Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Hospital Staff and Patients on Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room: Quality Improvement Survey Study

Nicole Kasia Stachura; Sukham K Brar; Jacob Davidson; Claire A Wilson; Celia Dann; Mike Apostol; John Vecchio; Shannon Bilodeau; Anna Gunz; Diana Catalina Casas-Lopez; Ruediger Noppens; Ken Leslie; Julie E Strychowsky

doi:10.2196/59790

Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Hospital Staff and Patients on Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room: Quality Improvement Survey Study

JMIR Perioper Med. 2024 Nov 28:7:e59790. doi: 10.2196/59790.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
² Division of Paediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
³ Department of Surgery, Western University, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
⁴ Facilities Management, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
⁵ Department of Surgical Services, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.
⁶ Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
⁷ Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
⁸ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Western University, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.

PMID: 39608767
PMCID: PMC11638685
DOI: 10.2196/59790

Abstract

Background: In Canada, the health care system has been estimated to generate 33 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Health care systems, specifically operating rooms (ORs), are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, using 3 to 6 times more energy than the hospital's average unit.

Objective: This quality improvement study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of staff members and patients on sustainability in the OR, as well as identify opportunities for initiatives and barriers to implementation.

Methods: A total of 2 surveys were developed, consisting of 27 questions for staff members and 22 questions for patients and caregivers. Topics included demographics, knowledge and attitudes regarding environmental sustainability, opportunities for initiatives, and perceived barriers. Multiple-choice, Likert-scale, and open-ended questions were used.

Results: A total of 174 staff members and 37 patients participated. The majority (152/174, 88%) of staff members had received no and minimal training on sustainability, while 93% (162/174) cited practicing sustainability at work as moderately to extremely important. Among patients and caregivers, 54% (20/37) often or always noticed when a hospital is being eco-friendly. Both staff members and patients agreed that improving sustainability would boost satisfaction (125/174, 71.8% and 22/37, 59.4%, respectively) and hospital reputation (22/37, 59.4% and 25/37, 69.5%, respectively). The staff members' highest-rated environmental initiatives included transitioning to reusables, education, and improved energy consumption, while patients prioritized increased nature, improved food sourcing, and education. Perceived barriers to these initiatives included cost, lack of education, and lack of incentives.

Conclusions: Staff members and patients and caregivers in a large academic health care center acknowledge the significance of environmental sustainability in the OR. While they do not perceive a direct impact on patient care, they anticipate positive effects on satisfaction and hospital reputation. Aligning initiatives with staff members and patient and caregiver preferences can help drive meaningful change within the OR and beyond.

Keywords: attitude; climate change; energy consumption; environmental sustainability; global warming; hospital; operating room; opinion; patient; recycling; staff; sustainable healthcare.

©Nicole Kasia Stachura, Sukham K Brar, Jacob Davidson, Claire A Wilson, Celia Dann, Mike Apostol, John Vecchio, Shannon Bilodeau, Anna Gunz, Diana Catalina Casas-Lopez, Ruediger Noppens, Ken Leslie, Julie E Strychowsky. Originally published in JMIR Perioperative Medicine (http://periop.jmir.org), 28.11.2024.