Healthcare sustainability in cardiothoracic surgery

Abstract

Background: Climate change is the greatest threat to human health. Cardiothoracic patients suffer direct consequences from poor environmental health and we have a vested interest to address this in our practice. As leaders of complex high-end surgery, we are uniquely positioned to effect practical and immediate changes to significantly pare down emissions within the operating theatre, outside the operating theatre and beyond the confines of the hospital. Methods: We aim to spotlight this pressing issue, take stock of our current efforts, and encourage fellow specialists to drive this agenda. Results: Sustainability in healthcare needs to be formalized as part of the core curriculum in surgical training and awareness generated via carbon audits and life cycle analyses. Practical actions such as reducing unnecessary equipment usage, choosing reusable equipment over single use disposables, judicious use of investigations rooted in clinical reasoning and sharing of resources across services and health systems help reduce the carbon output of our specialty. Conclusion: The ‘Triple Bottom Line’ serves as a good template to calibrate efforts that balance quality against environmental costs. More can be done to advocate for and find solutions for sustainable healthcare with cardiothoracic surgery.