2024)
Implement low-flow anaesthesia safely
One of the central points for saving volatile anaesthetics is the consistent implementation of low- or minimal-flow anaesthesia.
The advantages are clear and not only ecological:
- Reduction of greenhouse gases
- Cost reduction
- Improving clinical outcomes
Further information on the clinical background and application of low-flow anaesthesia is available below:
Rebreathing systems in anaesthesia
Clinical practice shows that low- and minimal-flow anaesthesia can be safely and easily integrated into daily routines. "The safety and technical performance of today’s anaesthesia machines make low-flow, minimal-flow and metabolic-flow anaesthesia the procedures of choice". This is the conclusion of Bert Mierke, MD, and PD Christian Hönemann, MD, established advocates and authors of the booklet "Low-flow, minimal-flow and metabolic-flow anaesthesia — Clinical techniques for use with rebreather systems".
The booklet provides further information and practical guidance for safe low-flow anaesthesia use.
Low-flow, minimal-flow and metabolic-flow anaesthesia: clinical techniques for the use of rebreathing systems
Schematic procedure of minimal flow anaesthesia
"Closed System" with Zeus IE
Dr. Timur Özelsel, anaesthetist and Deputy Head of the Canadian Society of Anaesthesia (CAS-ES) Expert Group on Environmental Sustainability, explains how he works efficiently with the Dräger Zeus IE using quantitative anaesthesia. In this approach, only the amount of volatile anaesthetic required by the patient is delivered in the auto-dose mode, resulting in minimal greenhouse gas emissions and reduced costs.
Decision support tools for low flow
Our technology supports greener anaesthesia by optimising resource use and minimising environmental impact — helping clinicians deliver safe, more sustainable care.
Econometer
The Econometer, part of our advanced gas monitoring with the PGM module, improves fresh gas efficiency. It supports low- and minimal-flow anaesthesia, promoting environmentally sustainable practices while optimising resource use.
SmartPilot View
SmartPilot View is advanced software that estimates and visualises the interactions of anaesthetic drugs using pharmacodynamic modelling across the current and projected course of anaesthesia. It supports informed decision-making and enables precise, individualised titration.
Combined with Dräger anaesthesia machines' precise ventilation and gas delivery, it forms an advanced workstation that enhances patient-tailored anaesthesia management. This supports streamlined workflows, cost savings, and more sustainable practices in perioperative care performance.
Green Hospital
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Sustainability in the hospital
Discover how our circular economy approach across the entire product lifecycle can enhance sustainability throughout your hospital. It focuses on energy and resource efficiency, environmental conscious material selection, decarbonisation, waste prevention, recycling and future-proof acute care solutions. Learn more about our contribution to a greener healthcare with Green Hospital.
Get in touch with Dräger
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10th Floor, Commerz II, International Business Park,
Oberoi Garden City,
Off Western Express Highway, Goregaon (East),
Mumbai - 400 063, India
This is a site that aims to provide information on products and services to medical professionals in India. Please note that it is not intended to provide information to the general public.