Lowden Launny, Henderson Christine
Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, East Kootenay Regional Hospital, 13 24 Ave N, Cranbrook, BC V1C 3H9, Canada.
Interior Health Department of Environmental Sustainability, Regional Services, 2355 Acland Rd, Kelowna, BC V1X 7X9, Canada.
Clin Biochem. 2025 Oct;139:110963. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2025.110963. Epub 2025 Jun 28.
Climate change is the greatest threat to the health of future generations, yet the healthcare system is a significant contributor to environmental degradation. Clinical laboratories drive much of this impact due to the high volume of testing, reliance on consumables, and energy requirements of modern labs. Labs are also vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Reducing environmental impacts and improving climate change resilience can lead to cost savings, enhanced staff engagement, and better patient care.
Limited guidance is available for medical laboratories seeking to improve environmental sustainability. Through review of existing literature, consultation with experts, and collaboration with experienced labs, a CASCADES playbook has been developed to offer evidence-based direction for implementing high-quality, low-carbon lab practices.
The Integrating Environmental Sustainability into Clinical Laboratories playbook captures a snapshot of the current state of environmental considerations in lab medicine as they start to become formalized. Recommendations regarding appropriate testing, energy use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, managing waste, and reducing water use are put forward, as well as suggestions concerning green chemistry and procurement. Tools and resources for implementation are provided. Labs are encouraged to be a voice for change, advancing a culture of sustainability within their institutions.
Incorporating sustainable principles into lab operations, testing algorithms, and climate-resilient laboratory design will allow the continued practice of lab medicine in a manner that considers planetary health an equal priority to individual patient health. There is a new vision for medicine: quality care must include protection of the patient's climate, providing care in the here and now while enabling care in the future.
气候变化是对子孙后代健康的最大威胁，然而医疗保健系统却是环境退化的重要促成因素。临床实验室由于检测量大、依赖消耗品以及现代实验室的能源需求，在很大程度上造成了这种影响。实验室也容易受到气候变化的影响。减少环境影响并提高应对气候变化的复原力可带来成本节约、增强员工参与度并改善患者护理。
对于寻求提高环境可持续性的医学实验室而言，可用的指导有限。通过对现有文献的回顾、与专家的磋商以及与经验丰富的实验室合作，制定了一份《级联手册》，为实施高质量、低碳实验室实践提供基于证据的指导。
《将环境可持续性融入临床实验室》手册呈现了实验室医学中环境考量开始正式化时的当前状态。提出了关于适当检测、能源使用、减少温室气体排放、管理废物和减少用水的建议，以及有关绿色化学和采购的建议。提供了实施工具和资源。鼓励实验室成为变革的推动者，在其机构内推进可持续发展文化。
将可持续原则纳入实验室运营、检测算法和具有气候适应能力的实验室设计，将使实验室医学能够继续以将地球健康与个体患者健康同等优先考虑的方式开展实践。医学有了新愿景：优质护理必须包括保护患者的气候，在当下提供护理的同时确保未来也能提供护理。
