Running a CBC and electrolyte panel on a patient produces 0.3597kg CO2e (1.75km by car). Daily bloodwork seldom changes outcomes, exposes patients to harms (venipuncture associated pain, wake from sleep), and is associated with negative outcomes including anemia and need for transfusions. Routine and repetitive bloodwork can be safely discontinued through targeted interventions without increasing outcomes like re-admission, ICU admission, or mortality. Guidelines make a strong recommendation for the use of small-volume collection tubes to reduce the burden of iatrogenic anemia.
Sources:
Siegal DM, et al. Small-Volume Blood Collection Tubes to Reduce Transfusions in Intensive Care: The STRATUS Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2023 Nov 21;330(19):1872-1881. PMID: 37824152.
Silverstein WK, et al. Reducing routine inpatient blood testing. BMJ. 2022;379:e070698. PMID: 36288811.
Spoyalo K, et al. Patient, hospital and environmental costs of unnecessary bloodwork: capturing the triple bottom line of inappropriate care in general surgery patients. BMJ open quality. 2023;12(3):e002316. PMID: 37402596.