scholarly journals 170 Social and Environmental Benefits of Virtual Fracture Clinics in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery: Reduced Patient Travel Time, Patient Cost and Air Pollutant Emissions

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Fort ◽  
H Hughes ◽  
U Khan ◽  
A Glynn
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Travel Distance ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Patient Cost ◽  
Travel Costs ◽  
Patient Travel ◽  
Travel Burden

Abstract Aim Several papers have analysed the clinical benefits and safety of Virtual Fracture Clinics (VFCs). A significant increase in the use of Trauma and Orthopaedic (T&O) VFCs was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the social impact of VFCs on the travel burden and travel costs of T&O patients, as well as the potential environmental benefits in relation to fuel consumption and travel-related pollutant emissions. Method All patients referred for T&O VFC review from March 2020 to June 2020 were retrospectively analysed. The travel burden and environmental impacts of hypothetical face-to-face consultations were compared with these VFC reviews. The primary outcomes measured were patient travel time saved, patient travel distance saved, patient cost savings and reduction in air-pollutant emissions. Results Over a four-month period, 1359 VFC consultations were conducted. The average travel distance saved by VFC review was 88.6 kilometres (range 3.3-615), with an average of 73 minutes (range 9-390) of travel-time saved. Patients consumed, on average, 8.2 litres (range 0.3-57.8) less fuel and saved an average of €11.02 (range 0.41-76.59). The average reduction in air-pollutant vehicle emissions, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitric oxides and volatile organic compounds was 20.3 kilograms (range 0.8-140.8), 517.3 grams (g) (range 19.3-3592.3), 38.1g (range 1.4-264.8) and 56.9g (range 2.1-395.2), respectively. Conclusions VFCs reduce patient travel distance, travel time and travel costs. In addition, VFCs confer significant environmental benefits through reduced fuel consumption and reduction of harmful environmental emissions.

Evaluation of Patient Experience from Telemedicine Use for an Anesthesiology Pain Division: Time, Cost, and Patient Satisfaction Analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laleh Jalilian ◽  
Irene Wu ◽  
Jakun Ing ◽  
Xuezhi Dong ◽  
George Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Travel Time ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Travel Distance ◽  
Patient Cost ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Pain Patients

BACKGROUND An increasing number of patients require outpatient and interventional pain management. To help meet the rising demand for anesthesia pain subspecialty care in rural and metropolitan areas, healthcare providers have utilized telemedicine for pain management of both interventional and chronic pain patients. OBJECTIVE This study describes telemedicine implementation for pain management at an academic pain division in a large metropolitan area. The study estimates patient cost savings from telemedicine, before and after the California COVID-19 "Safer at Home" directive, and patient satisfaction with telemedicine for pain management care. METHODS This was a retrospective, observational case series study of telemedicine use in a pain division at an urban academic medical center. From August 2019 to June 2020, we evaluated 1,398 patients and conducted 2,948 video visits for remote pain management care. We utilize publicly available IRS Statistics of Income data to estimate hourly earnings by zip code in order to estimate patient cost savings. We estimate median travel time, travel distance, direct cost of travel, and time-based opportunity savings and report patient satisfaction scores. RESULTS Telemedicine patients avoided an estimated median roundtrip driving distance of 26 miles and a median travel time of 69 minutes during afternoon traffic conditions. Within sample, the median hourly earnings was $28/hr. Patients saved a median of $22 on gas and parking and a total of $52 per telemedicine visit based on estimated hourly earnings and travel time. Patients evaluated serially with telemedicine for medication management saved a median of $156 over three visits. 91% of patients surveyed (n = 313) were satisfied with their telemedicine experience. CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine use for pain management reduced travel distance, travel time, and travel and time-based opportunity costs for pain patients. We achieved the successful implementation of telemedicine across a pain division in an urban academic medical center with high patient satisfaction and patient cost savings.

scholarly journals Analysis of Environmental Benefits of Shore Power for Preventing and Controlling Air Pollution Caused by Vessels at Berth

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 04036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Jieling ◽  
Li Haibo
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Emission Reduction ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Pollutant Emission ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Fuel Consumption Rate

