Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Effect of Interviews Done by Intensive Care Physicians on Organ Donation

PubMed ID: 28340798In this study, we examined the correspondence between intensive care unit physicians and the relatives of potential brain-dead donors regarding the decision to donate or the reasons for refusing organ donation. A total of 12 consecutive cases of potential brain-dead patients treated in intensive care units of Marmara University Pendik Education and Research Hospital in 2013 were evaluated. For each of the cases, the Potential Donor Questionnaire, and Family Notification, Brain Death Criteria Fulfilment and Organ Donation Conversation Questionnaires were used to collect the required data. Statistically, descriptive analyses were performed. We concluded that honestly, regularly, and sufficiently informed relatives of the potential brain-dead donor more readily donate organs, with a positive contribution from the intensive care physician. © 2017 Elsevier Inc