ACS Approves Statements on Sustainable Surgery, HIV, and Hepatitis

At the recent February 27 meeting in Washington, DC, the ACS Board of Regents reviewed and approved three statements—one new and two revised. Read excerpts from these statements and follow the links for the complete text.

New: Statement on the Importance of Sustainable Surgical Practices
“The ACS is committed to providing high-value surgical care to patients. Identifying opportunities for optimal, efficient, and cost-effective medical care is aligned with efforts to embed sustainable practices in the operating room (OR) that meet present patient needs while minimizing environmental harm and preserving resources for future generations. This statement serves to outline the importance of sustainable surgical practices to improve cost efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of surgery while maintaining clinical excellence.”

Revised: Statement on the Surgeon and HIV Infection

“For surgeons, the risk of occupational exposure remains low, especially when rigorous infection control practices and universal precautions are followed. Evidence confirms that transmission of HIV from healthcare professionals to patients is exceedingly rare, with only a handful of documented cases worldwide and none occurring in a surgical setting. Continued vigilance, use of protective barriers, and adherence to established protocols are the best approach to maintaining safety.”

Revised: Statement on the Surgeon and Hepatitis

“Patients and healthcare workers have concerns about potential transmission of blood-borne pathogens, either from healthcare worker to patient, or from patient to healthcare worker. Much of this concern was prompted by the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but knowledge of the hepatitis viruses (B and C), which are transmitted by blood contact, has increased over the last two decades.”

ACS Statements represent positions of the College ranging from clinical care, education and training, public safety, physician behavior, and health policy.