Ep. 217 Environmental Sustainability in ENT with Dr. Julie Strychowsky

Operating rooms generate up to 30% of a hospital's waste–what can ENT do to change that? In this episode, Dr. Julie Strychowsky, a pediatric otolaryngologist at London Health Sciences Center in Ontario, discusses environmental sustainability in ENT. --- SYNPOSIS The discussion covers the inefficiencies and environmental impacts of current practices, such as the use of nitrous oxide, disposable equipment, and OR waste. Dr. Strychowsky shares insights on transitioning to more sustainable practices, including the use of reusable and multi-use equipment, standardizing procedures, and patient education initiatives like the ‘Bring Your Own Bag’ campaign. The doctors highlight the importance of climate change, the carbon footprint of healthcare, and the role of policy and innovation in reducing environmental impact. Finally, they discuss resources for further learning and potential areas for research and development in sustainable healthcare practices. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 02:51 - Climate Change and Its Impact on Health 05:07 - Surgical Sustainability: Reducing OR Waste 08:27 - Clinic Waste and Efficiency Improvements 16:12 - Anesthesia Gases and Environmental Impact 23:06 - In-Office Procedures and Telemedicine in ENT 28:58 - Global Efforts & Patient Involvement in Sustainability 37:03 - Policy Changes and Education for Sustainability 39:59 - Future Research and Innovation in ENT 42:26 - Final Thoughts and Mentorship --- RESOURCES Dr. Julie Strychowsky https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/paediatricsurgery/people/faculty/Strychowsky,%20Julie.html Kidane J, Thiel CL, Wang K, Rosen CA, Gandhi S. A Comparison of Environmental Impacts Between Reusable and Disposable Flexible Laryngoscopes. Laryngoscope. 2024 Dec 26. doi: 10.1002/lary.31927. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39723758. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39723758/ Anderson J, Hu H. Environmental Sustainability: Waste Audit Comparison Operating Room and In-Office Laryngeal Surgery. Laryngoscope. 2024 Feb;134(2):803-806. doi: 10.1002/lary.31005. Epub 2023 Sep 2. PMID: 37658737. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37658737/ Cascade OR playbook https://cascadescanada.ca/