Assessing the carbon footprint of surgical site infections: a step towards sustainable surgical practices in Türkiye
Journal of Hospital Infection, cilt.174, ss.443-450, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 174
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.jhin.2026.01.007
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Hospital Infection
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.443-450
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Surgical site infection, Carbon emissions, Carbon footprint, Sustainable surgery, Environmental impact, Infection control
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among healthcare-associated infections, as well as increased economic and environmental costs. Aim: This study aimed to determine the environmental impacts of SSIs and the resulting carbon footprint. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with the participation of 553 patients who underwent surgery at a university and a city hospital in Central Anatolia between March and June 2025. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the Surgical Wound Assessment Form based on the criteria of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the Carbon Footprint Calculation Tool based on the calculation tool of the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition. Findings: A total of 91 individuals (16.5%) experienced SSIs. The total carbon footprint during the follow-up and treatment period of 91 patients with SSI was calculated as approximately 1735 kg CO2 equivalent (CO2e). The largest source of emissions was hospitalizations (clinic and intensive care stays: 1133 kg CO2e), which accounted for over 70% of the total. This was followed by patient transport (142.4 kg CO2e) and magnetic resonance imaging (108.0 kg CO2e). It was determined that the development of SSIs imposes a carbon burden of 16.8 kg CO2e per patient on average compared with a standard surgical procedure. Conclusions: This study has quantitatively demonstrated that SSIs have a measurable and significant environmental burden in addition to their known clinical and economic burden. Preventing SSIs is a critical strategy for ensuring both patient safety and economic and ecological sustainability in surgery.