What is it about?
Anaesthetic gases can exhibit global warming effects by acting as greenhouse gases. The global warming potentials of these gases vary greatly — with sevoflurane being the most environmentally friendly. Nitrous oxide may also exhibit a global warming effect by direct ozone depletion. Veterinary professionals have the potential to reduce their carbon footprint by making use of targeted anaesthetic choices, low fresh gas flows, and multimodal anaesthesia protocols. Individual practices can also appoint an environmental leader and apply pressure to production companies, as well as provide incentives to staff members to take individual action. New developments within sustainable anaesthesia include metal organic frameworks for gas recapture and potential reuse, as well as the development of an environmentally friendly volatile agent, xenon.
Featured Image
Photo by Bhavya Pratap Photography on Unsplash
Why is it important?
As medical professionals we have a duty to ensure we reduce our impacts on the planet, in every way possible. Knowledge is power, and the general population in veterinary practices are currently lacking direction regarding the environmentally damaging effects of volatile anaesthesia.
Perspectives
As someone often consumed by guilt and worry about how my practices effect the planet I inhabit, this was something I felt obligated to do. I want to empower people to factor the environment into their list of anaesthesia planning priorities. We must serve our patients and the planet equally.
Leanne Smith
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Working towards a greener future in veterinary anaesthesia, The Veterinary Nurse, November 2022, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/vetn.2022.13.9.426.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