When vessels are berthed at ports, the air pollutants emitted by auxiliary engines will cause severe pollution to the ports and surrounding environments. In view of this situation, the author first summarizes the Chinese policies and policies of foreign countries on emission of air pollutants from vessels at berth, and then analyses the current status of and measures for control of air pollutant emission from vessels at berth. Secondly, the author analyses the environmental benefits of using shore power for better controlling air pollutant emission from vessels at berth, compares vessels using shore power with vessels using generated power in the energy conservation and emission reduction effects based on the fuel consumption rate of different auxiliary engines and current status of pollutant emission from power generation in China etc., analyses the current status of shore power application in China, estimates the energy conserved and emission reduced when shore power is used by vessels at berth. Thirdly, the author identifies the scale of electric energy replacement by, and environmental benefits of, shore power at ports in China. This paper delivers innovative approaches to the comparison between the effects of energy conservation and emission reduction based on fuel consumption rates of different auxiliary engines and estimation of conserved energy and reduced emission.

scholarly journals Quantifying Air Pollutant Emission from Agricultural Machinery Using Surveys—A Case Study in Anhui, China

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 440
Author(s):  
Yi Ai ◽  
Yunshan Ge ◽  
Zheng Ran ◽  
Xueyao Li ◽  
Zhibing Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Pollutant Emission ◽  
Agricultural Machinery ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Road Traffic Emissions ◽  
Using Data

Diesel-powered agricultural machinery (AM) is a significant contributor to air pollutant emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). However, the fuel consumption and pollutant emissions from AM remain poorly quantified in many countries due to a lack of accurate activity data and emissions factors. In this study, the fuel consumption and air pollutant emission from AM were estimated using a survey and emission factors from the literature. A case study was conducted using data collected in Anhui, one of the agricultural provinces of China. The annual active hours of AM in Anhui ranged 130 to 175 h. The estimated diesel fuel consumption by AM was 1.45 Tg in 2013, approximately 25% of the total diesel consumption in the province. The air pollutants emitted by AM were 57 Gg of carbon monoxide, 14 Gg of hydrocarbon, 74 Gg of NOx and 5.7 Gg of PM in 2013. The NOx and PM emissions from AM were equivalent to 17% and 22% of total on-road traffic emissions in Anhui. Among nine types of AM considered, rural vehicles are the largest contributors to fuel consumption (31%) and air emissions (33–45%).

scholarly journals Correlational investigation of air pollutant emissions and fuel consumption of motor vehicle in various dynamic conditions

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Nitrogen Oxides ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Spark Ignition Engine ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Dynamic Conditions ◽  
Vehicle Velocity

<p>Air pollutant emissions and fuel consumption of vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines are highly susceptible to the conditions of engine operation. The purpose of this research was to investigate the correlation between the emissions of individual pollutants (carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide), the fuel consumption and various dynamic conditions of the operation of an engine. The empirical data was obtained by testing of passenger car with a spark-ignition engine on a chassis dynamometer in 12 various driving tests, both type-approval and special. The results indicate, that the strongest correlation exists between the emissions of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons and between the fuel consumption and the emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. The weakest correlation was found to be between the emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. The average value of vehicle velocity proved to be suitable zero-dimensional characteristic of the dynamic driving conditions. The correlation between the emission of hydrocarbons and the average vehicle velocity can be assessed as the strongest, while between the emission of nitrogen oxides and the average vehicle velocity – the weakest.</p>

scholarly journals Energy and Environmental Assessment of Steam Management Optimization in an Ethylene Plant

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 12267
Author(s):  
Miroslav Variny ◽  
Kristián Hanus ◽  
Marek Blahušiak ◽  
Patrik Furda ◽  
Peter Illés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Carbon Price ◽  
Price Impact ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Steam Boiler ◽  
Ethylene Plant ◽  
Management Optimization ◽  
The Impact

