In this era of ‘Choosing Wisely,’ we present a four-step action plan to reduce unnecessary pathology testing and the associated patient harm (blood loss through repeated phlebotomy), economic cost and environmental impact. The authors are experts from the CODA group; a medical education and health-promotion charity that [...]
Within health care, the carbon footprint of hemodialysis (HD) appears to be particularly high, due to both a high use of energy, water, and consumables, and the repeated nature of dialysis treatments. However, studies quantifying this carbon effect are sparse.
Unnecessary testing for levels of vitamin D is costing Australia's healthcare system about $87 million a year and contributing to the sector's carbon footprint, according to Australian researchers. The researchers found in 2020, more than 4.4 million vitamin D tests were funded by Medicare, enough [...]
This is the first study to undertake an adapted triple bottom line assessment of a low-value healthcare activity to explore and make explicit its health, financial and environmental impacts. Our triple bottom line assessment of vitamin D testing highlights that low-value care, which provides little [...]
Pathology testing and diagnostic imaging together contribute 9% of healthcare's carbon footprint. Whilst the carbon footprint of pathology testing has been undertaken, to date, the carbon footprint of the four most common imaging modalities is unclear.
We encourage others to clarify such practice variations and begin the journey to safely reducing anesthesia’s environmental footprint.
It is important for the medical profession to review legacy practices and reconsider interventions with no or low benefit to patients.
Small changes in practice, when implemented throughout healthcare systems around the world, can have sizable positive impacts on the environment and on healthcare costs. It is important for the medical profession to review legacy practices and reconsider interventions with no or low benefit to patients.
The way we currently practice medicine is unsustainable for patients, healthcare systems, societies, and the planet. It is estimated that a fifth of what we do in healthcare is not needed. All those unnecessary tests, treatments, and diagnoses bring direct harm to people through adverse [...]
As healthcare is responsible for 7% of Australia's carbon emissions, it was recognised that a policy implemented at St George Hospital, Sydney to reduce non-urgent pathology testing to two days per week and on other days only if essential, would also result in a reduction [...]