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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSustainable Use of Single Use Endoscopes\n\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSustainability in healthcare encompasses more than CO\u2082 emissions. This project compares reusable and disposable endoscopes in terms of clinical quality, cost-effectiveness, resource use, and carbon footprint to determine the most sustainable option. \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLise Karup Pedersen\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProjektleder\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t![\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"](\"https:\/\/forskning.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_177689114-1024x683.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\tIn Denmark, healthcare<\/span> is responsible for 6% of the country’s total CO\u2082<\/span> emissions. In Region Zealand alone, medical equipment contributes 19% of CO\u2082<\/span> emissions, while healthcare<\/span> services contribute 9%. Despite this, sustainability has not been prioritized sufficiently in hospitals, which face resource constraints and focus mainly on patient care and daily operations. Hospitals’ efforts toward a sustainable healthcare<\/span> system must be data-driven and targeted to maximize impact. Sustainability in healthcare<\/span> involves not only reducing CO\u2082<\/span> but also optimizing personnel and financial resources without compromising care quality and patient safety. We must aim to be sustainable across all areas, responsibly reducing our climate footprint.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\t Healthcare and hospitals are major consumers of disposable equipment, which places pressure on our climate and does not support circular consumption. To investigate this, the project will compare the two types of endoscopes across four parameters<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t![\"\"\n\t\t\t\talt=\"\"](\"https:\/\/forskning.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/DSC0321_web-683x1024.jpg\")
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\nHowever, there are several reasons for using disposable equipment in healthcare, particularly its sterility. Disposable equipment avoids the need for cleaning processes that require large amounts of water and chemical detergents, which also harm the environment. Additionally, it reduces the risk of infection with multi-resistant bacteria, which can pose serious risks for patients and incur high costs for the healthcare system. The Department of Surgery at Zealand University Hospital has tested disposable endoscopes for performing endoscopic procedures (scopic examinations and surgeries). However, reusable endoscopes of various types are typically standard for these purposes. Endoscopies are conducted across multiple hospital departments where internal body cavities, such as the mouth, intestines, ear, lungs, and urinary tract, require examination. This includes, for example, procedures related to diagnosing colorectal cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\tThe question is whether it is overall more sustainable to use disposable or reusable endoscopes?<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n