Environmental Impact Assessment of Reusable and Disposable Surgical Head Covers.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Cohen ES
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10483377 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Environmental Impact Assessment of Reusable and Disposable Surgical Head Covers.
Cohen Eva S ES Djufri Sarah S Bons Selma S Knoppert Mike R MR Hehenkamp Wouter J K WJK Kouwenberg Lisanne H J A LHJA Sperna Weiland Nicolaas H NH
JAMA surgery 20231101 11
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Project description:IntroductionThe environmental impact of endoscopy is a topic of growing interest. This study aimed to compare the carbon footprint of performing an esogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with a reusable (RU) or with a single-use (SU) disposable gastroscope.MethodsSU (Ambu aScope Gastro) and RU gastroscopes (Olympus, H190) were evaluated using life cycle assessment methodology (ISO 14040) including the manufacture, distribution, usage, reprocessing and disposal of the endoscope. Data were obtained from Edouard Herriot Hospital (Lyon, France) from April 2023 to February 2024. Primary outcome was the carbon footprint (measured in Kg CO2 equivalent) for both gastroscopes per examination. Secondary outcomes included other environmental impacts. A sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the impact of varying scenarios.ResultsCarbon footprint of SU and RU gastroscopes were 10.9 kg CO2 eq and 4.7 kg CO2 eq, respectively. The difference in carbon footprint equals one conventional car drive of 28 km or 6 days of CO2 emission of an average European household. Based on environmentally-extended input-output life cycle assessment, the estimated per-use carbon footprint of the endoscope stack and washer was 0.18 kg CO2 eq in SU strategy versus 0.56 kg CO2 eq in RU strategy. According to secondary outcomes, fossil eq depletion was 130 MJ (SU) and 60.9 MJ (RU) and water depletion for 6.2 m3 (SU) and 9.5 m3 (RU), respectively.ConclusionFor one examination, SU gastroscope have a 2.5 times higher carbon footprint than RU ones. These data will help with the logistics and planning of an endoscopic service in relation to other economic and environmental factors.
| S-EPMC11503130 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Body coveralls, often made of single-use plastics, are essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and, along with masks, are widely used in healthcare facilities and public spaces in the wake of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The widespread use of these body coveralls poses a significant threat to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, given their polluting nature and disposal frequency. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the adoption of alternatives that increase the safe reusability of PPE clothing and reduce environmental and health hazards. This study presents a comparative Cradle-to-Grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of disposable and reusable PPE body coveralls from a product life cycle perspective. A comprehensive life cycle inventory and LCA framework specific to Indian conditions have been developed through this study. The LCA is performed as per standard protocols using SimaPro software under recipe 2016 (H) impact assessment method. Six midpoint impact categories viz. Global Warming Potential, Terrestrial Acidification, Freshwater Eutrophication, Terrestrial Ecotoxicity, Human Carcinogenic Toxicity, and Water Consumption are assessed, along with Cumulative Energy Demand. Results suggest that reusable PPE improves environmental and human health performance in all the impact categories except water consumption. Sensitivity analysis reveals that replacing conventional electricity with solar energy for PPE manufacturing and disposal will provide additional environmental benefits. The findings can help the medical textile industries, healthcare workers, and policymakers to make environmentally informed choices.
| S-EPMC9880867 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC10287769 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundSample quality of gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsies is of paramount importance for accurate histological diagnosis. Many veterinary practices use reusable forceps as a result of perceived decreased cost. With reusable forceps, it remains unknown whether sample quality declines with repeated use and becomes inferior to single-use forceps and is therefore more or less cost effective than single-use forceps.Hypothesis/objectivesThe study hypothesis was that reusable forceps sample quality would deteriorate after repeated use as compared to single-use forceps.AnimalsSixty-five dogs undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy for diagnostic investigations at the Hospital for Small Animals, Edinburgh University.MethodA prospective, pathologist-blinded study comparing single-use and reusable alligator standard cup biopsy forceps (Olympus 2.0 mm 1550 mm) with 5 randomized reusable forceps. Sample quality (stomach, duodenum, ileum, and colon) was assessed by a single pathologist using the WSAVA guidelines.ResultsThere was no difference in the adequacy, depth, villi number, or crush artifact in the 4 intestinal areas between forceps type with at least 10, and up to 15, repeated uses of the reusable forceps.Conclusions and clinical importanceThis study demonstrates that reusable cup biopsy forceps provide equivalent biopsy quality after repeated uses to single-use forceps and are cost effective at 10-case use.
| S-EPMC5089600 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented amount of face mask consumption around the world. The increase in face mask consumption has brought focus to their environmental impact. To keep up with the increased demand for face masks, different variations of reusable face masks such as the embedded filtration layer (EFL) reusable face mask have emerged in the market. This study quantifies the environmental impact of the EFL reusable face mask and the single-use surgical face mask.MethodsThe life cycle assessment (LCA) study of the entire value chain from cradle-to-grave is applied to each face mask. Both face masks are evaluated over 1 functional unit (FU) of 31 12-h days for a single person. The ReCiPe method with the Hierachist perspective was applied. A total of nine impact categories as well as the generated waste of each face mask are evaluated.ResultsThe results show that for 1 functional unit, the use of single-use surgical face mask and EFL reusable face mask will contribute 0.580 kg CO2-eq and 0.338 kg CO2-eq to climate change and generate 0.004 kg and 0.0004 kg of waste respectively.ConclusionComparing both face masks, the EFL reusable face mask will have a lower emission of at least 30% in terms of the generated waste and the impact categories considered, except for water depletion, freshwater eutrophication, marine eutrophication, and human toxicity.
