P44 Can dermatologists help save the planet?

Abstract The National Health Service (NHS) is England’s largest contributor to public greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 6.3% of the country’s carbon footprint (Tennison I, Roschnik S, Ashby B et al. care’s response climate change: a assessment NHS in England. Lancet Planet 2021; 5:e84–92). Promoting sustainable practices within dermatology often overlooked and remains an understudied area research. Dermatologists should consider environmental sustainability when choosing their day-to-day personal protective equipment (PPE). An over-reliance on sterile PPE minor surgical costs millions pounds annually, ultimately occupying landfills causing detrimental effects our ecosystem. Are these really improving clinical outcomes reducing prevalence site infections (SSIs)? Over last decade, there has been emphasis comparing use vs. nonsterile gloves associated SSI rates Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). MMS conducted with two gowns. According guidance published by British Society Dermatological Surgery, aprons are preferred gowns procedures such as diagnostic biopsies, simple excision, tumour extirpation stages outpatient reconstructive surgeries (https://bsds.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-BSDS_Sustainability_Guidance.pdf). Based this reduce footprint, we decided plastic aprons, one pair from August 2020 September 2022. Of 410 conducted, only 1.7% resulted postoperative complication related infection. Our data suggest no significant difference wound PPE. Moreover, saved department £1471.90, allowing funding be distributed other areas. In line multiyear plan become world’s first net zero national health system 2040, invest processes that facilitate alternatives construct fully operational eco-friendly healthcare system. By using less surgeries, waste. Despite not being able remove completely, can make more sustainable, help save planet live on.