METHODS: ISO-14044 guidelines were used to complete a process-based life cycle assessment to compare the environmental impact of disposable bouffant caps and reusable cotton caps, specifically focusing on CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions, water use and health impacts.
RESULTS: Reusable cotton caps reduced CO2e emissions by 79% when compared to disposable bouffant caps (10 kg versus 49 kg CO2e) under the base model scenario with a similar reduction seen in disability-adjusted life years. However, cotton caps were found to be more water intensive than bouffant caps (67.56 L versus 12.66 L) with the majority of water use secondary to production or manufacturing.
CONCLUSIONS: Reusable cotton caps have lower total lifetime CO2e emissions compared to disposable bouffant caps across multiple use scenarios. Given the lack of evidence suggesting a superior choice for surgical site infection prevention, guidelines should recommend reusable cotton caps to reduce the environmental impact of surgical procedures.
方法:使用ISO-14044指南完成了基于过程的生命周期评估,以比较一次性蓬松帽和可重复使用的棉帽对环境的影响,特别关注二氧化碳当量(CO2e)排放,用水和健康影响。
结果:在基本模型情景下,与一次性蓬松帽相比,可重复使用的棉帽减少了79%的CO2e排放量(10kg对49kgCO2e),在残疾调整寿命年中也有类似的减少。然而,棉帽被发现比蓬松帽更耗水(67.56L对12.66L),大部分水的使用是生产或制造的次要。
结论:在多种使用场景中,与一次性蓬松帽相比,可重复使用的棉帽具有较低的总寿命CO2e排放。鉴于缺乏证据表明手术部位感染预防的最佳选择,指南应推荐可重复使用的棉帽,以减少外科手术对环境的影响。