Carbon Emissions From Different Dialysis Modalities: A Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

Rationale & Objective: As the health impacts of climate change intensify, the health care sector faces growing pressure to minimize its carbon footprint. Achieving this goal requires understanding of the carbon impact of widely used medical treatments. This study evaluated and compared the carbon footprints of in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Study Design: Comparative life cycle assessment. Setting & Participants: In-center hemodialysis, home-based hemodialysis, CAPD, and APD treatments provided by the Royal Melbourne Hospital Kidney Care Service, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Outcome: Carb..