Steam crackers (ethylene plants) belong to the most complex industrial plants and offer significant potential for energy-saving translated into the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Steam export to or import from adjacent units or complexes can boost the associated financial benefit, but its energy and environmental impact are questionable. A study was carried out on a medium-capacity ethylene plant using field data to: 1. Estimate the energy savings potential achievable by optimizing internal steam management and optimizing steam export/import; 2. Quantify the associated change in air pollutant emissions; 3. Analyze the impact of the increasing carbon price on the measures adopted. Internal steam management optimization yielded steam let-down rate minimization and resulted in a 5% (87 TJ/year) reduction in steam cracker’s steam boiler fuel consumption and the associated cut of CO2 emissions by almost 4900 t/year and that of NOx emissions by more than 5 t/year. Steam import to the ethylene plant from the refinery proved to be purely economic-driven, as it increased the net fuel consumption of the ethylene plant and the refinery complex by 12 TJ/year and resulted in an increase of net emissions of nearly all considered air pollutants (more than 7000 t/year of CO2, over 15 t/year of NOx, over 18 t/year of SOx) except for CO, where the net change was almost zero. The effect of external emissions change due to the associated backpressure electricity production surplus (over 11 GWh/year) was too low to compensate for this increase unless fossil fuel-based electricity production was considered. The increase of carbon price impact on the internal steam management optimization economics was favorable, while a switch to steam export from the ethylene plant, instead of steam import, might be feasible if the carbon price increased to over 100 €/tCO2.

scholarly journals Analysis of Air Pollutant Emissions for Mechanized Rice Cultivation in Korea

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1208
Author(s):  
Gyu-Gang Han ◽  
Jun-Hyuk Jeon ◽  
Yong-Jin Cho ◽  
Myoung-Ho Kim ◽  
Seong-Min Kim
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Rice Cultivation ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Agricultural Machinery ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Total Fuel Consumption

In Korea, rice is a major staple grain and it is mainly cultivated using various types of agricultural machinery. Air pollutants emitted from agricultural machinery have their origins mainly from the exhaustion of internal combustion engines. In this study, the emission characteristics of five main air pollutants by the European Environment Agency’s Tier 1 method for rice cultivation were analyzed. Diesel is a main fuel for agricultural machinery and gasoline is generally used only for rice transplanters as a fuel in Korea. Tractors consume 46% of total fuel consumption and 56% of diesel fuel consumption. Gasoline used for rice transplanters accounts for about 17% of the total fuel consumption each year. Tractors and rice transplanters emit 82% of all total pollutants. From 2011 to 2019, the total amount of air pollutant emissions decreased by 15%. That accounted for the reduction of rice cultivation fields in those periods. Rice transplanting operation accounts for 42% of total emissions. Then, harrowing, harvesting, tilling, leveling, and pest control operations generated 10%, 10%, 8%, 8%, and 7% of total emissions, respectively. The contribution of each air pollutant held 54% of CO, 39% of NOx, 5% of NMVOC, and 2% of TSP from the total emission inventory. The three major regions emitting air pollutants from mechanized agricultural practices were Jeollanam-do, Chungcheongnam-do, and Jeollabuk-do, which consume 55% of the total fuel usage in rice farming. The total amount of air pollutant emissions from rice cultivation practices in 2019 was calculated as 8448 tons in Korea.

Modeling the Influences of Heating Fuel Consumption in Gaseous Emissions and Solid Waste Generation

2011 ◽  
pp. 162-185
Author(s):  
Robert Bata ◽  
Ticiano Costa Jordão
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Gaseous Emissions ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Energy Flows ◽  
Heating Fuel ◽  
Heating Energy Consumption

The chapter deals with the modeling of materials and energy flows associated with different types of heating fuels used in the household sector in the Czech Republic in order to assess the material flow balance from heating energy consumption by all dwellings in the Czech Republic. Statistical data on heating fuel consumption was gathered and Petri net models were used to quantify the variety and amount of resulting air pollutant emissions and solid waste generated. The results indicate that a particular net with a type Place-Color is the appropriate for modeling these processes, because the model is optically identical to the schematic representation of modeled flows.

Air pollutant emissions from fossil fuel consumption in China: Current status and future predictions

2020 ◽  
Vol 231 ◽  
pp. 117536
Author(s):  
Yan Lu ◽  
Min Shao ◽  
Chenghang Zheng ◽  
Haibo Ji ◽  
Xiang Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Fossil Fuel Consumption
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