First step to environmentally sustainable endoscopy practice: a prospective study of minimizing multiple device use during screening colonoscopy at a large tertiary center
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Background: The healthcare sector generates 8% of greenhouse gas emissions in the USA, of which gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is the third largest contributor. Single-use tools are a major contributor to modifiable waste generation during GI endoscopy. Through a quality improvement initiative, we aimed to reduce endoscopy waste by urging gastroenterologists to be mindful of tools used during polypectomies by avoiding using multiple tools. Methods: We discussed green endoscopy initiatives in monthly journal club and business meetings. Over 14 weeks, 210 patients were included in the pre-intervention group and 112 in the post-intervention group. Results: At baseline, 34% of colonoscopies required no intervention, 32% required one tool (either biopsy forceps or a snare), and 33% required multiple tools. After the intervention, the use of just one tool increased (17 percentage point increase; P=0.003) and the use of multiple tools decreased significantly (16 percentage point decrease; P=0.002). The odds ratio for use of a single tool compared with multiple tools after the intervention was 3.0 (95%CI 1.6 to 5.5; P=0.005). Conclusion: This single-center quality improvement study noted a significant change in practice patterns favoring the use of a single tool over multiple tools during colonoscopies after an environmentally conscious practice intervention was applied. This intervention can be readily applied to reduce endoscopy-related waste.
Source: Endoscopy
DOI: 10.1055/a-2441-2651
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4403384585