A collection of prestigious medical bodies have joined forces to update guidance to help minimise environmental impact of surgery, with a suite of new partners backing the initiative
The Green Theatre Checklist was established in 2022 by the Surgical Royal Colleges of England, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Ireland as part of their commitment to act collectively and urgently to address the threat of the climate and ecological crisis. The checklist includes pointers for healthcare workers in surgical departments, such as using local anaesthetic where possible, or switching to reusable equipment when it is safe to do so.
Three years on from its initial launch, the checklist has been updated with a range of new guidance and has secured the backing of The Association of Anaesthetists, The Association of Perioperative Practice and Royal College of Anaesthetists.
Healthcare services globally have a large carbon footprint, accounting for 4-5% of total carbon emissions. Anaesthesia and surgery are particularly carbon intensive, with a typical single operation estimated to generate between 150-170kgCO2e, equivalent to driving 450 miles in an average petrol car.
Anecdotal feedback from surgeons and anaesthetists who have implemented the new ways of working into their practice has helped to inform the changes and the recommendations now go further, including the decommissioning of centralised nitrous oxide and greater use of reusable equipment.
Katherine Hurst, Chair of Sustainability Champions and Council member of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, said: “To have new partners on board is a huge achievement and shows we are heading in the right direction.”
“By widening our focus and collaborating with colleagues across the multidisciplinary team of surgical practice, we will get closer to delivering on our commitment as a profession to minimise our impact on the planet and society.”
The checklist is divided into four sections, the first dedicated to anaesthetic care, and the subsequent three looking at preparation for surgery, intra-operative practice and post-operative measures.
The revised Green Theatre Checklist will be launched by lead author Jasmine Winter Beatty, and joined by speakers who have supported the initiative, with a live webinar on Wednesday, 19 February. For more details visit: https://services.rcsed.ac.uk/professional-support-development-resources/learning-resources/webinars/netzero-surgery/launch-of-the-multidisciplinary-intercollegiate-green-theatre-checklist-v2
To find out more about the checklist, visit: https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/policy-guidelines/sustainability/environmental-sustainability-and-surgery/green-theatre-checklist
