Sustainability in the operating room: a cross-sectional survey of nurse anaesthetists’ and operating room nurses’ views and practice

Background

The healthcare sector is responsible for between 4.4% and 5.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the operating room accounts for 20–30% of hospital waste. Healthcare personnel have a responsibility to develop sustainable healthcare services that reduce waste and pollutants discharged into the environment. Nurse anaesthetists and operating room nurses can play a key role in ensuring sustainable practice in the operating room. The study’s aim was to (1) explore their views and practice regarding climate change, the healthcare sector’s carbon footprint, and sustainable practice in the operating room, (2) assess differences in the way in which the two professions regard these issues, and (3) assess factors which potentially are associated with participants’ views and practice.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three hospital trusts in south-eastern Norway between October 2023 and January 2024. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests and Chi-square analyses. Thematic analysis was used for free-text responses.

Results

A total of 110 nurse anaesthetists and 88 operating room nurses participated in the survey (response rate = 31%). Almost all participants (96.9%) agreed that the world is facing a climate change crisis. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) between the two professions’ views regarding the individual’s responsibility in reducing the healthcare sector’s carbon footprint. There was also a significant difference in their views regarding whether the health institution provided training to promote sustainable practice (p < 0.001). Both professions recycled waste materials, but there was a significant difference regarding the perceived need for recycling systems (p = 0.03). Three themes emerged from the free-text responses: ‘a need for education and information’, ‘increasing awareness’ and ‘lack of organisational measures’ regarding participants’ perspectives on climate, health and sustainability in the operating room.

Conclusions

Despite certain differences in their views and a perceived lack of awareness, information and organisational measures, this study shows that nurse anaesthetists and operating room nurses are concerned about reducing the operating room’s carbon footprint. However, they have the potential to play a more active role in greening the operating room by participating in grassroot strategies that foster sustainability.