Northern Light Health eliminates use of desflurane in the operating room

BREWER — Northern Light Health has eliminated the use of the anesthetic gas desflurane throughout its hospitals. This is a significant step as Northern Light seeks to halve its carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Desflurane has a global warming potential 2,500 times more than carbon dioxide and has been regularly used as a patient anesthetic in Northern Light operating rooms for decades. Alternative anesthetics, such as sevoflurane, will be used instead, which are just as effective and safe for patients. Desflurane is also the most expensive of the inhaled anesthetics, so its elimination brings both a cost savings and environmental benefits.

“Not only will this change save us nearly $50,000 annually, but it will reduce our annual emissions by an estimated 408 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent,” says Tim Doak, chief environmental sustainability officer. “We are especially grateful to our anesthesia professionals for their engagement and leadership on this important issue.”

With this milestone, Northern Light Health joins a growing number of healthcare organizations across the globe that have committed to reducing emissions associated with anesthesia. Phasing out the use of desflurane is one of many ways that Northern Light is seeking to become a leader in providing high-quality patient care to the people of Maine that is environmentally sustainable. To learn more about environmental sustainability initiatives at Northern Light Health, visit https://northernlighthealth.org/sustainability.