Did you know our practice is different from the rest of the world? what do you think of Reusable Circuits?

Written By Carole Lin

While the U.S. relies almost exclusively on single-use plastics, reusable anesthesia circuits are the standard of care globally, utilized in over 70% of practices in many high-income countries. These circuits are not only more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, but they are also backed by rigorous safety data. For instance, Seattle Children’s Hospital successfully transitioned to reusable circuits and reported zero increase in infection rates across thousands of procedures. By adopting high-efficiency filters, we can significantly reduce medical waste without ever compromising patient safety.

The Research Breakdown

In the world of modern medicine, the convenience of single-use plastics has become the default. However, two recent articles highlight a significant but overlooked opportunity for U.S. healthcare to reduce its environmental footprint: the transition to reusable anesthesia breathing circuits.

A Global Outlier A 2025 global survey reveals a stark contrast in medical practices. While high-income countries in Western Europe and Oceania regularly reuse anesthesia circuits, the United States is a significant anomaly with a reuse rate of only 2.2%. The study suggests this disparity isn't based on science, but rather on culture and perception. Many U.S. providers cite concerns over institutional policy and potential litigation as primary barriers. However, the reality is that high-efficiency bacterial and viral filters allow these circuits to be used safely across multiple patients.

Success in Practice: The Seattle Children’s Experience Moving beyond theory, a perspective piece from Seattle Children's Hospital provides a real-world roadmap. Driven by supply chain disruptions and sustainability goals, the institution implemented reusable circuits in their surgery center.

  • Waste Reduction: Moving to weekly reusable circuit changes resulted in an 84% reduction in plastic waste.

  • Proven Safety: Over a 27-month period involving more than 12,000 patients, there were zero surgical site infections linked to the reusable circuits.

The Bottom Line

The evidence suggests that the U.S. healthcare system has an untapped opportunity to reduce costs and environmental impact without compromising patient safety. It is time for U.S. medical institutions to look toward global best practices and embrace this essential cultural shift.

References:

  1. Global Survey of Anesthesia Breathing Circuit Reuse: A Neglected Opportunity for U.S. Health Care to Reduce Climate Impact

  2. A Cultural Shift: Implementing Reusable Anesthesia Circuits in US Pediatric Anesthesia to Address Supply Chain and Environmental Challenges

Carole Lin
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