Hospital: Hvidovre Maternity Ward
Pioneering Sustainable Maternity Care
Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark's largest maternity department, has installed the country’s first Central Destruction Unit (CDU) to address the environmental and workplace challenges associated with nitrous oxide use. The CDU enables the safe and sustainable management of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas, while allowing its use as a pain relief option during childbirth.
Between 2011 and 2021, Hvidovre Hospital discontinued the use of nitrous oxide due to concerns about unfiltered emissions and workplace safety. Without technology to mitigate its environmental impact, nitrous oxide was not considered a sustainable option during this period.
In 2023, the hospital began using Medclair’s CDU to manage nitrous oxide emissions. The unit captures and neutralizes emissions by breaking down nitrous oxide into harmless components, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards.
The installation has had measurable effects. With approximately 6,400 births annually and nitrous oxide used in over half of these cases, the CDU has contributed to an annual reduction in emissions equivalent to 447 tons of CO₂. This development aligns with Denmark’s Green Hospital Strategy and demonstrates the potential for reducing the environmental impact of healthcare practices.
“We are so happy to now have the opportunity to provide nitrous oxide”
A Comprehensive Solution
Hvidovre Hospital’s adoption of Medclair’s technology has yielded benefits for all stakeholders:
Patients: Women in labor now have access to safe and effective pain relief options.
Healthcare Staff: Improved workplace safety through controlled nitrous oxide handling.
The Environment: A significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, setting an example for hospitals nationwide.
Should similar solutions be adopted across all maternity departments in Denmark, the country could achieve an annual reduction of nearly 4,000 tons of CO₂. This underscores the vital role of nitrous oxide destruction technologies in achieving Denmark’s climate goals.
Relevant articles:
Denmark's largest maternity department reintroduces Nitrous Oxide
(In Danish)
Denmark installs the first climate-friendly decomposition plant for nitrous oxide
(In Danish)
