Achievements against Priority Initiatives
ROYAL NORTH SHORE HOSPITAL More for Less: Value-Based Care for a Greener ICU
The Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Green Team is leading the way in embedding sustainability into everyday clinical care, demonstrating how environmentally conscious healthcare can also be efficient, cost-effective, and patient-centred. The team completed two pioneering projects to reduce low-value interventions: unnecessary use of intermittent pneumatic compression devices and routine chest x-rays . These changes delivered measurable environmental and financial benefits, whilst maintaining high-quality patient care and preserving staff and patient safety. • intermittent pneumatic compression device Reduction: A targeted education campaign led to a 91 per cent drop in unnecessary use, saving over $7,600 annually and reducing 51.8 kg of CO 2 emissions—the equivalent of driving a medium-sized petrol car 160 km. • Chest x-ray Reduction: A decision-support tool and staff education reduced chest x-ray use by 15.3 per cent, estimated annual saving $223,560 and cutting 165.6 kg of CO 2 emissions—comparable to a 515 km car journey.
These interventions required no new infrastructure and designed for scalability across NSW Health. By aligning clinical practice with planetary health principles, the ICU Green Team has shown that sustainability and high-quality care go hand in hand. This project exemplifies value-based care—optimising resources, improving outcomes, and reducing environmental impact. It’s a blueprint for a resilient, low-carbon health system where sustainability is not an add-on, but a standard of care.
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