By Cathrine Heen, NAORN, Chair of the EORNA Scientific Committee

As Chair of the Scientific Committee for EORNA, I have had the privilege of reviewing emerging evidence and shaping the scientific direction of our Congress. One theme has consistently stood out — sustainability in perioperative practice is no longer a future ambition, but a present responsibility.

At the EORNA Congress 2026, this topic was not confined to a single session; it ran throughout the programme, reflecting its growing importance across all aspects of surgical care. This blog is an opportunity to bring that conversation into focus and highlight the critical role perioperative nurses play in driving meaningful change.

Sustainable surgery is often discussed in terms of products and policies. In practice, it is driven by daily decisions — many of them made by perioperative nurses.

As sustainability rises on the healthcare agenda, surgery is under increasing scrutiny for its environmental footprint. Dedicated Congress sessions exploring perioperative environmental sustainability, alongside discussions on procurement, waste management, and innovative clinical practices, reinforce the urgency of this issue. Operating rooms generate significant waste and consume large amounts of energy and resources. Addressing this requires practical leadership at the point of care.

Perioperative nurses influence sustainability through procurement choices, waste segregation, and efficient workflows. Sessions within the scientific programme also highlighted how small, evidence-based changes — such as optimising surgical packs or improving waste streams — can have measurable impact. Research in sustainable healthcare shows that clinician-led initiatives are more likely to succeed than top-down mandates.

Importantly, sustainability and patient safety are not competing priorities. Congress content addressing patient safety, workflow optimisation, and healthy workplaces demonstrated that well-designed sustainable practices can reduce clutter, improve organisation, and support safer working environments.

EORNA’s focus on sustainability reflects a broader commitment to responsible, future-proof perioperative care. Nurses who understand both clinical risk and environmental impact are essential to this transition — a message that is echoed across multiple sessions and discussions throughout the Congress programme.

Call to action Sustainable surgery starts with informed, empowered perioperative nurses. The EORNA Congress 2026 provided a platform to share knowledge, challenge current practice, and inspire change. Supporting perioperative nursing leadership is key to protecting both patients and the planet.

References World Health Organization. Climate Change and Health. AORN. Environmental Responsibility in Perioperative Practice. McGain et al. Environmental sustainability in hospitals. The Lancet Planetary Health.