GI Unit Leadership: Optimizing Endoscopy Operations through Leadership (On-demand) | February 2025-ASGE Practical Steps to Green Your Unit

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Pdf Summary

The document, prepared by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) Sustainable Endoscopy Task Force, addresses the significant environmental impact of healthcare, specifically GI endoscopy, which contributes considerably to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The paper provides practical steps for endoscopy units to become more sustainable, outlining strategies that can be implemented to reduce environmental harm.<br /><br />The paper emphasizes creating an "Endoscopy Green Team" consisting of various stakeholders involved in endoscopic care, such as endoscopy nurses, technicians, and endoscopists, and others from administration and facility management. This team is tasked to strategize on initiatives that can decrease waste, energy use, and the carbon footprint of endoscopic practice.<br /><br />Key steps proposed include understanding the baseline waste management processes, conducting audits, and identifying problematic areas in endoscopic units. It advises choosing feasible and impactful tasks for initial implementation, such as ensuring proper waste segregation and optimizing the use of single-use devices.<br /><br />Furthermore, the document suggests tracking the impact of these interventions through quantifiable metrics to assess their success and refinement. Networking and sharing best practices with other units and institutions are encouraged to enhance environmental initiatives within the GI endoscopy sector.<br /><br />Challenges such as varying institutional commitment, economic concerns, and adherence to infection control may arise, so early involvement of leadership and collaboration with infection control departments is recommended. The overall goal is to create a sustainable endoscopy unit by implementing green practices without compromising the quality of care or escalating costs, essentially fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within healthcare practices.

Keywords

sustainable endoscopy

environmental impact

greenhouse gas emissions

Endoscopy Green Team

waste management

carbon footprint

single-use devices

quantifiable metrics

infection control

healthcare sustainability