Increasing Awareness of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Related to the Use of Inhaled Anesthetics

Abstract

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to educate anesthesia providers at a rural hospital in western Arizona about inhaled anesthetics’ environmental impact and evaluate their intent to adopt more sustainable practices.Background: Inhaled anesthetics, notably desflurane and nitrous oxide, significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Educating providers on these impacts is crucial for mitigating environmental harm. Methods: An educational presentation was conducted, with pre- and post-surveys assessing awareness and intent to change practice regarding environmentally responsible anesthesia practices. Results: The educational intervention led to an increase in the environmental awareness of anesthesia providers. However, this increased awareness did not significantly change their use of high-impact anesthetics like desflurane and nitrous oxide or the adoption of low fresh gas flow techniques. The data suggested that the length of professional experience had a more significant impact on adopting sustainable practices than the specific role of the provider. Conclusion: The education significantly raised environmental awareness and led to a positive shift towards sustainability, especially among inexperienced providers. This underscores the importance of targeted education in promoting environmentally conscious anesthesia practices.