Sustainable Surgery: Transforming Patient Outcomes with Plus Antibacterial Sutures

As the healthcare sector increasingly prioritises sustainable practices, health care settings are seeking innovative solutions to reduce their environmental impact while enhancing patient care.¹ One of the key areas where sustainability intersects with patient outcomes is in the prevention of surgical complications. By focusing on reducing these complications, healthcare providers can improve patient experiences and minimise the ecological footprint of surgical procedures. To explore this topic further, we spoke with Mesut Kocaman - Health Economics and Market Access Director, and Chris Scott - Sustainability Lead, Johnson & Johnson MedTech UK & Ireland, about the Care Pathway Approach to Sustainability and the role of Plus Antibacterial Sutures in achieving these goals. 

Q: Reducing demand on healthcare services is crucial on the journey to achieve the NHS’ net zero targets. How are Johnson & Johnson approaching this, particularly in relation to surgical complications? 

Mesut: At Johnson & Johnson, we recognise the importance of reducing demand on healthcare services, not only by minimising our own carbon footprint but also by collaborating with health systems like the NHS to improve health outcomes. One key aspect is our focus on reducing surgical complications which can lead to longer hospital stays, readmissions and additional burden on the health system.² By addressing complication rates, we can enhance patient outcomes and reduce the overall resource utilisation in surgical settings. 

Q: Can you explain how the Care Pathway approach assesses the environmental impact of surgical procedures? 

Chris: In collaboration with the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition, whose aim is to drive action on net-zero healthcare,³ we implement our Care Pathway Approach, which involves conducting comprehensive environmental impact assessments for various care pathways, particularly in surgery. We analyse the steps involved in diagnosis and treatment, utilising activity and emission data to calculate the climate, water, and waste impacts of specific interventions.

What’s important to note is that surgery is just one [resource intensive] stage of the diagnosis to recovery pathway for a patient. It’s critical to get it right first time as complications may lead to additional treatment and longer hospital stays that further contribute to the resources required to return a patient to their daily life.  

Understanding the bigger picture allows us to identify areas where we can make a significant difference by reducing complications and enhancing patient care, while also protecting our planet. 

Q: How does J&J MedTech contribute to enhancing patient care via this approach? 

Mesut:  One clear example is the use of our Plus Antibacterial Sutures. These sutures are coated with a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent that helps reduce surgical site infections (SSIs), which are a significant issue in surgical care. Meta-analyses indicate that using Plus Sutures can lead to a nearly 30% reduction in the risk of SSIs,⁴ resulting in improved patient outcomes and economic benefits through reduced risk of SSIs. 

Q: What are the implications of the NICE guidance on Plus Sutures for the NHS? 

Mesut: NICE's Medical Technologies Guidance on Plus Sutures demonstrates the potential benefits of these sutures in reducing SSIs. By reducing the occurrence of SSIs by nearly 30%, Plus Sutures can lead to substantial cost savings for the NHS - averaging £13.62 per patient compared to non-coated sutures - while also creating significant environmental benefits, such as a reduction in carbon, waste and water use.⁵ 

Q: How can healthcare systems evaluate the environmental impact of their practices effectively? 

Chris: Integrating environmental sustainability into value-based healthcare is essential. The studies we’ve conducted, including our collaboration with Cheshire & Merseyside ICS, provide a robust framework for evaluating the environmental footprints of healthcare processes. We found that standardising Plus Sutures across Trusts could lead to significant savings in costs, waste, water, and carbon emissions - demonstrating that reducing complications not only benefits patient care but also minimises the environmental footprint of healthcare.