Sustainable endoscopy
Safe and sustainable endoscope cleaning
Fruzsina Julianna David discusses how an innovative endoscope cleaning system could help to reduce clinical waste in healthcare, while also tackling the risk of biofilms.
Sustainability represents an approach that ensures meeting present needs does not compromise the living conditions of future generations. At its core lies the careful and responsible use of natural resources, aiming to maintain a balance between the environment, society, and the economy.1
Achieving these goals
requires fostering responsible consumer habits and protecting the environment from harmful impacts, such as pollution. Furthermore, sustainability embodies an active commitment to developing technologies and processes that promote environmental protection, contributing to a cleaner and improved living environment for both current and future generations.
increases air pollution.4
Sustainability challenges in the UK healthcare sector The healthcare sector in the United Kingdom, particularly institutions within the NHS, including hospitals, clinics, GP practices, and other health services, generates approximately 156,000 tons of clinical waste annually.2
This
equates to around 427 tons of waste daily, a volume that would fill 43 fully loaded bin lorries. Clinical waste comprises materials produced by healthcare facilities during patient care, including pathogens, active pharmaceuticals, contaminated sharp objects, and other biological substances.3
Such waste poses
potential health hazards, impacting both human and animal health, as well as environmental well-being.
In addition to clinical waste, other
environmental impacts from NHS operations are noteworthy. Waste management processes, such as incineration and disposal, emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Moreover, the energy and water consumption of healthcare facilities also contribute substantially to environmental impact. Pharmaceuticals and chemicals used in hospitals, if released into nature, can contaminate aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, the transportation of medicines, medical equipment, and other hospital supplies
Collectively, these
factors underscore the urgent need for more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions in the healthcare sector.
Effects of unsustainability The role of sustainability in healthcare is critically important as it affects society, our environment, and the quality of patient care. Healthcare sustainability impacts not only those directly involved in patient care but also the broader community. Therefore, it serves not only the interests of those who require hospital treatment or work in hospitals but also those living near facilities that incinerate clinical waste and those who inhale carbon dioxide generated during the transportation of equipment and goods to hospitals. Additionally, agricultural stakeholders may be affected, as unethical waste management practices can damage their land. Thus, healthcare sustainability represents a common interest, as environmental pollution and the ethical use of resources concern everyone, either directly or indirectly. When examining the consequences of a
lack of sustainability across a broad spectrum, numerous serious and complex problems emerge. The issue of sustainability not only triggers minor concerns but also significant global processes. For instance, air pollution, water scarcity, or soil degradation may force
people to abandon their homes, leading to increased migration. Furthermore, competition for resources can create tensions among communities and countries, particularly in areas facing water and food shortages. Unsustainable practices contribute to climate change, lead to health issues, and disrupt ecological balance by causing the extinction of living organisms and species. By understanding the potential consequences of a lack of sustainability, we can better appreciate its importance and urgent necessity.
Possible positive impacts of sustainability The path toward sustainability is a long- term process, but recognising problems and committing to change is already a significant step forward. Awareness and responsible decision-making foster the creation of a more sustainable future at both corporate and community levels. There are numerous measures that can be combined to make a healthcare institution or company more sustainable. For example, the use of renewable energy sources, the development of waste management systems, and the implementation of environmentally friendly transportation and mobility solutions all contribute to sustainability. A wide range of tools at our disposal simply requires conscious application.
February 2025 I
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com 47
t
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
