Differences in national guidelines on sustainable anaesthesia

Abstract

The world faces a significant climate change, not only resulting in rising temperatures, sea level rise, drought and flooding but also impacting human health, leading to an increased utilization of healthcare resources. Concerningly, the healthcare sector itself contributes substantially to environmental pollution, accounting for 5.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Anaesthetic agents and operating room waste are key factors in this context. Globally, there is growing attention from the healthcare sector, particularly from anaesthetists, regarding its climate impact. By adopting sustainable practices, healthcare facilities can enhance their societal responsibility and contribute to a more sustainable future. Numerous initiatives, guidelines, and recommendations have already been established worldwide to address this issue. This review offers an evaluation of current global guidelines and trends in the adoption of sustainable practices within anaesthesiology. Guidelines across continents were analysed and compared to identify both similarities and differences. Potential explanations for observed variations were explored to discern commonalities and discrepancies in sustainable anaesthesia practices worldwide.