Survey of ESCRS members' attitudes toward operating room waste. Issue 4 (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chang, David F.; Elferink, Sjoerd; Nuijts, Rudy M.M.A
• Is Part Of: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery. Volume 49:Issue 4(2023)
• Page Start: 341
• Page End: 347
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: 617.7
• DOI: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000001096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-3350

Abstract

Abstract : Most ESCRS surgeons are very concerned about climate change, believe that surgical waste is excessive, and want their medical societies to advocate for reducing ophthalmology's environmental impact. Abstract : In a survey of ESCRS member cataract surgeons, 92% felt that operating room waste is excessive and should be reduced; 99% were concerned about global warming and climate change. Most respondents cited restrictions on reuse by manufacturers and regulatory bodies as major drivers of this waste. There was a strong desire to have more reusable options for instruments, devices, and supplies. In comparable percentages with an earlier survey of North American cataract surgeons using the identical questionnaire, there was a strong willingness to reuse many surgical supplies, as well as topical and intraocular medications. This was true even though ESCRS members were much more likely to practice in hospitals (68% vs 35%). The similarities of these results to the North American survey suggest that these attitudes toward sustainability are in fact global and universal. The strong concordance between the 2 surveys suggests that global collaboration is both possible and necessary.