Volatile Capture Technologies

Recommendation

There is insufficient evidence to support the purchase, installation and maintenance of volatile anaesthetic gas capture technologies (VCTs) in NHSScotland.

More evidence is required on the capture efficiencies of VCTs when used in clinical settings. Based on two small studies, VCTs have been shown to capture only up to 50% of volatile anaesthetic agent (by mass).

Robust life-cycle assessments are required to define the direct and indirect environmental impact of VCTs. The life-cycle analyses should compare use of VCTs with alternative strategies that take into account current and planned changes to anaesthetic practice.

Further considerations which limit the applicability of VCTs include:

• the recent reductions in the environmental impact of volatile anaesthetic gas emissions within NHSScotland, driven largely by the decommissioning of desflurane
•  the lack of agreement on the extent to which the remaining volatile anaesthetic gases contribute to climate change particularly at current atmospheric concentrations.

NHSScotland is required to consider the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) recommendations.

Referred by

Scottish Government Health Infrastructure Division