Opportunities for sustainable development in gastrointestinal endoscopy
A systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14528/snr.2026.60.2.3284Keywords:
green endoscopy, carbon footprint;, environmental impactAbstract
Introduction: The pursuit of sustainable development and carbon footprint reduction throughout all stages of the gastrointestinal endoscopy process has led to the emergence of the concept of "green endoscopy." The aim of this study was to examine sustainable strategies in gastrointestinal endoscopy and their effectiveness in reducing environmental impact without compromising the quality of health care.
Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted. The literature search was performed in the PubMed and ScienceDirect international bibliographic databases, via the ClinicalKey and Wiley Online Library platforms, and Google Scholar. The following keywords were used in English: green endoscopy, carbon footprint, environmental impact; and in Slovenian: zelena endoskopija, ogljični odtis, okoljski vpliv. Articles published between 2018 and 2023, available in Slovenian and English, with full text access, were included in the review. Data were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis.
Results: A total of 15 sources were included in the final analysis. Five content categories were identified: environmental protection, equipment and accessories, patient empowerment, employee empowerment, and patient safety. Although reducing the environmental burden is feasible, it requires a systematic and multidimensional approach that extends beyond mere technical adjustments. Clinical effectiveness is not compromised when sustainable measures are implemented in accordance with relevant guidelines and safety standards.
Discussion and conclusion: Evidence from our qualitative thematic analysis highlights the need for the management of healthcare organisations and individual endoscopy units to take prompt and effective action to reduce environmental pollution and follow a sustainable development plan. By adhering to professional guidelines, it is possible to reduce the environmental footprint while maintaining the quality of health care. Further empirical research is needed to more accurately quantify the carbon footprint across the individual phases of the endoscopic process.
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