Environmental pollution is a critical issue that needs attention from policymakers, particularly considering the healthcare sector’s substantial carbon footprint. This study explores the environmental impact of healthcare activities, highlighting the significant contribution of hospital operations that increase air pollution through energy consumption and waste generation. Our analysis is on the production of anesthetic gases and intensive water usage in hospital facilities are identified as primary pollutants. To address these challenges, the research examines the potential strategy of digital twins (DT) and life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies to optimize resource management and reduce emissions in healthcare settings. In our study through agent-based modeling (ABM), we simulated different scenarios to evaluate the environmental consequences of different strategies. This research aims to provide insights for healthcare organizations to implement more sustainable practices and technologies, and for mitigating the environmental impact of the operations in hospital rooms. The research highlights that there are alternatives that are more environmentally friendly even though it is necessary to make initial investments.
Reducing the Environmental Impact of an Operating Room: A Digital Twin Approach
Ferretti M.;Luisi G.;Schiavone F.;Zeuli F.
2025-01-01
Abstract
Environmental pollution is a critical issue that needs attention from policymakers, particularly considering the healthcare sector’s substantial carbon footprint. This study explores the environmental impact of healthcare activities, highlighting the significant contribution of hospital operations that increase air pollution through energy consumption and waste generation. Our analysis is on the production of anesthetic gases and intensive water usage in hospital facilities are identified as primary pollutants. To address these challenges, the research examines the potential strategy of digital twins (DT) and life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies to optimize resource management and reduce emissions in healthcare settings. In our study through agent-based modeling (ABM), we simulated different scenarios to evaluate the environmental consequences of different strategies. This research aims to provide insights for healthcare organizations to implement more sustainable practices and technologies, and for mitigating the environmental impact of the operations in hospital rooms. The research highlights that there are alternatives that are more environmentally friendly even though it is necessary to make initial investments.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
