Since Texas Children’s Green Team partnered with Practice Greenhealth a little over a year ago, several initiatives have launched, completed and are in progress as we work toward our sustainability goals. As we celebrate Earth Day this April 22, we take a moment to see how far we’ve come and what’s on the horizon.
“The improvements we want to make for Texas Children’s will certainly take time, but it’s time well spent. We’re anxious to move forward, but being thoughtful in our approach to ensure it’s done right,” said Dr. Maren Fuller, co-chair of the Texas Children’s Green Team. “Thank you to everyone involved as we continue on this journey together to make a lasting impact on the environment.”
Milestones
- LED West Campus. West Campus completed a multi-year project to retrofit all lighting to LED.
- LED general. LED lighting now used in new construction and completed 60% LED retrofit in the Medical Center.
- Electric vehicles. Three electric passenger vans as circulators continue to run in the Medical Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily.
- Propane shuttles. Of the 15 shuttles in the Medical Center, 13 are propane, which are friendlier to the environment, more cost efficient and quieter. The last two diesel shuttles are scheduled to be upgraded next year.
- Staffing. Hired a Certified Energy Manager for the organization.
- Waste. Partnering with Stericycle on a recycling and waste reduction program.
- Food composting. Researching and identifying vendor for composting.
- Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards. Completed awards applications to assess progress and measure our sustainability performance (Medical Center completed their second, West and Woodlands Campuses completed their first).
In addition to these milestones, the anesthesiology department has made incredible strides thanks to the efforts of Dr. Shazia Mohammad, Dr. Ammar Yamani and Tamra Kelly, CRNA from the Sustainability in the Perioperative Area (SUPER) Committee.
Desflurane Removal
Out of all the anesthetic volatile gases we use, desflurane is the most harmful with a global warming potential of 4000 times that of carbon dioxide. The carbon footprint of desflurane is a whole magnitude worse than other volatile anesthetics. Led by Dr. Mohammad, we have officially removed desflurane from all Texas Children’s campuses/locations as of February 2023. It is no longer on the pharmacy formulary. By removing all 99 desflurane vaporizers and chemicals, Texas Children’s Hospital will reduce our carbon footprint by nearly 900,000 kg CO2 equivalent and save over $80,000 a year.
Suction Canister Reduction
At The Woodlands Campus, Dr. Yamani worked with the perioperative team to encourage anesthesiologists and ENT surgeons or dentists to reduce plastic waste. Normally, the anesthesiologist and the ENT surgeon or dentist both have a dedicated suction canister and tubing for a single patient. With minimal changes to standard practices, these practitioners can share a suction canister and tubing to dramatically reduce waste and material cost. When presented to the peri-operative team, immediate buy-in was obtained by the entire perioperative team. This low lift “Save the Suction” initiative addressed business and sustainability imperatives while maintaining superior patient safety; this was manifested in a reduction in overall suction canister waste and cost despite the addition of two new operating rooms over the last two years. Dr. Yamani’s efforts hope to serve as a prime example of how small changes can have a significant impact.
Biohazard Waste Reduction
In the cardiovascular operating rooms (CV OR) and catheterization lab, Tamra Kelly (CRNA) helped reduce unnecessary waste from going into the biohazard bins. Biohazard waste is 7 to 11 times more expensive to dispose compared to general waste. It has a much larger carbon footprint as well as higher energy and water use since it is treated by autoclaving or incineration. By communicating and working with the perioperative staff and administration, Tamra helped coordinate adding general waste containers instead of only biohazard containers in the CV OR and cath lab. She also educated the department on what is considered general waste and what is biohazardous waste. She has effectively reduced Texas Children’s carbon footprint from the CV perioperative area.
For more information on the Green Team or how to get involved, please contact committee co-chairs Dr. Maren Fuller or Gary Brown.