The CO<sub>2</sub> footprint of intensive care medicine-let's go green

Bein, Thomas (2023) The CO<sub>2</sub> footprint of intensive care medicine-let's go green. MEDIZINISCHE KLINIK-INTENSIVMEDIZIN UND NOTFALLMEDIZIN, 118 (5). pp. 358-361. ISSN 2193-6218, 2193-6226

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Climate change and global warming are facts, and actually they are a hot topic for politics, economics, and societies. Global healthcare contributes approximately 5% of worldwide anthropogenic emissions, and this fact might produce an ethical dilemma between the Hippocratic principles of 'beneficence' (promotion of health) and of 'non-maleficence' (avoiding reinforcement of the climate crisis). Intensive care medicine has continuous high staff activity, resource use, and energy demands, and it is clear that intensive care medicine must become green to commence with practical measures to reduce their intensive care unit (ICU) carbon footprint. In this article several strategies are introduced, beginning with the creation of green teams on the ICUs from the bottom. Furthermore, systematic recycle programs, and the assessment and control of energy use are required to make ICUs more sustainable. Strategies for avoiding futile treatment combined with a choose wisely philosophy might contribute to such projects. Immediate engagement of all healthcare staff, particularly those who work in the ICU, is necessary to join the 'race to zero carbon emissions'.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: CARBON FOOTPRINT; HEALTH; Climate change; Environment and public health; Waste management; Recycling; Intensive care medicine
Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
Divisions: Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Anästhesiologie
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 09 Mar 2024 09:47
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2024 09:47
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/59294

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item