Anaesthetists’ knowledge and practice of environmentally sustainable anaesthesia in an academic department of anaesthesiology

Abstract

Background: Climate change is one of the leading threats to humanity today, and the practice of anaesthesia has an appreciable impact on it. This study aims to determine the knowledge regarding environmentally sustainable anaesthesia and the current practices of anaesthetists working in the Department of Anaesthesiology at the University of the Witwatersrand. Methods: A prospective, descriptive research design was followed. The study population consisted of all anaesthetists working in the Department of Anaesthesiology at the University of the Witwatersrand. A convenience sampling method was used. Data was collected through an online, self-administered questionnaire. Results: There were 141 responses to the distributed questionnaire. Adequate knowledge of environmentally sustainable anaesthesia was found in 14.90% of participants. There was no significant association between adequate knowledge and age, professional designation, or years of experience (p = 0.949). The detrimental effect of inhalational anaesthetic gases (IAG) on the environment was widely known; however, only 15.60% of participants were aware of the risk of propofol to marine life, and 81.56% thought that reusable equipment poses an infection risk. Fresh gas flows (FGF) were not calculated by 66.67% of participants, and their respective knowledge of them was low. Anaesthetic practices were environmentally unsustainable since they were not in keeping with the World Federation Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), or the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA) guidelines. Conclusion: The knowledge of environmentally sustainable anaesthetic practices was low among all anaesthetists at the University of the Witwatersrand; however, there was fair knowledge of the environmental impact of IAGs. Anaesthetic practices were generally environmentally unsustainable, possibly due to the low level of knowledge. Financial constraints and resource limitations need to be considered when analysing practices. Anaesthetists need further training in environmentally sustainable anaesthesia to limit the impact of climate change, given the world’s present predicament.