Hospitals have a big impact on the climate. Where does that come from? Basic physician Ise Lau researched the emissions of Erasmus MC. She now wins the Student Societal Impact Award 2024 with her project. During her Master of Medicine, Ise investigated emissions from all 46 Erasmus MC departments to identify emission hotspots. The results were received with enthusiasm internally and generated many conversations about sustainability among colleagues.
Making pollution tangible and understandable
According to Ise, there was little to no focus on sustainability in healthcare for a long time. Above all, it had to be efficient, safe and hygienic. ‘Take suture scissors, for example. It is easier to throw them away after use, instead of cleaning and reusing them. Reuse is theoretically possible, but it is more attractive for the manufacturing company to sell disposable scissors than sustainable scissors because it generates more profit.’
Ise's research highlights the hospital's environmental impacts and helps develop targeted sustainability strategies. Climate impact is already considered in daily practice. She cites inhalers for asthma patients as an example. There are powder inhalers, with which patients inhale medication on their own, and automatic puffers with polluting propellant. ‘We want patients to use - whenever possible - the powder inhaler. General practitioners and pulmonologists are already discussing this option with patients so that they can make a sustainable choice.’
'It seems that there are a few big polluters, but if we tackle only those, a lot of emissions remain. We really need to do it together.'
Ise Lau
Basic physician and winner of Student Societal Impact Award 2024
Largest emissions outside the hospital
The biggest pollution comes from outside the hospital, such as in the production of drugs and medical products, in waste disposal and in the travel movements of patients and staff. Ise: 'My research shows that the hospital's climate footprint is mainly determined by emissions taking place outside. This is the so-called value chain, in which all the hospital's products and services are produced, transported and processed. Recycling is good, but using less and using it sustainably is even better. We need to look at that. Using fewer items and making sustainable choices. Sustainability is becoming a bigger issue in the hospital's purchasing strategies; we look at more than just prices and availability. We want to encourage everyone, inside and outside the hospital, to become more sustainable.'
Although most of the hospital's emissions come from outside, they are distributed throughout the organisation. Different medicines, products and services are used by all departments, from operating theatre to children's ward. 'If we want to become more sustainable, it has to happen in all parts of the hospital,' says Ise. 'I want to show that sustainability in healthcare is a responsibility of all of us. It seems that there are a few big polluters, but if we tackle only those, a lot of emissions remain. We really need to do it together.'
In the prizes
‘I am very happy with the Student Societal Impact Award. It's unreal,’ says Ise, who received the award during the Opening Academic Year 2024. ‘The award helps to make my research better known. I want as many people as possible to learn more about sustainability in healthcare. That way, we can really make a change.’
Photo: Chairman of the Erasmus Trust Fund Gijs van Lookeren Campagne with Ise Lau.
‘We will go to all departments in the hospital to show where their emissions come from. My colleagues work with these products and services every day. We ask them to come up with sustainability strategies for the top 10 most polluting aspects of their department. That makes for interesting conversations and engagement across the hospital.’ Furthermore, a scientific paper has rolled out of the project, published in Frontiers in Public Health. The piece was introduced in the Green Deal 3.0, in which all stakeholders in the Dutch healthcare sector are working together to make healthcare more sustainable.
‘The award helps to make my research better known. I want as many people as possible to learn more about sustainability in healthcare. That way, we can really make a change.’
Ise Lau
Basic physician and winner of Student Societal Impact Award 2024
Prize money towards education
Ise plans to invest the prize money in developing an education programme for medical students. There, they will learn about the impact of choices and actions in healthcare on the environment. ‘During my medical studies, I learned very little about sustainability. That needs to change. Planetary Health is getting more and more attention in the curriculum, which is what I hope to contribute to.’
Student Societal Impact Award
During the Opening Academic Year, the Student Societal Impact Award will be presented to an individual or group that has shown exceptional leadership by starting and implementing a project that has a demonstrable positive impact on society. The award, which consists of €4,500, is made possible by the Erasmus Trust Fund.
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