Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Hospital Staff and Patients on Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room: Quality Improvement Survey Study
BackgroundIn 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 e...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2024-11-01
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| Series: | JMIR Perioperative Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://periop.jmir.org/2024/1/e59790 |
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| author | 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 |
| author_facet | 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 |
| author_sort | Nicole Kasia Stachura |
| collection | DOAJ |
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BackgroundIn 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.
ObjectiveThis 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.
MethodsA 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.
ResultsA 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.
ConclusionsStaff 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-77dc473d47284d4cbdeb496ec8d9eb99 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2561-9128 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Perioperative Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-77dc473d47284d4cbdeb496ec8d9eb992025-08-20T01:54:11ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Perioperative Medicine2561-91282024-11-017e5979010.2196/59790Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Hospital Staff and Patients on Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room: Quality Improvement Survey StudyNicole Kasia Stachurahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1371-6118Sukham K Brarhttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-9196-927XJacob Davidsonhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1077-1557Claire A Wilsonhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3976-9058Celia Dannhttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-6194-6526Mike Apostolhttps://orcid.org/0009-0005-2353-9935John Vecchiohttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-8458-787XShannon Bilodeauhttps://orcid.org/0009-0003-9759-7746Anna Gunzhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2824-2274Diana Catalina Casas-Lopezhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2959-8547Ruediger Noppenshttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0069-579XKen Lesliehttps://orcid.org/0009-0003-7917-060XJulie E Strychowskyhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5460-3155 BackgroundIn 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. ObjectiveThis 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. MethodsA 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. ResultsA 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. ConclusionsStaff 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.https://periop.jmir.org/2024/1/e59790 |
| spellingShingle | 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 Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Hospital Staff and Patients on Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room: Quality Improvement Survey Study JMIR Perioperative Medicine |
| title | Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Hospital Staff and Patients on Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room: Quality Improvement Survey Study |
| title_full | Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Hospital Staff and Patients on Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room: Quality Improvement Survey Study |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Hospital Staff and Patients on Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room: Quality Improvement Survey Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Hospital Staff and Patients on Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room: Quality Improvement Survey Study |
| title_short | Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Hospital Staff and Patients on Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room: Quality Improvement Survey Study |
| title_sort | exploring the knowledge attitudes and perceptions of hospital staff and patients on environmental sustainability in the operating room quality improvement survey study |
| url | https://periop.jmir.org/2024/1/e59790 |
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