Publications by authors named "H R W Touw"
Invited Perspective: Accelerating Action toward Carbon-Neutral Hospital Care.
Environ Health Perspect
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- Healthcare systems are significant contributors to CO emissions, making up 7% of emissions in the Netherlands, and evaluating treatments like SBRT and VATS can help reduce their climate impact.
- A life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to compare the carbon emissions of VATS and SBRT for treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, considering patient travel, energy use, and medical supplies.
- Results showed VATS generates about 547 kg CO equivalent while SBRT contributes 172 kg CO equivalent, with energy consumption being the largest factor for both treatments; opportunities exist to reduce emissions by implementing strategies like fast-track recovery and improved treatment efficiencies.
The United European Gastroenterology green paper-climate change and gastroenterology.
Marjolijn Duijvestein Reena Sidhu Katharina Zimmermann Emma V Carrington Alexander Hann Hugo R W Touw
United European Gastroenterol J
November 2024
Climate change, described by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021 as 'the single biggest health threat facing humanity', causes extreme weather, disrupts food supplies, and increases the prevalence of diseases, thereby affecting human health, medical practice, and healthcare stability. Greener Gastroenterology is an important movement that has the potential to make a real difference in reducing the impact of the delivery of healthcare, on the environment. The WHO defines an environmentally sustainable health system as one which would improve, maintain or restore health while minimizing negative environmental impacts.
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- The ESICM Green Paper addresses the importance of environmental sustainability in intensive care units (ICUs) and proposes actionable strategies to reduce their ecological impact.
- A task force of experts assessed key areas for improvement and refined their strategies through a series of meetings and drafts.
- The paper emphasizes the need for energy efficiency, waste reduction, and education among healthcare professionals to ensure that high-quality patient care and sustainability go hand in hand.