Reducing Propofol Waste: A Greener Approach to Anesthesia

**In the context of increasing environmental concerns, a new study by the University Hospital Bonn explores sustainable practices within hospital settings.** An area of focus is anesthesiology, notably the high levels of propofol waste. Propofol, commonly used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, ranks high in medication waste, with about 45% remaining unused. The traditional method involves separate syringe pumps for induction and maintenance, contributing significantly to this waste. **The researchers propose an alternative:** a single syringe pump for both induction and maintenance. Over 300 surgeries were analyzed, showcasing *up to 50% reduction in waste* for procedures between 20-100 minutes. Important factors such as patient age, gender, weight, and pre-existing conditions showed no variation in waste, whereas alcohol and drug consumption did increase waste due to higher anesthetic needs. Results demonstrate not only ecological benefits but also potential economic savings, such as saving yearly 1,300 vials of propofol. In conclusion, the implementation of this method offers a promising step toward sustainable anesthesia practices, as emphasized by Dr. Florian Windler and Prof. Dr. Mark Coburn through the new Green Team initiative.