Knowledge is the power to change

“Only when the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.”
— — Cree Indian Proverb

Featured news

  • Providence's Dr. Brian Chesebro received the prestigious 2026 Visionary Changemaker award at CleanMed. The honor recognizes his trailblazing leadership in climate-smart healthcare, including a landmark comparison tool for inhaler emissions and driving massive reductions in Providence's anesthetic gas footprint. 👉 Read the Press Release | Explore the Environmental Stewardship Toolkits

    • CleanMed is back, and we are excited to be part of the conversation. Connect with the community in St. Louis or attend virtually to help shape the future of low-carbon, sustainable care.

    • Link/CTA: Secure Your Spot (Live or Virtual)

    The event is happening now (May 12, 13, 14 2026)

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

    Authors include:

    • Elizabeth E. Hansen

    • Forbes McGain

    • Jennifer L. Chiem

    The paper describes Seattle Children’s real-world implementation of reusable anesthesia circuits in pediatric practice across more than 12,000 cases, showing:

    • 84% reduction in plastic waste versus single-use circuits

    • No increase in infections linked to reusable circuits

    • Strong implications for supply-chain resilience and OR sustainability

    The article directly argues that the U.S. reliance on disposable circuits is largely a cultural issue rather than a scientific one.

    Key publication updates

    • Published in Pediatric Anesthesia (2026)

    • DOI: 10.1002/pan.70105

    • Multi-site pediatric implementation experience from Seattle Children's Hospital

    • Increasingly being referenced in discussions on:

      • reusable medical devices

      • OR sustainability

      • supply-chain resilience

      • circular healthcare systems

    Direct article link

    Pediatric Anesthesia Article – Hansen et al. 2026

    You also uploaded the full paper here in this conversation, which includes detailed waste reduction figures, workflow diagrams, and implementation lessons.

    Related companion publication:

  • Latest News: Major Anesthesia Sustainability Study Highlights U.S. Gap

    A landmark 2025 study led by Seema Gandhi (UCSF), published in Anesthesiology, reveals a striking global disparity in anesthesia practice.

    Across 44 countries, most high-income nations report 70–76% reuse of anesthesia breathing circuits, with some countries nearing 100% reuse.
    In contrast, the United States reports only ~2% reuse.

    The study emphasizes that this difference is not driven by patient safety concerns—modern filtration systems support safe reuse—but rather by cultural, policy, and knowledge barriers.

    👉 Key takeaway:
    Reusable circuits represent a major opportunity to reduce:

    • plastic waste

    • healthcare emissions

    • supply chain vulnerability

    • and cost

    This publication reframes reusable anesthesia circuits as not just a sustainability initiative—but a standard-of-care opportunity already adopted globally.

    🔗 Read the full article:

    Title with a Hook: Capturing Attention from the First Line

    Why this matters

    • A compelling title is the gateway to your content. It determines whether readers click, keep reading, or move on.

    • In anesthesiology and sustainability communications, strong titles help elevate important topics—like low-flow anesthesia, waste reduction, and recyclable disposables—into conversations that change practice.

    How to craft a title with a hook

    1. Start with a clear benefit or promise

      • Example: "Cut Anesthesia Waste by 30


    https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000005462

    Title with a Hook: Capturing Attention from the First Line

    Why this matters

    • A compelling title is the gateway to your content. It determines whether readers click, keep reading, or move on.

    • In anesthesiology and sustainability communications, strong titles help elevate important topics—like low-flow anesthesia, waste reduction, and recyclable disposables—into conversations that change practice.

    How to craft a title with a hook

    1. Start with a clear benefit or promise

      • Example: "Cut Anesthesia Waste by 30%: Simple Steps Every OR Team Can Adopt"

    2. Use a surprising statistic or fact

      • Example: "Inhaled Anesthetics Account for X% of OR Emissions — What You Can Do Today"

    3. Ask a provocative question

    🌍 Learn more:
    https://www.greenanesthesiology.org

    Title with a Hook: Capturing Attention from the First Line

    Why this matters

    • A compelling title is the gateway to your content. It determines whether readers click, keep reading, or move on.

    • In anesthesiology and sustainability communications, strong titles help elevate important topics—like low-flow anesthesia, waste reduction, and recyclable disposables—into conversations that change practice.

    How to craft a title with a hook

    1. Start with a clear benefit or promise

      • Example: "Cut Anesthesia Waste by 30%: Simple Steps Every OR Team Can Adopt"

    2. Use a surprising statistic or fact

      • Example: "Inhaled Anesthetics Account for X% of OR Emissions — What You Can Do Today"

    3. Ask a provocative question

      • Example: "What If Your Next Case Could Save the Planet—and Money?"

New Research & Resources

Events & Opportunities

  • CleanMed 2026: May 12–14, 2026 | St. Louis, Missouri The premier national conference for leaders in healthcare sustainability. This year's event focuses on building climate-smart, equitable, and resilient health systems. Register Here.

    • Description: CleanMed is back, and we are excited to be part of the conversation. Connect with the community in St. Louis or attend virtually to help shape the future of low-carbon, sustainable care.

    • Link/CTA: Secure Your Spot (Live or Virtual)

  • Sustainability in Action Video Contest: Submissions due April 14, 2026 Showcase your organization’s achievements in resilience, equity, or climate mitigation. Winning videos will be debuted during the Environmental Excellence Dinner at CleanMed on May 14. Submit Your Video.

  • CleanMed Europe 2026: June 23–25, 2026 | Hybrid (London & Online) Europe's leading conference on sustainable healthcare, themed “Leading Healthcare Climate Action". The first day will be a hybrid event in London, followed by two days of virtual sessions.

  • Sustainability in the OR is part of a larger conversation on public health. Join the Wisconsin Environmental Health Network (WEHN)—a team of healthcare professionals and environmental advocates—for a two-day expert-led summit.

    The Details

    • When: March 5–6, 2026

    • Where: UW Madison Arboretum (In-person) & Virtual (Friday only)

    • Cost: Thursday is free; Friday requires registration.

    The Program

    • Thursday (6:30 PM): The End of Fluoridation? (Dr. Bruce Lanphear)

    • Friday (12:30 PM): Featuring Dr. Bruce Lanphear on toxic chemicals, Dr. Tamarra James-Todd on phthalates, and Dr. Jonathan Patz on climate change impact.

    Register for the Conference Here