Net zero healthcare: a call for clinician action

Sherman, Jodi D.; McGain, Forbes; Lem, Melissa; Mortimer, Frances; Jonas, Wayne B.; MacNeill, Andrea

doi:10.1136/bmj.n1323

Cited by 65 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…It would not have been possible, within our design and without access to individual prescription data, to specifically quantify the part of the prescription attributable to primary care. However, physicians can have a direct influence on aspects like choosing lower impact emission supply (for example dry powder inhaler vs metered dose inhalers) or prescribing from manufacturers that seek to improve emissions [ 30 ]. Thus, prescription strategy should be set at a higher level.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is the carbon footprint of primary care practices? A retrospective life-cycle analysis in Switzerland

Nicolet

Müeller

Paruta³

et al. 2022

Environ Health

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Background The medical field causes significant environmental impact. Reduction of the primary care practice carbon footprint could contribute to decreasing global carbon emissions. This study aims to quantify the average carbon footprint of a primary care consultation, describe differences between primary care practices (best, worst and average performing) in western Switzerland and identify opportunities for mitigation. Methods We conducted a retrospective carbon footprint analysis of ten private practices over the year 2018. We used life-cycle analysis to estimate carbon emissions of each sector, from manufacture to disposal, expressing results as CO2 equivalents per average consultation and practice. We then modelled an average and theoretical best- case and worst-case practices. Collected data included invoices, medical and furniture inventories, heating and power supply, staff and patient transport, laboratory analyses (in/out-house) waste quantities and management costs. Results An average medical consultation generated 4.8 kg of CO2eq and overall, an average practice produced 30 tons of CO2eq per year, with 45.7% for staff and patient transport and 29.8% for heating. Medical consumables produced 5.5% of CO2eq emissions, while in-house laboratory and X-rays contributed less than 1% each. Emergency analyses requiring courier transport caused 5.8% of all emissions. Support activities generated 82.6% of the total CO2eq. Simulation of best- and worst-case scenarios resulted in a ten-fold variation in CO2eq emissions. Conclusion Optimizing structural and organisational aspects of practice work could have a major impact on the carbon footprint of primary care practices without large-scale changes in medical activities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is the carbon footprint of primary care practices? A retrospective life-cycle analysis in Switzerland

Nicolet

Müeller

Paruta³

et al. 2022

Environ Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Healthcare professionals can contribute to reducing emissions through their daily clinical practice by reducing healthcare overuse, promoting disease prevention, shaping policy guidelines for their specialty, and influencing the healthcare organisation where they work 15. Several specialties are already building networks to decarbonise practice while protecting and improving patient health1617 and applying a sustainability lens to the quality improvement approach 18.…”

Section: Clinical Decision Making: “On the Margins”mentioning

confidence: 99%

Priority setting and net zero healthcare: how much health can a tonne of carbon buy?

Bhopal

Norheim

2021

BMJ

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“…23 There are also things within our more direct control as health professionals that will put our own house in order by bringing healthcare’s carbon emissions closer to net zero (doi:10.1136/bmj.n1323). 4…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

It is our governments’ duty to protect health

Godlee¹

2021

BMJ

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Net zero healthcare: a call for clinician action

Abstract: Health professionals are well positioned to effect change by reshaping individual practice, influencing healthcare organisations, and setting clinical standards, argue Jodi Sherman and colleagues

Cited by 65 publications

References 23 publications

What is the carbon footprint of primary care practices? A retrospective life-cycle analysis in Switzerland

What is the carbon footprint of primary care practices? A retrospective life-cycle analysis in Switzerland

Priority setting and net zero healthcare: how much health can a tonne of carbon buy?

It is our governments’ duty to protect health

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