Communication | | Peer-Reviewed

Exploring Anaesthesia Licence Students’ Knowledge of the Green Operating Room to Inform Prototype Development

Received: 7 August 2025     Accepted: 4 October 2025     Published: 28 October 2025
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

The climate change, the growing accumulation of waste, and the excessive consumption of natural resources highlight the urgent need to embed sustainable development principles within healthcare systems. The operating room, considered the core of hospital activity, is also one of the most polluting units. In this context, the present study was designed to analyze anaesthesia students’ pre-acquired knowledge regarding environmentally responsible practices in order to identify gaps and promote the integration of sustainable strategies into medical education. A prospective analytical study was conducted over an eight-week period (January–March 2023) with second- and third-year anaesthesia students (n=150) at Université Centrale, using an anonymous online quiz comprising 13 items covering bio-cleaning, waste management, air treatment, and greenhouse gas emissions. Results indicated that while a majority of students were familiar with certain eco-responsible practices such as bio-cleaning procedures and the labelling of yellow waste bags, substantial deficiencies persisted. Only 44% recognized that waste sorting must occur at the source, and less than 20% identified desflurane as the anaesthetic agent with the highest global warming potential. Knowledge of air treatment systems and greenhouse gas management also remained limited, reflecting a need for targeted training. To translate these findings into practical action, a 3D prototype of a “Green Operating Room” was developed using 3DS MAX software and aligned with international guidelines. The prototype integrates concrete eco-responsible solutions, including a color-coded waste sorting system with automated chutes, awareness posters on anaesthetic gas emissions, and environmentally friendly architectural design. Serving as both an educational and awareness-raising tool, this prototype provides a replicable model that connects theoretical knowledge with real-world application. In conclusion, the study underscores the necessity of incorporating sustainability modules into anaesthesia curricula and demonstrates how a digital prototype can bridge knowledge gaps while fostering eco-responsible behaviour among future healthcare professionals. By linking environmental education with practical innovation, the project contributes to advancing sustainable practices in healthcare and offers a pathway for developing greener operating rooms.

Published in International Journal of Sustainable Development Research (Volume 11, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251104.12
Page(s) 202-209
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Knowledge Assessment, Ecology (Green), Anaesthesia, Sustainable Development, Prototype

References
[1] MacNeill, A. J., Lillywhite, R., and Brown, C. J., 2017, “The impact of surgery on global climate: a carbon footprinting study of operating theatres in three health systems,“ The Lancet Planetary Health, 1(9), pp. 381-388.
[2] Jendoubi, M., 2022, "Environmental sustainability in anesthesia: why should we care about today, not later? First part: Why such a fuss." In Spirium 3 2022, pp. 6-9.
[3] La Société française d’anesthésie réanimation SFAR, 2017, "Guide pratique: Développement durable au bloc opératoire. " Paris, 84 pages.
[4] Wong, K. H., Deflandre, E., Garnier, J., Muret, J., and Bonnet, L., 2020, Fiche SFAR Green: “Recyclage Des Metaux Au Bloc Operatoire Et En Reanimation“. France, 2 pages. Disponible sur:
[5] Bonnet, L. and Wong, K. H., 2020, "Fiche SFAR Green: Recyclage des plastiques en établissement de santé," France, 2 pages, Disponible sur:
[6] La Société française d’anesthésie réanimation SFAR, 1997, actualisé, 2013, "Recommandations concernant l'hygiène en anesthésie. " Paris, 19 pages.
[7] Selvy, M., Bellin, M., Slim, K., and Muret, J., 2020, “Éco-responsabilité au bloc opératoire: l’urgence d’un changement organisationnel, “ Journal de Chirurgie Viscérale, 157(4), pp. 307-313.
[8] White, S. M., Shelton, C. L., Gelb, A. W., Lawson, C., McGain, F., Muret, J.,... and Nilo Schultz, C., 2022, “Principles of environmentally‐sustainable anaesthesia: a global consensus statement from the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists“, Anaesthesia, 77(2), pp. 201-212.
[9] Muret, J., Baguenard, P., Boquillon, … and Stepanian, S., 2016, “Eco-responsabilité: les grands principes appliqués au bloc opératoire,“ France, 6 pages. Disponible sur:
[10] Study Drama, 2020, “Prise de conscience environnementale: les étudiants plus sensibles à l’énergie verte ? “, France, 4 pages. Disponible sur:
[11] Howard, C., MacNeill, A. J., Hughes, F., Alqodmani, L., Charlesworth, K., Almeida, R.,... and Montgomery, H., 2023, "Learning to treat the climate emergency together: social tipping interventions by the health community. " The Lancet Planetary Health, 7(3), e251-e264.
[12] Tuech, J. J., 2020, “Les chirurgiens doivent s’engager dans la réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre dans leur bloc, leur hôpital et leur université“, Journal de Chirurgie Viscérale, 157(4), pp. 273-275.
[13] Pauchard, J. C., Hafiani, E. M., d’Aranda, E., Bonnet, L., and Marcantoni, E., 2020, “Impact environnemental du propofol,“ France, 1 page. Disponible sur:
[14] Sandset, T., and Engebretsen, E., 2022, “Sustainable Healthcare Education as a Practice of Governmentality? “ Sustainability, 14(22), 15416.
[15] Sleth, J. C. and Bonnet, L., 2020, “Plateaux D’anesthésie Et De Soins En Cellulose“, France, 2 pages. Disponible sur:
[16] Hafiani, E. M., Pauchard, J. C., Muret, J., … and d’Aranda, E., 2020, "Réduire/supprimer l'utilisation du Protoxyde d'azote," Disponible sur:
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Rezgui, A., Souid, D., Khalfallah, O., Bouallegue, M. (2025). Exploring Anaesthesia Licence Students’ Knowledge of the Green Operating Room to Inform Prototype Development. International Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 11(4), 202-209. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251104.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Rezgui, A.; Souid, D.; Khalfallah, O.; Bouallegue, M. Exploring Anaesthesia Licence Students’ Knowledge of the Green Operating Room to Inform Prototype Development. Int. J. Sustain. Dev. Res. 2025, 11(4), 202-209. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251104.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Rezgui A, Souid D, Khalfallah O, Bouallegue M. Exploring Anaesthesia Licence Students’ Knowledge of the Green Operating Room to Inform Prototype Development. Int J Sustain Dev Res. 2025;11(4):202-209. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251104.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251104.12,
      author = {Amel Rezgui and Dorra Souid and Oussema Khalfallah and Maryem Bouallegue},
      title = {Exploring Anaesthesia Licence Students’ Knowledge of the Green Operating Room to Inform Prototype Development
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Sustainable Development Research},
      volume = {11},
      number = {4},
      pages = {202-209},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251104.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251104.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsdr.20251104.12},
      abstract = {The climate change, the growing accumulation of waste, and the excessive consumption of natural resources highlight the urgent need to embed sustainable development principles within healthcare systems. The operating room, considered the core of hospital activity, is also one of the most polluting units. In this context, the present study was designed to analyze anaesthesia students’ pre-acquired knowledge regarding environmentally responsible practices in order to identify gaps and promote the integration of sustainable strategies into medical education. A prospective analytical study was conducted over an eight-week period (January–March 2023) with second- and third-year anaesthesia students (n=150) at Université Centrale, using an anonymous online quiz comprising 13 items covering bio-cleaning, waste management, air treatment, and greenhouse gas emissions. Results indicated that while a majority of students were familiar with certain eco-responsible practices such as bio-cleaning procedures and the labelling of yellow waste bags, substantial deficiencies persisted. Only 44% recognized that waste sorting must occur at the source, and less than 20% identified desflurane as the anaesthetic agent with the highest global warming potential. Knowledge of air treatment systems and greenhouse gas management also remained limited, reflecting a need for targeted training. To translate these findings into practical action, a 3D prototype of a “Green Operating Room” was developed using 3DS MAX software and aligned with international guidelines. The prototype integrates concrete eco-responsible solutions, including a color-coded waste sorting system with automated chutes, awareness posters on anaesthetic gas emissions, and environmentally friendly architectural design. Serving as both an educational and awareness-raising tool, this prototype provides a replicable model that connects theoretical knowledge with real-world application. In conclusion, the study underscores the necessity of incorporating sustainability modules into anaesthesia curricula and demonstrates how a digital prototype can bridge knowledge gaps while fostering eco-responsible behaviour among future healthcare professionals. By linking environmental education with practical innovation, the project contributes to advancing sustainable practices in healthcare and offers a pathway for developing greener operating rooms.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Exploring Anaesthesia Licence Students’ Knowledge of the Green Operating Room to Inform Prototype Development
    
