This video introduces the HealthcareLCA database, an open-access evidence repository that consolidates healthcare environmental impact assessments into a single searchable platform. It features the creators of HealthcareLCA, including Dr. Jonathan Drew, Dr. Chantelle Rizan, and Dr. Sean Christie, who demonstrate how the tool can be used to explore and analyze data on healthcare’s environmental impacts.
The primary objectives of this research were to determine: • How are health systems across provinces and territories in Canada being called to account for GHG emissions now, and what are some of the near-term expected shifts? • What might GHG emissions accounting norms look like for health systems in Canada, given emerging international standards in health systems, or in other sectors? In developing the answers to these questions, an interpretation of the findings was completed to synthesize the information and identify the underlying drivers and mechanisms that have led to greater levels of GHG emissions accountability in particular jurisdictions, and to consider the likelihood that these mechanisms will lead to an increased level and scope of GHG emissions accountability in the Canadian health care sector more broadly.
This report provides an overview of how greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are estimated in healthcare and information on the current state of GHG emissions estimation in healthcare organizations across Canada.
Report on proceedings: This workshop included presentations on methodological approaches to GHG emissions estimation, examples of current and planned GHG emissions estimation work in Canada, and discussions of ways to advance this work to support standardization and comparability across jurisdictions. Opportunities and challenges are presented at the end of this report, along with suggestions for action or investment.
The SQUIRE-ENV extension is being led by the Centre for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (CQuIPS) in collaboration with CASCADES and national and international quality improvement leaders. Building on the internationally recognized Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE), this extension establishes structured guidance for reporting environmental sustainability in quality improvement projects where sustainability is a co-benefit or primary aim. Because SQUIRE is widely used by journals, conferences, and healthcare systems to report improvement work, SQUIRE-ENV will help embed sustainability into how QI initiatives are designed, documented, and shared. Publication is anticipated in 2026.
WHO is calling on all civil society organizations and other partner organizations to engage with the campaign and accelerate progress at achieving effective hand hygiene at point of care!
The environmental impact of PPE is large and could be reduced through domestic manufacture, rationalising glove use, using reusables where possible and optimising waste management.
Hence, in settings with frequent use of sharp equipment, open wounds, and mucus membrane exposure, examination gloves should be required. In cases where most pathogens cannot be transmitted through intact skin, the procedure is not seen as an exposure risk, and natural defences form an adequate barrier against transmittable disease, and sanitation of the hands might be an adequate and more ethical consideration for use. We have illustrated some examples to help readers decide when removing gloves for a procedure is appropriate and when it is not.
My research’s purpose was to help fight the global COVID pandemic by helping ethanol producers produce USP grade ethanol as well as study the environmental impacts of producing USP grade ethanol.
