Royal North Shore Hospital cuts down on desflurane anaesthetic gases due to carbon concerns

Not content just to save lives, doctors at a major Sydney hospital have found a way to put ­patients ‘to sleep’ in a way that is environmentally greener — and cheaper — as it tries to reach net-zero emissions by 2035.

A photo of staff taking part in the net-zero program at Royal North Shore Hospital.

The effort to combat climate change has reached NSW’s operating theatres as a major hospital cuts down on using environmentally unfriendly anaesthetic gases due to concerns over carbon emissions.

Royal North Shore Hospital has begun trialling the use of sustainable gases for patients requiring anaesthetics as part of a Sydney-first net-zero initiative led by the local health district.

The move is a major shift away from procedures that use anaesthetic agent desflurane.

The gas has been used for procedures since the 1990s but in recent years has come under scrutiny due to its potent greenhouse agents that can contribute to climate change.

Royal North Shore Hospital anaesthetist Dr Penny Hodges said the carbon footprint of desflurane is about 20 times greater than the same amount of alternative gases, such as sevoflurane.

The program is being run at Royal North Shore Hospital.

“In the last few years we have become very aware of the impacts of desflurane and we’re trying very hard to reduce our carbon footprint,” she said.

“Using desflurane for one hour is the equivalent of flying from Sydney to Melbourne in terms of carbon emissions.

“It has a particular chemical structure that leads to carbon emissions and also needs a heated vaporiser to deliver in correct dosages, which contributes to emissions.

The hospital is using alternative gases during anaesthetic procedures. Photo: iStock.

“There are no operations that mandate the use of desflurane so patients wont recognise the difference of using alternative gases.”

Dr Hodges said the switch away from desflurane had financial benefits with the hospital saving about $100,000 by using cheaper and sustainable alternatives over an average 12 month period.

The measure forms part of a net-zero program by the Northern Sydney Local Health District which aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2035.

The program involves up to 12 nurses, doctors, pharmacists and allied health staff dedicating up to one day a week to be part of the program.

“The general public I think are becoming aware about the impact of healthcare on climate change, particularly the waste hospitals generate,” Dr Hodges said.

“The program is about bringing sustainability initiatives and ideas to the table and educating people within the hospital to reduce our emissions. We’re also undertaking research into carbon footprints including life cycle assessments of specific products we use in theatres.

“Essentially we’re green champions.”

A study by the University of Sydney this year showed the health sector makes up at least 4.4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with Australia ranking among the top ten global contributors.