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Past, present, and future of sustainable intensive care: narrative review and a large hospital system experience
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Past, present, and future of sustainable intensive care: narrative review and a large hospital system experience

Faisal N Masud, Farzan Sasangohar, Iqbal Ratnani, Sahar Fatima, Marco Antonio Hernandez, Teal Riley, Jason Fischer, Atiya Dhala, Megan E Gooch, Konya Keeling-Johnson, …
Critical care (London, England), Vol.28(1), 154
05/09/2024
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-024-04937-9
PMCID: PMC11080308
PMID: 38725060
url
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-024-04937-9View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Healthcare systems are large contributors to global emissions, and intensive care units (ICUs) are a complex and resource-intensive component of these systems. Recent global movements in sustainability initiatives, led mostly by Europe and Oceania, have tried to mitigate ICUs' notable environmental impact with varying success. However, there exists a significant gap in the U.S. knowledge and published literature related to sustainability in the ICU. After a narrative review of the literature and related industry standards, we share our experience with a Green ICU initiative at a large hospital system in Texas. Our process has led to a 3-step pathway to inform similar initiatives for sustainable (green) critical care. This pathway involves (1) establishing a baseline by quantifying the status quo carbon footprint of the affected ICU as well as the cumulative footprint of all the ICUs in the healthcare system; (2) forming alliances and partnerships to target each major source of these pollutants and implement specific intervention programs that reduce the ICU-related greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste; and (3) finally to implement a systemwide Green ICU which requires the creation of multiple parallel pathways that marshal the resources at the grass-roots level to engage the ICU staff and institutionalize a mindset that recognizes and respects the impact of ICU functions on our environment. It is expected that such a systems-based multi-stakeholder approach would pave the way for improved sustainability in critical care.
 Carbon Footprint Critical Care - methods Critical Care - trends Hospitals - standards Hospitals - trends Humans Intensive Care Units - organization & administration Intensive Care Units - trends Sustainable Development - trends Texas

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