| S-EPMC8009732 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionClimate change is one of the 21st century's biggest public health issues and health care contributes up to 10% of the emissions of greenhouse gases in developed countries. About 15 million laparoscopic procedures are performed annually worldwide and single-use medical equipment is increasingly used during these procedures. Little is known about costs and environmental footprint of this change in practice.MethodsWe employed Life Cycle Assessment method to evaluate and compare the environmental impacts of single-use, reusable, and mixed trocar systems used for laparoscopic cholecystectomies at three hospitals in southern Sweden. The environmental impacts were calculated using the IMPACT 2002+ method and a functional unit of 500 procedures. Monte Carlo simulations were used to estimate differences between trocar systems. Data are presented as medians and 2.5th to 97.5th percentiles. Financial costs were calculated using Life Cycle Costing.ResultsThe single-use system had a 182% higher impact on resources than the reusable system [difference: 5160 MJ primary (4400-5770)]. The single-use system had a 379% higher impact on climate change than the reusable system [difference: 446 kg CO2eq (413-483)]. The single-use system had an 83% higher impact than the reusable system on ecosystem quality [difference: 79 PDF*m2*yr (24-112)] and a 240% higher impact on human health [difference: 2.4x10-4 DALY/person/yr (2.2x10-4-2.6x10-4)]. The mixed and single-use systems had a similar environmental impact. Differences between single-use and reusable trocars with regard to resource use and ecosystem quality were found to be sensitive to lower filling of machines in the sterilization process. For ecosystem quality the difference between the two were further sensitive to a 50% decrease in number of reuses, and to using a fossil fuel intensive electricity mix. Differences regarding effects on climate change and human health were robust in the sensitivity analyses. The reusable and mixed trocar systems were approximately half as expensive as the single-use systems (17360 € and 18560 € versus 37600 €, respectively).ConclusionIn the Swedish healthcare system the reusable trocar system offers a robust opportunity to reduce both the environmental impact and financial costs for laparoscopic surgery.
| S-EPMC9286249 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundReusable surgical drapes have a lower lifetime environmental impact than disposable drapes in most cases. There is limited evidence regarding whether drape choice impacts patient outcomes including post-operative wound complications. The aim of this study is to compare wound complication rates following routine neutering surgeries in cats and dogs when reusable drapes are used as compared with disposable drapes.MethodsThe trial will be conducted as a pragmatic, multi-centre, parallel group randomised controlled trial in the UK. Dogs and cats undergoing routine neutering will be randomised to disposable or reusable drapes with all other aspects of care occurring as they usually would at the practice. The required sample size is 2,850, with 4750 animals to be recruited from up to ten practices to allow for a 40% loss to follow-up. Demographic data and details on peri-operative care will be collected at the time of surgery. Post-operative wound complications will be assessed and recorded as usual at each practice using clinical codes. The post-operative wound clinical codes and any antibiotic use within 30 days of surgery will be retrieved from the practice management software. The primary outcome that will be compared between the two groups is the rate of post-operative wound complications within 30 days of surgery which will be analysed by multivariable logistic regression with a binary outcome of wound complication (yes/no). Secondary outcomes are the prevalence of different types of complications and antibiotic use within 30 days of surgery which will be compared between the two groups by chi square analysis.DiscussionOur hypothesis is that there will be no difference in post-operative wound complication rates between disposable and reusable drapes. If the likely rate of post-surgical wound complications with reusable drapes is similar to that with disposable drapes, then veterinary clinical teams can choose the more sustainable option, confident that their patients will not be impacted by this choice.Trial registrationWe have retrospectively registered the protocol on the Open Science Framework on 14 Nov 2023 (Trial registration entry: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/72HMA ).
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Project description:The coronavirus outbreak that commenced at the end of 2019 has led to a dramatic increase in the demand for face masks. In countries that are experiencing a shortage of face masks as a result of panic buying or inadequate supply, reusable fabric masks have become a popular option, because they are often considered more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than disposable medical masks. Nevertheless, there remains a significant variation in the quality and performance of existing face masks; not all are simultaneously able to provide protection against the extremely contagious virus and be comfortable to wear. This study aims to examine the influential factors that affect the comfort of reusable face masks, but not to assess the antimicrobial or antiviral potential. Seven types of masks were selected in this study and subjected to air and water vapor permeability testing, thermal conductivity testing and a wear trial. The results indicate that washable face masks made of thin layers of knitted fabric with low density and a permeable filter are more breathable. Additionally, masks that contain sufficient highly thermally conductive materials and have good water vapor permeability are often more comfortable to wear as they can transfer heat and moisture from the body quickly, and thus do not easily dampen and deteriorate.
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Project description:With the development of the takeaway industry, the demand for disposable cutlery is increasing, posing a heavy burden on the environment. Helping reusable tableware increase market share is important because it helps preserve the natural environment while making commercial gains. Given the additional cost to consumers of using reusable tableware in many settings, this article examines the impact of incorporating environmental propaganda into packaging design on consumer behaviour. The results show that the new packaging with high environmental propaganda satisfaction improves consumers' brand loyalty, purchase intention and continuance intention. The packaging of low environmental propaganda satisfaction may have negative effects and should be used with caution.
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