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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Endosc Int Open 2024; 12(08): E968-E980
DOI: 10.1055/a-2303-8621
Review

Green endoscopy, one step toward a sustainable future: Literature review

Marcello Maida 
1   Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna 'Kore', Enna, Italy
2   Gastroenterology Unit, Umberto I Hospital, Enna, Italy
,
Alessandro Vitello
3   Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, S. Elia Hospital, ASP di Caltanissetta, Caltanissetta, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN220706)
,
Endrit Shahini
4   Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology-IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis", Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN18529)
,
Roberto Vassallo
5   Gastroenterology Unit, Buccheri La Ferla Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Palermo, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN213309)
,
Emanuele Sinagra
6   Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Istituto San Raffaele G Giglio di Cefalù, Cefalu, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN97860)
,
Socrate Pallio
7   Digestive Diseases Endoscopy Unit, Policlinico G. Martino Hospital, University of Messina, Messina, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN18980)
,
Giuseppinella Melita
7   Digestive Diseases Endoscopy Unit, Policlinico G. Martino Hospital, University of Messina, Messina, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN18980)
,
Daryl Ramai
8   Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN12348)
,
Marco Spadaccini
9   Endoscopy Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN9268)
10   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN437807)
,
Cesare Hassan 
9   Endoscopy Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN9268)
10   Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN437807)
,
Antonio Facciorusso 
11   Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy (Ringgold ID: RIN18972)
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Correction: Green endoscopy, one step toward a sustainable future: Literature reviewEndosc Int Open 2024; 12(08): C7-C7
DOI: 10.1055/a-2414-3571

Abstract

Rapid climate change or climate crisis is one of the most serious emergencies of the 21st century, accounting for highly impactful and irreversible changes worldwide. Climate crisis can also affect the epidemiology and disease burden of gastrointestinal diseases because they have a connection with environmental factors and nutrition.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a highly intensive procedure with a significant contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Moreover, endoscopy is the third highest generator of waste in healthcare facilities with significant contributions to carbon footprint. The main sources of direct carbon emission in endoscopy are use of high-powered consumption devices (e.g. computers, anesthesia machines, wash machines for reprocessing, scope processors, and lighting) and waste production derived mainly from use of disposable devices. Indirect sources of emissions are those derived from heating and cooling of facilities, processing of histological samples, and transportation of patients and materials.

Consequently, sustainable endoscopy and climate change have been the focus of discussions between endoscopy providers and professional societies with the aim of taking action to reduce environmental impact. The term "green endoscopy" refers to the practice of gastroenterology that aims to raise awareness, assess, and reduce endoscopy´s environmental impact.

Nevertheless, while awareness has been growing, guidance about practical interventions to reduce the carbon footprint of gastrointestinal endoscopy are lacking. This review aims to summarize current data regarding the impact of endoscopy on GHG emissions and possible strategies to mitigate this phenomenon. Further, we aim to promote the evolution of a more sustainable "green endoscopy".

Keywords

Quality and logistical aspects - Performance and complications - Quality management - Image and data processing, documentatiton


Publication History

Received: 15 September 2023

Accepted after revision: 30 January 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
15 July 2024

Article published online:
23 August 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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