Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City uses ‘greener’ anesthetics by eliminating Desflurane

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City uses ‘greener’ anesthetics by eliminating Desflurane

Desflurane – an inhaled anesthetic often used to induce anesthesia at the beginning of a surgical procedure – is considered a major greenhouse gas.2 Striving to minimize impact on the environment and in line with the DoH health care sustainability goals and the ‘Year of Sustainability’, SSMC discontinues the use of Desflurane. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), one of the UAE’s largest hospitals for serious and complex care and a joint-venture partnership between Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and Mayo Clinic, has permanently discontinued use of the environmentally harmful anesthetic agent Desflurane. This initiative aligns with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi’s health care sustainability goals announced earlier this year, representing a significant stride in SSMC’s dedication to sustainability by taking positive actions to reduce the adverse environmental impact of surgical procedures. Desflurane is a volatile inhalation anesthetic commonly used during surgical procedures. While it is an effective anesthetic agent, it damages the environment due to its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. When released into the atmosphere, Desflurane can trap heat and contribute to global warming and its associated environmental aftermaths. Dr. Monzer Hassan Sadek, Chair of the Department of Anesthesia, said: “Anesthesia