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#246 Ditching Nitrous Oxide: The Bike Commuter's Guide to Safe and Sustainable Anesthesia

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Manage episode 472110013 series 3347443
Content provided by Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

Dr. Liz Hansen takes us behind the scenes of a remarkable transformation at Seattle Children's Hospital, where pediatric anesthesiologists have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% without compromising patient safety. A lifelong environmentalist and bike commuter, Dr. Hansen was shocked to discover that anesthesia gases contributed to 7% of her hospital's total emissions. This revelation sparked a personal and professional journey to align her clinical practice with her environmental values.
The conversation reveals practical strategies for reducing anesthesia's carbon footprint, from eliminating nitrous oxide to implementing low-flow techniques. Dr. Hansen shares how her team gradually won over colleagues by demonstrating that sustainable practices could maintain or even improve patient outcomes. She offers detailed insights into working with child life specialists, adapting mask induction techniques, and using data tracking to drive continuous improvement.
What makes this story particularly powerful is the ripple effect beyond a single institution. Dr. Hansen co-founded Project SPRUCE (Saving Our Planet by Reducing Carbon Emissions), an international consortium of anesthesia groups collaborating to reduce their environmental impact. Member organizations have already achieved their first-year goal of 50% emissions reduction, with more ambitious targets on the horizon.
For anesthesia professionals concerned about climate change but unsure how to make a difference, this episode offers hope and concrete action steps. Remember, "the antidote to despair is action." Download the Yale Gassing Greener app, try a nitrous-free induction on your next cooperative patient, or advocate for addressing gas leaks in your facility's central supply system. Your individual choices matter, especially when they inspire others to follow your lead.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/246-ditching-nitrous-oxide-the-bike-commuters-guide-to-safe-and-sustainable-anesthesia/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Introduction to Safe and Sustainable Anesthesia (00:00:00)

2. Dr. Liz Hansen's Background and Journey (00:01:35)

3. Eliminating Nitrous Oxide in Practice (00:03:40)

4. Mask Acceptance Techniques Without Nitrous (00:06:22)

5. Implementation Strategies for Sustainable Anesthesia (00:08:36)

6. Project SPRUCE and International Consortium (00:12:20)

7. Safety, Future Directions, and Final Thoughts (00:14:26)

255 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 472110013 series 3347443
Content provided by Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

Dr. Liz Hansen takes us behind the scenes of a remarkable transformation at Seattle Children's Hospital, where pediatric anesthesiologists have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% without compromising patient safety. A lifelong environmentalist and bike commuter, Dr. Hansen was shocked to discover that anesthesia gases contributed to 7% of her hospital's total emissions. This revelation sparked a personal and professional journey to align her clinical practice with her environmental values.
The conversation reveals practical strategies for reducing anesthesia's carbon footprint, from eliminating nitrous oxide to implementing low-flow techniques. Dr. Hansen shares how her team gradually won over colleagues by demonstrating that sustainable practices could maintain or even improve patient outcomes. She offers detailed insights into working with child life specialists, adapting mask induction techniques, and using data tracking to drive continuous improvement.
What makes this story particularly powerful is the ripple effect beyond a single institution. Dr. Hansen co-founded Project SPRUCE (Saving Our Planet by Reducing Carbon Emissions), an international consortium of anesthesia groups collaborating to reduce their environmental impact. Member organizations have already achieved their first-year goal of 50% emissions reduction, with more ambitious targets on the horizon.
For anesthesia professionals concerned about climate change but unsure how to make a difference, this episode offers hope and concrete action steps. Remember, "the antidote to despair is action." Download the Yale Gassing Greener app, try a nitrous-free induction on your next cooperative patient, or advocate for addressing gas leaks in your facility's central supply system. Your individual choices matter, especially when they inspire others to follow your lead.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/246-ditching-nitrous-oxide-the-bike-commuters-guide-to-safe-and-sustainable-anesthesia/

© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Introduction to Safe and Sustainable Anesthesia (00:00:00)

2. Dr. Liz Hansen's Background and Journey (00:01:35)

3. Eliminating Nitrous Oxide in Practice (00:03:40)

4. Mask Acceptance Techniques Without Nitrous (00:06:22)

5. Implementation Strategies for Sustainable Anesthesia (00:08:36)

6. Project SPRUCE and International Consortium (00:12:20)

7. Safety, Future Directions, and Final Thoughts (00:14:26)

255 episodes

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