Nitrous oxide is canceled – 5 minutes

Thanks to modern technology, anesthetic gases can be filtered and even recycled.

Thanks to modern technology, anesthetic gases can be filtered and even recycled.

Steiermärkische Krankenanstaltengesellschaft (KAGes) is committed to climate protection and will completely avoid the use of nitrous oxide in anesthesia by the end of 2024.

from Julia Waldhauser

2 minutes reading time(275 words)

Steiermärkische Krankenanstaltengesellschaft mbH (KAGes) takes climate protection seriously, and has announced that it will completely phase out the use of nitrous oxide in anesthesia by the end of 2024. Instead, sevoflurane, an inhaled anesthetic gas that causes reduction, is increasingly being used. Minimum harmful climate impacts.

Important steps to protect the climate

At LKH Weststeiermark, including the Feldbach and Fürstenfeld sites, as well as at LKH Weststeiermark in Deutschlandsberg, the consumption of anesthetic gases is also reduced by reducing flow velocities. In these facilities, anesthetic gases are already collected in activated carbon filters and recycled – a procedure that will soon be expanded to other KAGes hospitals. He confirms that “anesthetic gases contribute significantly to the hospital's environmental footprint.” Member of the Board of Directors of KAGEs Mag Dr. Ulf Drabek, MSc MBA. Nitrous oxide, although it has a relaxing effect, is 300 times more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide and remains in the atmosphere for more than 100 years.

Effective reduction of emissions

In 2023, more than 2,000 tons of CO2 equivalents of anesthetic gases were released at KAGEs buildings. Switching to sevoflurane and reducing the flow rate will significantly reduce emissions. Under the same conditions, sevoflurane sedation causes a climate-damaging effect that can only be compared to driving 38.6 kilometers – as opposed to more than 550 kilometers using nitrous oxide.

Additional savings and environmental protection

In addition to reducing climate-harming gases, KAGs also save electricity: since anesthetic gases are not collected in the filters, compressed air compressors must operate for ventilation. The recycling process can save about 47,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year – enough for 23 households. He added: “We bear responsibility towards the environment.” Chairman of the University Board of Directors – Prof. Dr. Gee doctor. High Commissioner Gerhard Starck.