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RACS ASC 2025
Sustainable Scalpel: Advocacy and Innovation in Green Surgery
Poster
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Poster

Presentation Description

Institution: Nepean Hospital - NSW, Australia

The global healthcare sector contributes 4.4% of greenhouse gas emissions, with surgical care being a significant factor. This abstract explores health policy and advocacy efforts to promote sustainability in surgery through waste reduction, resource optimization, and greener practices. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) 2023 position statement highlights reusable surgical gowns as a sustainable alternative to single-use options. These gowns reduce carbon emissions and medical waste while maintaining safety and efficacy, offering a practical example of sustainable practice. The Green Surgery Report emphasizes systemic changes, advocating for circular economy principles in healthcare, including innovative sterilization protocols, waste segregation to enhance recycling, and digital platforms to monitor and optimize resource use. Additional strategies include energy-efficient lighting, biodegradable packaging, and reusable instruments, alongside telehealth consultations to reduce travel emissions. Education and advocacy are pivotal for driving sustainable healthcare practices. Initiatives like the Environmental Sustainability in Surgery Working Party (ESSWP) showcase the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in embedding sustainability into surgical education and policy frameworks. Aligning health policies with sustainable practices enables the surgical profession to reduce healthcare’s environmental footprint while maintaining clinical excellence.
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Authors
Authors

Dr Sarah Huang -