Optimizing β-lactam antibiotics with the highest concentration–for continuous infusion reduce carbon footprint in intensive care
Authors' conclusion
A careful prescription of drug dilution, if continuous infusion of β-lactam antibiotics is used, can be efficient in reducing GHG emissions, consumables, waste, and costs.
Study context
- Population
- Critically ill patients treated with 4 common β-lactam antibiotics by continuous infusion in ICU
- Participants
- 418 patients
- Comparison
- Sustainable protocol vs prior practice for continuous β-lactam infusion
- 2024n = 202reference
- 2025n = 216
- Outcome
- Greenhouse gas emission per treatment
Methodological detailstwo periods, sustainable protocol implementation
- Two periods
- Sustainable protocol implementation
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Reduction
52%
P < 0.0001
By group
2024
2760
range 1380–4968 · g
2025
1380
range 552–2208 · g/treatment
Further findings
Plastic consumed (syringes, tubing, solution bags, blister packs)
- Global reduction
- - 48% (−61 kg)
Treatment cost
- Reduction
- 48% (−1324 €)
Total nursing time for preparation · second 6 months period
- Shorter in second period
- 145 h
Age and SAPSII
- Did not differ between periods
Original publication
Optimizing β-lactam antibiotics with the highest concentration–for continuous infusion reduce carbon footprint in intensive care. Crit Care. Published 4 July 2026. doi:10.
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