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

Abstract 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

Performance Evaluation of Drip Irrigation System Using Sweet Corn

Gravitational drip irrigation system was developed using available materials. The system consisting of 4.0 l/hr Netafim pressure-compensating emitters was used to irrigate 0.0015 ha of land where sweet corn was planted under variable water applications in a randomised complete block design with three treatments. Treatment one (W1) received water once per week, treatment two (W2) received water twice per week, while third treatment (W3) received water thrice per week. W1 received 229mm per emitter; W2 received 437mm per emitter, while 653mm per emitter was applied to W3 throughout the experimentation period. Total biomass yield including bulk weight, stem weight, root weight and cob yield were determined using top loading digital weighing balance. Results obtained which were subjected to statistical analysis at 5% significant level show that there were significant differences in the crop growth, biomass and cob yield. Watering thrice per week resulted in the highest leaf area, plant height, root depth and weight. However, watering twice per week provided the highest fresh weight and cob yield.The trend in biomass yield showed that W2 performed better. Watering twice per week appeared optimum for cultivation of sweet corn during water scarce season in Ibadan, Nigeria. Keywords: Drip Irrigation, Agronomic parameters, Corn, Evaluation. Journal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 6 (1) 2006 pp. 16-2