Environmentally Sustainable Endoscopy Practices

Abstract

Climate change affects each and every one of us and has far reaching consequences. As healthcare providers and responsible citizens, it is our duty to make our practices environmentally sustainable. Endoscopy practice involves frequent use of single-use items, resource-heavy decontamination practices, water consumption, patient and staff travel as well as high electricity consumption. The present review highlights the measures that can be taken to reduce the carbon footprint of endoscopy practice. Proper waste management, judicious use of electricity, proper selection of cases for anesthesia and biopsy, and appropriate use of noninvasive tests in practice are discussed in the review.

Keywords

• biopsy
• endoscopy
• waste management