Financial and environmental costs of reusable and single-use anaesthetic equipment

Abstract

For an Australian hospital with six operating rooms, converting from single-use to reusable anaesthetic equipment saved more than AUD$30 000 (£18 000) per annum, but increased the CO 2 emissions by almost 10%. The CO 2 offset is highly dependent on the power source mix, while water consumption is greater for reusable equipment.

Environmental sustainability in anaesthesia and critical care

“… Face masks, circuits and laryngoscope blades. Known: Using reusable anaesthetic equipment estimated to save AUD$5000/OR/annum 91 ; however, in Australia, using reusable equipment can have a slightly higher carbon footprint than single-use. Conversely in Europe/UK/USA the carbon footprint is much lower for reusable equipment (more renewable electricity).…”

“… 72 , 75 , 84 An Australian LCA comparing reusable and single use anaesthesia devices such as face masks, rigid and videolaryngoscope handles and blades, and breathing circuits 91 found that reusable equipment saved approximately AUD$5000 per operating room (OR) p.a. ; however, the carbon footprint was higher (about 100 kg CO 2 e emissions per OR p.a., 91 equivalent to 800 km yr −1 driven in an average UK car). 92 If the reusables had been washed and sterilised in Europe, the carbon footprint of reusable anaesthetic equipment would have been less by 800 kg CO 2 e emissions per OR p.a.…”

“…92 If the reusables had been washed and sterilised in Europe, the carbon footprint of reusable anaesthetic equipment would have been less by 800 kg CO 2 e emissions per OR p.a. 91 (i.e. 6400 km yr −1 less driven) 92 because of different energy sources.…”

“…6400 km yr −1 less driven) 92 because of different energy sources. 91 Anaesthesia breathing circuits can be used for variable periods of time in different countries, from individual patient use in the USA 93 to unclarified in Australia and New Zealand, 94 and weekly in Germany. 95 Two studies have indicated that it is as safe from a microbiological standpoint to reuse circuits, and to change and wash them weekly compared with daily.…”

Comparision of Ambu AuraGain™ and LMA® ProSeal in children under controlled ventilation

“…It has been found that reusable devices were more favorable financially as well as from an environmental viewpoint. [ 22 ]…”