    AU  - Amel Rezgui
    AU  - Dorra Souid
    AU  - Oussema Khalfallah
    AU  - Maryem Bouallegue
    Y1  - 2025/10/28
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251104.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251104.12
    T2  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
    JF  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
    JO  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
    SP  - 202
    EP  - 209
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-1832
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20251104.12
    AB  - The climate change, the growing accumulation of waste, and the excessive consumption of natural resources highlight the urgent need to embed sustainable development principles within healthcare systems. The operating room, considered the core of hospital activity, is also one of the most polluting units. In this context, the present study was designed to analyze anaesthesia students’ pre-acquired knowledge regarding environmentally responsible practices in order to identify gaps and promote the integration of sustainable strategies into medical education. A prospective analytical study was conducted over an eight-week period (January–March 2023) with second- and third-year anaesthesia students (n=150) at Université Centrale, using an anonymous online quiz comprising 13 items covering bio-cleaning, waste management, air treatment, and greenhouse gas emissions. Results indicated that while a majority of students were familiar with certain eco-responsible practices such as bio-cleaning procedures and the labelling of yellow waste bags, substantial deficiencies persisted. Only 44% recognized that waste sorting must occur at the source, and less than 20% identified desflurane as the anaesthetic agent with the highest global warming potential. Knowledge of air treatment systems and greenhouse gas management also remained limited, reflecting a need for targeted training. To translate these findings into practical action, a 3D prototype of a “Green Operating Room” was developed using 3DS MAX software and aligned with international guidelines. The prototype integrates concrete eco-responsible solutions, including a color-coded waste sorting system with automated chutes, awareness posters on anaesthetic gas emissions, and environmentally friendly architectural design. Serving as both an educational and awareness-raising tool, this prototype provides a replicable model that connects theoretical knowledge with real-world application. In conclusion, the study underscores the necessity of incorporating sustainability modules into anaesthesia curricula and demonstrates how a digital prototype can bridge knowledge gaps while fostering eco-responsible behaviour among future healthcare professionals. By linking environmental education with practical innovation, the project contributes to advancing sustainable practices in healthcare and offers a pathway for developing greener operating rooms.
    
    VL  - 11
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Ecole Centrale Supérieure Des Sciences Paramédicales Et De La Santé Université Centrale, Honoris United Universities, Tunis, Tunisie

  • Ecole Centrale Supérieure Des Sciences Paramédicales Et De La Santé Université Centrale, Honoris United Universities, Tunis, Tunisie

  • Hospital Royal Medical Center Clinics, Doha, Qatar

  • Ecole Centrale Supérieure Des Sciences Paramédicales Et De La Santé Université Centrale, Honoris United Universities, Tunis, Tunisie

  • Sections