New Year's Resolution Challenge

Esteemed members of ASPAN,

I hope this message finds you well. As your president of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN), I would like to express my commitment to environmental sustainability and the well-being of all healthcare professionals.

With the beginning of the new year, I propose this New Years resolution challenge to all ASPAN members:

Take at least one Waste Anesthetic Gases (WAGs) advocacy action toward increasing awareness, requesting reduction/elimination or regulation of WAGs outside of the OR. WAGs contribute to environmental pollution, climate change and has adverse health effects on both patients and healthcare providers. You can learn more about WAGs at https://www.aspan.org/Publications-Resources/White-Papers. By collectively focusing on this issue, we can help create a safer and more sustainable future for our profession.

I invite each of you to consider this challenge. Additionally, sharing the ASPAN WAGs resources and information with others, engaging in conversations, and encouraging our colleagues to participate in this resolution challenge will not only raise awareness, but also encourage action.

Here are some suggested actions as members you can participate and advocate for safer work and environmental health. These resources were created through the partnership of our Government Affairs and Collaborative Advocacy Strategic Work Teams: 

1. Educate: Encourage members as well as engaging in educating yourself, peers, work colleagues and leaders about the risks associated with WAGs and the importance of addressing this issue. Share the link to ASPAN WAGs event, print and distribute the AIHA & ASPAN WAGs Whitepaper and Position Statement found at https://www.aspan.org/Publications-Resources/White-Papers.

2. Advocate: Participate and encourage other members to advocate for regulations and policies that promote the safe handling and regulation of WAGs in healthcare facilities. Complete the ASPAN legislator/policy maker form letter advocating for control of WAGs and send to your legislator. Letter available for download athttps://files.constantcontact.com/22a9cbb8001/39f40918-0737-4b6c-a232-a75560984ae4.docx?rdr=true.

3. Implement Best Practices: Share best practices for minimizing exposure to WAGs, including using scavenging systems, monitoring equipment performance, and maintaining proper ventilation as outlined in the AIHA & ASPAN PS and Whitepaper. Download and follow ASPAN Clear Air Campaign checklist found at https://files.constantcontact.com/22a9cbb8001/54d09f84-c9f9-4c85-b5ac-2fd3b7f81d59.pdf?rdr=true.

4. Collaborate: Encourage members to collaborate with and you engage with hospital's environmental health and safety professionals, hospital leaders and administration, as well as anesthesia providers to implement environmentally sustainable practices. The Advocacy and GA SWTs have created an elevator speech for this conversation as well as an executive summary for you to share. The elevator speech can be found at https://files.constantcontact.com/22a9cbb8001/3bb93aa1-4c24-4d9b-b4a9-75b215e3ece2.pdf?rdr=true and the executive summary can be found at https://files.constantcontact.com/22a9cbb8001/590ee585-c3aa-479e-aaa7-bc866b4a61ff.pdf?rdr=true.

5. Promote Research: Encourage members to remain current in or participate in research that investigates alternative techniques, technologies, or best practices in reducing or regulating WAGs effectively.

By engaging in this new year's resolution challenge, ASPAN members can be at the forefront of environmental stewardship in healthcare while also ensuring the well-being of patients and healthcare professionals.

Thank you for your consideration and ongoing dedication to our profession. Together, we can make a difference.

Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year.

Alphonzo

Alphonzo Baker Sr., DNP, RN, CAPA

ASPAN President 2023-2024

American Society of Peri-Anesthesia Nurses (ASPAN)