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Background <p>As healthcare emerges as the world’s fifth-largest carbon emitter, intensive care units (ICUs) represent environmental challenges due to their high resource consumption and energy demands. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is necessary to limit global warming. This study aimed to quantify the carbon footprint of ICU care during the first 24&#xa0;h of admission for trauma patients. By establishing a baseline “carbon cost” for ICU trauma care, we seek to provide a framework for future studies assessing sustainable care strategies.</p> Methods <p>We conducted a prospective observational pilot study in a French trauma ICU, categorizing patients into three standardized care pathways. The GHG emissions have been quantified using a hybrid life cycle assessment approach across various scope categories. Statistical analyses included correlation testing between the different groups and severity scores.</p> Results <p>Total carbon footprints ranged from 86 to 248&#xa0;kg of CO<sub>2</sub>e per patient over the first 24&#xa0;h. Medications, medical devices, and transportation were the primary contributors, while energy and waste represented a smaller portion of the emissions. There was a significant positive correlation between emissions and severity scores.</p> Conclusion <p>The carbon footprint of ICU care of a trauma patient during the first 24&#xa0;h is significant, and it is necessary to conduct assessments in each ICU to identify levers for environmental improvement. The carbon cost should be integrated into the standardization of care and research protocols to enable more sustainable care practices.</p>

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Assessing the carbon footprint of the initial 24 h post-severe trauma admission in a French ICU: a pilot study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月11日

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  • Candice Marion,
  • Matthieu Bernat,
  • Emmanuelle Hammad,
  • Jean-Paul Calvet,
  • Manon Roche,
  • Ludivine Marecal,
  • Laurent Zieleskiewicz,
  • Marc Leone

摘要

Background

As healthcare emerges as the world’s fifth-largest carbon emitter, intensive care units (ICUs) represent environmental challenges due to their high resource consumption and energy demands. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is necessary to limit global warming. This study aimed to quantify the carbon footprint of ICU care during the first 24 h of admission for trauma patients. By establishing a baseline “carbon cost” for ICU trauma care, we seek to provide a framework for future studies assessing sustainable care strategies.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational pilot study in a French trauma ICU, categorizing patients into three standardized care pathways. The GHG emissions have been quantified using a hybrid life cycle assessment approach across various scope categories. Statistical analyses included correlation testing between the different groups and severity scores.

Results

Total carbon footprints ranged from 86 to 248 kg of CO2e per patient over the first 24 h. Medications, medical devices, and transportation were the primary contributors, while energy and waste represented a smaller portion of the emissions. There was a significant positive correlation between emissions and severity scores.

Conclusion

The carbon footprint of ICU care of a trauma patient during the first 24 h is significant, and it is necessary to conduct assessments in each ICU to identify levers for environmental improvement. The carbon cost should be integrated into the standardization of care and research protocols to enable more sustainable care practices.