Articles written by Deirdre C. Kelleher
Volume 77 Number 2
Phasing Out Desflurane at Three New York State Institutions
Over the past decade, there has been movement towards eliminating desflurane usage both nationally and internationally, with Scotland, England, and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador officially phasing out the agent. This article chronicles the journey of three institutions in New York State as they phased out desflurane from their formularies—and provides guidance to other NYS hospitals looking to do the same.
Read the articleVolume 77 Number 1
Sustainability Tip of the Quarter
Reducing the environmental impact of perioperative care can feel like an overwhelming task, as there are opportunities for improvement almost everywhere you look. Rather than trying to fix everything at once, choose instead to focus on one area of waste at a time. High-impact areas include supply waste reduction, oxygen conservation, proper waste sorting, and […]
Read the articleVolume 76 Number 4
Sustainability Tip of the Quarter
Energy use constitutes approximately 12% of total global healthcare greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 15% of total U.S. healthcare GHG emissions, with more of these emissions stemming from energy-intensive ORs and ICUs. Reducing our energy-related emissions requires thoughtful use of current products and proactive changes system-wide.
Read the articleVolume 76 Number 3
Sustainability Tip of the Quarter
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas and ozone destroyer. Due to the large volume of gas needed to achieve clinical effects, N2O’s negative environmental impact approaches that of desflurane.1 INDIVIDUAL Reduce or eliminate N2O use: INSTITUTIONAL Decommission the central N2O pipe system: Want to learn more? Submit your name and email here or […]
Read the articleVolume 76 Number 3
How We Did It: Decommissioning Central Nitrous Oxide Pipes at Three Institutions
Nicholas Gadsden, M.D., Ellen Brand, M.D., Vittoria Arslan-Carlon, M.D., and Deirdre C. Kelleher, M.D. Anesthetic gases are responsible for up to 50% of perioperative emissions, contributing substantially to hospital scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (direct emissions).1 To decrease the environmental impact of anesthesia practice, the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA) encourages all […]
Read the articleVolume 76 Number 2
Sustainability Tip of the Quarter
Happy summer! Whether you are headed to the beach, across the ocean, or just to the call room, there are easy ways to avoid single‑use plastic while you’re on the go. INDIVIDUAL Be sure to pack these reusable items in your overnight [call] bag: INSTITUTIONAL Help clinicians be sustainable while on call: Want to learn more? […]
Read the articleVolume 76 Number 1
Sustainability Tip of the Quarter
“Planet vs. Plastics” is the theme for Earth Day 2024. Plastic is incredibly important to the safe delivery of anesthesia, but it also contributes to global pollution and detrimental health effects on humans.
Read the articleVolume 75 Number 2
Sustainability Tip of the Quarter
INDIVIDUAL Lower your fresh gas flow during maintenance of anesthesia, regardless of anesthetic choice. Learnhow on the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) website: https://www.apsf.org/apsf-technology-education-initiative/low-flow-anesthesia INSTITUTIONAL Create your Green Team!Choose a leader and invite sustainably minded clinicians from all divisions and roles within your department (including residents, CRNAs, and techs). Want to know more? Submit your […]
Read the article
