Endoscopy
resource utilisation within our facility, as the need for transportation to a central location for reprocessing is eliminated.” Simultaneously, the greatest challenge lies in striking a balance between embracing innovations and navigating the influence of longstanding experts who adhere to traditional practices. “Convincing experts of the significance of embracing innovations and alternative cleaning methods is a difficult task. Certain physicians have longstanding tenures within hospitals and may be resistant to change,” explains van Rosmalen. According to her, staying within one’s comfort zone doesn’t give innovations a chance – it is about stepping out of that comfort zone. Only through collaboration, searching for solutions together and helping each other, can innovations and improvements in healthcare be implemented. In her role, van Rosmalen is responsible for
determining which products are well-suited for and will be procured by the hospital. “I have partnerships with individuals across the industries I engage with. We maintain close communication and work collaboratively. Given the close-knit nature of the Netherlands, frequent interactions occur at conferences and training sessions, facilitating the exchange of ideas and discussions on various issues.” This feedback loop enables manufacturers to
adapt their products accordingly, and ultimately, cultivating these partnerships serves as the cornerstone for growth. She continues, “What really sets this
collaboration apart is the direct lines of communication. Both companies promptly address any queries we have, while we carefully
Michael Unger, PENTAX Medical
listen to the user and feed their preferences back. Furthermore, both parties invest considerable time in testing and research, which allows for a clear understanding of customer preferences. “All suggestions for improvements thus far
have been seamlessly integrated, resulting in an exceptional product. The mutual understanding is so strong that we maintain continuous contact to address any issues together.”
A pathway to greener endoscopy In recent developments, sustainable healthcare has been at the forefront of discussion
throughout hospital corridors, coffee corners and corporate meeting rooms. Practitioners and industry members alike are joining forces and considering how to mitigate the environmental footprint of the healthcare sector, while upholding high standards of infection prevention. By way of these conversations, parties involved are sharing knowledge, fostering innovation, and engaging stakeholders across sectors and disciplines. In this way, collaboration also plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainability ambitions and reducing the planetary impacts of endoscopy. To ensure the continuous development of
such technologies, it is important to take a step back and consider: how can we work together and leverage others’ expertise to improve even further? “We need to partner with different
stakeholders. With the hospitals or with healthcare societies like the NHS in the UK, for example,” explains Unger. “Endoscopy ranks third in the list of medical waste producers in hospitals,1
which means there is a very clear task for us, but also hospitals and healthcare societies to work together to reduce medical waste, reduce water and chemical consumption, especially in the reprocessing of endoscopes. This is an important pathway to greener endoscopy.”
In the Netherlands, for example, the CO2
footprint of healthcare alone is 7% of the total footprint.2
Daan Hoek, co-founder at UV Smart, Daan Hoek (left), Thijs Kea (right)(co-founders UV Smart) 72
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I April 2024
expands on the responsibility of the industry in addressing this for both patients and the planet. “A main factor is the significant usage of water and chemicals to reprocess medical devices,
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
