GIRFT practical guide to decarbonising the total hip replacement pathway

GIRFT shares greener guidance to reduce the carbon footprint of the elective hip replacement pathway  

GIRFT’s ‘greener’ pathway guide to decarbonising the hip replacement pathway is now available to read and download, supporting the NHS to reduce its environmental impact while improving patient care. 

Click here to read and download GIRFT Greener pathways: A practical guide to decarbonising the total hip replacement pathway 

The new green pathway has been developed in conjunction with Greener NHS, the British Orthopaedic Association, the British Association of Day Surgery, the British Orthopaedic Trainee Association, the British Hip Society, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS), the National Joint Registry and the Sustainable Health Systems Hub. 

It lists 13 high impact and practical clinical recommendations for decarbonising elective hip replacement surgery, covering every step of the patient pathway from community care and referral through to pre-, peri- and post-operative processes. For each recommendation, the potential annual emissions reduction across England if the recommendations are carried out is also given. 

For example, maximising theatre efficiency for planned hip surgery – by following GIRFT guidance to maximise cases per list, taking steps to minimise short notice cancellations and introducing a standby list to backfill lists - has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 915 tonnes CO2e across England annually, as well as ensuring fewer patients have their surgery cancelled at the last minute and helping to reduce waiting lists for the NHS. 

Each of the high impact recommendations is supported with key actions to achieve the carbon saving (eg: rationalising equipment in surgical tray sets and using absorbable sutures instead of staples) as well as a rationale for the changes and the benefits for patients and the NHS. 

The guidance has been shaped by input from leading clinical experts spanning primary to tertiary care and representing different national organisations. It has also benefited from the involvement of patients.