Authors (including presenting author) :
Lam ON(1)(2), Yu YM(2), Cheung KY(1)(2), Tong HT(1)(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Combined Endoscopy Unit, North District Hospital (2)Department of Surgery, North District Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Green Endoscopy
Keyword 2: :
Energy efficiency
Keyword 3: :
Service sustainability
Keyword 4: :
Sustainable future
Introduction :
This project aim to maintain sustainability in NDH new block, by integrates environmental sustainability with healthcare delivery, reducing ecological impact while maintaining patient outcomes and endoscopic procedure efficiency. Transforming the endoscopy unit into an environmentally sustainable place is a challenging due to high resource consumption in endoscopes reprocessing, single-use device and high-energy consumption device. Therefore, it is hope this project is a pioneering effort to integrate environmental friendly habit into clinical practice while at the same time delivering high-quality endoscopic procedure.
Objectives :
This project aim at to create a model for maintaining high-quality endoscopic care while significantly reducing environmental impact. To minimize clinical waste generation including paper and plastic by 30% monthly. Also, to reduce carbon consumption 40% monthly by energy saving in the future.
Methodology :
In the endoscopy unit, the environmental impact areas are mainly in reprocessing endoscopes, single-use plastic packaging and PPE. The following measures could be taken based on the above aspects. 1.Circular Waste Management •Waste segregation in each procedure room: recycling paper and plastic packaging, plastic bottles. •Recycling for non-infectious materials: reuse the plastic packaging from sterile supplies, cardboard from supply boxes. •PPE optimization: appropriate glove use, isolation gown use, encourage reuse of items if not contraindicated, for example, eye frames. 2.Sustainable Reprocessing System •Energy-saving modes: optimize automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs) settings for lower energy consumption during off-peak hours. •Optimize disinfectant/detergent usage: appropriately allocate the disinfection/ detergent number of cycles to fully utilize before expired 3.Energy-Efficient Procedure Rooms •Equipment power management: Turn off power when not in use •Daylight optimization: Allowing natural lighting in the recovery area •Appropriate Use on Single-items: Plan the accessories that have to be used before the procedure. “Do not open unless use”. Maintain the package integrity and reuse the unopened items. 4Staff & Patient Engagement •Digital Documentation: Use paperless consent form, procedure instruction. •Sustainable Patient education Materials: Digital resources e.g., video instead of printed pamphlets.
Result & Outcome :
1. Environment setting .A dedicated recycling collection place for paper and plastic. .Energy saving when the session ends 2.Workflow-Procedure Room .Reusable procedural accessories where clinically appropriate, e.g., kidney dish, eye frame .Establish paperless documentation where possible .Implement green products e.g., biodegradable trays .Stand by the instrument in the designated clean area. “Don’t open it unless you need it” .All measures must adhere to the infection control guidelines .Patient safety cannot be compromised for sustainability 3.Workflow-Reprocessing Room .Fully utilize AER disinfection solution .Reuse the clean items if no contraindication 4. Baseline and monthly measurement: .Accessories consumption .PPE consumption .Energy-saving duration Result & Outcome: .Decreased single-use face shield by 30% .Recognition to staff for the sustainability exercise and ideas .Decrease wastage to approximately 1 item per session .Decreased AER disinfection solution to 25% per month
