Akron (Ohio) Children’s Hospital reduced waste anesthesia gas emissions by nearly 500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2025 through a multi-year effort to improve sustainability in its anesthesiology department.
The initiative began by leveraging data from the hospital’s Epic EHR system to measure provider-level gas usage and identify opportunities to reduce environmental impact. A key intervention included a low-flow anesthesia reminder integrated into the EHR, which led to a 5% reduction in nitrous oxide use shortly after implementation, according to a March 10 news release.
Over four years, the team cut total fresh gas flows by 50% and nitrous oxide use by more than 85%, even as total anesthesia minutes increased by 20%. The hospital attributes its results to data transparency, provider education and real-time analytics to drive sustained change in clinical practice.
At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.
