MEDICUS May 2022

Green Theatres Network: Act 1 Dr Adam Crossley Anaesthetist, Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group Executive Board Member, ANZCA Environmental Sustainability Network Dr Archana Shrivathsa Anaesthetist, Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group Executive Board Member ANZCA Environmental Sustainability Network Executive Committee Member, TRA2SH C O V E R S T O R Y – C L I M A T E C H A N G E A C T I O N I ngrained in our medical culture, the Latin phrase primum non nocere tells us we should first seek to do no harm. Yet, as doctors, we confront an uncomfortable truth – healthcare in Australia represents 7 per cent of the nation’s carbon footprint. 1 Furthermore, 20-30 per cent of waste in hospitals comes from operating theatres. 2 Targeting reductions in carbon emissions and waste is a job for everyone in healthcare. As the Zero- Waste Chef Anne Marie Bonneau said: “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” Driven by thoughts and philosophies such as this, the Green Theatres Group at Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group (FSFH) was formed in 2015. This brought together an enthusiastic team of frontline staff from all disciplines in peri-operative care, sharing ideas and combining efforts to make a difference. Luckily, there are many simple things we can do to make our theatres more efficient and less wasteful, by targeting all parts of the waste hierarchy – reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery. One of the key methods to advocate for change is to make connections and have conversations with as many people and departments as possible. Holding regular meetings and casting a wide communication net helps to identify elements that can easily be changed, who can help, and how it can be done. This includes partnering with your facilities management team and procurement officers, and working closely with Infection Control when developing new policies and processes. Collecting data is also important for auditing purposes and feedback to the team. It will make clear the benefits that often accompany sustainability measures. For example, stopping usage of the potent greenhouse gas Collecting data is also important for auditing purposes and feedback to the team. It will make clear the benefits that often accompany sustainability measures. For example, stopping usage of the potent greenhouse gas desflurane (a volatile anaesthetic agent) saved $10,000 per month across the South Metropolitan Health Service. Focused on change: Small group activity at a meeting of the Green Theatres Group in November 2021. 22 M E D I C U S M AY 2 0 2 2