Introduction: Emergency Departments are a dynamic healthcare setting where rapid response and efficient use of resources are paramount. A scoping review of oxygen and suction units in a large metropolitan ED identified large quantities were underutilised and not clinically required. This resulted in an increase of financial and operational costs, work health safety issues, and a higher carbon footprint due to the production and transportation.
Aim: To enhance the overall operational efficiency, reduce costs, reduce work health safety risks, and align with sustainable healthcare practices by minimising unnecessary waste and emissions through reduction of oxygen and suction units in ED.
Methods: A Plan-Do-Study-Act quality improvement methodology was created to identify ways to improve oxygen and suction utilisation in ED. A three-month comparison of pre-intervention and post intervention was conducted between December 2023 and May 2024. An observational audit and staff surveys were also collected and analysed.
Results: A centralised approach was developed to streamline oxygen and suction units across five clinical areas and a new daily procurement process created. In the 3 months pre intervention, the ED ordered 475 medical oxygen cylinders (n=2058 per year), total costs of $12893 ($55 869 per year) with an emissions factor of 502 kgC02e (n=2175 kgC02e per year). In the 3 months post intervention, the ED ordered 248 medical oxygen cylinders (n=1074 per year), total costs $9406 ($40 759 per year) with an emissions factor of 263 kgC02e (n=1139 kgC02e per year). An overall yearly savings of $15110 and reduction of 1036 kgC02e carbon emissions, equivalent to driving petrol powered vehicle from Gold Coast to Perth.
Conclusion: A substantial reduction in carbon emissions, financial costs, and improved operational efficiency using the PDSA methodology. The centralised approach and streamline of procurement processes could be translated across other Green ED or planetary health projects.