A surgical team at Solihull Hospital has performed the world’s first documented net-zero operative procedure.
The keyhole surgery was to remove a bowel cancer and the operation introduced several sustainable changes to the team’s normal practice. This included using reusable PPE and giving medications through the veins for general anaesthesia rather than anaesthetic gases, which have a strong greenhouse effect.
The theatre team travelled to the hospital by either walking, running, or cycling.
At the end of the operation, the team used the calculator to estimate the reduction in carbon output for the operation compared to the usual output. They calculated that the carbon output was reduced by almost 80 per cent, with the remaining output then offset this through a variety of projects, including the planting of trees in the grounds of Solihull Hospital.
This brought the total carbon output for the operation to net-zero.
Watch the Video
Operating Theatres Contribute 25% of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust’s Carbon Footprint
The net-zero operation involved all members of the team including the surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, cleaners, porters, and managers.
HB Consultant Surgeon and Senior Lecturer at the University of Birmingham Mr Aneel Bhangu said: “Operating theatres are resource-intensive environments, contributing to 25 per cent of the trust’s carbon output. We cannot achieve net-zero health systems without making surgery more green, so this is a vital proof of concept step.
“Ensuring healthcare is environmentally friendly is important to patients and communities. These measures require changes in behaviour and care pathways across complex teams. We now hope to work with colleagues across the UK to create a wider impact across the NHS and provide best practice that will help healthcare professionals around the world.”
Carbon source
Carbon output of a typical operation (kg CO2)
Reduction in Net-Zero surgery (%)
Anaesthetic and surgical gases
1,270.1
99.9%
Electricity use
521.7
47%
Waste production
149.9
6%
Gown and drapes
6.0
70%
Total
1,947.7
79%
Table: the above table shows both the carbon output in kg of different elements of a typical operation, and the reduction made by percentage in the net-zero operation
Picture: a photograph of three people wearing surgical scrubs. Image Credit: Pexels
Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 25 May 2022
MedTech Company Looks to Solve NHS' Clinical Waste and Plastic Problem
A British MedTech company is helping the NHS to reduce CO2 emissions in its clinical waste disposal by 95 per cent.
It is hoped that this will save tens of millions of...
Novus Awarded North West and Midlands Healthcare Contracts
Novus Property Solutions has been awarded three hospital-based contracts in Preston, Birmingham and Liverpool.
Novus recently completed an external works contract with...
Health Agency Urges Adults to Wear Face Masks When Ill
Guidance issued by the UK Health Security Agency states that adults suffering from respiratory illnesses should wear face masks if they have to leave home.
Amidst high...
Government Announces £553m of Investment to Upgrade Public Buildings
Hundreds of public buildings in England will cut their use of fossil fuels and advance towards low carbon heating and energy efficiency upgrades, thanks to £553...
100 senior executives of UK construction firms were interviewed on sustainable design and engineering.
The construction firms involved have collectively been involved...
Facilities managers are on the front line of managing a behavioural transition to affect green change, according to Dr Stephen Wise.
When COP president Alok Sharma...
IT Experts say COP26 Must Prioritise Global Electronic Waste
Ending the cycle of pushing new technology products should be a top target for the COP26 climate change conference, according to The Chartered Institute for...
The University of Birmingham Partners with Siemens to Create the Smartest University Campus in the World
Siemens is partnering with the University of Birmingham to create the world's smartest university campus.
The University of Birmingham, in partnership with...
The carbon footprint of healthcare could triple by 2050, leading to worse health outcomes, increased chances of pandemics and a more unstable climate.
Healthcare...
Mitie and apetito are collaborating to cut carbon from the menu at St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
This is Mitie's first low...
FM Qualifications at the College of Central London
Qualifications are essential to gaining recognition and respect. Our mission is to provide skills and knowledge to help you achieve success in IWFM level 5 and 6. Click Image To Read More
Top Metrics That Matter for Corporate Real Estate
New strategic challenges are pushing companies to think deeper about the business outcomes they expect from CRE. Click Image To Read More
Voice Of The Facilities Manager
Take part in the inaugural Voice of the Facilities Manager survey from MRI Software. Three lucky respondents will win £150 worth of Amazon vouchers! Click Image To Read More
Installer Show 2023 - Renewable Liquid Fuel Appliances
Rinnai’s stand at the forthcoming Installer Show will feature carbon reducing Bio-LPG and DME fuelled hot water heating units. Click Image To Read More
Energy Transition Update
American subsidies and pan-European motivation to locate energies that do not enrich Russian military action in Ukraine are fuelling multiple clean energy projects across every continent. Click Image To Read More
The UK's Electric Grid - Can It Really Cope With NetZero?
Rinnai’s Chris Goggin explores how wider electrification of the UK domestic & commercial energy mix could influence decarbonisation efforts and customer choices of heating and hot water appliances. Click Image To Read More
Efficient Facility Services: How to Achieve More with Smarter Scheduling & Planning
How leading facilities management firms are using advanced planning and scheduling techniques to keep employees and customers happy while operating efficiently and profitably. Click Image To Read More
Rinnai's NEW & FREE - Heating & Hot Water System Design Service
Rinnai is now offering a NEW and FREE customer service that designs the ideal heating and hot water system suited specifically to the customer’s property requirements. Click Image To Read More
Understand Your Options & Invest Wisely In Training Solutions
An explosion in the type of training available and how it can be accessed is providing a range of new technological training solutions for the cleaning industry. Click Image To Read More
Global FoodService Chain Embraces Rinnai's H1/H2/H3 Concept into UK Programme
Rinnai’s concept of utilising the best available solution for heating and hot water needs on any given commercial site has been embraced by a global foodservice & retail chain, now in the process of updating UK outlets to be as low carbon as possible. Click Image To Read More
ThisWeekinFM – Headline Media Partner
Visit our dedicated EMEX Playlist For All Our Energy Management Focus Interviews. Click Image To Read More