A master thesis from Aalborg University
Mitigating environmental impacts of surgical practices in a Danish health care context
Author(s)
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-06-05
Pages
23 pages
Abstract
The health care sector in Denmark, as well as on a global scale, is caught in a paradox where its efforts to ensure the health and well being of people lead to environmental impacts, which have damaging effects on human health. In this thesis the surgical procedures are identified to be one of the most promising areas to achieve effective mitigation results to global warming, based on a state-of-the-art literature review. Circular transitions from single-use medical devices to reusable devices are a key strategy to achieve this. The case of the Regionshospital Nordjylland is chosen as the basis for investigating the research question of this thesis, which is: What circular transitions are relevant to implement to improve the sustainability of the surgical consumption practices at the Regionshos- pital Nordjylland? To answer this a consequential LCA of a routine laparoscopic hernia surgery at the hospital is conducted. Additionally, a qualitative assessment of the surgical consumption practices is made to define these practices and explore how they affect the potentials for implementing circular transitions. Based on the identified environmental footprint and main environmental impacts causing dam- age to human health, it is most relevant to transition the single-use drapes and gowns into their reusable alternatives. It is also recommended to further prepare the organization at the hospital with small scale incremental circular transitions and investments in the center of sterilization (SCT). Transitions towards a greater share of reusable devices will put pressure on the SCT, making it a high priority to ensure they acquire the necessary capacity both in terms of time, hands and capital goods.
Keywords
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