What is it about?

The article discusses the environmental impact of single-use and reusable flexible cystoscopes, and compares the findings of a recent study by Kemble et al. with the authors' own life-cycle assessment of reusable and single-use cystoscopes. The authors note that while their study found transitioning to a reusable scope would result in significantly lower environmental impacts, Kemble et al. provided opposite results. The authors attribute the discrepancy to differences in how reprocessing of reusable cystoscopes was handled in the two studies. They also suggest that measuring the environmental footprint of healthcare activities and conducting audits to provide transparent information about the environmental impact of devices are important steps towards a sustainable future.

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Why is it important?

This research is important for several reasons. Firstly, it highlights the significance of understanding and minimizing the environmental impact of our practices in the healthcare sector. The comparison of single-use and reusable flexible cystoscopes provides valuable insights into the environmental consequences of different devices used in medical procedures. Secondly, it emphasizes the need for transparent and comprehensive information about the environmental impact of medical devices. The discrepancies between the two studies show that different reprocessing methods can greatly impact the overall environmental footprint of a device. Finally, it underscores the importance of conducting more research to optimize reprocessing methods for reusable devices, as they are the main contributors to CO2 emissions. Key Takeaways: 1. The life-cycle assessment of single-use cystoscopes was similar in both studies, with a per-case carbon footprint of approximately 2.06 kg CO2 in the Baboudjian et al. study and 2.40 kg CO2 in the Kemble et al. study. 2. The main difference between the two studies was in the life-cycle assessment of reusable cystoscopes, with Kemble et al. showing that >95% of CO2 emissions from reusable cystoscopes come from the reprocessing step. 3. The reprocessing method used in the two studies differed, with Kemble et al. using automated methods with lower CO2 emissions, while Baboudjian et al. used a manual high-level disinfection method with much higher CO2 emissions. 4. The studies emphasize the importance of measuring the environmental footprint of healthcare activities, conducting audits to provide transparent information about the environmental impact of medical devices, and conducting more research to optimize reprocessing methods for reusable devices.

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This page is a summary of: Comment on ‘environmental impact of single‐use and reusable flexible cystoscopes’, BJU International, March 2023, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/bju.15996.
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