Principles of environmentally-sustainable anaesthesia: a global consensus statement from the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists

S M White; C L Shelton; A W Gelb; C Lawson; F McGain; J Muret; J D Sherman; World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists Global Working Group on Environmental Sustainability in Anaesthesia

doi:10.1111/anae.15598

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Principles of environmentally-sustainable anaesthesia: a global consensus statement from the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists

Journal article

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Principles of environmentally-sustainable anaesthesia: a global consensus statement from the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists

S M White, C L Shelton, A W Gelb, C Lawson, F McGain, J Muret, J D Sherman and World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists Global Working Group on Environmental Sustainability in Anaesthesia

Anaesthesia, Vol.77(2), pp.201-212

02/2022

DOI: 10.1111/anae.15598

PMCID: PMC9298028

PMID: 34724710

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Abstract

The Earth's mean surface temperature is already approximately 1.1°C higher than pre-industrial levels. Exceeding a mean 1.5°C rise by 2050 will make global adaptation to the consequences of climate change less possible. To protect public health, anaesthesia providers need to reduce the contribution their practice makes to global warming. We convened a Working Group of 45 anaesthesia providers with a recognised interest in sustainability, and used a three-stage modified Delphi consensus process to agree on principles of environmentally sustainable anaesthesia that are achievable worldwide. The Working Group agreed on the following three important underlying statements: patient safety should not be compromised by sustainable anaesthetic practices; high-, middle- and low-income countries should support each other appropriately in delivering sustainable healthcare (including anaesthesia); and healthcare systems should be mandated to reduce their contribution to global warming. We set out seven fundamental principles to guide anaesthesia providers in the move to environmentally sustainable practice, including: choice of medications and equipment; minimising waste and overuse of resources; and addressing environmental sustainability in anaesthetists' education, research, quality improvement and local healthcare leadership activities. These changes are achievable with minimal material resource and financial investment, and should undergo re-evaluation and updates as better evidence is published. This paper discusses each principle individually, and directs readers towards further important references.

Scotland

Anesthesia - standards

Anesthesia - trends

Anesthesiologists - standards

Anesthesiologists - trends

Consensus Development Conferences as Topic

Delphi Technique

Environmental Exposure - adverse effects

Environmental Exposure - prevention & control

Environmental Exposure - standards

Global Health - standards

Global Health - trends

Global Warming - prevention & control

Humans

Societies, Medical - standards

Details

Title: Subtitle: Principles of environmentally-sustainable anaesthesia: a global consensus statement from the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists
Creators: S M White - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
C L Shelton - Lancaster University
A W Gelb - University of California, San Francisco
C Lawson - Royal Victoria Infirmary
F McGain - The University of Melbourne
J Muret - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres
J D Sherman - Yale University
World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists Global Working Group on Environmental Sustainability in Anaesthesia
Contributors: Rakesh Sondekoppam Vijayashankar (Contributor) - University of Iowa, Anesthesia
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Anaesthesia, Vol.77(2), pp.201-212
DOI: 10.1111/anae.15598
PMID: 34724710
PMCID: PMC9298028
NLM abbreviation: Anaesthesia
ISSN: 0003-2409
eISSN: 1365-2044
Language: English
Date published: 02/2022
Academic Unit: Anesthesia
Record Identifier: 9984296136002771

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